Year 1800.
Kandala village was a skeleton of timber and stone, its ribs of broken houses exposed under a pitiless sun. The dust of a dead village did not settle; it was in a constant, slow dance with the wind, shifting restlessly over the rubble.
On the outskirts, where the road gave up, four figures stood. They wore the practical gear of soldiers—tough leather, durable cloth, and pieces of steel armor on their shoulders and chests. The polished steel was deeply etched with the crests of their kingdoms, the unpainted scars in the metal untouched by the dust that choked everything else, marking the men as outsiders:
- The mage from the proud empire of Kensei bore the Solar Lynx, its form coiled and etched with lines that suggested radiating light, forever poised to pounce.
- The man from the frozen reaches of Hyohen was marked by the Lunar Spirit, the elegant lines of the fox captured mid-prowl, its intelligent gaze suggested by the cunning shape of its etched eyes.
- Across the chest plate of the mage from the mountainous kingdom of Adri, a Pluvia Avian, a sparrow, was captured in mid-dive, the elegant sweep of its etched wings giving shape to a cresting wave.
- On the shoulder of the mage from the forested land of Aranya stood the Terra Ursus, a bear. Its powerful form is a complex tapestry of etched stone patterns and flowing, vine-like lines.
In their hands, they held not swords, but long, wicked-looking scythes.
A sound cut through the silence—a raw, human scream of agony, coming from one of the few structures still stubbornly standing.
The Kensei mage , a man with a thin, severe mouth, flinched. His hand, clad in a worn leather glove, tightened on his scythe. "God! That noise is enough to drive a man mad," he snarled. "Why are we waiting? Let's just silence the source. One less wretch from this damned clan."
The Hyohen mage, his face a mask of cool amusement, didn't look away from the village. "You are welcome to try. And then you can explain to the Council why you murdered a woman in childbirth. Our mandate is clear: we only act if the newborn is a Luminar."
"Luminar or Twilight!" the Kensei mage spat, his face red with anger. "What difference does it make? This Ashijiki clan is a relic. A disease that should have been purged centuries ago. Now they're just a nuisance."
A third mage, from Adri, let out an exaggerated groan, stretching his arms above his head. "Mannn…!! I'm bored!! Is this the great mission? Standing in the dirt waiting for a baby to be born?"
A smile played on the lips of the Aranya mage. "How about a bet? I wager one hundred silver coins the child is a Twilight."
The Adri mage's boredom vanished, replaced by a sharp smirk. "You're on. My coin says it's a Luminar. I feel it in my bones."
As if summoned by their greed, a new sound joined the woman's fading screams—the sharp, healthy wail of a newborn.
The Adri mage snapped his head up, staring at the sky. "Here it comes! Watch the sky light up like a thousand suns! I'll be spending your silver tonight, my friend!"
"Fool," laughed the Aranya man. "The light will fade. It will become a land of eternal dusk. A Twilight. Prepare to pay me."
For a fraction of a second—a single, heart-stopping flash—a brilliant, blinding light exploded above the village. But the light died in its infancy, snuffed out like a candle before it could truly live.
Then, something else happened. A deep, gloomy shadow bled out from the village hut, spreading across the land faster than a lighting bolt. It swallowed the blue sky, turning it a murky, dark purple. The sun became a pale, sickly circle. The forests, the mountains, everything as far as they could see was plunged into a silent, eerie twilight.
The unnatural darkness held for five hard, suffocating seconds before the wind stirred again, pulling the murky veil away. The pale sun reappeared, and the world returned to its barren, sun-scorched state.
The Adri mage's jaw went slack. His mouth hung open. "What… What was that? It lit up first! It never does that!"
"It was just a meaningless dying flicker. Nothing more," said the Aranya mage, his voice dripping with smug victory. He extended an open palm. "The sky is dark. It's a Twilight. You lost. Pay me."
The Kensei mage was still staring, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "That was no gasp. It was a flash of light. A real one. I've been doing this for twenty years. I've never seen that happen."
"Oi! Are you trying to cheat me out of my winnings?" the Aranya mage snapped, his good humor vanishing.
"The law is clear," said the Hyohen mage, his voice a calming, authoritative force. He pointed his scythe at the village. "A Twilight birth is marked by the shroud of darkness. The child has no power. Our business here is concluded. We return to the Council."
As they turned to go, the Aranya mage grabbed the Adri mage's arm. "My money. Now."
With a grumble, the Adri mage pulled a heavy pouch from his belt and threw it at him. "Lucky throw of the dice."
The Kensei mage took one last look at the village. A look of pure disgust was on his face. "I was hoping for a Luminar," he muttered, the edge of a snarl in his voice. "I truly wanted to kill that kid."
Their figures receded down the path, their argument fading with them. They left Kandala behind, silent once more under the harsh sun, and the child who had just been born into a world that had already sent killers to its door.
13 Years Later
Year 1813, Krichi City - Outskirts of Krichi City.
The thunderous roar of a crowd echoed from Krichi City's colossal arena, a structure so massive its high stone walls seemed to scrape the sky. On the main road, a river of people flowed toward the main entrance, buzzing with excitement for the day's events.
Deep in the opposite forest, a very different struggle was taking place. 4 teenagers, all around 13 years old, making their way to the arena through the forest.
"Trust me, guys! This is a shortcut to the registration counter! We're gonna be the first ones there!"
Gyoda pushed through a thicket, a triumphant grin on his face. His dull orange hair was full of leaves, and his maroon shirt was snagged on a branch he hadn't noticed. A single, dull earring swung from his ear as his fire-colored eyes blazed with unearned confidence.
Behind him, Karna sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. "You've been saying that for the past two hours," he stated, his voice flat. His sharp black eyes, which usually held a depth full of secrets, were currently full of profound annoyance. "We would've been there already if we'd taken the road."
"We're almost there! I see light!" Gyoda insisted, bursting through the final line of trees.
They were dumped unceremoniously at the fringe of a bustling, makeshift market that had sprung up around the main entrance.
The air itself had changed, now thick with the enticing sizzle of spicy grilled meat from food stalls, the sweet, sugary smell of candied fruits, and the lively melody of a street performer's flute.
They faced a sea of people milling about between colorful vendor tents hawking roasted nuts, flavored ices, and exotic drinks, with a few more curious stalls offering rare monster parts, polished enchanted stones, and other strange curiosities.
Just beyond the main crowd, a separate, smaller road branched off toward the participants' entrance.
And there, it was impossible to miss: a massive, snaking line of aspiring mages that led to a distant registration desk, next to a sign that read: "Registration for D-Rank Wizard Test."
Kenta facepalmed, his handsome features twisting in frustration as his blue eyes scanned the enormous crowd. "I knew it! We definitely would have reached ages ago if we'd taken the actual road!"
Karna shook his head with a wry smile. "The road was completely empty when this genius suggested his 'detour'." The memory flashed through his mind of them standing alone on a clear, empty path leading straight to the arena.
"But... but..." Gyoda stammered, his face a perfect picture of shocked betrayal. Twigs poked out from his hair.
The true horror became apparent as Reiko stepped forward. The twigs weren't just on Gyoda - they were protruding from her beautiful, now thoroughly ruined long green hair. Her lovely, well-dressed appearance was demolished, her flashy skirt and leggings covered in forest debris.
A dark aura seemed to emanate from her as her cute green eyes narrowed into slits of pure rage.
"Gyoda."
Her voice was low, a deadly calm before the storm. He slowly turned, his face paling.
"GYODA!" she yelled, her voice exploding. "I TOLD YOU my hair would get ruined! You promised we'd be first! Now look at this line! Look at my HAIR!"
She grabbed him by his collar and began shaking him violently. The sharp sound of her hand smacking his head echoed through the air.
Meanwhile, Karna had already vanished into the crowd the moment Reiko began her tirade. He appeared by a food stall, offering a smile to a girl buying a drink before moving to "accidentally" bump into another participant with dramatic apologies. He then leaned against the arena wall, trying to look cool and mysterious for a group of girls walking by.
"This is paradise!" he whispered to himself, his deep black eyes sparkling with foolish hope. "So many potential future wives! I could get a girlfriend, get married, have kids... my future is right here!"
"HEY! KARNA!"
Kenta's voice cut through the crowd, loud and exasperated. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Get back here! None of them are into you! You're just being creepy again!"
But Karna was already too far gone, lost in his own delusional romantic comedy as he continued his hopeless quest through the crowd.
The chaotic energy of the market was suddenly sliced through by a new, violent disturbance.
A teenager—Goro, 18 years old—strode toward the participants' line with an air of contemptuous ownership. A black open-cut vest, black pants, dark scarf wrapped around his neck, and the distinct shape of a large weapon, swathed in bandanas, was strapped to his back. His black hair, sharp black eyes, and handsome, strong-featured face would have been striking if not for the arrogance twisting his expression. He moved with a predator's grace in his blackish-grey t-shirt and pants, not bothering to follow the queue.
Without a word of warning, he shoved a lanky boy with spectacles who stood at the front of the line. The boy yelped in surprise as he was sent sprawling to the ground.
"You are in the way!!" Goro stated flatly, as if explaining something simple to a child. He snatched a registration form from the desk as if it were already his.
A broad-shouldered youth behind him—the fallen boy's friend—stepped forward, his face flushed with outrage. "You dare push my friend? Are you begging for a fight??"
Goro didn't even turn. In one fluid, dismissive motion, he swung his arm back and struck the broad-shouldered youth across the face with the back of his hand. The impact was brutal. The youth was thrown off his feet, crashing to the dusty ground right next to Karna, who had been observing the scene silently from a short distance away.
A tense silence fell over the crowd. All murmuring and movement ceased as every eye fixed on Goro.
Unfazed, Goro finished scribbling on his form, tossed it back on the desk, and then turned slowly. He walked deliberately toward the dazed youth, who was still clutching his reddened cheek. Goro bent down, his voice a low, condescending growl.
"Stay down. You're where you belong."
Then, his dark eyes flicked up. They landed on Karna, who stood motionless beside the fallen boy.
A smirk twisted Goro's lips. "What's a Twilight like you doing here?" he said.
The word hung in the air, heavier than any blow.
Karna met his gaze. His expression didn't change. His black eyes were hollow, depthless—like a dead person's.
But around them, the crowd erupted into panicked whispers.
"Twilight…?"
"So it's true… He's really here."
"The Ashijiki Twilight… I heard the rumors…"
From the edges of the gathering, a group of five figures wearing distinct capes turned in unison. Their attention—previously casual—sharpened, eyes narrowing on Karna with newfound, intense interest.
Goro just snorted, straightening up. "Pathetic!!". He turned and walked away without another glance, leaving a wake of stunned silence behind him.
Before anyone could react further, another figure approached. This one wore a sleeveless shirt and carried a polished staff—Eto. He stopped directly in front of Karna, looking him over with a mix of curiosity and mockery.
"Well, well," Eto said, a taunting smile playing on his lips. "The stories are true. The Ashijiki Twilight shows his face." He leaned in slightly. "Tell me, do you really think you belong here with actual mages?"
Karna remained silent. His empty stare didn't waver. Just as Eto opened his mouth to continue his taunt, a powerful, magically amplified voice boomed across the grounds, effortlessly cutting through the tension and silencing every whisper.
"Welcome, aspirants!"
Every head snapped toward the source of the voice. Standing atop a small raised platform near the registration desk was a tall, authoritative man—Hatake. The distinct badge of a mage was clear on his shoulder.
"My name is Hatake," he announced, his voice carrying easily over the crowd. "B-Class wizard. And I will have the privilege of overseeing your D-Class examination today."
The crowd broke into louder whispers this time.
"B-Class wizard? Seriously?"
"D-Class exams are always overseen by C-Class examiners…"
"Look at his badge! He really is B-Class!"
The examiner's voice boomed out again, cutting through the chatter. "Let's go over the rules. You need a team of five to participate in this test."
The announcement was met with instant uproar.
"A team of five?"
"Is he joking?"
"This was supposed to be an individual test!"
Hatake continued, utterly unfazed. "The first test is Team-hunt, to be followed by a duel. Inside this arena is a huge forest. You'll be placed in the arena with specific instructions on how to qualify. Your starting positions will be displayed on the board. Teams will be chosen randomly..." He paused, his sharp eyes scanning the sea of anxious faces. "...unless you already have a team prepared. In that case, register your team at the desk now."
The discontent swelled into louder protests. "This is unfair!" someone shouted from the middle of the pack. "How are we supposed to work with total strangers??"
"Those are the rules," Hatake stated, his voice dropping into a low, intimidating register that silenced the complaints instantly. "If you find them unsatisfactory, you are free to leave and try again next season. Team registration closes in one hour." He turned to leave.
Eto, the staff-wielder, seized the opportunity. He turned to Karna with a vicious sneer. "Oi, Twilight! You hear that? You need a team. Who would ever partner with worthless trash like you? You're already disqualified. Here, let me show you the exit.". He grabbed Karna's wrist roughly—but in a blur of motion, Hatake appeared, his hand clamping down on Eto's arm like a vice. Eto cried out, his knees buckling as he was forced down into the dust.
"Where did he come from?!" Eto gasped, his face white with pain and shock. "His grip… it's so strong!"
"And one more thing," Hatake said, his voice dangerously calm. "There will be no fighting before the test begins." He released Eto and walked away, though his gaze lingered on Karna for a heartbeat longer than anyone else.
"So the rumors were true" the examiner thought. "The Twilight is here. This will please HIM."
Eto took a ragged breath, muttering "I thought my arm was going to snap," but Karna was already walking away without a single word.
Across the grounds, those without teams began frantically searching for teammates. Goro stalked toward the two boys he had beaten earlier.
"You weaklings won't last a day in there!" he barked. "Join me and you might live."
The broader youth glared back, his anger overcoming his fear. "How dare you ask us to join you. We'd rather fail than follow you!"
Goro's fist drove into the boy's stomach without a hint of warning. The boy crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
"Ugh! My bad," Goro said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "You were saying something? I couldn't hear you."
Through gritted teeth, the boy on the ground forced out the words: "We'll... join your team!"
Meanwhile, Kenta surveyed their group with a deep frown. "We're one member short. We need to find one more person."
A sudden, dramatic change came over Karna. His previously hollow eyes lit up with radiant joy and excitement. "In that case," he declared, his voice suddenly vibrant, "let's ask a girl to join us! My destiny awaits!" His gaze swept across the starting area, and with a joyful leap, he dashed into the gathering of candidates.
Kenta sighed in deep exasperation. "He's at it again... Oh my god."
They watched as Karna bounded from group to group, a charming smile fixed on his face as he asked girls to join their team. Each time, the response was the same: a look of disgust and a harsh rejection.
"Why would we want to be on the same team as a Twilight?" one girl said, her face twisted in contempt as she turned her back on him.
Dejected, Karna trudged back to his friends, his entire being radiating despair. "I've lost all hope in life," he muttered, sinking to his knees. "My romantic dreams are ashes. There's no more reason to live."
Just then, a gentle, slightly uncertain voice spoke up. "Um... excuse me?"
All heads turned to the speaker. A girl stood there, looking curiously at Karna on the ground. She was undeniably cute, dressed in a modest yet distinctly styled blue and white dress, with white leggings that extended into soft, low-heeled boots and a white bag. The dress itself had a simple, clean cut, reminiscent of the functional attire worn by some mages, but its fabric possessed an almost luminescent quality and a smoothness that was subtly alien to the hand-woven textiles common on this continent. The silver embroidery along its hem and cuffs was intricate, a fusion of delicate artistry and precise, almost mechanical patterns. Her sky-blue eyes were wide with a mixture of innocence and confusion, and she seemed completely oblivious to the tension she had just walked into.
"If you don't mind," she began again, softly. "Could I... maybe join your team?"
Karna slowly raised his head. His eyes met her sky-blue ones.
For him, the world seemed to stop. The noise of the crowd vanished, the background fading into a soft, pure white. Only this angelic girl existed.
"Are you alright?" she asked, tilting her head.
In Karna's imagination, a glowing cupid's arrow shot from her eyes and struck him directly in the heart. He fell backward onto the ground, a blissful, serene smile on his face and his eyes closed. "Kami-sama," he whispered to the heavens. "I am ready to come to you now. My life is finally fulfilled."
Reiko's foot suddenly landed on Karna's stomach with a thud. "Will you cut it out?!" she snapped.
As Karna curled into a groaning ball, he snapped back to reality. The new girl—Fumiko—looked on with deep concern. "Is he going to be alright?"
"Don't worry about him," Reiko said, her angry tone vanishing in a practiced, friendly smile. "This is a regular occurrence. I'm Reiko. This is Kenta, that's Gyoda, and the dramatic one on the ground is Karna."
Fumiko offered a small, polite bow. "Hello! My name is Fumiko. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Kenta studied her, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with suspicion. "Hello, Fumiko. So... you want to join our team?" he asked, gesturing to their ragged group.
In the background, Karna continued to roll on the ground while Gyoda squatted beside him.
Fumiko nodded, fiddling with the hem of her dress nervously. "Umm... yes! I'm all alone, and your group seems one person short. I thought... Perhaps we could help each other?"
Kenta's gaze didn't waver, his voice even but direct. "I have to ask. Why would you want to join this team? You know that he's a Twilight, right?" He gestured to Karna.
Fumiko tilted her head, her sky-blue eyes wide with genuine, unforced curiosity. "Umm... well, I don't really know what 'Twilight' means? Is it a bad thing?"
Kenta's sharp blue eyes narrowed slightly. The suspicion on his face was tempered by genuine surprise. "You... don't know? That's... strange. Everyone on this continent knows that word."
"I'm not from here," Fumiko explained softly, offering a small, polite bow of her head. "I come from Lycia."
The name of the western continent landed with palpable weight. Kenta's eyebrows raised in genuine astonishment. "Lycia? The Continent of Peace? I've heard stories. A land without magic, where they built kingdoms on technology instead. No wonder your attire looks different. But... you don't have any magical equipment. Don't Lycians rely on that?"
Fumiko offered a small, shy smile. "Most Lycians do, yes. But I'm a bit of an anomaly. I was actually born with a natural affinity for magic, which is very rare in my homeland."
Reiko's face lit up with sudden understanding. "Ohhh! That explains it! The Council only opened the borders to Lycia three years ago after that big treaty. No wonder you haven't heard about it."
Just then, a pained groan drew everyone's attention. Karna was still rolling on the ground dramatically, with Gyoda poking him and asking, "You alive in there, buddy?"
Fumiko's gaze shifted to the commotion, her expression one of innocent concern as she watched the strange spectacle.
At that moment, while Fumiko was distracted, Kenta and Reiko shared a look. It was a rapid, silent conversation held entirely in their eyes. Kenta's glance was a question, sharp and cautious: "Do we trust this?" Reiko's answer, a pragmatic roll of her eyes followed by a firm nod: "We don't have a choice. She's our only shot."
Kenta gave an almost imperceptible sigh of resignation and nodded back. The decision was made. As Fumiko turned her attention back to them, Kenta spoke, his tone formal but noticeably warmer than before.
"Fumiko," he said. "We'll take you in."
Fumiko's entire face illuminated with a radiant, relieved smile, all traces of her earlier nervousness vanishing. "Really? Thank you! I promise I will not hold you back!"
Kenta gave a single, firm nod. "We'll be counting on you."
Karna stood in the registration queue, a stark contrast to his usual brooding self. An almost ridiculous grin was plastered on his face, his eyes sparkling with unrestrained excitement. He practically vibrated with energy, looking less like a condemned Twilight and more like a kid on the morning of a festival. The rest of his team—Kenta, Reiko, Gyoda, and their new member, Fumiko—stood with him, a mixture of resolve and anxiety on their faces.
Not far away, Goro's team was also registering. The two boys he had strong-armed into joining him stood sullenly at the back of the group, their expressions a mixture of anger and resignation as they submitted their application.
After a tense wait, the rules flickered to life on the large board, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd.
TEST RULES: THE TEAM ELIMINATION PHASE
- Duration: 4 Days
- Objective: Your team must collect a combined total of 100,000 points to qualify for the next round.
- Starting Points: Each participant begins with 100 points. If any member's score falls to 0, they are immediately eliminated.
- Point Collection: Points spawn across the arena (values: 500 - 10,000). They can be shared among teammates.
- Team Radar: Your teammates will appear on your device's radar.
- Looting: To loot points or items from another team, place your device on theirs and clearly state, "Steal."
- The Golden Rabbit: On Days 2, 3, and 4, a magical rabbit will appear. Your device will blink when it spawns and periodically reveal its location.
- Day 2 Reward: 30,000 points
- Day 3 Reward: 50,000 points
- Day 4 Reward: 100,000 points
- The Store: Use your earned points to purchase provisions and weapons. High-level gear is available for a price.
- Bounty Hunt (Final 6 Hours): The top 3 teams will be marked as targets. Their locations and names will be broadcast to all. The store will be locked during this event.
A rough sketch of the arena map appeared. It showed a dense rainforest with towering trees, open barren lands under a harsh sun, and a network of winding canals with dark, slow-moving water. Each terrain presented its own dangers—ambushes in the forest, exposure in the barrens, and hidden risks in the water. Survival would mean navigating them all.
Near the board, a larger map lit up, displaying numbered starting points. Team names began flashing beside them.
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, pulling attention away from the rules board. Another team was approaching the registration counter, and their appearance was unlike anything else in the arena.
They were from Lycia.
They moved with a confident swagger that was entirely foreign to the mages of the continent. Each member was impeccably dressed in a style that spoke of advanced design and impeccable tailoring. Instead of the practical robes and armor worn by the mages, they wore form-fitting suits of varying colors. There was a sleek navy suit, a rich forest green one, a striking golden one, and suits of pure white and solid maroon . Each outfit featured clean-cut shirts and neatly knotted cravats. Their jackets were sleek with subtle brass buttons, and their trousers were tucked into tall, gleaming leather boots. They were a vision of professional, understated elegance that felt wildly out of place amidst the crowd.
The crowd stared, not with hostility, but with open curiosity and awe. It had only been three years since the Council opened the borders, and a full team from the reclusive, technology-advanced continent was still a rare spectacle. They were treated like visiting celebrities from a strange, futuristic world.
The team's leader, a tall figure with a calm demeanor, stepped up to the counter. The receptionist, looking slightly flustered, presented them with a case.
"Your equipment has been calibrated and tested," the receptionist announced, her voice carrying in the hushed atmosphere. "The Council has approved their use. The mana-conversion gems in your firearms have been stabilized to comply with arena regulations. Your elemental bracelets have also been cleared. You are good to go."
With a nod of thanks, the leader opened the case. Inside, their pistols and bracelets gleamed, now bearing small, official Council seals that shimmered with a faint magical energy. They retrieved their gear, the click of holsters and the faint hum of activating bracelets sounding unnaturally loud in the silence.
As they turned to leave, their eyes swept over the other teams with a cool, assessing gaze that was neither friendly nor hostile—merely analytical. They completely ignored the stares, their focus already on the arena ahead, a unit of calm, prepared professionals amidst a sea of anxious mages.
The display was a powerful reminder: the rules of this game were changing. Strength wouldn't just be measured in spells anymore.
Before they entered the gateway to the arena, each team was issued their devices. The radar was a fascinating piece of magic-tech: a palm-sized, smooth black stone set within a circular, dented bronze frame etched with glowing runes. It had a rugged, well-used look. When Karna tentatively pressed his thumb to its surface, the runes flared to life, and a shimmering, translucent hologram of the map projected into the air above it, displaying pulsing points of light and the faint outlines of his four teammates.
The reality of the test settled over them—a mix of danger and opportunity. It was no longer just a test; it was a battle for survival.
The five of them walked in a loose formation towards their designated starting point. Kenta led the way, his expression pensive, with Karna and Gyoda a few steps behind. Fumiko and Reiko brought up the rear.
After a long silence, Kenta spoke, his voice low. "This point system... it's ruthless."
Gyoda shrugged, hands behind his head. "How so?"
"Think about it," Kenta replied. "You have to buy everything, even food, with points. Teams that fall behind early won't just fail... they might not even survive the four days. It's a brutal but efficient way to thin the herd."
Karna, walking beside him, gave a single, grim nod. "It's designed to create desperation."
As they walked, Fumiko leaned closer to Reiko, her voice a hushed, hesitant whisper.
"Reiko... I don't mean to be rude, but could you explain what it means to be a 'Twilight'?"
Reiko glanced at the boys ahead to ensure they were out of earshot. "It's not a simple subject," she said, her tone turning serious. "It's tied to a specific clan. Have you ever heard of the Ashijiki?"
Fumiko shook her head. "No, I haven't."
"Then I'll start from the beginning," Reiko said with a sigh. "For centuries, the Ashijiki were treated as untouchables—oppressed, hated by almost everyone, considered lower than dirt. For a brief time, they gained liberation and became incredibly powerful. That strength, however, is what caused their downfall."
Fumiko's expression was one of focused curiosity. "What kind of power?"
"You know how mages are blessed by spirits, granting them their magic?" Reiko asked.
"Of course. Like a mage being blessed by a water spirit and he can wield water with ease"
"Right. Well, the Ashijiki clan was blessed by the most powerful spirit of all: the Sun Spirit. Their power was immense, legendary. Being blessed by the Sun Spirit is no joke; they became unimaginably strong, capable of shifting the balance of entire wars. The nations and great clans that had once oppressed them could not accept their rise. They saw their power as an abomination and were terrified of it. So, they united and slaughtered most of the Ashijiki in a great massacre, wiping out their newfound strength and pushing them back into misery. Now, the world doesn't fear the ones who are left... they just hate them."
"Why would they spare any of them?" Fumiko asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Because of the nature of their bloodline, and because of one man's intervention," Reiko explained. "When an Ashijiki child is born, they are born as one of two things: a Luminar or a Twilight. A Luminar inherits the full, devastating power of the Sun Spirit. Their birth is announced by the sky lighting up in a blinding, golden radiance."
She paused, gathering the history. "The alliance of nations wanted to wipe the Ashijiki out completely, to erase them from the world. But the then Head of the Magic Council stood against the slaughter. The other council members were against him, so he was forced to make a terrible deal to stop the genocide. The clan would be spared, but only under one condition: they would only be allowed to exist if they ensured no more Luminars were ever born. Now, watchers are sent to every Ashijiki birth. If the child is a Luminar..." Reiko's voice tightened with grim finality. "...it is killed. The Twilights are allowed to live. Karna was born a Twilight."
Fumiko was silent for a long moment, the weight of history settling on her. "But this 'condition' the Twilights have... is it a sickness? A curse?"
Reiko could only offer a helpless shrug. "That's the greatest mystery. No one knows where it came from or why it happens. It just does."
Fumiko's gaze drifted forward, settling on Karna with a new, profound sadness. As if sensing her stare, Karna glanced back. Their eyes met for a split second before Fumiko quickly looked away, flustered.
Seizing the opportunity for a dramatic gesture, Karna immediately shoved Gyoda off the path into a bush.
"I have cleared the way for you, my princess!" he announced to Fumiko with an exaggerated bow. "Please, walk without obstruction!"
Gyoda erupted from the foliage, tackling Karna. "Why you—! What was that for?!" The two of them tumbled into a brief, comical scuffle on the ground. "You were blocking her way", said Karna.
Their fight was abruptly cut short as five figures in dark capes emerged from a side path, crossing directly in front of them. The air grew heavy and still. Kenta immediately stiffened, and even Karna and Gyoda stopped their fighting, getting to their feet warily.
The caped figures passed without a word or glance—except one. The one at the rear slowed his pace, his head turning just enough for them to see the faintest smirk on his lips beneath his hood.
His voice, low and clear, carried back to them, meant to be heard.
"So, that's the Twilight."
And then they were gone, disappearing into the trees as quickly as they had appeared, leaving a cold silence in their wake.