Sunray's feet dangled idly as she rested one knee over the other, holding her phone horizontally in both hands. The glow from the screen reflected on her face as she face-timed her father.
"So, you'll celebrate the festival in the square?" Joel's voice crackled through the speaker.
"Yeah," Sunray replied, slumping back lazily against the headboard. "There's a lot of rules to comply with, though. Apparently, it's a tradition here for everyone to head down together for the Gleaming Stars Festival and celebrate with the locals. Also, novices and apprentices can't wander off on their own, and anyone caught disobeying gets detention." She groaned, tilting her head dramatically. "So. Not. Fun."
Novices weren't allowed to leave the academy grounds unless granted special permission by the marshal or elders. Otherwise, they had to stick with an overseer or master. Apprentices, on the other hand, were allowed to leave the grounds, but only in groups of three or more, and they were required to return before dusk. Masters had the most freedom out of all the phases—save for the marshal and overseers—but even they had to report their destination to the gate guards.
"That's a good thing!" Joel said firmly. "It's great they made this a rule. Stick close to someone older, preferably your teachers. Or, well, elders—oops."
Sunray rolled her eyes. "Ya, ya, whatever." She yawned, her voice carrying the weight of the long day. "Aren't they the same thing?"
Just then, a head full of blue hair appeared in the doorway, peeking in nervously. "S-Sunray? Are you here?" Wvelynn's soft voice broke the silence.
Her roommates were out and had probably forgotten to close the door. Sunray didn't care. The bed creaked as she shifted upright, the sound echoing faintly in the otherwise quiet room. "Eve? What's up?"
"The students are gathering together to depart," Wvelynn said, her voice laced with hesitation. "W-we have to go now if we want to catch up to th-them."
Joel's voice chimed in from the phone. "Kid, is that your—"
"Talk to you later, fada," Sunray cut him off, already ending the call.
"I told you to NOT call me that!" his voice rang out, but it was too late.
Sunray stuffed her phone into her pocket and hopped to her feet. "Alright, let's go."
Wvelynn blinked, a bit taken aback. "U-um, shouldn't you have let him finish what he was s-saying?"
"He was just going to gush about how cool I am for making a friend on my first day." Sunray smirked.
"...Right," Wvelynn murmured, clearly unconvinced. Her gaze flicked to Sunray's side, catching sight of a bookholster hanging casually from her waist, a slender book nestled inside with plenty of space to spare. Wvelynn's curiosity piqued, and her eyes lingered on the holster. Sunray, noticing her attention, gave it an affectionate pat and smiled.
"It's cute, isn't it?" she said, her voice light. "I consider it my lucky charm, so I bring it every time I go out somewhere."
"It is cute," Wvelynn agreed. She wanted to ask more questions—it wasn't every day you saw someone casually wearing a bookholster—but the pressing matter of the moment was hard to ignore. "We s-should go. Everyone is gathering at the Great House. Come on, I'll take y-you to the Portals Room."
The Crimsoncraft Portals Room looked almost identical to the one in Verdantfire. If Sunray had to guess, all the Portal Rooms in the academy were probably indistinguishable except for the placement of the doors, which shifted depending on the House.
The crowd assembled in the entrance hall was nothing short of overwhelming. Calling it "large" would be an understatement. Avarise wasn't the most populated academy, but with nine Houses gathered here, it was easy to see how even a group of mostly novices and apprentices could swell into a sizable mass.
At the forefront of the crowd stood three adults, their voices blending into the low hum of conversation in the hall. Sunray's ears perked up as snippets of whispers reached her from passing students.
"Who are they?" a voice hissed nearby.
"That's Mr. Calliope, Elder Elandra, and Elder WW."
"WW?"
"Yeah, World War."
"What?!"
"Want me to tell Elder that you said that?"
"P-please, senior, I wanna live a few more years… and it's not my fault he acts like he went through a world war!"
"Don't be rude! He might have, with how old he is."
"Now you're the one being rude!"
"But what's his name?!"
"You wanna see rude, you little twerp?"
"Bring it on!"
"Everybody shut up!" bellowed one of the nearby overseers. The stern command echoed across the hall, and the chatter immediately died down. Mr. Caliope gave the overseer a grateful smile before turning back to the crowd. His kind voice carried effortlessly over the gathered students.
"We will depart soon. Is that everyone?" His gaze swept the hall, his sharp eyes taking in every corner before narrowing slightly in realization. "…Where's Muse Dewdawn?"
A murmur rippled through the gathered students like a breeze stirring leaves. Some shuffled awkwardly, while others exchanged glances.
"Yeah, I don't see them..." someone muttered.
Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious voice broke through the subdued muttering, the person waving something thin and blue in the air to gain attention. "Muse is late 'cause they're probably composing an excuse song!"
The comment was met with utter silence, the speaker roundly ignored as though they hadn't even opened their mouth.
A Nighthall senior, identifiable by the bold emblem on his shirt, sneered. "Geez, they're always going at their own pace. That attitude needs to be checked—"
"Goodness!" The sudden voice startled everyone. Heads whipped around to locate its source. Sunray blinked, her wide eyes landing on a figure at the back of the room. The melodious voice felt familiar, but it wasn't until she saw them that her suspicion was confirmed.
As it turned out, the speaker was none other than the angelic-looking stranger from before, a serene and beautiful smile playing on their lips. Flanking them were their housemates, all of whom stood tall and proud, radiating the same confident poise as their Muse. The latecomers appeared utterly unbothered by the fact that they'd just kept eight Houses waiting.
Muse Dewdawn's voice, soft yet clear, carried across the room. "Were you all waiting for us?" Their smile brightened, radiating charm. "How kind of you."
Beside her, Wvelynn's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Oh, them," she muttered under her breath, leaning toward Sunray. "Th-they did this last year too. Honestly, I understand why that Nighthall senior was angry."
The crowd parted as Muse Dewdawn made their way forward, their steps graceful, as if choreographed. Even something as mundane as walking seemed imbued with elegance. Whispers followed their path, a confused mix of admiration, frustration, and awe.
"Huh… my anger… where did it go?"
"Dude, are you kidding?"
"I can't stop staring. Is this witchcraft?"
"They always make me feel short, and that's totally their fault."
As the murmurs grew, Wvelynn began inching backward, her expression tense. "W-We should stay as far away from them as possible. Do you understand, Sun… ray??!" Her jaw dropped at the starry-eyed look Sunray was directing at Muse Dewdawn. "Are you serious?!" she whispered, exasperated.
Just Wvelynn's luck, she thought grimly, that the first person to voluntarily give her more than five minutes of attention turned out to be... this.
Mr. Caliope clapped his hands, a genial smile on his face. Sunray noted he did that often, a comforting gesture to command focus. "Muse Dewdawn, it's good that you're finally here. But remember to try and arrive earlier next time, alright?"
"Yes, Mr. Calliope," Muse replied, their tone surprisingly polite compared to their earlier aloofness. Sunray tilted her head in curiosity—so they could behave, after all.
"You," Elder Wraithwood interjected, his face a stony mask but with a faint scowl threatening to form. "As the Muse, you should arrive before everyone else. How do you expect to set an ideal example if you can't even be on time?"
For a moment, Muse Dewdawn simply stared at him, their expression unreadable. "..."
The only woman among the elders, Elder Elandra, coughed lightly, her discomfort evident. "E-Elder Wraithwood—"
"My apologies," Muse Dewdawn finally said, their tone smooth and calm, catching everyone off guard. A faint smile tugged at the corner of their lips as they continued airily, "I was simply chatting with the Grand Elder. It would've been rather rude to interrupt her. Don't you think so, Elder Wraithwood?"
The hall collectively held its breath as Wraithwood's jaw tightened, his scowl deepening into something more visible.
Wow, they used the Grand Elder card, Sunray mused. It's super effective!
Wvelynn, on the other hand, stared at Muse with a mixture of fear and indignation. That's a villain, alright. Her serious expression betrayed her inner turmoil. Not only did they keep this many people waiting, they're also trying to intimidate Elder Wraithwood too!
Just when the air was starting to grow tense, with the crowd quietly picking sides despite the lack of an actual argument, Elder Elandra cleared her throat with a practiced authority that silenced the murmurs.
"May we introduce ourselves for the new students? If the gentlemen would oblige," she said, her tone light but her gaze sharp as it flicked to the other two elders. There was an almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of her lips—perhaps the faintest trace of exasperation.
Mr. Calliope latched onto the change of topic like a lifeline. "Oh, yes," he said, his relief as clear as the sky outside.
Elder Wraithwood glanced at Muse Dewdawn, his sharp features settling into an unreadable mask. "You're dismissed," he said curtly.
Muse Dewdawn inclined their head with a polite smile, their movements fluid as they turned and glided back toward the group they arrived with. The crowd parted for them instinctively, their murmurs now subdued but brimming with unspoken thoughts.
Elder Elandra let out a subtle sigh of relief, one not as discreet as she seemed to think, before stepping forward and addressing the gathered students with a warm, practiced smile. "I'll begin," she announced. "My name is Ramiel Elandra, and I am the House Elder of Goldenheal. It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
The crowd reacted with a chorus of murmured "oohs" and polite nods. It was clear her presence carried a comforting warmth, like the steady glow of a hearth on a cold night.
"I'm Vadar Calliope," the tall man introduced himself next, his smile as kind as ever. "I'm a prosaic and will be teaching your required subject, mathematics, here at the Main House. So there's no need to call me Elder; 'Mr. Calliope' is fine. I hope we can all get along well!"
But his words drew a starkly different reaction.
"What? We have math here?" one student groaned.
"No! I thought I escaped that nightmare subject by coming here!" another wailed.
"Even magic can't save us from math," someone muttered with tragic finality.
"Dang, I liked him before he said that," a voice lamented.
"You all," an older student snapped, glaring at the whiners. "Did none of you even read the curriculum?"
Mr. Calliope maintained his smile, though a faint sheen of sweat was visible on his brow. Sunray couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.
"Silence." Elder Wraithwood's deep, commanding voice cut through the noise like a blade, immediately restoring order. With everyone subdued, he introduced himself brusquely. "You may refer to me as Elder Wraithwood."
The silence stretched uncomfortably as the crowd waited for him to elaborate. When it became clear he would not, Elder Elandra gave him an incredulous look. "That's it?" she asked, baffled.
"Come on, Thadric," Mr. Calliope interjected, nudging him slightly. "Say a few words of encouragement—"
"Who are you calling Thadric?" Elder Wraithwood snapped, stepping aside with a scowl. "Don't act like we're close."
"Now," Elder Elandra interrupted, her tone laced with forced patience as she addressed the crowd once more. "Shall we make our departure? The festival is due to begin." She cast a pointed glance at her colleagues, her polished composure a stark contrast to their squabbling.
"What a trio to be given such a big responsibility," a voice muttered as two students passed by Sunray and Wvelynn.
"Shh," the other hissed. "What if one of their pets hears you?"
Sunray barely paid them any mind as she took in her surroundings. The path ahead was bustling with students heading into town, and the air itself seemed alive with the hum of anticipation. Languor's Square lay just ahead, its lights and decorations teasing glimpses of a grand celebration.
"Psst, Eve," Sunray whispered, nudging her companion.
"Hm?" Wvelynn replied, distracted.
"Important question here. Why," Sunray paused, taking a deep breath as if bracing herself for devastation, "why do we have MATH here?"
Wvelynn blinked, caught off guard by the intensity of the question. "Did… did you not know?"
"I knew, but I blissfully forgot about it!" Sunray groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. "How could they do this to me? My enemy has chased me down to this magical place!"
Wvelynn's lips twitched as she suppressed a laugh. "W-Well… math is important. It helps your brain develop and will be useful for your sealing work later."
"Ugh, betrayal…" Sunray muttered to herself. Desperate for a distraction, her eyes roamed the crowd until they landed on a striking figure. "Hey, Eve," she said, nudging Wvelynn again. "Do you know them?" She pointed discreetly.
Wvelynn followed her gaze and froze. "Oh," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "That's… that's the Muse of our academy, Aelian Dewdawn."
"Muse?"
Wvelynn raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You don't know about M-Muses either?"
Sunray hummed, tilting her head in thought. "Let me guess, they're supposed to be the inspiration for us to write poetry and paint pictures." She placed a hand on her chest, her face turning dreamy as she gazed theatrically at the starry sky above. "And their beauty is supposed to be the salvation for our wretched hearts!"
Wvelynn stared at her in growing horror. Her thoughts spiraled in dismay. Oh, no... I'm not liking this...
"I-It's nothing like that," Wvelynn stammered, struggling to rein in her nerves. "Being a 'Muse' means you're the perfect student to r-represent the academy. That position is more elevated than a-any other student roles in magical schools." She took a deep breath, her voice evening out slightly as she explained. "They work on improving relations between the entire s-student body of Avarise—making sure everyone gets along and whatnot—which is a b-big responsibility." She paused to take a deep breath, trying to steady her stuttering. "Not—not to mention, our current Muse has some sort of c-connection with the Grand Elder. Their power goes far beyond that of a normal student r-role."
Sunray nodded eagerly, her eyes wide and shiny like a child absorbing a bedtime story. Wvelynn hesitated, glancing sideways at her before lowering her gaze and murmuring, "Also... they're a Formara."
"A Formara?"
Sunray's eager expression faltered, replaced by confusion. In her entire short life, she had never seen a Formara in person. Honestly, she'd started believing they were myths, made up to spice up the history books and news segments. Nine-year-old Sunray had been particularly firm in her belief that Formaras were just propaganda. But now, staring at Muse Dewdawn's ethereal face in the distance, she couldn't help but believe.
"So… they're not Human," she murmured, her voice tinged with awe. "I never would've imagined a Formara being in such a big role."
"They're the only Formara marshal currently… the Marshal of House Songwer," Wvelynn explained, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her frown deepened. "While it's nice to be inclusive, it's... really unfair. Being a Muse already has such a big advantage—"
"So they're super powerful and they do loads of work for everyone?" Sunray interrupted, her eyes practically sparkling. "Of course I'll only idolize the coolest person!"
"I-I-Idol?!" Wvelynn shrieked, her composure shattering. She suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Sunray's shoulders without warning. "Sunray, you're idolizing the wrong person!"
"..." The surrounding students stopped to stare at them.
Wvelynn's face turned scarlet as she realized what she'd just done. She let go of Sunray, stumbling backward and ducking her head. "U-uh! I'm s-s-so sorry, everyone..." She kept her eyes fixed on the ground, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as the crowd finally turned their attention elsewhere.
"You sure got one heck of a voice," Sunray commented casually, unfazed. "Also, I can't just change my heart! You know what they say about 'following your heart'? I'm just listening to my elders."
"N-no, you can't idolize them!" Wvelynn insisted, her voice rising again. "You don't know how they really are!"
"Huh? So you can crush on athletes you've never even talked to, but I can't like someone—"
"S-SHUT UP!"
"What is all this noise about?"
Both girls froze at the sound of the calm voice. Halina was walking toward them, her expression one of cautious curiosity. "Are you two fighting?" she asked.
"She was being mean—"
"I-It was fair warning—!"
"Well," Halina interjected before the bickering could escalate again, "I'm sure whatever it was, you can still make amends, right?" Her tone was firm, but there was an underlying warmth that made it impossible to argue.
Sunray huffed, crossing her arms. Without another word, she turned and started walking away from the pair.
"Where are you going?" Halina called after her, sounding startled. Wvelynn watched, equally surprised, as Sunray strode off with a determined gait.
"Away. Gotta clear my head," Sunray replied, her voice lofty as though delivering a line from an epic drama. Inwardly, she congratulated herself for sounding so mature. She was a cool person—wasn't it only natural to idolize someone equally cool, like Muse Dewdawn? Some might call her logic faulty, but Sunray didn't have time for those people.
"Oh..." Wvelynn muttered to herself quietly as she watched Sunray walk away, her gaze dropping sadly to the ground. Did I... drive away the only person who wanted to be my friend?
"Hello, what's your name?" Halina's cheerful voice suddenly broke her thoughts, startling her. Wvelynn turned her head quickly to find Halina standing beside her, her ever-present cheerful energy almost tangible. The older girl's smile was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to Wvelynn's gloomy expression.
"I-I'm... Wvelynn Ilderose," she replied hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Wvelynn, hmm..." Halina tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think I saw you around last year."
Wvelynn blinked in surprise. She rarely left her House unless absolutely necessary, let alone did anything to stand out. The idea that someone as busy as Halina remembered her face felt almost surreal. "Y-Yes, um, I'm actually a junior novice. She's a first year, and we met today after she arrived here..." Wvelynn's voice trailed off as she glanced again toward the path where Sunray had disappeared, her expression sinking.
Halina seemed to notice her worry. "Well, Wvelynn, I'm sure your friend will come around. Don't look so glum," she said gently, offering her a reassuring smile.
Wvelynn hesitated, her uncertainty clear in her voice. "But... we just met today. She's probably gotten a-annoyed by me now—"
"Nonsense," Halina said firmly, her gaze lifting to the vibrant night sky ahead. "It's completely normal for friends to squabble, especially when you're just getting to know each other. Don't let it get to you so much."
Wvelynn's lips parted slightly, ready to argue, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, her gaze followed Halina's. The night sky stretched out ahead, painted with glimmering stars that shimmered like tiny lanterns. Around them, the crowd was growing more animated as they approached the square. The Peninsulans lining the streets seemed accustomed to this celebration, some even waving warmly at the passing students. The sight tugged at the corners of Wvelynn's mouth despite herself.
Halina's voice broke through again, her tone light but full of conviction. "This is supposed to be a night full of happiness," she said, her words carrying a certain weight beneath their cheerful delivery. "You're about to see your hopes become stars. So cheer up, okay?"
Wvelynn blinked at her, stunned into silence. Of all people, Halina was the last person she expected to say something so... corny. Her face flushed red, a mixture of secondhand embarrassment and genuine appreciation for the sentiment.
"I-I'll try my best!" she squeaked, her words tumbling out quickly as her embarrassment deepened.
Halina chuckled softly, giving her a friendly pat on the back. "That's the spirit, Wvelynn!"
The town square was packed to the brim, bustling with life and excitement. It wasn't nearly large enough to hold such a massive crowd, and many had spilled out onto the surrounding streets, resigning themselves to enjoying the festivities from a distance. Others had climbed onto the roofs of nearby buildings, perched precariously like birds seeking the best vantage point. Despite the late hour, the darkest thing in sight was the inky sky overhead, speckled with stars. The streets below were alive with color, lined with strings of glowing festival lanterns casting a warm, golden light that bathed the town in an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Each House had broken off into smaller groups, overseen by their marshals and supervisors. Students mingled with the Peninsulans, their laughter blending with the hum of the crowd. Above it all, the elders had taken to a nearby restaurant's balcony, seeking a better view of the festivities. From there, they could observe the throng of people below, the swirling sea of lights and movement.
The noise was overwhelming, a cacophony of voices, laughter, and music. Initially, several buildings near the square had competed with each other, each blaring their own tunes. However, after an intense argument, all but one shop—the one with the largest speakers—had given up. Now, the square echoed with a single, upbeat melody. The harmony, however, was short-lived. A fresh argument erupted on one side of the square, drawing the crowd's attention like moths to a flame.
"We'll fly the sky lanterns at the same time, alright?" a gruff voice demanded.
"Old man, you know that's not really possible with so many people—"
"I said we WILL do it together! How hard is that to understand, boy?!"
"O-okay, whatever!"
Vendors lined the sides of the streets, their stalls overflowing with intricately crafted sky lanterns. The vendors beamed as customers eagerly handed over their money, lanterns selling out as quickly as they could restock. Sunray, determined as ever, elbowed her way through the crowd to snag one of her own. She emerged triumphant, marker in hand, clutching a sky lantern that was larger than most. Her grin widened. The bigger the lantern, the bigger her "star" would be.
The lantern she held was a delicate, hexagonal creation made of translucent magical paper that softly glowed in a pastel pink hue. Each sky lantern was adorned with intricate patterns resembling constellations, their golden outlines shimmering faintly. Participants were meant to write their hopes and wishes on the blank side, opposite the patterns, before releasing the lantern into the sky.
Sunray stared at her lantern, her marker hovering over the surface. Her brow furrowed in thought as she tapped the marker's cap against the paper. This was her first time celebrating a festival without her dad. She tried to recall what she'd written on her last lantern but couldn't remember—it must've been something unremarkable.
"This time," she murmured, "I'll write something meaningful."
Nearby, two boys were arguing loudly, their voices cutting through the buzz of the crowd.
"What the heck, man? Did you write this? No wonder Elder Elandra almost flipped the table last week. Even doctors have better handwriting!"
"C'mon, how can you be so judgmental? I always tell you my biggest secrets!"
"What secrets? Literally everyone knows you were part of the group that stole from Verdantfire—"
The crowd around them immediately surged forward, grabbing the boy who had spoken and shushing him violently.
"Shut up, man! Do you want to die tonight?!"
Elsewhere, Wvelynn had settled down with her own sky lantern, a pale green one that glowed softly in her hands. She perched on the edge of a low wall, carefully writing her wish. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke her words aloud: "I... wish to have friends and enjoy my school years. I hope... my stutter will heal..."
Halina glanced over curiously. "Did you write a wish?"
"Y-yes," Wvelynn replied softly, clutching her lantern protectively.
"I wrote a confession. Wanna see?" Halina said with a playful grin.
"B-but we're supposed to write w-wishes…"
"You and I both know most people use this chance to write stuff they'd never admit otherwise," Halina teased, drawing something on her own lantern.
"I-I guess..." Wvelynn's voice trailed off as she glanced away, clutching her lantern tightly. After a moment of silence, she hesitated before speaking again. "...Marshal?"
Halina, busy sketching something elaborate on her lantern, replied absentmindedly, "Yes, Wvelynn?"
"You don't have to s-stay with me. Your friends were calling for y-you earlier," Wvelynn said quietly, her eyes downcast.
"It's fine," Halina replied warmly, glancing up just as a girl ran by, yelling at her friend to return her stolen lantern. Halina chuckled and kept an eye on them before turning back to Wvelynn. "As the Marshal of Crimsoncraft, it's my duty to make sure everyone is having a good time. Oh, and would you look at that?" She pointed to the crowd. "Your friend is back."
Wvelynn looked up, startled, as Sunray trudged toward them, holding her lantern high like a trophy.
"Marshal Halina, Wvelynn," Sunray greeted, her voice solemn. She flipped her lantern around to show them its patterned side. "After writing a heartfelt message to Wo—Yev—Waeve—"
"Just use the nickname," Wvelynn interjected, exasperated.
Sunray coughed, her act of indifference faltering. "Right. Anyway, after writing a heartfelt message to Eve on this sky lantern, I have decided to let go of my grudge."
Wvelynn blinked, surprised. Halina cooed and patted Sunray's head. "Aww, you're so cute!" she said with a grin. "I'll leave you two to it, then."
"Bye!" Sunray called out cheerfully, waving as Halina walked away.
"You..." Wvelynn's voice wavered, her eyes wide with surprise. "You really wrote something for m-me? On your—on your sky lantern?"
"Yeah," Sunray replied casually, though her tone betrayed a hint of awkwardness.
"C-Can I see—"
"No!" Sunray snapped, her voice ringing out louder than she intended. Realizing this, she cleared her throat and softened her tone. "Uh, you can see it once it's in the sky."
"O-okay." Wvelynn lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously fidgeting as she clasped her hands together. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a quieter tone. "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I-I was just worried because the Muse has all kinds of reputation about them. But still, I... shouldn't have gotten so w-worked up. I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Sunray blinked, visibly caught off guard. She shifted her weight awkwardly and glanced away, her voice unsteady. "Uh…"
Before she could finish her thought, a sharp voice nearby cut through the clamor of the crowd.
"Look, old man! Someone flew their sky lantern first!"
"What?!" The old man squinted as he spotted a lone sky lantern ascending cheerfully into the star-speckled sky. Its golden glow shimmered as it rose higher and higher, swaying gently in the night breeze. "...It's alright, it's only one. Haha—"
But before the man could finish reassuring himself, another cry erupted.
"A whole bunch of lanterns are going up!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as, from the opposite side of the square, a sudden explosion of light took over the scene as dozens of lanterns began lifting off. They floated upward in mesmerizing unison, resembling a field of luminous flowers blooming against the midnight backdrop.
The old man froze, his jaw tightening as his gaze darted from one glowing lantern to the next. "....."
"Told you it's impossible to—"
"Hey, you all! Fly the lanterns, now!" The old man's booming voice cut off the younger man mid-sentence as he bellowed to his fellow Peninsulans.
The people around seemed entirely unfazed by the old man's booming commands. In fact, they seemed to be expecting them, grinning as they quickly obeyed. Sky lanterns were released left and right, their gentle glows joining the growing constellation in the night sky. Taking this as their cue, Sunray and Wvelynn let go of their own lanterns.
The two girls stood still, watching their lanterns rise with the rest. The air was thick with excitement and flickering lights. Wvelynn's gaze kept flickering back to Sunray's lantern, its soft pink hue standing out against the darker shades around it. What could she have written? She wondered, curiosity sparking in her chest. It was such an unexpected gesture, and she couldn't help but feel touched.
The pink lantern wobbled slightly as it climbed, the patterned side facing them. Wvelynn held her breath, her wide eyes unblinking as she waited for the words to reveal themselves. Slowly, the lantern began to roll, its translucent surface catching the warm light of the others. Just a little more...
She cast a shy, grateful glance at Sunray. It was hard to believe someone would do this for her, and it made her heart swell with a mixture of disbelief and happiness. Turning back to the sky, she watched as the lantern finally rolled fully, the words boldly written in dark marker becoming clear under the festival lights.
"Your Mom."
For a moment, everything seemed to pause. Wvelynn stared, her brain trying to process what she was seeing. Then, like a dam breaking, the realization hit her all at once. Her face flushed red as she turned to Sunray, who was trying—and failing—to hold back a guilty smirk.
"How could you do this to me?!" Wvelynn shrieked, grabbing Sunray by the collar. "Do you know how excited I was?!"
"Ah—ahhh—hey—wait!" Sunray's voice wavered as her body jerked back and forth like a ragdoll. Wvelynn's surprisingly strong grip sent her flailing with each furious shake.
"I trusted you!" Wvelynn yelled, shaking her even harder, her shy demeanor completely vanished in her outrage. "You wrote 'Your Mom' on your lantern?! Do you know how embarrassing this is?!"
"A-aaah—okay—I'm sorry!" Sunray gasped, her voice muffled as Wvelynn's grip tightened around her collar. Who would've thought the quiet girl could unleash such a storm? Her strength seemed to grow with her anger.
Around them, the festival carried on as lanterns climbed higher and higher, becoming pinpricks of light in the starry sky. Meanwhile, Sunray was questioning her life choices as she fought to keep from being throttled. Was this how she was going to go out? Strangled by an angry blueberry girl while her lantern—and her soul—joined the others in the heavens?
"What is going on here?"
The words were calm yet commanding, spoken in a voice so melodic it could have been mistaken for music itself. Wvelynn froze, her hands still clutching Sunray's collar mid-shake, her entire body stiffening as though she'd been turned to stone. Sunray, who had been dangling awkwardly under Wvelynn's grip, jerked upright like a marionette with her strings pulled. That voice—it was unmistakable.
"M-M-Muse!" Wvelynn stammered, her voice squeaking as if caught in her throat. Her face, already flushed from her outburst, deepened into an impossible shade of red. The sheer mortification of being caught in such an undignified moment by them—Muse—made her knees feel like jelly.
Aelian stood there with an air of effortless poise, raising an eyebrow at them. Wvelynn's gaze dropped to the ground as she tried to explain, her words coming out in fractured pieces. "W-w-we were just—um, I mean, I was—uh…" She trailed off, utterly failing to string together a coherent sentence.
Aelian, however, didn't seem fazed in the slightest. They stood there, arms loosely crossed. The lantern light reflected off their delicate features, casting subtle shadows that made them look even more ethereal. Their lips curved into a faint, knowing smile—the kind that could make anyone feel seen and understood, no matter the situation.
They tilted their head slightly, their tone light as they said, "Committing murder in public isn't ideal, you know."
Wvelynn's head snapped up, her eyes wide with horror. "W-what? Excuse me?"
Meanwhile, Sunray was a completely different story. Her expression had undergone a startling transformation. Her usual smirk was replaced with wide, starry-eyed awe as she gazed up at Muse like they were a deity descended from the heavens. Her lips parted slightly, and for once, not a single word escaped her. It was as if she had forgotten how to speak entirely.
Wvelynn noticed Sunray's absurdly doe-eyed look and felt an entirely new wave of emotions crash over her. On top of her own embarrassment, she now had to grapple with second-hand embarrassment from Sunray's utterly unguarded, worshipful expression. Her hands, which had only just let go of Sunray's collar, twitched as she resisted the urge to shake some sense back into her.
Muse very obviously seemed to relish Wvelynn's shock. Or maybe that was just their usual expression—an enigmatic mask that seemed perpetually on the verge of mocking someone. Their lips twitched faintly as they raised a hand to their chin, a soft gasp escaping them as though they had just stumbled upon an epiphany.
"Oops," they said with exaggerated innocence, their tone dripping with irony. "I meant, you should be open-hearted to your schoolmates, darlings."
Sunray snapped out of her daze, finally finding her voice. She nodded so vigorously it seemed her head might detach. "Y-you're absolutely right! I was just telling Eve that!"
Wvelynn's annoyance flared instantly. Her mouth fell open, a faint indignant sound escaping her throat as she tried to formulate a reply. "W-whoa—!"
BOOM!
The sharp sound shattered the moment, and Wvelynn jumped so violently that someone nearby jokingly shouted, "Look! A new kind of sky lantern!"
The unexpected explosion had been the first lantern, bursting into a dazzling display of sparkles high above them. The sparkles rained down like tiny, twinkling embers before vanishing into the night air.
Muse's expression didn't so much as twitch. They merely tilted their head slightly, their gaze shifting upward to the sky with calm composure. Sunray and Wvelynn instinctively followed suit, their earlier conversation momentarily forgotten.
"Oh," Muse said softly, their voice barely audible above the excited murmurs of the crowd. "It's starting."
Above them, the sky lanterns continued to rise, their glow intensifying as they ascended. Each lantern shimmered in a different hue—soft golds, silvers, and pastels—all casting an ethereal light across the square. The lanterns seemed to drift higher with purpose, slowly transforming into brilliant stars dotting the dark canvas of the sky.
Another lantern exploded, its delicate outer shell bursting apart in a symphony of shimmering particles. The tiny fragments scattered outward, lingering briefly in the air before fading into the blackness.
More lanterns followed, one by one, each bursting into its own unique pattern of light. The explosions weren't chaotic but synchronized, creating a mesmerizing rhythm. The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices blending into a harmonious roar of celebration.
From the restaurant balcony, the elders watched the display in contemplative silence. They didn't bother with lanterns themselves; their interest lay elsewhere. Their eyes scanned the sea of people below, quietly observing the joy radiating from the crowd. The sight of so many young, carefree faces seemed to spark something reflective in their expressions—though none more so than Wraithwood, who lingered in the corner alone, cloaked in shadow.
A few other elders had joined the festival as well, though they blended seamlessly into the throng. Their presence was almost impossible to detect, yet their watchful gazes roamed the gathering, subtly ensuring everything remained as it should.
As the final lanterns reached their zenith, the sky above was alive with light. The stars crafted by the lanterns burned brightly, briefly rivaling the natural constellations before finally fading into the night, leaving behind only the memory of their brilliance.
Caliope let out a contented sigh, a soft smile on his lips as he watched the scene before him. "I really love the festivals, especially here on the peninsula," he murmured, his voice light and full of fondness. The lively energy of the night, the glow of the lanterns, and the collective joy of the crowd all seemed to wrap around him like a warm, comforting blanket.
"Agreed," Elandra responded, her eyes fixed on the countless lanterns floating upward, her expression serene. A gentle smile curved her lips as she spoke, her voice carrying the warmth of shared admiration. "And this one is just filled with the purest of joy."
As they both stood there, entranced by the enchanting scene, more lanterns continued to explode into bursts of light, filling the sky with brilliant sparkles that danced in the air before fading into the night. The entire peninsula seemed to shimmer, the festival's magic apparent in the colorful sky above.
Then, a pink lantern rolled across their line of sight, rising steadily toward the heavens. But as it turned, it proudly displayed two simple words written across its side in bold, unmistakable marker: 'Your Mom.'
For a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Elandra's lips parted slightly, her smile frozen in place, unable to hide her shock. Caliope's eyebrows shot up, a laugh threatening to escape, but instead, he rubbed his jaw, eyes scanning the lantern with disbelief.
"… You don't think one of the students wrote that, do you?" he finally asked, his voice low and incredulous.
Elandra, still in a state of stunned silence, shook her head slowly. The disappointment was clear in her eyes as she muttered, "… Knowing our students, it is probably them. Likely one of the apprentices."
The apprentices below scratched their heads, a strange sensation creeping over them. They couldn't quite place it, but they had the distinct feeling that they were being slandered—though they had no idea why.
Meanwhile, the true culprit of the mysterious sky lantern message, Sunray, was sitting on a bench, blissfully unaware of any fallout. Her eyes were locked on the sky, her gaze following the lanterns as they twinkled like distant stars. She was especially entranced by the sight of Muse under the cascade of soft, colorful lights. They looked nothing short of stunning, their presence enhanced by the glowing festival around them. Sunray couldn't help but sneak glances at them, her admiration palpable.
She was so absorbed in her admiration that she almost didn't notice when Aelian turned to her and spoke. "Well, since you stopped fighting, I'll go back then."
Sunray snapped out of her daze, her eyes widening as they focused on Muse. "H-hey, wait—!" she started, but quickly fell silent when she realized they aren't done.
Without missing a beat, Muse continued, as though imparting some grand piece of wisdom. "Remember, only the dumb fight with fists instead of words, alright?"
Sunray nodded vigorously, her eyes alight with admiration. "Yes, yes, you're totally right," she said, practically glowing in awe. Muse was so wise, so far beyond her years. Sunray felt like she was in the presence of a sage, as if every word from them was a nugget of deep knowledge.
Wvelynn, however, felt a twinge of suspicion. She glanced between Sunray and Muse, her brow furrowing slightly. What kind of advice was that? Wasn't the Muse just encouraging fighting, in a roundabout way?
As Muse began to walk away, Sunray reluctantly turned her attention back to the world around them. The night was still young, and the festival carried on in full swing. Their gaze was caught by the vendors, who eagerly called out to the crowd.
"End the night with delicious treats from Gibeon's Sweets!" one vendor shouted, his voice enthusiastic.
"Come to our stall! We didn't poison these, promise!" another called out, a wink in their tone.
Amused by the cheerful banter, both Sunray and Wvelynn decided to indulge. They picked up some sweet treats, sticky with syrup and sugary goodness, and wandered over to an empty bench at the far corner of the square. The quiet of the corner gave them a momentary reprieve from the excitement, and they sat, quietly munching on their sweets as the lanterns continued to float serenely above them, their colors reflecting in the sweet glaze of their snacks.
Not long after, a pair of people approached the bench. It was obvious they had been seated there earlier but had left for a brief moment to get a better view of the festival. They hesitated when they saw Sunray and Wvelynn sitting there, their steps faltering as they clearly debated whether to approach them or move on.
Wvelynn felt her face flush with embarrassment, her instinct telling her to leave and find a new spot. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure if she should just get up and give the couple space. But before she could act, Sunray's unoccupied hand landed firmly on her shoulder, a quiet but firm gesture to stay put.
The redhead seemed completely unbothered as she took another bite of her sweet. Her lack of shame is really something else, as if she couldn't care less about who might be watching or judging her. Wvelynn, on the other hand, squirmed a bit, her gaze kept flicking from the lingering couple to the bench.
In the end, she decided to stay, leaning back slightly against the bench and taking a deep breath, trying to relax and enjoy the night's stillness despite her growing discomfort.
"Eve..." the redhead began, her voice suddenly more serious than usual. She paused to gulp down a mouthful of her sweet treat before continuing, her words clearer now, "As a wise woman, I will say, the past is past."
Wvelynn blinked, confused for a moment. Woman...?
Sunray met her gaze, her expression unwavering and surprisingly earnest. "So let's forget what happened before, and renew our friendship."
Wvelynn's heart fluttered. The warmth in Sunray's voice made her feel a sense of relief she hadn't even realized she needed. She shifted slightly, nervously fiddling with her fingers, but a soft smile tugged at her lips. "Oh... How do you want to do it?"
Sunray's face lit up with a smile so wide it could almost rival the moon's glow. "Easy!" she said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Wvelynn glanced up, unsure what to expect, and froze for a brief moment as she saw Sunray's hand rising in the air, palm open and inviting. For a moment, Wvelynn just stared at it, unsure of what was happening. She blinked, hesitant, before raising her own hand tentatively, her heart racing.
Their hands met with a soft slap, the high-five echoing briefly in the quiet space around them. It was a simple gesture, yet it felt like the most genuine moment of connection they had shared yet.
A warmth spread through Wvelynn's chest, a mix of relief and joy. She pulled her hand back slowly, smiling shyly. She couldn't help but think, She's actually such a warm-hearted person...
Sunray, on the other hand, pulled her hand back with a sly smile. Muse will be proud of me... she mused cynically.