The morning air was cooler than the previous day, crisp with the scent of rain. Thick clouds gathered overhead, swallowing the sunlight and casting a dim gray over Iridius.

  Most people stayed indoors—on days like this, Malignants were more active, lurking in the misty fog.

  Abell woke up still angry.

  “Damn, stubborn old lady…” He muttered, rubbing his eyes. “Why is she acting like this? Am I really that inferior compared to Genevieve?”

  Frustration boiled over inside him, but it wasn’t just anger. It was doubt and confusion.

  “Still, gotta get up, I suppose.” He thought to himself.

  He left his room and found Keeko fixing up some food in the kitchen. Her expression was somber.

  "I haven’t seen like this since what happened to Gen.” He thought.

  Her expression confused him due to her words the night before.

  “Good morning, dear. How was your sleep?” Keeko asked softly, not looking up.

  Abell frowned. “Being all nice now after yesterday?”

  He pivoted past her and headed straight for the door. “Don’t worry about food; I’m going to eat from the stalls.”

  She only looked away.

  Just as he opened the door —

  Hugo was on the other side, holding his fist up in a knocking motion.

  “Well, this is certainly awkward.” His star-shaped pupils shone from the entrance.

  The three stood in silence for a few seconds.

  “Why isn’t he saying anything.” Abell thought.

  Keeko exhaled sharply, setting down her spatula. She walked to the door.

  Her expression caught Hugo by surprise.

  Keeko sighed, placing her hand on her head, “What is it, Hugo? What do you want?”

  “I came to discuss an important matter with you,” he said.

  “Is that so?” “Abell, leave. We have something important to discuss, okay?

  “Hmph, I already was.” Abell’s fists clenched, but he didn’t argue.

  Hugo stepped in, flashing a grin at Abell. “Well, something’s off here. Don’t worry, whatever it is, I’ll fix it,” he whispered.

  Keeko gave him a sharp look. “Don’t push it, Hugo.”

  “Haha, yeah, yeah. Stubborn and moody as ever.”

  “Would you stop that? I am your elder.” She said.

  Abell rolled his eyes and left, his footsteps heavy against the wooden floor.

  Hugo closed the door and pressed his back against the wall, arms folded. "We need to discuss Abell joining the academy, Keeko."

  Keeko responded by turning away and crossing her arms.

  “You know why I left, Hugo. I refuse to have any association with Luminaries and this damned war. Now you want my son to become a Luminary?

  “I think not.” She said sternly

  Hugo exhaled, stepping forward. “Listen, I get it. This represents a tremendous opportunity for him. The academy will develop his strength to prepare him for future challenges.

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  Keeko’s jaw clenched. “You think I don’t know that? The fight has already taken one of my children from me. I’m not ready to lose another.”

  Hugo’s usual smirk was gone. “You don’t have to be ready. He’s already chosen this path. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? He has more strength than you recognize.

  Keeko inhaled sharply, gripping her arms tighter.

  “It’s not about strength, Hugo. I want him to be safe. I shielded him from that dangerous world. Are you asking me to send him into that world?”

  “Did you really shield him? You taught him how to fight against malignants,” he asked.

  A long silence filled the room.

  Then Hugo rested a hand on her shoulder.

  “I can’t possibly understand your fear as a mother. But sometimes I think… kids need to choose their own path.”

  Keeko didn’t answer. She knew the truth. Deep down, the choice had already been made.

  The rain hadn’t let up. Abell opened the thick wooden door toward the tavern, where fresh bread and the smell of moist soil hung in the air. Because of the storm, most villagers stayed inside, so the tavern was quieter than usual.

  Several regular patrons sat near the bar while conversing softly about their beverages. The sound of the fireplace crackling produced shifting shadows across the stone walls.

  Abell stepped up to the counter. “Just some bread and stew.”

  Mira, the stout innkeeper, lifted one of her eyebrows. “Keeko, kick you out in the rain?”

  “Something like that,” he whispered while handing over several sols, the currency of Eudora, to the counter.

  After taking his plate, he directed his attention to the seating area but noticed Astrid and Misha sitting together.

  Misha’s eyes lit up upon seeing Abell. Astrid responded by signaling him to join her side. “Abell! Come sit!” He hesitated.

  Then he saw who else was there.

  Torin.

  He leaned back onto the bench with crossed arms while staring at Abell with a hostile expression.

  “Great, this guy.” He thought

  Abell released a sharp breath before approaching Astrid and setting his plate on her side of the table.

  "What are you doing here,” Torin asked.

  Abell paid him no mind.

  “I’m eating.”

  Astrid frowned. “Can you two stop? This tension is so unnecessary right now.

  “Hard to take this guy seriously.” Torin grinned.

  “And what’s that supposed to mean?” Abell said, gripping his spoon

  Torin shrugged. “I saw you struggle against those malignats yesterday. It doesn’t seem like you're anything close to Genevieve.” He scoffed.

  “Him too.” Abell thought. “Comparing me to her.”

  “Hey, that’s too far, Torin.” Astrid scowled.

  “I’m just being honest,” Torin responded.

  Abell was fuming with anger, doubt, and frustration.

  “You want to see what I can do? I know I’d beat you easily,” he said.

  “I can promise you that.”

  A voice shouted from the counter. “Oi, not fighting in my tavern,” Mira said.

  Torin grinned, pushing his chair back. “Oh, I’d love to, but I must head back to the smithery.”

  Misha finally spoke, “Haha, you're a coward, Torin.”

  “Misha, do not entertain this; keep eating,” Astrid said, rubbing her temple.

  “Tch, I would fight, but I have errands to run for my father,” he said. “Maybe we’ll fight soon.” waving goodbye.

  Abell watched him leave, irritation bubbling within.

  “Don’t let him get to you, okay,” Astrid said.

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  A few hours passed.

  Abell wandered the empty streets. The marketplace shut down after rain swept away people from the square.

  A sharp metallic clank broke the silence. He turned toward the forge.

  The town blacksmith, Freed, worked diligently. Freed swung his hammer against the incandescent metal, sending sparks into the shadowy forge. Freed was a large bald blacksmith who created Iridius's best weapons and, more importantly, Torin’s father.

  Abell stepped closer.

  “Need any help? Huh? Oh, Keeko’s brat. What brings you here?”

  “Just browsing.” The blacksmith raised an eyebrow.

  “Browsing swords? You don’t even use a physical one.”

  “Yeah, just… bored.”

  Freed chuckled. It looks like you and my son share a similar restlessness. How about a friendly battle? You two hardly talk—this might help.”

  Abell’s heart jumped. “A spar? with Torin.”

  Before he could answer, Freed shouted into his house.

  “Hey, Mary! Where’s the brat?

  Mary gracefully descended the stairs. “First, hello, Abell. And honey, please don’t yell; my ears are sensitive.

  “Torin is out getting vegetables. He should be back soon.

  “Why, what happened does Abell need something from him? She asked.

  Just then, the door creaked open.

  “Hey, Mom, I got the veggies you wanted. WOAH, why’s he here? "So you came here to get your revenge on me,” Torin asked.

  Abell gaze narrowed

  “You could say that. I did promise I’d kick your ass.”

  Torin shrugged. “Well, let’s see about that.”

  Mary stepped in between the two boys. “Why are you being so aggressive towards each other?

  “Torin, that is not how you welcome a guest, and Abell, where’d you learn to talk so rudely.”

  “Hahahaha, I love it! " a freed voice boomed. Mary, step aside. This is what needs to happen.

  Freed placed his hand on his son’s back. I can tell you're itching for a showdown right now. Let’s move to the back.

  The group headed to the smithery training yard.

  Torin’s face darkened instantly.

  “Get ready, Abell. I won’t hold back. When I beat you, I’ll finally have Astrid by my side.

  Abell rolled his eyes.

  “Why are you bringing her up?”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter.” I’ve been waiting for this, too.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. The rain became heavier when they moved outside.

  They locked eyes.

  A battle was about to begin.