Thirty minutes later, a faint smile appeared on Astéria's face as she watched the four of them celebrating their success. Pride and relief shone on their faces — a sign that they had finally connected with the Eidos.
Astéria was pleased. Her disciples had taken their first real step on the path set before them.
Tamiel approached quietly, stopping beside her without a word. His eyes followed the young mortals below, calm and thoughtful.
"I just hope they don't let success turn into arrogance," he muttered. "This is only the beginning. Even I'm curious to see how they'll handle what comes next."
Astéria nodded slightly. She shared the same concern.
Astéria forced herself to remain patient. The goddess knew she couldn't interfere too early — the quest of gods had to unfold on its own.
Yet, her curiosity pressed impatiently beneath her calm expression.
For now, the best she could do was continue guiding them, step by step, while quietly adding her own lessons along the way.
Her eyes drifted briefly to Clayton — quiet, thoughtful; still catching his breath after the experience. There was something steady in his demeanor, something that set the tone for the others without them even realizing it.
__________
[ Clayton's POV ]
After the contact with the Eidos, I was happy — and still slightly trembling.
A faint warmth lingered in my chest, like an echo of the power we had just touched. My breathing had only recently steadied, but the feeling of elevation was still clinging to me, fragile and intoxicating.
My companions were also proud — their smiles were enough to show it. It's true that I had a hard time, but what matters is that we were able to succeed.
After some exchanges between us, I felt a surge of pride watching everyone's faces, but I knew I had to temper it. We cannot let excitement cloud our jugement.
"Alright, everyone." I said, taking a slow breath to calm the last remnants of adrenaline, "I'm glad we succeeded, but let's not be blinded by pride. This is only the beginning of a long journey, full of unknown—and perhaps even dangerous—challenges."
The moment I finished speaking, silence settled between us — not awkward, but thoughtful.
Hana was the first to break it.
"Mr. Clayton is right," she said with a calm voice. "We are strangers in an unknown world. Complacency can lead us to our loss, so let's be modest, because this is only the beginning."
Hearing her speak relieved me. Hana proved to be reliable. She is the second oldest person here, making her a veteran of how life works. Her age is not just a figure but a testimony to her wisdom.
"So, we stop there for today. But give me your thoughts on this experience and let's discuss together. It could be useful."
I suggested this because each person has different perceptions when approaching the Eidos. And maybe we will find our own conclusions before asking our teachers.
…
After I spoke, a moment of stillness fell over us.
The two ladies and the young boy seemed lost in their thoughts, trying to choose the right words. The air was quiet, almost heavy — reflective.
A minute later, Adam suddenly exclaimed, startling us all. I was almost used to seeing him depressed these days. Maybe it's better for him to be distracted instead of being sad.
"Yes! Everyone—I think I might have a suggestion.So… would you like to hear me?"
He calmed down as he noticed the surprise on our faces, but remained polite and reserved, as if he still wasn't used to our presence.
He and Hana are very reserved. Maybe it's because of their different cultural background, or simply their normal behavior.
"Yes."
We answered unanimously — curiosity had won the two women, while I was more concerned about what the boy had in mind.
As we had learned, Eidos is a ubiquitous and almost omnipotent supernatural energy in this world. In my experience, such things are safe when handled properly, but a slight mistake can be dangerous. I focused all my attention on what the boy was about to say.
I didn't want anyone to make a mistake with this kind of ability. Adam was still a kid, so I saw him more likely to be imprudent. This also applies to us because we are human. It is better to discuss it together and then consult Astrea later.
__________
[ Adam's POV ]
When everyone turned toward me, waiting for my idea, I felt my stomach tighten. I wasn't sure if what I had done was smart or just… something childish pulled from the things I like. But I took a breath, remembering the Vital breath our teacher had shown us earlier.
"Well… I'm not sure this is useful for everyone," I began quietly, "but what helped me sense the Eidos better… actually comes from the mangas, manhwas, and games I used to read and play."
I felt my cheeks warm a little, but since no one interrupted, the words came out more easily.
"In those stories, when characters try to control energy or aura, they always imagine something first. A shape, a flow, a pattern. So I tried something similar. I formed a simple sphere in my mind—nothing too big—and I pictured the Eidos moving inside it. Not fast. Just… circling slowly, like a calm current."
I inhaled deeply, letting the air fill my lungs the way the Vital breath required. My chest rose, and I remembered how good it had felt to synchronize breath and spirit.
"And while visualizing, I practiced the breathing we learned—the Vital breath. Slow inhale, slow exhale. I tried to guide the breath toward the sphere I imagined. And… that's when everything made more sense. The Eidos didn't feel scattered anymore. It felt organized. Like the visualization and the breathing created a path for it."
I hesitated, glancing away, afraid I was talking too much.
"It's nothing special, really. Just something inspired by all those fictional techniques you see in stories. Maybe it's silly. But combining breath and imagination… it made the Eidos clearer for me. Less overwhelming."
I rubbed my hands together nervously.
"Sorry if I talked too much. I know it sounds a bit geeky. But I thought… maybe it could help someone else. Especially since the Vital breath already trains us to match our breathing with our inner energy."
Hana nodded ever so slightly, as if to say, we'll see. Sophia shifted forward a little, eager to speak but letting me finish. Clayton gave a small approving tilt of the head, silent but unmistakably supportive.
I lowered my gaze, bracing myself—but somewhere deep inside, I hoped they would understand.
After all, even if the idea came from manga panels and fantasy mechanics… here, in Astra, it had actually worked.
As the anxiety of waiting for their answer won me, I pretended to be nonchalant, keeping my face expressionless and my gaze fixed on the floor.
« Now that I look at the ground, I realize that this place really feels… divine. Since I've been here, I haven't seen any flies or insects. Not even an ounce of bad smell. »
But these strange thoughts eventually disappeared by reminding me of the situation I had put myself in.
Damn! Being sociable is hard enough — communication is another nightmare entirely.
I felt awkward, unsure how to act.
Then, in a mockingly proud tone, I added, "Why don't you try it? Afraid you won't be as good as me?"
"…maybe teasing them was easier than letting them notice I was nervous."
A few seconds of silence passed. Then Hana's lips twitched in a barely-there smile, Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a grin, and Clayton's calm expression softened with a quiet, almost approving chuckle.
"Little guy, don't be so tense. Treat us like your friends — we're all you've got here, okay?"
Clayton approached me talking and put his two hands on my shoulders applying a light force while shaking me.
It reminds me of my father, he did that by telling me that I was too lazy and shy. It was a stern excuse to wake me up, he said. I almost wanted to cry remembering all this but I was able to hold back.
I don't show melancholy in front of anyone.
"Okay."
It was only when I answered that he stopped shaking me. Just like that Mr. Clayton released me. "Good boy, it's very useful for us, thank you."
---
[ GODS' POV]
Meanwhile, in a room not so far away. Two gods were sitting together on a sumptuous sofa. The spacious room had nothing but a table served with dishes of an unimaginable delight for ordinary people. The two gods in question were Inannael and Elyon; in the center of the table stood a device projecting a clear image of the chosen ones and their teachers.
The silence did not last long with Inannael who delighted in the dishes with elegance. As for Elyon, he was not interested, his eyes fixed on the screen.
The god of hope was completely focused on the four chosen bearers of his divine power.
Time passed. Inannael continued eating, while Elyon never moved his gaze—even as his portion somehow ended in the goddess's stomach. Perhaps Inannael confused her domains, because at this point the god of hope suspected she had added "gluttony" to her divinity.
Five hours passed. Nothing was left on the table, yet Inannael's belly remained firm and graceful, divine.
"So, did you come just to eat, or do you want to annoy me? Speak. What do you want?"
Elyon's sharp tone revealed how little he appreciated her presence since the Dayn incident.
"My old friend, you're still as grumpy as ever. I admit the incident was partly my fault, but human nature played a role."
Her spicy tone made Elyon's mood drop even further.
"It was a pleasant lunch. Well, let's get back to business. You must be aware but I had an appointment with your little disciples except that they had too much information to assimilate and things to do until they forgot our meeting."
Inannael kept speaking casually, ignoring the way Elyon's expression darkened.
"I understand."
the god of Hope replied in a calm tone — though a flicker of anger eventually surfaced.
"Inannael, you sneaked into my house and disturbed my guests. Do you think you can barge in whenever you please?!"
His voice sharpened. Elyon was angry — a rare sight for a god known for his positivity.
A majestic divine pressure descended on Inannael. Sweat — something one would never expect on a goddess — appeared on her forehead.
"Crrr—Crack!"
The ground and the table split under the weight of Elyon's wrath. The divine pressure expanded for a moment before suddenly tightening, focusing entirely on the goddess of war.
Inannael froze in surprise.
What is this…?
"This level of divine pressure shouldn't be possible for him. What has he done? Is he bluffing? No… I must stay calm."
Her face had turned pale beneath the crushing aura, her brows tightly drawn — but she regained her composure within a heartbeat.
"I apologize, Elyon~~. Could we return to a more polite tone?"
Her voice softened into a plaintive, catlike tone — the kind that would make any ignorant fool rush to her defense.
"Humph."
Elyon snorted in annoyance, and the pressure vanished. The surroundings repaired themselves instantly, as though nothing had happened.
Inannael exhaled quietly.
Even she, a goddess forged in war, needed a moment to steady her breath.
"You're getting bold lately," she muttered, giving him a sideways glance.
Elyon didn't respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on her, sharp and unwavering — as if weighing whether she deserved forgiveness or another warning.
"You forget," he finally said, "that the Chosen are under my protection. If you disturb them again, I will not be so patient."
Inannael clicked her tongue softly.
"So protective… You're starting to act like a real god, Elyon."
He ignored the jab.
"Why are you here?"
Her smile returned instantly — playful, dangerous, unreadable.
"I came to check on them, of course. They awakened the Eidos. Even you must be curious."
Elyon didn't deny it.
But his gaze stayed cold.
"Do. Not. Interfere."
The room trembled again for a single heartbeat — a reminder that his earlier display was no accident.
Inannael raised her hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. I'll behave."
But the sly glint in her eyes said otherwise.
Inannael kept her polite smile, but inside, her thoughts sharpened like blades.
If Elyon shows that level of power in front of me… I may have to use it.
The hidden reserve she never mentioned aloud.
The souls of the fallen — heroes who had once shone brilliantly, only to end as broken echoes. Their torment was eternal, their existence reduced to fuel only a desperate god would consume.
She did not want to.
She hoped she would never need to.
But the name of that forbidden reservoir surfaced in her mind like a warning.
If he continues… I will not let myself be cornered.
Her eyes remained gentle. Her posture graceful. But behind the façade, the goddess of war was calculating.
Elyon, meanwhile, stood perfectly still. The room had recovered, but he had not.
The god of hope breathed out slowly, as though his lungs were tired of carrying light.
His inner voice sounded defeated, almost hollow:
This was foolish.
I am not a god of conflict. I never was.
Power like that… it wasn't strength. It was a moment of loss of control.
A wave of heaviness passed through his limbs. A faint tremor ran through his fingers — invisible to mortal eyes, but all too clear to him.
That temporary outburst had cost him dearly.
He could already feel the drain spreading through his divine veins, thinning the very essence that defined him.
For the next few days — perhaps longer — he would be weak. Vulnerable. A god of faith and compassion… now reduced almost to an invalid.
In front of beings like her, he thought bitterly, I am merely a fragile obstacle. A barrier anyone can shatter if they wish.
His lips tightened, not in anger this time, but in contempt — for himself.
He hated using force.
He hated losing control even more.
But above all, he hated that Inannael had seen it.
Across from him, the goddess tilted her head, her expression still sweet but her eyes colder than divine steel.
Elyon met her gaze, exhausted yet steady.
He knew she was dangerous.
He knew she held cards he could never bear to touch.
But despite his weakened state, a single resolve remained:
He would not let his Chosen suffer because of divine arrogance — neither hers, nor his own.
And as silence settled between them like a veil, both gods understood something clearly:
This day — the third day since the Chosen arrived — had just shifted the balance of power.
Not outright.
But enough for both to notice.
_____________
A quiet stillness settled over the training grounds. Traces of Eidos still drifted faintly in the air, shimmering like dust suspended in sunlight. The four Chosen stood together, each absorbing the magnitude of what they had just experienced.
Clayton's breath had finally steadied, though a lingering tension remained in his shoulders. Hana's posture was composed, but her eyes carried the focused sharpness of someone cataloguing details. Sophia kept her arms crossed loosely, calm and collected, masking the exhaustion behind her poise. Adam, on the other hand, tried to stand straight even though his legs felt strangely light.
Astéria watched them with quiet pride. Tamiel stood at her side, arms folded behind his back, his expression unreadable but attentive.
After a moment, Astéria stepped forward.
"That is enough for today," she said gently. "Your bodies and spirits have reached their limit. Rest now. Let everything you've learned settle properly."
Tamiel gave a single, slow nod. "Your internal balance is still unstable. Push it further and you'll only injure yourselves. Rest is not optional — it is part of the process."
Clayton exhaled. "Understood."
Sophia gave a small, composed nod. "We'll take the time we need."
Hana adjusted her glasses slightly. "We'll review everything together later."
Adam inhaled deeply, trying not to wobble. "A break… sounds reasonable."
A faint hint of amusement crossed Tamiel's face. "Reasonable, yes. Necessary, absolutely."
Astéria continued, her tone warm but firm. "What you achieved today is remarkable. Most who encounter the Eidos for the first time cannot even sense a fraction of what you did. But progress is gradual. Do not rush it."
Clayton straightened a bit. "Will the real training begin tomorrow?"
"Yes," Astéria replied. "Today was only your introduction. Tomorrow, we go deeper."
Tamiel added quietly, "And it will not be gentle."
Adam nearly choked on his own breath.
Sophia's eyes sharpened with determination.
Hana nodded as if she had expected nothing less.
Clayton offered a faint, strained smile, unsure whether to be encouraged or terrified.
Astéria let the wind settle around them before speaking again.
"For now, return to your quarters. Eat. Rest. Speak among yourselves if you wish. Your minds will organize today's experience on their own."
Tamiel's voice followed, calm and absolute. "Do not attempt to train alone tonight. I will know."
Adam instinctively put his hands behind his back.
Sophia raised an eyebrow at him, amused.
Astéria gave them one last reassuring look. "Go. You've done well."
The four mortals exchanged glances — tired, humbled, but undeniably proud — before slowly making their way back toward the stairs leading down.
Astéria and Tamiel watched them leave, the air growing quiet once more.
–––––––––
The Chosen walked silently toward their quarters, each lost in thought. The soft wind of the floating islands whispered around them. Clayton kept a steady pace, his mind replaying every detail of the exercise. Hana's steps were slow, enjoying the walk and breathing gently, as if cataloguing everything she had learned. Sophia's arms remained loosely crossed, posture calm, yet her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings with quiet delight. The islands were pristine, every surface immaculate, and she could not help but marvel at the care taken in shaping such an environment. Her activist instincts rejoiced quietly within her, curious and inspired by the level of order and cleanliness she had only ever dreamed of.
Next to her, Adam walked with a bright smile, still less shy than before. The day's lessons had left him happy and invigorated, and he found himself wishing he had spent more time outside, interacting with the world, instead of staying withdrawn. Perhaps he would change that now.
From the shadows of a nearby ridge, two figures observed without being seen. Elyon's golden eyes followed the Chosen with quiet vigilance, the faintest trace of residual fatigue still marking his expression after the earlier display of power. Beside him, Inannael leaned slightly on the stone railing, her posture relaxed but her gaze focused, like a predator quietly measuring a distant field.
"They are progressing well," Inannael said softly, her tone casual, almost like a remark about the weather. "Far faster than I anticipated for their first real contact with Eidos."
Elyon's lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes… but they are still fragile. One misstep, and—" He shook his head slightly, letting the thought remain unspoken.
Inannael's gaze lingered on Adam. There was something subtle, almost imperceptible in the boy's aura. She could see it clearly, even in the shadows: a soul intertwined within his being that did not fully belong to him. Hidden. Powerful. Quietly waiting.
"He carries something unusual," she murmured. "I can sense it. If guided properly… he could advance faster than the others, without the usual risks."
Elyon's brow lifted. "Faster… without consequences? You are suggesting you intervene?"
Inannael tilted her head, the faintest smile curving her lips. "Not openly. Not yet. Just a gentle nudge, careful guidance. The boy is ready for subtle support, but not for revelation. I only offer to help him realize the potential he already carries."
Elyon studied the boy below for a long moment, eyes narrowing in thought. Adam seemed ordinary to any mortal observer — yet Elyon knew, somehow, that Inannael's insight was not to be dismissed lightly.
"And you're certain you can manage it quietly?" he asked, his voice calm but cautious.
"Absolutely. The others would never notice. He would not even be aware of it until the change has taken root," she replied. Her gaze softened. "There is talent there, Elyon. A rare thread of something extraordinary. It would be a shame to let it waste itself through inexperience."
Elyon exhaled slowly, a faint, reluctant nod of acceptance. "Very well. But subtle. Any overt act, and I will step in."
Inannael's smile widened, but it remained controlled. "Subtle," she repeated. "You will not regret this. One day, you may be surprised by what he becomes."
Below, the Chosen reached their rooms. Adam lingered for a fraction longer, glancing at the horizon, his mind reflecting on the fullness of the day and how he might open himself more to the world. The other three followed inside, the doors closing behind them with a soft click.
In the shadow, the two gods remained for a moment longer, watching silently. No tension, no threat — only quiet observation, and the calm certainty that the path ahead had already begun to bend in subtle, unseen ways.
Inannael finally straightened, whispering to herself, almost to no one at all:
The boy carries more than he knows… and one day, he will prove it.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🌟 A little hello to my readers! 🌟
Hi everyone! It's been almost a month since the last chapter… I just wanted to pop in to say hello and apologize for the delay. I've just started back at school, and things have been a bit hectic — but I'm slowly getting back into the rhythm of writing. I hope you'll be patient with me; I'm still a beginner at this, but your support means the world and maybe you know but English is not my native language!
Also… a little mystery for you: can you guess what Inannael was thinking about Adam? 🤔 Something subtle, hidden… I'll leave that to your imagination for now.
Please, comments and criticisms are welcome. Of course the power stones too because it depresses me to see views but no affirmation.
Thank you so much for sticking around — I promise the next chapter will be worth the wait! 💫