The airship, Principessa, sailed smoothly through the night sky, its hull heavy with supplies gathered from their last stop. The warm hues of sunset had long faded into a deep indigo, speckled with countless stars. Nathan stirred from his sleep in the dimly lit cabin. Thirst woke him, a dryness in his throat that demanded relief. He groggily swung his legs off the bed, rubbing his eyes as he reached for a skin of water nearby. But as he turned toward the window, he noticed the empty bunk next to his. Leonard was gone.

  Curious, Nathan peered through the window, spotting a lone figure sitting on the deck’s edge. Leonard’s familiar silhouette leaned over the railing, gazing into the endless expanse of the night sky. As if Leonard called for Nathan, he grabbed another waterskin, a book on Mana cultivation and decided to join him.

  Nathan pushed the door open softly and stepped onto the deck, the cool night air brushing against his skin. Leonard turned at the sound, his face brightening when he saw Nathan approaching. "Couldn't sleep?"

  "Not exactly," Nathan replied, holding out the spare waterskin. "Hey, thought you could use this."

  Leonard accepted it with a grin, taking a deep swig. "Thanks, buddy! This oasis water really is something else. So pristine and clean. No comparison to the muddy streams back home."

  Nathan leaned against the railing beside him, drinking from his own waterskin. "Yeah... but I still miss Principium. Life was simpler there."

  Leonard’s brow furrowed, his eyes flicking to Nathan. "You miss that place? After everything that happened?"

  Nathan shrugged, avoiding Leonard’s gaze. "Not everything was bad."

  Leonard exhaled, shaking his head with a small chuckle. "Man, you’re full of surprises. I don’t know how you could miss that life when this—" he gestured around them, the blue swirling lines of mana trailing faintly from his Spellbreaker glove as he spoke—"is so much better. We’re free, Nathan. We’ve got a home on this ship, we’re learning from one of the best Spellbreakers out there, and we’re not stuck living in the shadow of our parents’ graveyard anymore."

  Nathan’s eyes followed the glowing mana trails as they spiraled upward, momentarily forming the shape of a star constellation before dissolving into the night sky. He nodded slowly. "You’re right, Leo. All of that is great."

  Both of them shared a quiet moment together, taking swigs from their waterskins as they stared into the night sky, spotting a shooting star piercing the sky.

  "But... what if we run into someone truly powerful? Those warlords Hammond mentioned—they sound like monsters. And we still don’t even know which one of them killed our parents."

  Leonard’s expression softened.

  "I appreciate that we finally have a new home. Infact, I love it! It's also great to have Leyra back, and Hammond is a great guy as well but... I am afraid". Nathan's gloves trembled as he finished speaking.

  "Hey, do you remember what happened when we climbed Prin Peak?"

  Nathan frowned. "Not really. Just that we fought some bears, I passed out, and then woke up in Hammond’s cabin."

  Leonard chuckled, leaning back against the railing. "Yeah, that tracks. But let me tell you what really happened. When we realized we might not make it out of there—you erupted. I mean, you unleashed everything you had. Magical bursts flying left and right, and you completely destroyed one of the bears. The others ran for their lives. We were both wounded, but you collapsed afterward. All I had to do then was carry you up towards Hammond, and convince him to let us stay!"

  Nathan sighed. "So I just got us into trouble."

  "Wrong," Leonard said firmly. "What you did, Nathan, was save us. On my own, I would’ve died up there. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, much stronger. You might even beat me on your best day!

  Nathan chuckled at Leonards remark, as the trembling in his hands started calming down.

  You’re not just my best friend; you’re like a brother to me."

  Nathan couldn’t hold back a small smile, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes. "Thank you, Leo. You are like a brother to me, too."

  Leonard grinned and held out his fist. Nathan bumped it with his own, the gesture as familiar as breathing. "Alright, I’ll be right back," Leonard said, stretching. As he turned to leave, he paused. Without looking, he spoke softly into the night. "What a beautiful night sky. The desert is so vast! I’m so glad I get to see and share it with all of you."

  He tossed his empty waterskin toward the shadows. A hooded figure stepped forward, catching it with a startled blush. Leonard turned and smiled. "Next time, try and be a bit sneakier when eavesdropping"

  Leyra, her dark blue hair perfectly cut with bangs covering her forehead, watched him disappear below deck, as he said:"He could use another perspective methinks" and pointed with his thumb behind him. Leyra turned to Nathan who started reading, using the glow of his gloves as a light. She moved toward Nathan as she understood Leonard's assignment and started by asking: "Hey Nathan, mind if I join you?"

  Nathan nodded, and she sat beside him, pulling her hood back to let her hair fall naturally against her back. For a moment, they sat in silence, the sky above them vast and serene.

  "Did you know that one's called the Grand Chapel?" Leyra asked. Nathan shook his head, now looking into the skies instead of his book.

  "It is the constellation closest linked to the belief of the 'Grand Light'. It's what Kazzorak believes is essentially the source of all Magic. It vaguely shapes like a giant circle. Weird, isn't it?" Leyra told him. "How do you know about Kazzorak's believes? "I... Read up on it when I started my studies of Magic under Zaldimar. He was very thorough and said to draw knowledge from many places, you know?"

  Nathan pondered her words for a second, then replied "You really know a lot. Your master must have been a great teacher."

  Leyra nodded. "Yes, he was fantastic." as she put her hands back, stretching her legs. "Hey, can I ask you something a little strange?" Leyra said hesitantly.

  Nathan glanced at her. "Sure. What is it?"

  She hesitated before speaking. "Why are you so reserved? You’re just as strong and brave as Leonard, but you always seem to doubt yourself. I don't get it."

  Nathan let out a small laugh, though it lacked humor. "The only reason I can be strong or brave is Leonard."

  Leyra tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"

  Nathan stood up, leaning against the railing while staring into the stars. "Before we climbed Prin Peak, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to go. It was Leonard who convinced me. He gave me the confidence to try. And then, when we got caught in that storm, I didn’t believe we’d find a Master Spellbreaker on some snowed-in mountain. But Leonard? Whatever he says, it just feels right. He always knows what to say, what to do, even if it sounds crazy. I’d call anyone else a lunatic, but with him... I don’t know. I just trust him."

  Leyra’s eyes sparkled as she gazed upward. "He really is special, isn’t he? But I think he’s also right—you should have more confidence in yourself as well. You're quite special in your own way."

  Nathan sighed. "He’s always saying that. But it’s hard. After our parents died and you left to train with your Master... I’ve felt alone. Leonard was the only one I had left, and he always seemed to have everything figured out. I’ve always admired that about him."

  Leyra’s smile softened. "Leonard may talk big, but you’re the one who’s always there when it matters. He might be over the top and a bit crazy at times, but you’re who he can always rely on!"

  Nathan pondered her words, glancing at the faint glow of his Spellbreaker glove. "The method to his madness, huh..."

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  Leyra’s expression turned thoughtful. "I don’t think his bravado comes from some unshakable belief in himself." Before she could finish, Leonard’s voice rang out behind them. "That’s right! I believe in myself because I believe in you, Nathan!"

  Nathan laughed, shaking his head. "So you can believe in yourself because you believe in me? That’s some odd logic."

  He paused, his laughter fading as he looked toward the horizon. "But it’s perfectly fitting for you. Thanks, both of you. It’s good to have you here."

  Leyra gave him a warm smile, while Leonard rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Of course, buddy. We’ll see this through to the end. I guarantee it."

  The airship, Principessa, descended slowly, kicking up waves of sand as it landed just outside the desert town of Glarea. The golden dunes stretched endlessly, interrupted only by the modest cluster of sandstone buildings that comprised the village. Leonard, Nathan, Hammond, Sahra, Darmas, and Finn disembarked, greeted by the dry desert heat and the rhythmic hum of Magitechnicians working to stabilize the airship’s hull.

  As the group stepped onto the solid ground, Darmas turned to Finn, clapping him on the shoulder. “I know you also know our contact here, but I think you’ve earned the day off, Finn. Besides, Sahra has been itching to visit this place for years. Let her have her fun.” He handed Finn a small pouch of coins, the metallic clink making Finn’s grin grow wider.

  “Payday? Let’s go!” Finn whistled, tossing the pouch into the air and catching it dramatically. “Will do, boss. Always happy to execute this type of order. Sahra, bring us back something nice, yeah? And guys, next round of drinks is on me!” he shouted, raising the pouch triumphantly.

  The Magitechnicians cheered, a few patting Finn on the back as they dispersed toward the largest building in the village. “Alright, let’s have them do their thing while we check out the local cuisine, folks!” one of them called, leading the group away. Leonard and the others remained, taking in their surroundings.

  The village of Glarea was smaller than Principium, its half-spherical sandstone houses clustered around a modest oasis at the center of town. The water shimmered in the sunlight, surrounded by a handful of villagers in wide, flowy robes. Some chatted casually while drawing water, others ate chunks of creamy cheese or sipped from ornate glass bottles with unfamiliar, fancy logos. Leonard tilted his head, confused by the incongruity of such luxury in a humble village.

  “This place has its quirks,” Leonard muttered to Nathan, who nodded silently, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

  Their observation was interrupted by a group of men clad in flowing robes and linen hats approaching them. One of them, a tall man with a curled mustache streaked with gray and a matching goatee, stepped forward, his sharp eyes studying Hammond.

  “Hammond, is that you? You’ve gotten old!” the man declared, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

  Hammond crossed his arms and chuckled. “Speak for yourself, Shandro. That mustache of yours is turning gray!”

  Leonard raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nathan. “You’ve known each other?”

  Shandro nodded, clapping Hammond on the back. “He’s an old friend. Years ago, during his travels, Hammond helped us take down a Crystalboa that was terrorizing the village. Ten meters tall, viciously poisonous. A real menace.”

  Nathan’s eyes widened. “You fought something like that?”

  Hammond waved a hand dismissively. “It was nothing. I owed them. I was out of food, and this village took me in. Their kindness saved me, so I paid them back. Plus, Shandro and I discovered a shared hatred for Kazzorak. The time to act wasn’t right back then, but now? Now it is.”

  Shandro’s expression turned serious, and he nodded. “Indeed, we need to do something about Kazzorak, and we will get to that. But first, let me say that it is a pleasure to meet the pupils of my friend. I didn't catch your names, who are you two exactly?"

  Nathan, expectation in his eyes, looked at Leonard, who wasted no time introducing both of them with a proud, raised voice. "I am Leonard, soon to be one of the greatest Spellbreakers Baharor has ever seen! And this is my friend Nathan, who is also aiming for the same thing. We will aid Hammond, defeat Kazzorak and make Baharor a better place once again!"

  Shandro fell silent and looked at Hammond. "These are the people you trained, the ones that convinced you to become a teacher of Breaking again? A kid not even my size and a loudmouth?"

  Hammond laughed heartily. "I have my reasons, and you'll see them soon enough."

  "I never could read you, you crazy old man." Shandro shook his head, as if to brush aside his first impression.

  Shandro led the group into one of the sandstone houses, chatting casually with Hammond as they walked. Their conversation covered the basics of what had happened so far—Leonard, Nathan, and Leyra’s roles, the Magitechnicians’ aid, and their ultimate goal of sparking a civil war against Kazzorak.

  Leonard quickly lost interest in the recounting, realizing it was just a retelling of events he not just already knew but lived through.

  Shandro led the group into one of the sandstone houses. Inside, the structure was surprisingly sparse, equipped to house no more than two people. The walls were low near the edges but arched higher in the center, allowing even Hammond to stand comfortably. Paintings adorned the walls, and an easel with a half-finished canvas stood in one corner. A table nearby held an array of paints, their colors neatly organized. Shandro walked to one of the two bookcases, pulling out two books.

  “Watch your step, young one,” he said to Nathan as the ground beneath him began to shift. A section of the floor slid open, revealing a hidden staircase. Shandro motioned for them to follow. “Come inside, please.”

  They formed a single file, descending the narrow staircase. The steps seemed to go on forever, leading them into a dimly lit tunnel. The walls, rough and unpolished, were distinctly different from the sandstone of the houses above. The air grew cooler, and the faint scent of damp earth lingered.

  At the end of the tunnel, a bright light emerged. Shandro stepped through first, followed by Hammond. Leonard squinted as he entered, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness. When they finally did, his breath caught.

  The room before them was enormous, shaped like a giant cube with ceilings that seemed to touch the heavens. The walls were painted in vibrant, though haphazardly applied, colors—green, brown, and white, the colors of Baharor’s flag. Small buildings made out of crystals, tents glowing with magical energy, and stalls manned by mysterious figures filled the space, creating a bustling underground marketplace. People hurried about, carrying goods or chatting in groups, some not even human and rather looking like reptilian and rabbit people. As diverse as the people were, what brought them together is their clothing being far less conservative and weather-adjusted than those above ground. The air had the perfect temperature to it, in stark contrast to the dry heat of Silex Desert. Countless Cables and cords hung from the ceiling, giving the place a functional, almost industrial aesthetic, going across, over and under each other in a chaos that, to some, might make sense but certainly not to Leonard.

  “Welcome,” Shandro began, spreading his arms wide, “to the Baharor Resistance’s hub for trade and commerce, also called Or, well, what’s left of it. This used to be Glarea’s hub for underground dealings and exotic trade. We called it Glarea’s Gallery, if you can’t buy it here, money can’t bring it to you! But those are stories for another day. ”

  Leonard’s jaw dropped. “This place is incredible.”

  Sahra’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve always wanted to come here,” she said, turning to Darmas. “But every time, something had me preoccupied…This place has me in awe!”

  Darmas grinned. “Glad you finally got your chance.”

  Suddenly, a small metallic room came sliding down a cable above them. It stopped at a nearby platform, and its doors opened to release a group of passengers. Shandro noticed their curiosity and smiled. “That,” he said, “is a Trader’s Tram. The iron hooks on top are infused with mana, running on a network of artifacts that send lightning through them. Completely autonomous. They detect when passengers enter and leave before taking off. It’s the most advanced magitech in Baharor.”

  Leyra joined Leonard, shielding her eyes from the light. “Function over form, huh? Those cords and connections look messy, but they get the job done. What kind of tech is powering those trams?”

  Shandro stroked his mustache, beaming with pride. “Ah, I knew one among you would be intrigued. I designed the motor technology. A friend of mine handled the autonomous detection system. Together, we created something rather remarkable I'd say.”

  Darmas whistled, impressed. “Last time I was here, those trams were manned. You’ve come a long way despite Kazzorak’s reign.”

  Shandro clapped his hands. “Why, thank you - let’s meet back here in two hours,” he said, checking a watch similar to Sahra’s. “Oh, not all of you have a way to tell the time. Well, above our entryway is a clock, you can use that one.” He added, pointing at an enormous wheel which he casually called a clock. ”Explore. Get a feel for the place. We’ll see each other soon enough. And, Leonard?”

  "Yes?"

  "Please don't get into trouble." Shandro said while putting his hands into the sleeves of his opposing arms.

  Leonard was confused by Shandro's words. "What's his problem? Did I piss him off or something?"

  Nathan replied, chuckling. "I know you're not used to it, but not everyone will love your boasting"

  "I guess some people just don't know greatness when they see it".

  "And I don't know where all that confidence is coming from" Leyra said, visibly annoyed.

  Hammond’s gaze lingered on the marketplace. “The place has changed. It looks less... shady.”

  Shandro chuckled. “It’s still a hub for underground trade, but the people here share a common hatred for Kazzorak. That unity keeps crime in check. Mostly.” Hammond handed Leonard a pouch of coins. “Head to the tent with the color-changing sphere above it. You’ll learn all about modorbs there. And take Leyra with you. They sell potion-crafting materials, too.”

  Leyra hesitated. “I can’t accept this, Master.”

  Hammond waved her off. “Think of it as payment for helping me with those brutes at the Airship Assembly.” He winked and skipped away, heading toward a shop with a book-shaped sign. “Toma-Chan’s finally getting together with her boyfriend! What a day!” he exclaimed.

  Leyra stared after him, baffled. “He’s obsessed.”

  Leonard laughed and Nathan replied while nudging Leonard's side with his elbow. "We're all a little special in our own ways”