The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. Ethan leaned against the wooden railing of the dormitory balcony, staring out into the distance. The events of the previous day—facing their fears and doubts—still lingered in his mind, though the bond between him and his team had undoubtedly grown stronger.
The door behind him creaked open, breaking the quiet. Turning slightly, he saw Amelia stepping out onto the balcony. Her golden hair reflected the evening light, and her soft smile instantly warmed him.
"Taking a moment to yourself?" she asked gently, moving to stand beside him.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, just... trying to let everything sink in. That test Greystone gave us was no joke."
"It wasn't," Amelia agreed, her voice soft. "But you faced your shadow and won. We all did."
Ethan turned to her, meeting her eyes. "It made me realize something. I'm not strong alone. I need you guys—your trust, your support."
Amelia's cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled. "We need you too, Ethan. You pull us together. You don't have to carry everything by yourself, you know?"
Her words struck a chord deep within him, and before he could stop himself, he reached out and placed his hand gently over hers. Amelia didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned closer, resting her head against his shoulder.
They stood in silence for a moment, the evening breeze gently ruffling their hair.
---
Their quiet moment was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Ethan glanced back toward the dorm room, feeling mildly annoyed by the intrusion.
"I'll get it," he said, reluctantly stepping inside.
When he opened the door, Lila stood there with her signature smirk, her violet eyes gleaming mischievously. She was dressed more casually than usual—her shirt hanging slightly off her shoulder, her demeanor relaxed yet teasing.
"Interrupting something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking. "Not really. What's up?"
Lila stepped inside without invitation, looking around. "Everyone's been quiet since yesterday, so I figured I'd come to check on you. And Amelia too."
Hearing her name, Amelia stepped in from the balcony with a soft smile. "Lila. It's nice of you to check on us."
"Don't make it sound so sweet," Lila shot back, crossing her arms. "I just wanted to make sure Ethan hadn't spiraled into some deep brooding session."
Ethan sighed dramatically. "You're always so supportive, Lila."
Her teasing expression softened. "But seriously, you're doing fine. Better than fine, actually. I think yesterday's test proved that you're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for."
Amelia nodded in agreement. "He's right, you know."
Ethan scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I appreciate it, really."
---
The next morning, Greystone called the team together for more training. This time, the focus was on improving their teamwork in combat.
Ethan stood in the center of the training grounds, surrounded by Amelia, Lila, and Celine. The energy between them felt different—more connected. They moved with greater synchronicity, as though the bond forged during the shadow test had unlocked a deeper understanding of each other.
Greystone observed with his usual sharp gaze, nodding approvingly as the group dismantled the moving training dummies with swift precision.
"Better," Greystone said as the dummies crumbled into dust. "But don't get comfortable. This was only the basics. Your real challenges will test your bond far more than any illusion."
"What kind of challenges?" Celine asked, pushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
Greystone's smirk returned, though his tone remained serious. "You'll know when they come."
Ethan clenched his fists at his sides. He hated the way Greystone always spoke in riddles, but at least this time, he felt more prepared.
---
After training, Ethan and the others returned to the dormitory, exhausted but satisfied. The air between them felt lighter—like they were finally stepping into their roles as a team.
As evening fell, the group gathered in the common room. Lila had claimed one of the armchairs, stretching her legs across it, while Celine and Amelia sat on the couch beside Ethan.
"We've made a lot of progress," Celine said thoughtfully, sipping her tea.
Lila grinned. "Yeah, we're pretty badass when we work together."
Amelia smiled softly, looking at Ethan. "And you're leading us well. I hope you see that now."
Ethan glanced around at his team—his friends—and felt something stir in his chest. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged. These people trusted him, and he trusted them back.
"Thank you," he said quietly, meeting Amelia's gaze. "All of you."
---
As the evening continued, Ethan noticed something odd. There was a faint glow coming from the back of his hand—where the bond mark had appeared after his and Amelia's first encounter with the luminous power.
"Uh, guys?" he said, holding up his hand.
The others turned to look. The glow was soft, but unmistakable.
Amelia leaned closer, her golden eyes narrowing. "It's happening again."
"What does it mean?" Lila asked, sitting up straight.
Ethan shook his head. "I don't know, but it feels... warm. Like it's responding to something."
Amelia reached out, touching his hand. The moment their skin made contact, a soft golden light radiated outward, causing everyone to gasp.
"It's reacting to our bond," Amelia whispered in awe.
Greystone's voice echoed in Ethan's mind suddenly, "Your strength comes from the bonds you forge. Nurture them, and the luminous power will grow."
Ethan glanced at Amelia, then at the others. Something told him this was only the beginning.