Ray walks toward the village, the morning sun casting long golden rays through the trees, warming the dirt path beneath his feet. As usual, children peek from behind fences and tree trunks, curious and eager—but today, they don't swarm around him. They've come to understand something over time: Ray always chooses Arisa. So, with knowing smiles and soft laughter, they hold back.
In the distance, Arisa comes running, her footsteps light, her face lit with a cheery glow. Her energy, like the morning breeze, seems to lift the quiet air around her.
She welcomes Ray with that usual brightness, then turns to walk beside him toward Granny's house. Her smile lingers, but Ray, attuned to the small shifts in her expression, notices the subtle tension in her eyes and the slight stiffness in her hands—she's just as nervous as he is.
Ray lets out a soft 'pfft' and bursts into laughter, the tension melting off his shoulders. Seeing Arisa like that—so outwardly cheerful but inwardly on edge—was just too much.
His sudden laughter catches the attention of Diana and Aries, who glance over in surprise.
"Why are you laughing?" they ask, almost in unison.
Ray wipes a tear from the corner of his eye and grins. "It's because I was so nervous I could barely think of anything else... but then I saw Arisa, and she looked more anxious than me. Sorry, but that was funny."
Arisa puffs her cheeks, giving him a pouty glare before launching into a scolding, her tone flustered but her heart clearly lighter. Diana chuckles quietly, amused by their harmless bickering. Their little verbal spat seems to calm them both, slowly easing the weight in their chests.
They continue their walk, the narrow village paths flanked by modest homes and gardens bursting with late-autumn vegetables. Eventually, they arrive at Grandma Theresa's house, the faint smell of herbs and fresh fabric dye lingering in the air.
Inside, the small home buzzes with activity. The ladies work diligently, sewing and stitching with practiced grace, their fingers moving as if dancing. The limited space is filled with colorful threads, bolts of cloth, and laughter. Outside, the rhythmic thud of axes and the rustle of harvested wheat signal the men's efforts—cutting trees and tending to the fields.
Granny Theresa notices them and gives a welcoming nod as Ray approaches with Arisa beside him. With a warm, almost knowing smile, she gestures for them to follow her to the backyard, where a simple wooden table and a few chairs sit under the shade of a flowering tree. The interior of the house, brimming with work and workers, has little room to spare.
Theresa's eyes glint with quiet pride. She turns to Diana and says, "Create a formation so we can talk freely."
Diana nods without a word. Her hands move gracefully through the air, weaving lines of spiritual energy into invisible runes. A moment later, a soft shimmer encases the area—both a protective and soundproof formation. Diana gives a confirming nod toward the elder.
Theresa returns it and speaks calmly, "Two days from now is Arisa's birthday. So we will be doing the awakening for cultivation the day after. Is that alright?"
Ray and Diana freeze for a heartbeat, eyes widening in surprise.
"Haha!" Diana suddenly laughs, eyes twinkling. "That's the same day Ray was born too! So we'll have a little birthday celebration for him as well."
Now it's Arisa and Granny Theresa's turn to be surprised. Their eyebrows shoot up before warm smiles spread across their faces. They nod together, and the air seems to hum with excitement.
Theresa's tone softens as she begins to explain the awakening ceremony.
"The spirits will gather around you both. You will sit beneath the ancient tree—our village's oldest treasure, passed down through generations. Since the earliest times, all awakenings here have been held under its branches. The spirits are drawn to it and to those with potential."
"The more spiritual energy they bring, the stronger your chances of awakening a great cultivation talent. Unlike the academy's forced formations that pull energy into circles, the spirits give willingly. If they choose to help you... it means you are loved by nature itself."
She leans in slightly, her voice now a reverent whisper. "When you're ready, take the awakening pill. Ours is different—it aligns better with the natural world. Let the spirits and the ancient tree guide you. Don't fight. Just... let go."
Ray and Arisa nod silently, hearts thudding with a mix of anticipation and unease. Even Arisa, who had lived here all her life, had never seen the ancient tree.
"You'll be guided to it," Granny reassures them, reading their confusion.
Gratitude flickers in Ray's eyes as Theresa begins thanking him sincerely for bringing the ladies to help. The once-muted home now teems with life and laughter, fabric and dreams. Theresa beams as she shows off garments—robes of soft silk, vests of durable weave, and dresses that blend elegance with simplicity.
Ray holds up the clothes one by one, feeling the texture between his fingers. Each piece carries a whisper of joy, of effort, of purpose. They far exceed his expectations.
"These will be in my new clothing shop," Ray announces with pride. "But before that, I'll advertise them all over the kingdom. They deserve recognition."
Granny Theresa smiles but shakes her head gently when he suggests attaching her name to the designs.
"I don't like the spotlight," she murmurs.
Ray nods, understanding. "Then I'll keep your name secret. But your work will speak for itself."
He makes his way to the ladies, who pause their sewing to greet him. When he asks how they're doing, their faces light up—some with joy, others with tears.
They share their stories, each one touched by rejection or ridicule for wanting to sew. Now, they not only get to follow their passion but see it valued—respected.
"We'd do the work for free," one says, eyes wet. "Just seeing people wear what we make… it's enough."
Ray, smiling softly, shakes his head. "Not anymore. You'll be paid for your talent."
And with that, he hands out salaries—paid a year in advance. A hush falls. Then, tears. Grateful, unrestrained tears. They hug him, one by one, wrapping him in warm embraces. Ray, flustered but happy, lets them. He's just a child, but in their eyes, he's their hope.
Two days pass in a blur of laughter and sunlight. Ray and Arisa spend hours playing games, talking, and sharing quiet thoughts under the canopy of trees. Slowly, Arisa's loneliness begins to fade. Her smiles become more frequent, her laughter more genuine.
Granny watches from afar, her heart full. This is why she wanted Ray to awaken here—not just because of the tree, but because of Arisa. Every child deserves memories of joy and of friendship.
The birthday celebration is held in the backyard, beneath lanterns swaying in the wind. The villagers arrive with gifts, dishes, and music. Arisa glows in the center, and though Ray tries to shy away from attention, Theresa insists they cut the cake together. He complies, sharing a shy smile with Arisa as they slice into the soft layers.
The food is wild and fresh, caught and cooked by the villagers. Laughter fills the air, and music drifts between the homes as dancing begins. The night stretches long, wrapping the village in warmth.
And then, the day arrives.
Awakening Day.
Ray and Arisa, solemn now, are handed their pills by Granny Theresa. These pills shine faintly with energy—purer and stronger than even Diana's offering. They hold them tightly.
"The ancient tree lies within a hidden formation," Theresa explains. "No one else may enter. Go. Sit beneath the tree. The spirit will guide you."
Ray and Arisa exchange a glance—nervous, excited, determined.
They step past the boundary.
With each footfall, the air grows still. Leaves whisper secrets in the breeze, and the forest ahead seems to part for them.
This is it.
Today, they will become cultivators.