The final day of the first year was a busy, festive occasion. The Aurelian Singularity—the artificial sun sitting where the old sun once was—stayed at its bright afternoon setting. Shuttles from all over planet Earth were landing, bringing families to celebrate the first major milestone of their children's lives.
Kaelen and Mina stood near the main gates. Kaelen's parents arrived first. His mother, Lyra, was smiling broadly, while his father, Alrin Veyron, walked with a steady, quiet confidence. Alrin was a man of few words, his presence as solid as a mountain, with a deep crimson aura that felt like a warm hearth.
Coming from the other side was Mina's family. Her mother, Elara, moved with a grace that matched her shimmering silver thread. Beside her was her husband, a tall, sharp-eyed man who looked exactly like a grown-up version of Mina's energetic spirit.
A Surprise Reunion
"Kaelen!" Lyra called out, but she stopped short when she saw the couple approaching. "Elara? And... is that you two?"
Mina's father let out a booming laugh. He stepped forward and gave Alrin a firm, rib-cracking handshake—the kind shared only by old brothers-in-arms.
"Alrin, you old stone-face!" he grinned. "I haven't seen you since we were pulling triple-shifts at the Border Outposts. And Lyra, you haven't aged a day since graduation."
Alrin's usually stern face broke into a rare, genuine smile. "It's been far too long. To think, after all these years, our children ended up in the same House. We used to joke about this when we were cadets."
"In the Core, the Ribbon has a way of pulling friends back together," Lyra said, embracing Elara warmly.
Alrin looked down at Mina. "So, this is the silver-threaded girl Kaelen's been mentioning. She has her father's fire, but I can see your mother's focus in your eyes."
Mina beamed. "Kaelen says you're the best pilot he's ever seen, Mr. Veyron."
Alrin ruffled Kaelen's hair, his hand heavy and warm. "He exaggerates. But he's learning well. I hear you two took the Trophy."
The Trophy and the Prize
The ceremony in the Great Hall was short and dignified. Professor Vane took the stage as the students of House Ignis gathered at the front.
"House Ignis, step forward," Vane commanded.
Kaelen, Mina, Leo, and Sora placed their hands on the Ignis Trophy. The red glass phoenix flared brilliantly, pulsing with their combined energy.
"For your victory," Vane announced, "each student of House Ignis is awarded the Level-30 Catalyst Band."
Staff members snapped the sleek, charcoal-gray wristbands onto the students' arms.
"These bands stabilize your Thread," Vane explained. "They will help you reach Level 30 by the middle of next year. Use them well; next year, the Academy shifts its focus. You have found your energy—now you must build the vessel that holds it."
A Glimpse of the Future
As the ceremony wrapped up, the families walked out toward the Academy gardens. The parents walked ahead, catching up on years of missed stories, while Kaelen and Mina followed.
"Did you hear what the Professor said?" Mina whispered, looking at her new silver-glowing band. "Building the vessel. My dad says that means 'Body Hardening.'"
"It does," Kaelen said, feeling the band humming against his skin. "Our Threads are getting too strong. If we don't strengthen our bones and muscles, the Level 30 jump will just tear us apart."
Alrin looked back at the two children. He saw the Crimson and the Silver threads humming in harmony.
"They're still so young," Lyra whispered to Alrin.
"They are," Alrin replied, his eyes moving to the massive training fields where the heavy weights and gravity-rooms were being prepared for the next semester. "But the Ribbon doesn't wait for you to grow up."
The first year was over. The trophy was won, and the families were reunited. But as the golden sun of the Core shone down, Kaelen knew that the "easy" part of primary school was behind them.