In the year 2962, a child of half Bakeneko and half man was born. The Bakeneko race was among the refugees that fled their country when Tamura Yarinaga of Utakata began his expansion. The child, Abel Stains, a half-blooded Bakeneko, was a young brown-haired kid with a dream of exploring the world. Of course, this dream doesn't come cheap.
Abel lived his childhood with his uncle and grandmother because his parents suddenly went missing on business trips when he was 2. Despite this, Abel grew up in a loving family environment. His grandmother, Ruri Stains, was from his father's side, and his uncle, Nagiatsu Nagowa. As Abel grew, he became close with the Nagowa family. Even Kaede Nagowa, the wife of Nagiatsu, already took Abel as her own child.
All children of the Nagowa family really looked up to Abel; his energetic, kindhearted, cheerful, and sometimes sarcastic nature decorated the Nagowa family with smiles. As Abel grew, he studied in a local school, showing slightly above-average strength and academic abilities. He was nothing special among the school but still managed to become one of the famous students due to his lineage, which allowed him to possess a unique instinct. This instinct allowed Abel to recognize dangers and threats, thus making him one of the best when it came to exploring dangerous places. However, sometimes his overconfidence led him into dangerous situations—a gentle reminder that while his instinct was razor-sharp, it was no future insight and could fail him.
In these kinds of situations, Abel always had his trusted friends by his side: Rufus, Dalva, Kaya, Hugo, and Tarmin. This little group of students from Lagu Village was always full of surprises. Not often to be seen causing trouble, but once they did, well, expect among the worst things a bunch of kids could do. Ranging from accidentally awakening a monstrous creature by polluting the lake with their magic bomb experiment to accidentally creating a 30-meter-tall rampaging fire golem. Not that you could see 10-year-olds do that every day.
In 2972, Abel and his group were having a vacation in nearby hills as there was a festival occurring. A Starlight Festival, which lasted a week long, typically happened in the sixth month, usually from the 15th to the 25th. During that time, thousands of stars could be seen with the naked eye, both day and night, making it one of the most beautiful days of the year.
For some time, people across the world could enjoy the beauty of the sky, forgetting the wars that plague the world. Usually in Lagu Hills, people often encountered a mad sage who isolated himself in the forest, babbling about the approaching end of the world. While he often annoyed people, the mad sage also contributed to the safety of the village. As a master of astrology and capable of using star magic, he was often allowed at festivals as long as he didn't disturb others.
However, this year, as the group prepared their favorite spots for the festival, they noticed that among the crowd, the mad sage could not be found anywhere, which piqued the curiosity of the group.
"Hey, where is that old man?" asked Abel, as the group walked uphill while eating ice cream.
"I don't know. Someone probably sent him tons of pastries. He loves pastries and won't stop eating them until he's unconscious," said Rufus, with a calm voice.
"Yeah, no lies in that. I literally saw him preaching about the destruction of the world, but Uncle Tobat, the chef from a nearby restaurant, dumped him like a year's worth of pastries. He suddenly stopped preaching and had the greatest feast known to man in peace," said Tarmin.
Hugo tried to speak but couldn't make any sense as his mouth was full of ice cream.
"Yeah, and we have Hugo," said Dalva.
Hugo finished his ice cream, but some was still left, and he spoke, "I heard that astrology takes so much energy and calories that people who practice it require a lot of food."
"And it also requires a lot of patience, I guess, for you to not spit all of your ice cream!" shouted Kaya.
"Hehe, I'm sorry—I'm sorry. I'm going to roll into the Mage Guild one day. Gotta love this kind of conversation," said Hugo.
As the group finally reached their spot, they began to unpack their belongings. Dalva and Abel prepared a fire to burn some BBQ, while others prepared their picnic rugs. As the group prepared, they saw many people already set up not far from them, still within the gaze of their sight.
"Wow, people are early this year," said Abel.
"Probably because the mad sage didn't preach to them all the way," said Dalva.
"Could be, but either way, everything feels way more happy," said Abel.
"Well, it's the Starlight Festival, Abel. Of course, everyone is happy, especially those pesky merchants who increase every price by tenfold," said Dalva.
"Hahaha, yeah, that's not what I meant. Before this, I could always feel the depression from everything—plants, flowers, trees, animals, birds, and fish, not just people," said Abel.
"Do you think the land is sad because of the war that has plagued the world for the last 100 years?" Rufus interjected.
"Yeah, it could be. But this year everything feels so peaceful. I know when the Starlight Festival comes, a sensation of peace also spreads across the land, but this year it's so lovely, so peaceful," said Abel.
"Well, your instinct didn't lie. Look!" said Dalva, as she gazed across the area full of people. Some wild animals like moose and deer could be seen sitting and gazing at the sky.
"Whoa, yeah, I never realized that," Hugo said, standing up and witnessing thousands of birds flying across the sky. Many animals could be seen around, keeping their distance from people but also showing a peace sign towards them.
Some musicians could be seen playing guitars, where birds, zebras, and many other animals idly watched his play. Some people could be seen feeding squirrels. Some were sharing their BBQ with nearby animals.
"WWWAIT! Did we just witness cannibalism??!!" exclaimed Abel.
"Uh, let's not really think about that, Abel," said Dalva.
As the group got ready, they began having a BBQ and shared stories of what they wanted to do when they grew up.
"To be honest, I always wanted to be a Paladin," said Dalva.
"Paladin?" Kaya asked, as she shared her homemade smoothies, which she stored in her thermos.
"Yeah, do you know Ms. Sein Eleison? The hero of Fonta Aria. She was the leader of The Twelve Heroes. She is so beautiful, strong, and kind-hearted," said Dalva, as everyone received the smoothies.
"Well, Sein Eleison was a genius ever since she was a child. She is hardworking and a brave hero. Surely she isn't someone who slept through history class," said Kaya.
"Haha, yeah, and don't forget, she isn't someone who broke our class windows with her 'Experimental Portable Blessing Stone'," said Tarmin.
"Hehehe, well, you couldn't blame me. I was just testing some cool homemade gadget. I mean, blessing stones are so expensive these days," said Dalva.
"Don't worry, when I get older, I want to be a rich businessman and open a general goods store in this village," said Tarmin as he enjoyed the BBQ.
"Cool, could we get a best friends discount then?" asked Rufus.
"Hmm… well, let me think about that," answered Tarmin.
"Well, knowing it's Rufus, you might as well ask for free, buddy," said Abel.
"Hey, I'm not that cheap," says Rufus.
"Oh, trust me buddy... you are," replies Hugo.
The group bursts into laughter as everyone continues enjoying the BBQ. The Nagowa family, along with Ruri, arrives.
"Hey, that's my family. Sorry, guys, but I want to greet them first," says Abel.
Abel stands up and approaches them.
"Uncle! Auntie! Grandma! And you two," Abel greets them enthusiastically.
They hug him close. "Well, well, you got here right after school, didn't you?" Nagiatsu remarks.
"Hehe, well, I had to prepare for my group. Do you need help?" Abel asks, blushing.
"I guess not this time, Abel. We already promised your little brother here that they shall have the honor of preparing our place," Kaede responds.
"Don't worry, you all. I've prepared a chilling stone, in case they set the fire too big," Ruri Stains adds.
"Okay, I'll be with my group. Bye, Grandma. Bye, Uncle. Bye, Auntie," says Abel, then performs their signature handshake with his three cousins.
As Abel approaches his friends again, they can be seen laughing.
"So, what did I miss?" asks Abel.
"Oh, nothing. Just Hugo's sole motivation for becoming a mage," says Rufus.
"Oh, don't worry, nothing out of place. He just thought becoming a mage would bring him closer to many... beautiful elf ladies," says Tarmin.
"Heh, laugh all you want, guys, but have any of you ever seen the Arch Mage of the Mage Guild? They are so... beautiful," says Hugo.
"Yeah, don't forget their treasure, right Hugo?" says Abel.
With a blushing smile, Hugo replies, "Yeah, that too."
"Alright, alright, you pervert. How about you, Rufus? What's your dream?" asks Dalva.
"Hmm... I don't know, maybe become a head knight, marrying a noble lady, preferably a beautiful one," says Rufus.
"That sounds closer to one of the hundred sinister plans of Rufus," says Hugo.
"First noble ladies, I don't think he will stop until marrying a princess and ruling over the nation," says Abel.
"Oh, that too would be only his first step. I bet he will conquer the world," adds Dalva.
The group laughs with full joy.
"Okay, okay, I want to be a head knight so people actually idolize me," says Rufus.
"That one is not that bad, but why don't you just be an actor?" suggests Tarmin.
"Well, it's expensive, my fellas. And more importantly, why act cool and badass when you could be actually cool and badass?" says Rufus.
"See, that's not so bad. A bit narcissistic, but still acceptable," says Kaya.
"And how about you, Kaya?" asks Abel while sitting beside Dalva.
"Well, I guess I want to be a healer. A doctor could work too," says Kaya.
"Wow, careful, medical school is expensive," says Tarmin.
"Don't worry, I'm Kaya," smiles Kaya with a chunk of meat in her mouth.
"No objection to that. Clearly, this world needs more medics," says Rufus.
"So fewer people sick?" Kaya asks with an innocent smile.
"Nah, with more doctors, healthcare would be cheaper," says Tarmin.
"Wow, everything is a business to you, isn't it?" Kaya says with an annoyed face.
"Well, step one to becoming a successful businessman is to calculate everything," says Tarmin as the group continues enjoying the BBQ.
"And…" says Rufus, as he looks at Abel. The others follow their gaze to Abel.
"Well, here comes my turn," says Abel as he eats a chunk of grilled fish.
"I want to be an explorer, technically, but I also want to have a life that's not necessarily overwhelming, but rich enough," says Abel.
"Well, don't be a businessman, I don't want any rivals," says Tarmin.
"Wait… rich explorer means you will explore to find treasure or something?" asks Hugo.
"Wait, isn't that just a glorified grave robber?" asks Rufus.
"Hahaha, well, no, not really. Do you know there are still many places that haven't been explored, even on this continent, let alone outside this continent? And people often pay millions of Verak for this," says Abel.
"Well, what happens if you're already rich?" asks Dalva.
"Probably settle in this village. I don't mind having a farm and etc., but regardless, I want to see the world first," says Abel.
As the time shows to be 10 PM, the Starlight Festival reaches its peak with many shows and events. From musical to drama, lots of merchants can be seen selling general goods, food, toys, shirts, and much more. The stars shine brightly and beautifully.
"Wow, look, everyone!" says Dalva.
As the group witnesses the stars that shine brighter than ever, they see many colors from nebulae across the sky.
"So beautiful... imagine if we could explore all of it," says Abel.
"I have been witnessing the Stars Festival ever since I was 3, but this is the most beautiful one I have ever seen," says Dalva.
Not long after, footsteps can be heard as the group shifts their gaze; it's the Mad Sage approaching them. But rather than looking mad as usual, this time the Sage appears calm and peaceful.
"Yes, it is, and it will become more beautiful every year, as the light has returned to the sky, and a new age of gold has decorated the cosmos," says the sage.
"Uh... okay, but what about the end of the world? You usually preach about it," says Rufus.
Kaya hits Rufus's head, giving him a signal not to be rude.
"Aw! What's wrong? I'm just asking," says Rufus to Kaya.
"It's alright. I could see that happening before; I could feel it was close, but it has been stopped, at least for now, by the four Champions of Gold," says the sage.
"Uh, what??" Everyone in the group looks confused.
"Don't worry about it. They didn't do it for fame. Right now, let's enjoy the night," says the sage as he takes one of the BBQ meats from the grill.
The group gives a plain expression towards the sage.
"Heheh, can I have some?" says the sage, chuckling with innocent smiles.
The group has a laugh of their time. The night reaches 12 PM. The sage already left earlier with many more people. Everyone then begins to pack their belongings.
"Well, shall we do it again next week?" asks Abel.
The group just nods in agreement.
As they descend the hills, they see many people on the roads. Even though each of their houses doesn't require transportation and could be walked by foot, traffic is still a problem as their small village means some roads will be full of cars and so forth.
"Well, I guess I'll go first. My house is from here. You guys enjoy the traffic," says Rufus as he parts away.
The group also begins to part one by one. Even though it's midnight, none of them are scared of anything as Lagu City is home to many rangers' guilds that are active 24/7. Their streets, forests, and hills are safe as heaven. Many decorated heroes and veterans also retire to this village.
As Abel walks alone on the road towards his house, he sees some rangers having a date. Blushing, Abel tries to hide his face, which the rangers notice.
"It's alright, kid. You'll get to this when you're older," said one of the female rangers.
Abel then sees his uncle still preparing his motorcycle in front of the house, preparing to send vegetables to the local market.
"Uncle, haven't you slept already?" says Abel as he enters his family house.
"Oh, Abel. Of course not. I'm active at night, remember? I distribute vegetables and such before dawn to many local traders, and I sleep during the day," says Nagiatsu.
"Wow, you're like a nocturnal creature?" says Abel.
"Of course, I am. Didn't your auntie tell you I was a ranger when I was young?" says Nagiatsu.
"Uh... I guess not," says Abel.
"Hahah, don't worry. I'll be fine. You go ahead and sleep," says Nagiatsu.
As Abel enters the house, he sees three of his cousins still active while Auntie Kaede has already fallen asleep. Yeah, they are all pure-blooded Bakeneko, a catman to some people, a yokai race native to the Arkhari Continent. Their grandparents moved to Ivovnia as part of the resistance towards Tamura Yarinaga's invasion many years ago. As the yokai race is renowned for being nocturnal, they are awake at night and sleep during the day. But for Abel's cousins, it seems they are awake 24/7. While his auntie is also a Bakeneko, the toll of being a mother pushes her to her limits. Seeing this, Abel decides that since he has no activity planned for tomorrow, he will help with his auntie's chores.