The banquet was winding down. Plates were nearly empty, the laughter had mellowed, and soft music echoed across the Celestial Realm. Sensing the perfect opportunity, Noah rose from his seat, picked up a glass of juice, and calmly made his way toward Leila, who was deep in conversation with the Star Spirit King.
He stopped beside her, gaze sweeping over the gleaming halls and luminous spirits swirling around them. Then, he spoke with quiet awe:
"I've heard about this place from Grandpa Crux before, and I imagined what it might be like… but to see it for myself this world really is extraordinary."
Leila took a small sip from her glass and nodded with a smile.
"I studied Celestial Magic for many years, but even then… I never realized the Celestial Spirit Realm looked like this."
The Star Spirit King chuckled, his massive white beard swaying slightly as he raised his towering form.
"Even among old friends, you're the first human I've ever invited here. That's how much you mean to us, Leila."
Leila raised her wineglass with grace. "Then thank you, Star Spirit King, for inviting our whole family to share in this wonder."
The King lifted his colossal goblet in return, and the two glasses clinked together lightly, but with a resonance that echoed across the shimmering chamber. Then, in perfect unison, they each drank their glass dry.
After setting her glass aside, Leila glanced toward Noah, then turned back to the Celestial King.
"You're aware that my brother Noah wishes to remain in the Celestial Realm to study, yes?"
"I am," the King replied, stroking his long beard thoughtfully. "But… there are some things I don't yet understand."
He shifted his gaze toward Noah, peering at him with curiosity through glowing, pupil-less red eyes.
"You do know," the King continued, "that time flows differently between our two worlds. In the realm you call Ascalante, three months pass for every single day in our world. You're what ten years old? And your magic is already surging beyond your age."
His voice became heavier.
"If you stay here too long, won't it hinder your natural growth?"
Noah set his juice down gently and stepped forward, calm and confident.
"I don't intend to come here physically. I want to leave a thought body a projection of my consciousness to remain and study here on my behalf."
The Celestial King raised a thick brow. "A thought body, hmm? But those are fragile constructs. The time differential would tear it apart before long. And even if it did survive… how would you communicate with it?"
The King's voice was not dismissive only skeptical, as if inviting Noah to prove he'd truly thought this through.
"I considered that," Noah replied, "and I was lucky enough to meet a senior who helped me solve it."
Leila looked intrigued. "A senior? Who?"
"He's a man who once created a powerful super-magic," Noah explained. "But because of its consequences, he's been burdened with guilt ever since. He's lived for 400 years in a form similar to a thought body."
The moment he said that, both Leila and the Star Spirit King fell silent.
"I know who you mean," the King said softly at last. "A brilliant man… and a tragic one. What a pity."
Leila nodded slowly, her voice gentle. "Tell me more about him when we return."
But she quickly returned to the topic at hand. "What about the information exchange between you and your thought form? Have you solved that?"
"I have," Noah said with certainty. "The improved version of my thought body can transmit knowledge to my main body in real time. It's stabilized enough to persist across dimensions."
He gestured subtly as he continued. "Besides, I've already signed a contract with Grandpa Crux of the Southern Cross. When I summon him, the gate to the Celestial Realm opens. That moment connects our two worlds directly removing all separation."
Leila's eyes sparkled in realization. "So when the gate is open, the physical distance between you and your thought form becomes negligible."
"Exactly," Noah confirmed. "Even in different planes, we'll be close enough to synchronize completely."
The Star Spirit King stroked his beard again, now visibly impressed. "So you've taken every factor into account…"
Noah bowed his head. "This plan won't interfere with my physical development or my real-world responsibilities. But it will allow me to study and grow in Celestial Magic without pause."
The King smiled a deep, satisfied smile.
"Since you've considered everything so carefully, there's no need for me to object."
He extended a massive armored hand and patted Noah gently on the shoulder.
"Very well, young one. I, the King of the Celestial Spirit Realm, officially grant you permission to leave your thought body here."
The Star Spirit King turned to Noah and gave a hearty laugh.
"Leila is my old friend, and since you're her younger brother, that makes you my old friend too! If there's ever anything you need, you can ask any of the other Spirits. And if they can't help then come directly to me."
His booming voice was full of warmth and promise.
Noah bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Star Spirit King. I know my abilities are still limited… but if the Celestial Realm ever faces trouble, I promise I'll do everything I can to help."
The King grinned in satisfaction. "Good! Then let's not waste another minute this is a banquet, after all!"
Leila raised her glass with a smile. "To new beginnings."
Noah lifted his juice beside her. The Star Spirit King raised his towering goblet, and the three glasses clinked together with a soft chime, followed by a synchronized toast. All three downed their drinks in one gulp, laughter echoing around them.
Just then, a gentle stream of piano notes filled the air graceful, flowing like a river of sound.
It was Lyra, the Spirit of the Lyre constellation, her fingers dancing over ivory keys as her voice soon joined the melody. Her song, elegant and warm, carried across the banquet hall, drawing everyone into the heart of the celebration.
The party reached its climax.
Jiude who was usually stiff and proper in public had shed all formality. Laughing freely, he joined the Celestial Spirits in their wild, carefree dancing. For once, he wasn't weighed down by contracts or responsibilities. No hidden agendas, no careful negotiations just music, laughter, and joy.
Lucy, meanwhile, had joined a group of playful Canis Minor spirits. She had no idea what kind of dance they were doing, but that didn't stop her from joining in. She twirled and leapt, her bright blonde hair flowing as she smiled from ear to ear. She didn't care about rhythm or form only about how much fun she was having.
Watching from the side, Leila remained with the Star Spirit King. She didn't dance, but her heart was just as full as anyone's.
She looked around at the joyful scene her daughter dancing without a care in the world, her husband finally relaxing, and the Spirits she loved like family laughing alongside them. Her smile deepened.
This was the life she wanted. A family she cherished. Spirits she trusted. And the joy of seeing them all together, united.
Noah, standing nearby, quietly took out a small magical camera. He stepped around the dance floor, capturing shot after shot moments frozen in time: Lucy's innocent smile, Jiude mid-twirl, Leila beaming in the background, the Star Spirit King raising his arms in rhythm with Lyra's chorus.
Click by click, he preserved a perfect memory.
When the music ended and the energy softened, Noah gathered the pictures and, with a flick of magic, copied them onto enchanted photo paper. Then he walked around the room, handing a photo to each of the Celestial Spirits who had joined the celebration.
The Spirits lit up in delight. Some laughed in surprise. Others clutched the picture with quiet fondness.
Leila soon found Lucy, still out of breath from dancing, and scooped her up into her arms.
"Did you have fun, sweetie?" she asked gently.
Lucy beamed, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"I'm so happy, Mom! This was the best party ever!"
Leila spun around slowly, letting Lucy take in the glowing hall and the Spirits who surrounded them, smiling and talking.
"And do you like them?" she asked, her voice low and warm.
"Yes!" Lucy cried without hesitation. "I like them so much!"
Her innocent voice echoed like a bell through the room. The Spirits around her smiled, touched by the pure sincerity in her words.
In that moment, there was no doubt Lucy's heart had already begun to form a bond with the Celestial Spirits. And the Spirits, in turn, had started to love her too.