The spaceship's interior was a testament to humanity's technological ingenuity. Sleek metallic walls shimmered faintly with an ambient blue hue, a blend of aesthetics and functionality. The cabin was spacious, with rows of plush, ergonomic seats designed to adjust automatically to their occupant's body shape. Screens embedded in the walls displayed data about Astralis, the trial planet, and its zones, while a soft hum of the ship's engines reverberated in the background.
Candidates milled around the cabin, some quietly strategizing, others exuding an air of overconfidence. A few chose to remain silent, gazing at the stars beyond the reinforced glass windows.
Ray sat near the back, his attention split between the mesmerizing view of space and Lyra, who occupied the seat beside him. Her frosty demeanor deterred most from approaching, but that didn't seem to apply to everyone.
A confident voice broke through the cabin's murmur. "Osborn, right? Thought I'd come say hello."
Ray glanced up to see a tall, broad-shouldered young man with fiery red hair and sharp green eyes. He had an easy, self-assured smile that bordered on arrogance. Behind him stood a group of four—two boys and two girls—all exuding varying levels of confidence.
The one who immediately caught Ray's attention, however, was the girl at Axel's side. Kara had long, flowing auburn hair that shimmered like molten gold under the cabin lights. Her striking blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her confident smile hinted at an adventurous spirit. She was stunning, a presence that turned heads as she moved.
Lyra looked up, her expression unreadable. "And you are?"
"Axel Rithan," the red-haired boy said, flashing a grin. "Future top contender in this trial. And you must be Lyra Osborn—the Ice Empress. Everyone's talking about your S-rank talent. Got to say, it's an honor to meet you."
"I'm sure it is," Lyra said coolly, her tone dismissive.
Axel's grin wavered for a split second before he turned to Ray. "And you? Osborn too, huh? Guess that makes you siblings. What rank are we looking at? B? C?"
Ray leaned back in his seat, meeting Axel's gaze without flinching. "B."
"Not bad." Axel clapped Ray on the shoulder, his grip firm but not overly friendly. "Stick with me, and you might just survive the trial. I've got some big plans, and there's always room for a few allies."
"Thanks for the offer," Ray said with a faint smile. "But I think I'll manage."
Kara chuckled softly, drawing Ray's attention. "Confident, aren't you?" she said, her voice light and teasing. "I like that. It's refreshing compared to some of the other candidates."
Ray shrugged. "I just prefer to rely on myself."
Kara's smile widened, but before she could reply, one of Axel's companions spoke up. "He'll change his tune soon enough," said a wiry boy with dark eyes and a smirk. "They always do when the monsters show up."
"Enough, Jorik," Kara said, her tone sharp. She turned back to Ray and Lyra. "Ignore him. He likes to talk big."
Lyra's icy gaze flicked over Kara, then Axel, before returning to Ray. "We should focus on the trial, not pointless chatter."
Axel raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm sure we'll cross paths again soon."
With that, he and his group moved on, though Kara gave Ray one last look before following.
Ray watched them leave, then turned to Lyra. "They seem... interesting."
"Trouble," Lyra said simply.