After a two-day journey, they finally arrived at the capital, Velmira. By the time they reached the city, the day had already passed noon. The crowd filling the streets, the sound of horse-drawn carriages, and guild banners fluttering in the wind welcomed them—along with a shared weight hanging over everyone: exhaustion.
They were all completely worn out. After stopping by the Guild to submit their mission report, resting was the only thing on their minds.
Maia, however, had been quiet throughout the journey.
No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept returning to her brother. She couldn't make sense of what had happened. That man—loving, protective, always watching over her—how could he have become someone so dark?
The thought hurt deeply.
But Maia also knew this: sorrow and waiting were not solutions. She needed to become strong enough to face him. She had accepted that truth. And starting tomorrow, she was ready to do whatever it took.
When they entered the Guild, there was a noticeable sense of bustle inside. Decorations were being put up throughout the hall; staff members hurried back and forth carrying fabrics and banners. Colorful pennants were hung along the walls, and light ornaments dangled from the high ceilings.
Vega looked around in surprise and asked,
"What's going on? Why is everything decorated?"
Griffine smiled faintly.
"Our country, Solvena, is approaching its founding anniversary. That's why these preparations are underway. You may not have seen it before since you've never been in the capital during the anniversary. Compared to other cities, the celebrations here are much more grand. There are festivals, followed by a large ball."
Kael nodded.
"It's celebrated in our city too, but nothing this big. It's a small town, after all. Sounds like it'll be fun."
A faint smile appeared on Aryel's face.
"I've attended before with my family. It really is enjoyable."
Lucien frowned and muttered,
"Do we really have to attend the ball again this year? I don't feel like I belong there."
Nathan shrugged.
"Attendance is mandatory as part of the Guild. Like it or not."
Griffine stepped in, ending the discussion.
"Come on. Let's go see Alex and submit the report. He'll relay the necessary information anyway."
Maia let out a deep sigh.
"I'm so tired… let's get this over with quickly so we can leave."
Nathan quietly brushed Maia's hair back and then wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Almost done. We'll be able to rest soon. Just a little more patience."
Maia only nodded, but that small gesture of care warmed her noticeably.
Erin spoke with a slightly teasing smile.
"You might want to find yourselves a partner before the ball."
Vega's eyes widened.
"A partner? We can't attend without one?"
"Of course you can," Erin replied. "But for dances and paired events, you'll need one. Otherwise, you might get bored just watching." Then she added, glancing at Lucien, "That's probably why he doesn't want to go."
Lucien shrugged.
"It really is boring… but at least the food is good."
Vega's face lit up instantly.
"Food? Now that I like. We can eat as much high-quality food as we want."
Kael shot him a mocking look.
"All you ever think about is food. I seriously don't understand how you're still this small," he grumbled.
When they reached Alex's office, Griffine knocked on the door. Without waiting for a response, he pushed it open and entered; the others followed.
Alex's office was even messier than usual. The desk was covered with documents—some stacked neatly, others crumpled and tossed aside. Open folders lay scattered on the floor, and cloaks were draped carelessly over a chair. Alex himself looked disheveled; his clothes were untidy, and his hair and beard had grown noticeably. It was obvious he hadn't rested properly in days.
Griffine glanced around the room and spoke.
"Looks like you're busy. We came to submit the report. If now's not a good time, we can come back later."
Alex waved a hand dismissively.
"Oh, please… don't mind the mess. I haven't even been home for days. There's been too much to do." After a brief pause, he added, "I heard you ran into some difficulties during the mission. I was actually expecting you."
Griffine placed the file he was holding onto the desk.
"We encountered Zarek, one of Blackthorn's commanders. We were badly worn down, but everyone returned safely. I've written all the details in this file. You can call on us if anything comes up."
He hesitated for a moment, then his tone turned serious.
"Oh… there's one more small but important detail. Zarek is Maia's brother."
Alex's eyes widened instantly.
Maia, on the other hand, felt an involuntary sense of embarrassment. There was a weight lodged in her throat, like an undeserved guilt pressing down on her chest.
Griffine cleared his throat and continued:
"Her brother left home years ago and cut all ties with his family. No one knew he had become a member of Blackthorn."
Alex turned his gaze to Maia. He studied her carefully, noticing the exhaustion on her face and the emotions she was holding back in her eyes.
"Maia… this must be very difficult for you," he said in a softer voice. "Learning that your brother is part of Blackthorn is not an easy thing. But you know… this organization doesn't just threaten our country—it could plunge the entire world into darkness."
Maia could no longer remain silent.
"Yes, sir. I was shocked," she said calmly but firmly. "But I've accepted the truth that he is not a good person. So please, don't worry."
She took a breath and continued without averting her gaze:
"I want to become stronger. Strong enough to face him with my own power… and I'm ready to do everything necessary for that."
A visible look of satisfaction appeared on Alex's face.
"Hearing that truly makes me happy, Maia. We want to support you in every way we can. Your fellow guild members will help you develop your magic. I'll also speak with the research team."
Maia's eyes lit up.
"Yes, sir. Your support means a great deal to me. Thank you."
After a brief hesitation, Griffine spoke again.
"I didn't include this in the report, but there's another important detail," he said.
"Aryel and Lucien managed to awaken their light and dark powers while together. It's probably the attraction between opposing forces. You may want to discuss this with the research team as well." After a short pause, he added, "Their combined powers could give us a significant advantage against Blackthorn."
Alex shifted his gaze first to Aryel, then to Lucien. He examined them closely, as if weighing more than what was visible.
"This is news I'm genuinely pleased to hear," he said decisively.
"You should continue training together. If possible, don't stay too far apart. Do whatever it takes to develop those powers."
His tone grew more serious.
"Because your potential… could change the course of this war."
Lucien and Aryel spoke at the same time.
"Understood, Captain."
Alex couldn't help but smile at their harmony.
"You're already synchronized—nice. Looks like you've melted the ice between you."
They both simply nodded, offering small smiles. Griffine turned to the team and spoke:
"You all did an excellent job on this mission. You've earned your rest. Enjoy the festival."
Alex took over.
"Absolutely. You performed far better than I expected." After a brief pause, he added, "Enjoy the festival—but don't neglect your training. You won't be assigned a new mission until the Founding Day celebration ball is over."
Then his tone became slightly more formal.
"Oh, and one more thing… all of you are required to attend the ball. You are important guardians representing our Guild and our country. Seeing you there will reassure the people."
He glanced at the documents on his desk.
"You may leave now."
"Griffine and Erin, please stay a little longer."
After the others left the room, the tension on their shoulders slowly began to fade. Maia spoke aloud as she let out a deep breath:
"I was so tense… I can finally relax a little."
Aryel turned to her with a smile.
"You handled everything really well, Maia. I'm sure you'll start using your powers much more effectively very soon."
Vega sighed thoughtfully.
"Ahh… we need partners for the ball. What are we going to do?"
Lucien spoke without hesitation:
"Aryel and I can't be separated."
He paused, then quickly added, "I mean… to develop our powers. That's what the Captain said."
Aryel glanced at him sideways and asked with a teasing smile:
"So… are you asking me to go to the ball with you?"
Vega's eyes widened.
"Wow… I didn't expect you to move that fast." Then he looked at Maia. "Maia will probably go with Nathan anyway. So what are we going to do, Kael?"
Lucien grinned with satisfaction.
"The fast ones win."
Aryel raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't accepted yet. Are you that sure I will?"
Lucien froze for a moment, then tried to sound charming.
"Ah… I hadn't considered that. You're right."
After a short pause, he added:
"But you will accept, right? I mean, I gathered the courage to ask in front of everyone."
Aryel giggled.
"Alright, alright… let's go together."
Lucien let out a relieved breath.
"Oh, thank goodness."
Kael had been watching everything in stunned silence. He hadn't been able to find an answer for Vega.
Just then, Vega suddenly jumped in:
"Then I should go ask Nora too."
He paused and added:
"I hope she hasn't promised anyone else. You go on ahead—I'll catch up."
The moment he finished speaking, he rushed off. Kael froze.
"What did he just say… Nora?"
His surprise quickly turned into irritation.
"What do you mean? Am I the only one left here? Is my best friend really going to ditch me and hang out with Nora?"
He grumbled.
"I feel betrayed."
Maia burst out laughing.
"What did you expect? That he'd wait for you forever?"
Kael immediately shot back:
"What does that have to do with anything?!"
Aryel shrugged.
"Maybe he's started to like Nora."
Lucien added calmly:
"They get along well. Why not?"
Kael's expression hardened instantly.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Then he added hastily:
"And besides, why should I care? I'll find myself a partner too."
But what he felt inside was completely different. He couldn't put it into words.
Nora and Vega? No… that couldn't be. With that thought, a weight settled heavily on his chest. As he sighed internally, wondering what is happening to me, Maia's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Come on, let's go. I want to shower and sleep. Vega said he'll catch up later."
Aryel replied:
"With wind powers, he could probably fly here. We don't need to wait for him."
Kael followed them out of the guild, albeit reluctantly.
When they got home, everyone retreated to their own rooms. After such a difficult mission, they were all lost in their own thoughts.
***
The next morning, they went to the guild to train. Since Aryel and Lucien couldn't fully control their powers yet, they decided it would be better to train in the forest.
Maia went to the research team, while Nathan trained with the other guild members.
Kael was still sulking toward Vega.
"So what, leaving me alone to train with Nora doesn't matter at all, huh? Your best friend being by himself is no big deal?"
Vega frowned.
"Why are you acting like this? Nora already agreed, and it's not like I'll be with her all the time. I'll still be with you guys."
"I'm going to ask you something," Kael said. "And answer honestly."
His heart suddenly started pounding. He was afraid of what he might hear.
"Okay," Vega said, watching him curiously.
"Do you really like Nora?" Kael asked. "Are you in love with her?"
As he said it, he felt unbearably embarrassed. He didn't even understand why he was blushing this much. His hands clenched into fists as he tried to stay calm.
Vega hadn't expected that question. He froze in place.
"As a person, yes, I like her," he finally said. "She's a good person. But am I in love? I don't know. I've never really thought about it."
After a brief pause, he looked at Kael.
"Do you want me to be in love, Kael?"
Kael's face turned even redder.
"I—I mean, if you want to fall in love, of course you should," he said quickly. "I support every decision you make. We're best friends, aren't we?"
The moment those words left his mouth, that familiar weight pressed down on his heart again. The sadness on his face was impossible to hide.
Vega noticed.
"If I ever get a girlfriend, I won't leave you alone. I promise," he said gently.
"And besides, there's nothing like that right now. If there ever is, you'll be the first to know."
Saying those words hurt Vega.
Because standing right in front of him was the person he was actually in love with. And it was a love that would never come true.
Why did it have to be this way? Why did he have to feel this way about his best friend?
He felt guilty.I'm being unfair to him just for feeling this, he thought.
"Come on, let's train," Kael said, trying to sound unaffected.
"It's been a long time since we trained together."
Vega nodded and followed him.
Aryel and Lucien had found a quiet area in the forest to train. Neither of them could use their powers for long; after a short while, both of their magical energies would suddenly run out.
"When I use the other elements, I can maintain my magic for a long time," Aryel said.
"But when it comes to light, it drains so fast. I really don't understand why."
Lucien shrugged.
"I've only ever used aura with my sword. I never managed to use magic properly."
After a short pause, he added:
"When I tried a few times, I felt like I was losing myself. That's why I chose not to use it. I mentioned it before."
"So what are we going to do?" Aryel asked.
"Do you think constant training will help? Or…"
She hesitated.
"…sticking close to each other?"
The corner of Lucien's lips curved upward.
"Sticking close to each other doesn't sound so bad."
Aryel stared at him in surprise.
"What, are you flirting with me now?"
Lucien burst out laughing.
"I don't even know how to flirt," he said.
"I've never been this close to anyone before."
Aryel tried to remain calm as she replied:
"Honestly, I don't really know either. I've never had a relationship—or anything like one."
But her heart had already started racing.
Aryel felt embarrassed.
Did Lucien really like her? What was he trying to say? She couldn't quite figure him out.
"Really?" Lucien said in surprise.
"Maia seems pretty experienced in that area."
Aryel giggled.
"Yeah, she really is. But my priority has always been getting stronger. I never got close to anyone except my friends."
Lucien lowered his gaze.
"Do we count as close friends now?" His voice was quieter.
"We spend a lot of time together, don't we?"
After a short pause, he added:
"To be honest, I never really had a close friend either. Even Nathan and I weren't that close until you all joined the team."
He clearly feared Aryel's reaction and didn't dare look up.
"Of course," Aryel said with a laugh.
"Aren't we practically glued to each other already?"
Then her expression grew serious. Her eyes locked onto Lucien.
"You're not someone who likes showing their emotions. Maybe you kept your distance because you were even afraid of your own power."
Her tone softened.
"But now I'm here. I'll make sure your power never hurts anyone."
Lucien lifted his head.
"I trust you," he said.
"If one day I lose control and you have to kill me… do it."
His gaze was steady.
"Don't let me hurt anyone."
Aryel's throat tightened.
"I want to ask you something," she said.
"Will you answer honestly?"
Lucien nodded curiously.
"Back then, the writings in the notebook we found…" Aryel held her breath.
"You could read them, couldn't you?"
Lucien froze in place. Anxiety washed over his entire body. The words simply wouldn't come out.