Abell and Hugo stepped bato the main tavern in Iridius, where the midday sun streamed through the windows, adding to the homey atmosphere of the establishment.

  The thought of the fight Hugo just had lihrough Abell’s mind. The speed, the power, and the precision. Was this the power of a true top luminary? He stole a g Hugo, watg him s the menu.

  “This guy is supposedly the stro?” Abell thought before he spoke up.

  “Hey, Hugo.”

  Hugo didn’t look up.

  “What’s up?”

  Abell hesitated. Unsure of his question, he found the ce to ask.

  “Why are you givihis opportunity? Is it because of who my mom is... or because of my sister’s greatness.”

  Hugo’s curiosity peaked. He looked up, a massive grin across his face. “Ah, so you think critically outside of battle.”

  Abell’s eyebrow twitched. “Of course I . I'm not some meathead.”

  Hugo ughed, “Let me order something first.” As he waved down a server.

  A muscur woman with thick brown curls and sharp eyes approached their table with a smirk. Her name was Mira, the tavern’s owner.

  “Well, if it isn’t Keeko’s son, the biggest troublemaker in town.” Mira teased. “It’s weird seeing you here with someohat isn’t Astrid.”

  “Finally making new friends?”

  Abell frowned, “No, nothing like that.”

  “Don’t be like that kiddo.” Mira teased. She ruffled his hair, “You seem stressed. What’s wrong?”

  Abell sighed, “It’s nothing major, don’t worry.”

  Mira pced her hands on her hips, “Well, whatever it is, a meal from the best tavern in town will cheer ya up, so what I get ya?”

  Hugo chuckled as he listeo their iion.

  “Give me the biggest pte of roasted meat and bread. Oh, and water.”

  ‘And you, Abell?”

  “I’ll just take some bread. I want to keep my stomach light.”

  Mira scribbled on her notepad and grinned. “Alright, one meal for a civilized young man and o for the walking stomach.” She wi Hugo before walking off.”

  Hugo leaned oable, watg her leave.

  “Iing woman, isn’t she?”

  “More like trouble, ever since I was young, she always annoyed me,” Abell said.

  “Seems like she’s able to see through everyone’s nonsense,” Hugo said.

  Abell paused, “I guess.”

  Moments ter, the food arrived, and Hugo wasted no time ping down on it. Abell watched in awe as his speed was beastlike.

  So, why me?” he asked again.

  Hugo wiped his mouth and served himself a gss of water. “It’s simple. I like your attitude and approach to fighting.”

  Abell blihen frowned.

  “So that’s it my attitude?”

  Hugo chuckled. “There is a bit more, but what would be the fun of telling you everything now?”

  Then he pced his hand on his .

  “Well, I’ll tell you this: your Lux is a big reason.”

  Abell raised his eyebrows. “My lux, it’s just a sword. What's so special about that?”

  Hugo chuckled. There’s more to it than just a sword, kid. But you’ll figure it out.”

  Abell felt a hint e in his system. “You're tellihing; what’s even the point of talking to you.” He yelled.

  “Hey Abell, No yelling in my tavern,” Mira yelled from across the room. Causing a few ers to ugh

  "I’m not yelling!” he shouted.

  Mira gazed into his eyes, which caused him to calm down immediately.

  Moments ter, Hugo tinued eating. His pte was almost finished, and he raised his head to speak.

  “I’ll tell you ohing,

  “You rely on your Lux too much,” Hugo said. “I didn't utilize my ability at any point during that battle, right? Strength serves you well, but battles are won through creative thinking.”

  Abell sidered those words. He had always relied on brute force to overe obstacles, but maybe he was fining his abilities.

  Hugo finished his meal and stretched before he could respond to anything. “Anyway, I’ve got work to do. Later, kid.” And just like that, he was gone.

  Abell remained seated with his stew untouched halfway through as his mind wandered in chaos.

  “Creativity, huh?”

  Midday

  After his outing with Hugo Abell, he trained a bit more. After resting, he found himself in the marketpce. The usual chaos of vendors shouting and food aromas caught his attention.

  Abell weaved through the crowds, eventually stopping at his favorite food stall.

  “Two Sora rice cakes, old man.”

  “Still rude as ever, I see,” the man replied. “You know I’m not that old, Abell.”

  “Alright, silford. Two rice cakes, please.”

  He smiled, “That’ll be five sols.”

  Abell handed him the sols and received his food. As he turo leave, A wall of wanted posters caught his attention.

  At the top, in bold letters, read: “FRACTURED DAWN – WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.”

  “Hmm, never seen anything like this before,” he thought. Their faces were not clear, but the sketches felt ominous.

  Gilford noticed his i. “Those five are the biggest criminals in the try right now.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, apparently, they used to be luminaries, but now they attayone who gets in their way. However, no one knows their names.”

  A nearby er scoffed. “They’re not attag just ahey’re taking down the elites. It’s time someoood up to them; I see them as heroes.”

  Another man jumped into the versation.

  “You dumbass, they don't care about you. I bet they have their own goals, but no one genuinely cares about helping the lower csses.”

  Gilford adjusted his gsses. “Please, not in front of my stall.”

  Abell kept walking

  “Lumiurning against their own? That doesn’t make sense… uhere’s more to it than we’re being told...”

  After some time, he found himself by the statue of the Liberator once again.

  “How strong were you, really?” he said.

  The liberator was a figure all people respected. But some of him wao know whether he was a true warrior or if he happeo wi mattered most.

  Before he could finish his thought, a voice cracked his immersion.

  “Aha! I finally found you, Abell. Prepare yourself!”

  Abell facepalmed. “This kid has too muergy.”

  Misha charged towards him, “You ’t run this time!”

  Behind him was Astrid, sighing. “Could you stop causing trouble, Misha?”

  Abell decided to take off running, not wanting to cause a se in the marketpce again. “Hey, don’t run, you coward!” Misha shouted. With that, a light chase through the streets ensued.

  Later, Misha caught up with Abell, panting. “I heard about your duel with Torin. I want to be .”

  “Not today; I have something bigger ing up.”

  Misha’s grin faded. “You don’t respect me as a fighter, huh?”

  “That’s not it. I don’t have time.” Abell said.

  Misha scowled. “Fine. But don’t e g when I’m strohan you ime!” He stomped off.

  Astrid crossed her arms. “So? Who are you fighting?”

  “My mother.”

  She blinked before responding,

  “Wait, what? Are you serious?” she said.

  He nodded his head.

  “She doesn’t think I'm ready to leave the town for the luminary academy. So, we’re having a battle to settle it.”

  Astrid remained quiet for a few moments.

  “So... Did you not pn to tell me this?”

  “No, not really,” he said.

  Astrid nodded slowly. “So, if you win, when would you be leaving?”

  “Probably in the week or so.” Abell shrugged.

  And you just NOW tell me?” Her voice rose with anger. “You po without warning?”

  Abell’s jaw tightened. “I don’t owe anyone an expnation.”

  Astrid’s expression darkened. “I thought you were growing up, Abell. I guess I was wrong. You’re still the same bratty loner.”

  “Hey, watch it. What’s the big deal?”

  She scoffed. Walking right past him as she turned and walked away.

  Abell exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.

  “Why do I even bother?”

  Meanwhile, at the smithery.

  Torin was freed with his father, w on some equipment for some of the town’s warriors.

  “Yetting sloppy, boy,” Freed said, his deep voice cutting through the sound of crag embers. “I’ve told you—press the iron like this, not like you’re afraid of it.”

  Torin fli his father’s loud voice. “Sorry, my mind is not present at the moment.”

  Freed smirked knowingly. “Still thinking about yht with Abell?”

  “Yes, Father, I’m still frustrated.”

  “You did well, son, for a kid with no Lux. Going against someoh a lineage like Abell’s.”

  Torin ched his fist. “But still, I want to do better.”

  Freed sighed. “Alright, I’ll make you a deal.”

  Torin looked up, eyes hopeful. “What kind of deal?”

  “I’ll train you every m, personally.” Freed crossed his arms. “But if you miss a single day, I stop. No sed ces.”

  Torin’s eyes widened in shobsp;“Wait… seriously? You always said training me would be a waste of time.”

  He smirked. Well, your battle made me remember my glory days. You’ve got the same fire I had back then, hahaha.” His voiing.

  Torin jumped iement. “I won’t disappoint you, I swear!”

  But before Freed could respond, the smithery doors smmed open.

  “TORIN!”

  Torin spun around as Astrid stumbled in, her breath ragged, her eyes red with tears.

  Whoa, what happened?” He rushed to her side.

  Astrid tried to speak, but her voice was breaking. “It’s Abell—he’s…!”

  Evening

  Abell sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. As the sky began to darken, he k was almost time. The weight of this battle would determine his future, but he knew he had to win.

  “It’s time,” he said aloud.

  Keeko stood iraining yard, stretg her arms, her expression unreadable. But she khis was the only option.

  Are you ready, son?

  Abell stepped onto the training field, his heart pounding, but outwardly he looked fident.

  “I’m ready.”

  This was it

  The battle is about to begin.