The next day dawned cold and clear, the sky a pale blue streaked with clouds. Lumi awoke with the memory of the strange dreams still lingering in her mind, visions of the hammer's past echoing in the corners of her thoughts. She shook off the disquieting images and focused on the day ahead. There was much to do.
After a quick breakfast, Lumi, June, and Heath met in the library, just as they had planned. The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared to delve deeper into the history of the Hammer of Winter's Fury. Lumi had brought the hammer with her, carefully wrapped in cloth and concealed in her satchel to avoid drawing attention. She knew that if anyone else at Oberon Academy found out about the artifact, it could cause more problems than she was ready to handle.
June bounced on her toes, her orange ears twitching with excitement as they made their way to the deeper sections of the library, where older and more obscure tomes were kept. "I have a good feeling about today! I'm sure we'll find something new."
Heath, ever calm and focused, adjusted the strap of his satchel. "Just remember, we're not the only ones who might be looking for answers. We should stay quiet about the hammer until we know exactly what we're dealing with."
Lumi nodded in agreement. "Let's split up and see what we can find. We'll meet back here in an hour."
They dispersed, each heading to a different part of the library. Lumi made her way to the farthest corner, where ancient scrolls and dusty volumes lined the shelves. She scanned the titles carefully, searching for anything that might mention Glacia or the hammer. After some time, she pulled a thick, leather-bound book from the shelf—Legends of the Northern Realms. It looked promising.
Settling into a quiet corner, Lumi opened the book and began to read. The pages were filled with stories of long-forgotten kingdoms, battles fought in icy wastelands, and powerful weapons forged by the gods. As she read, Lumi came across a passage that caught her eye:
"The Hammer of Winter's Fury, forged by Glacia, the Winter Queen, is said to be the embodiment of her power over ice and snow. The one chosen to wield the hammer will not only command the cold, but also bear the responsibility of maintaining balance in the northern realms. For in the wrong hands, the hammer has the potential to bring about eternal winter—a fate feared by both mortals and gods alike."
Lumi's breath caught in her throat. The passage confirmed what she had feared—the hammer wasn't just a weapon; it was a force of nature, one that could be used to protect or destroy. And now it was in her hands.
She continued reading, but the rest of the book offered little more about the hammer's true purpose. Frustrated but determined, Lumi closed the book and stood to return to the others.
As she moved through the rows of shelves, Lumi couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Her frost phoenix, sensing her unease, ruffled its feathers and let out a soft trill. Lumi paused, glancing around the library. At first, there was nothing out of the ordinary—students quietly studying, the occasional whisper of pages turning—but then she spotted someone lurking near the entrance of the library, their eyes fixed on her.
It was Erick Noye.
Lumi's heart sank. Erick, the so-called Hero who had been summoned to the world of Jove over a century ago, had a reputation that preceded him. He was powerful, arrogant, and known for using his influence to get what he wanted—especially when it came to people or things that caught his attention.
But what made Erick even more concerning was his connection to the academy's principal, Alaric Caelum. Principal Caelum had been a key member of the Hero's party, serving as the mage who supported Erick during his battle against the Demon King. However, unlike the bond that often formed between comrades, the relationship between Erick and the rest of the Hero's party had soured over time. Alaric Caelum, along with the others, had grown to dislike Erick, finding his arrogance and narcissism obnoxious and tiresome. They had tolerated him out of necessity during the war, but since then, their interactions had been strained at best.
Erick's frequent visits to Oberon Academy were more a product of his own desires than any welcome invitation. While the academy staff respected Erick's power, they were less fond of his personality. And now, his attention was clearly focused on Lumi.
Erick smiled, his green eyes gleaming as he approached, his blonde hair catching the light as he moved through the library with a self-assured swagger. Lumi gripped her satchel tighter, instinctively positioning herself between him and the hammer.
"Well, well, if it isn't the academy's rising star," Erick said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Lumi Borealis, right? I've been hearing a lot about you lately."
Lumi tensed but kept her expression neutral. "What do you want, Erick?"
Erick's smile widened, his eyes flicking to the satchel she was holding. "Oh, just making conversation. You've been the talk of the academy—everyone's curious about the mysterious polar bear kin with ice magic so strong it's catching the attention of the professors. But I think there's more to you than just your magic."
Lumi's heart pounded. She didn't like where this was going. "I'm just trying to study, Erick. Is there something you need?"
Erick's gaze lingered on her satchel for a moment longer before he shrugged, as if deciding to let it go—for now. "Maybe later. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other soon, Lumi. A girl like you doesn't go unnoticed for long, especially not by someone like Principal Caelum. Even if he finds me a bit… irritating, he knows talent when he sees it."
Lumi felt a chill run down her spine. The implication was clear: if Erick wanted something, he had the means and the connections to get it, even if it meant leaning on old, uncomfortable alliances.
With that, Erick turned and walked away, leaving Lumi standing in the aisle, her mind racing. She had to be more careful. Erick was dangerous, and if he suspected that she had the hammer, there was no telling what lengths he would go to in order to get it.
Lumi took a deep breath, steadying herself before heading back to the meeting point. When she reached the table where June and Heath were waiting, she immediately told them what had happened.
"Erick knows something," Lumi said quietly, her voice filled with concern. "He was watching me in the library, and I think he suspects that I'm hiding something. And there's more—he's close with Principal Caelum, even though the principal and the rest of the Hero's party don't like him much. They find him obnoxious, but that doesn't mean Erick won't try to use his influence."
June's eyes widened. "Erick? That's not good. He's always sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, and with his power and connections, he could cause a lot of trouble if he's interested in the hammer."
Heath's expression darkened. "We'll have to keep an eye on him. He's not the type to let something go once he's set his sights on it, and with his past connections, he could make things difficult for us."
Lumi nodded, her mind racing. "We'll need to move quickly. I found some information about the hammer—it's not just a weapon. It's tied to the balance of the northern realms. If someone uses it for the wrong reasons… it could bring about eternal winter."
June gasped. "That's… huge. We definitely can't let Erick get his hands on it."
Heath, ever practical, asked, "So what's the plan?"
Lumi's grip on the satchel tightened as she spoke, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation. "We need to figure out how to control the hammer's power, how to make sure it stays in the right hands. I'll keep searching for more information, and we'll need to be on guard for Erick. He's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."
As they left the library, the weight of the responsibility pressed down on Lumi once more. The hammer had chosen her, but now that choice had brought unwanted attention from one of the academy's most powerful figures. She couldn't afford to make a mistake.
With Erick's shadow looming over her and the danger of the hammer's true potential, Lumi knew that the path ahead would be more difficult than ever. But with June, Heath, and her frost phoenix by her side, she was determined to protect the hammer, uncover its secrets, and stop anyone who might try to use it for the wrong reasons.