The road to Luminary Academy was extremely quiet and awkward.
Yuta and Rin had not seen eye to eye ever since Rin's interrogation of Yuta earlier.
"You know he's not wrong, right?" Luna asked conveying her worries
"...."
"So stubborn," Luna said pouting
Yuta just sighed
Luna was not wrong, and neither was Rin. Yuta was just ticked off.
He was not one to show his weakness ever since he was a child, so when someone saw it—when they knew he was weak—it made him angry, more than anything else, because it felt like being exposed.
It became even worse once he got to Arthemya, this unbearable feeling worsened after he was rejected by his classmates.
This unbearable feeling crawled across his skin and prickled him like a needle penetrating his skin slowly.
As Rin and Yuta continued soaring through the skies, Kuro spoke up
"I've noticed the tension between you two, but let's not forget Tino's word"
"Cherish and look after each other, you are brothers now"
Yuta and Rin stared at watch other for a second before Yuta spoke up
"I am sorry"
A simple yet elegant word, his hair covered his face as it was darkened.
Saying the word made Yuta stomach tie in knots, it was unbearable
Yuta looked to meet Rin face, expressionless as it was.
'I knew I shouldn't have sa-'
"Yeah, I am sorry too" Rin said cutting Yuta thoughts
Rin smiled at Yuta before nudging him in the chest
"So, you do have a shy to you"
"….."
"I made mistake telling you sorry, you trash"
Rin just laughed hysterically before Kuro spoke up once more
"Now that is settled, I am extremely tired, so can we rest in this town close to the Academy"
"Where are we exactly?" Yuta asked
"We are in Valon" Kuro replied
Valon was a city that felt alive the moment Yuta and Rin stepped into it, blending natural beauty with deliberate design.
Wide stone streets wove through distinct districts, where polished glass structures stand beside older, timeworn buildings, reflecting a balance between progress and history.
The people of Valon were diverse, yet they shared a common sense of purpose. Merchants filled the markets with energy, craftsmen work with quiet pride, and citizens carry themselves with awareness, as though every action matters.
Strength in any form is respected, creating an atmosphere where ambition subtly shapes daily life.
The city is layered in structure. The central districts are organized and vibrant, filled with trade, governance, and social activity.
As Yuta and Rin walked through the city, Rin spoke up
"Let's find a place to stay for the night"
"Yeah" everyone replied in unison
As Yuta, Rin, Kuro, and Luna walked through the lantern-lit streets, the city had a calm, refined glow at night.
Further out, the environment became more crowded and rugged, with residential zones and harsher areas where survival has shaped tougher individuals.
Beyond the edges, nature begins to reclaim space, surrounding Valon with open land and untamed terrain.
"Isn't this place beautiful, Kuro?" Rin asked
"Yeah"
"Don't lower your guard despite its beauty"
"You never know what lurks in the shadows," Yuta retorted, looking at the alleyway.
Despite its beauty, Valon was not careless. Guards patrolled with discipline, and there is a shared understanding among the people that safety is maintained, not guaranteed.
This gives the city a quiet resilience, even among ordinary citizens.
At night, Valon softened as its lights shimmered while noise faded into a low murmur.
Yet beneath the calm, tension lingers—ambitions, rivalries, and unseen struggles waiting to rise.
Valon is, above all, a city of growth, where nothing is given freely, but everything can be earned.
The group walked toward a tavern called the Ember Hollow.
The Ember Hollow is a warm, dimly lit tavern built of dark wood and stone. Inside, the air hums with quiet conversations, clinking mugs, and the scent of spiced food.
Merchants, guards, and travelers gather here, while a few silent figures watch from the shadows.
More than a tavern, it's a place where stories, tension, and secrets quietly collide.Top of Form
Across from the Ember Hollow, two figures stood watching as Yuta and the others entered.
"Let the examination begin"