The following morning, Lumi woke up to the soft, warm glow of sunlight streaming through her dormitory window. She stretched lazily, feeling the comfort of her bed urging her to stay under the covers just a little longer. The events of the previous day, including their encounter with the Guardians of Balance, felt like a distant dream—one she would rather not wake up from just yet.
Lumi's frost phoenix, perched on the windowsill, chirped softly, as if encouraging her to get up and face the day. But Lumi wasn't in any rush. "I hear you, Damson," she mumbled, pulling the blanket over her head. "But seriously, I just wanna laze around…"
"Oh, come on, Lumi," Glaciel's voice chimed in her mind, filled with its usual sass. "You can't spend the whole day in bed. Well, you could, but we've got things to do! You know, like saving the world and all that."
Lumi groaned. "I know, I know. But it's so cozy here. Can't the world wait until after lunch?"
"I'd love to say yes, sweetheart, but I'm pretty sure the bad guys aren't taking a break. Besides, think of all the napping you can do once we've saved the day!" Glaciel's tone was teasing, but Lumi could tell it was serious about getting her moving.
Sighing in defeat, Lumi reluctantly threw off the blankets and got out of bed. "Fine, fine. I'm up. But I'm taking a nap later, no matter what. Seriously, I just wanna laze around…"
As she got dressed, Lumi couldn't help but smile at Glaciel's persistent encouragement. It was strange having a hammer that could talk, let alone one with such a lively personality, but she was grateful for the companionship. It made the weight of her responsibilities a little easier to bear.
Once she was ready, Lumi made her way to the academy's dining hall for breakfast. As usual, she chose a quiet corner to sit in, enjoying the peace and quiet before the day's activities kicked in. She was just finishing her meal when June and Heath appeared, both of them looking unusually energetic for so early in the day.
"Morning, Lumi!" June greeted cheerfully as she sat down beside her. "You ready for today?"
Lumi raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea slowly. "Depends on what we're doing. If it involves anything strenuous, I'm out. I just wanna laze around, you know?"
Heath chuckled as he took a seat across from them. "Don't worry, Lumi. We're not planning on anything too crazy—at least not yet. But I was thinking we could check out that library section we found yesterday. There might be more information there that could help us."
Lumi nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds good. As long as there are comfy chairs, I'm in."
June giggled. "I'm sure we can find you a nice spot to relax while we search. But don't get too comfy—we might need your magic touch again."
Lumi smiled, grateful for her friends' understanding of her laidback nature. "You know me too well. But I promise, if you need me, I'll be ready."
With their plan for the day set, the trio headed to the library, their destination a secluded section they had discovered during their earlier research. The room was filled with old, dusty tomes and scrolls, many of which hadn't been touched in years. It was the perfect place to dig up ancient secrets—and also to take a nap, Lumi thought to herself.
As they entered the library, Lumi immediately gravitated toward a plush-looking armchair in the corner. "I call dibs on this chair," she announced, flopping down into it with a satisfied sigh. "You two can handle the heavy lifting. I'll supervise from here. I just wanna laze around a bit."
June rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course you will."
Heath shook his head but smiled nonetheless. "Just don't fall asleep before we find something useful."
Lumi waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. I'm keeping an eye on you both. Totally paying attention."
While June and Heath began sifting through the shelves, Lumi allowed herself to sink deeper into the chair, her eyes half-closed as she listened to the soft rustling of pages. The room was filled with the scent of old paper and leather, and the atmosphere was so peaceful that Lumi found herself drifting off despite her best efforts to stay awake.
"Lumi…" Glaciel's voice cut through her drowsiness, both amused and slightly exasperated. "You're really about to fall asleep, aren't you? I can feel it. You know, for someone with so much power, you sure do love to nap."
Lumi grinned sleepily. "It's a talent, Glaciel. Not everyone can be as effortlessly lazy as I am."
"Well, don't get too comfortable. Your friends are counting on you, remember? Plus, who knows what kind of secrets are hiding in this dusty old place."
Lumi yawned, her eyes still closed. "Yeah, yeah. I'm listening. Sort of."
Just as she was about to drift off completely, a sudden shout from June jolted her back to full consciousness. "Lumi, Heath! I found something!"
Lumi blinked and sat up, rubbing her eyes as she tried to shake off her drowsiness. "What is it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued despite her desire to stay in her comfy chair.
June hurried over, holding an ancient-looking book with a leather cover worn from age. "This book mentions something called the 'Scepter of the Storm,' another one of the legendary artifacts! It's said to control the winds and lightning, and there's a map here that might show where it's hidden!"
Lumi's eyes widened slightly, her drowsiness forgotten as she took the book from June. The map was faded and difficult to read, but there was no mistaking the markings that indicated a location far to the east, in a region known for its violent storms.
"This could be huge," Heath said, leaning over to examine the map. "If Erick is after the artifacts, this might be his next target. We need to get there first."
Lumi nodded, her earlier laziness replaced by a sense of urgency. "Looks like my nap will have to wait. We can't let Erick get his hands on this scepter."
"That's the spirit, Lumi!" Glaciel's voice rang out in her mind, full of enthusiasm. "Let's show that overconfident hero what we're made of!"
Lumi grinned, feeling her determination solidify. "You got it, Glaciel. Let's go find that scepter—and maybe take a break once we've got it. After all, I just wanna laze around."
June and Heath exchanged amused glances as they gathered their things, preparing to set off on their next adventure. Lumi might have a lazy streak, but when it mattered, she was always ready to step up. Together, they would track down the Scepter of the Storm and protect it from Erick Noye, no matter what it took.
As they left the library, Lumi felt a renewed sense of purpose. There was still much to do, and the journey ahead would be challenging. But with Glaciel's sassy encouragement and her friends by her side, Lumi knew they were up to the task—even if she had to sacrifice a nap or two along the way.