After their intense encounter with the Scepter of the Storm, Lumi, June, and Heath made their way back to Oberon Academy with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The journey had taken a toll on all of them, but they were buoyed by their success in securing the scepter before Erick Noye could get his hands on it. Still, as they neared the academy, all Lumi could think about was finding a quiet spot to relax and recharge.
The trio arrived back at the academy just as the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the grounds. The air was cool and refreshing, and Lumi felt a sense of peace wash over her as they passed through the familiar gates. The academy, with its towering spires and lush gardens, had never looked more inviting.
"Home sweet home," Lumi murmured, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "I can't wait to just collapse into bed."
June grinned, nudging her friend playfully. "You deserve it, Lumi. That was some impressive magic back there with the scepter. I thought it was going to zap you into next week!"
Lumi chuckled, though the memory of the scepter's resistance still made her muscles ache. "Yeah, well, I didn't really give it much of a choice. I'm too stubborn to let a piece of enchanted metal push me around."
Heath smiled at that, his admiration for Lumi evident. "It's that determination that makes you such a strong mage, Lumi. You don't back down, even when it would be easier to walk away."
Lumi gave a lazy shrug. "Thanks, but honestly? I'm just motivated by the thought of napping after all the hard work. I just wanna laze around, remember?"
"And you will, my dear Lumi," Glaciel's voice chimed in, its tone indulgent. "But first, you should probably find a safe place to stash that scepter. I'd hate for it to get lost in a pile of blankets or something."
Lumi grinned. "Don't worry, Glaciel. I'll keep it safe. Right after I find somewhere comfy to curl up."
As they entered the main building, Lumi felt the familiar warmth of the academy's halls enveloping her like a cozy blanket. The stone corridors were quiet, most of the students having retired to their dorms for the evening, and the soft glow of magical lanterns bathed everything in a gentle light.
"We should probably report back to Professor Aurelian," Heath suggested, ever the responsible one. "He'll want to know that we found the scepter."
Lumi groaned at the thought of more talking and responsibility. "Can't we just do that tomorrow? I'm dead tired. I just wanna laze around…"
June laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, Lumi, you win. Let's head back to our rooms. We can fill in Professor Aurelian first thing in the morning."
With their plan settled, the trio parted ways, each heading to their respective dorms. Lumi, clutching the Scepter of the Storm tightly, made a beeline for her room, the promise of rest driving her forward.
As soon as she entered her room, Lumi set the scepter carefully on her desk, where it glowed softly with residual energy. She then flopped onto her bed with a satisfied sigh, burying her face in the pillows.
"There you go," Glaciel said, its tone approving. "You've got the scepter, and now you can laze around to your heart's content. Just don't forget—Erick Noye's still out there, and he's not going to stop looking for these artifacts. But for now, I say you've earned your rest."
Lumi smiled, her eyelids growing heavy as she felt the comforting weight of her bed pulling her into sleep. "Yeah… I'll deal with Erick tomorrow. Right now, I'm just gonna… laze around…"
Within moments, Lumi was fast asleep, her breathing slow and even. The room was quiet, save for the soft chirping of her frost phoenix as it perched nearby, keeping watch. The scepter glowed faintly on the desk, its energy settling into a calm, steady rhythm, as if it, too, was resting after the day's events.
As Lumi slept, she dreamed of peaceful, snowy landscapes—endless fields of white where she could wander without a care in the world. In her dream, she found a cozy cave, filled with soft blankets and a roaring fire, where she could snuggle up and sleep for as long as she wanted. It was the perfect place, and Lumi felt a deep sense of contentment as she drifted deeper into her dream.
But even in her dreams, the weight of her responsibilities lingered at the edges of her consciousness. The scepter, Glaciel, her friends—she knew that the peace she enjoyed now was temporary, and that the challenges ahead would require all of her strength and determination. But for tonight, she allowed herself to rest, knowing that she would face whatever came next with the same stubborn resolve that had carried her this far.
Morning came too soon, but when Lumi awoke, she felt refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Stretching luxuriously in her bed, she let out a contented sigh before finally dragging herself up to get ready. The events of the previous day felt like a distant memory, but the presence of the scepter on her desk reminded her that there was still much to do.
Lumi quickly dressed and gathered her things, knowing that she and her friends had to report their success to Professor Aurelian. But as she prepared to leave, she couldn't resist one last moment of indulgence. She flopped back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling with a lazy smile.
"I just wanna laze around," she murmured to herself, savoring the quiet before the day's challenges began.
"Enjoy it while you can, Lumi," Glaciel's voice said with a chuckle. "You've got a big day ahead. But hey, at least you're well-rested."
With a final, reluctant sigh, Lumi pushed herself off the bed and headed out the door. The day's responsibilities awaited her, but she carried with her the warmth and comfort of her well-earned rest, ready to face whatever came next.
As Lumi made her way through the academy's bustling halls, she couldn't help but smile. The challenges ahead were daunting, but with her friends by her side, her trusty hammer's sass, and the occasional chance to laze around, Lumi knew she was more than capable of handling anything the world threw at her.