Day 4: Ten Days Before the Ceremony
Scene 1: Golden Crest Training Grounds – Morning
[Wide panel: The squad stands beneath the morning sun in the Academy's rocky outdoor training area. Sparring dummies float midair, wrapped in enchantment runes.]
Daiki: (tightening his gloves) "Alright, team. We're rotating drills today. Real-combat formation."
Nara: (twirling twin daggers) "Bring it on. I've been itching to see what Zeru's made of."
Tama: (yawning) "Can't we spar after breakfast... and maybe lunch?"
[Zeru nods quietly, summoning his magic. His eyes glow faintly, and stars swirl around his palm.]
Zeru: "Galaxy Creation Magic: Graviton Sphere."
[A mini gravity orb pulses into existence. He launches it forward — it distorts the space around it and crushes a boulder midair. The team stares, half-impressed, half-wary.]
Daiki: "Whoa... You really are a beast with that magic. But... you okay? You're pale."
[Zeru pants slightly, hiding the tremble in his hands. He gives a quick nod.]
Zeru: "I'm fine. Just... pushing my limits."
Scene 2: Infirmary Room – Later That Afternoon
[Zeru sits on a cot, sweat dripping, shirt off to reveal glowing veins at his chest. Nurse Niko holds up a scanning crystal.]
Nurse Niko: "Your spirit core is overloading. That much fusion magic this early... you're not supposed to be accessing that tier until after the ceremony."
Zeru: "I don't have a choice. If I can't control this power now, what if it spirals when I bond with my Spirit Weapon?"
Niko: (sighs) "I get your fear. But slow down, or you'll burn yourself out before the Ceremony even comes."
Scene 3: Dorm Rooftop – Night
[Zeru sits on the edge of the roof, staring at the stars. His spirit mark faintly glows on his arm. Rei walks up with two cans of juice.]
Rei: "Galaxy talk with the galaxy guy?"
Zeru: (smirks, takes the can) "Cute."
Rei: (serious now) "You're still trying to outmatch what happened seven years ago. You know this magic was never meant to be yours alone, right?"
Zeru: "It doesn't matter. I need to be stronger than anyone else. No one else can afford to pay the price my parents did."
[Close-up on his hand, clenched tightly. His veins pulse.]
Rei: "Then don't die before the Ceremony. Promise me."
[Zeru looks up at the stars.]
Zeru: "...I'll try."
Scene 4: Golden Crest Barracks – Midnight
[Zeru wakes suddenly, coughing, a strange heat emanating from his chest. The magic burns erratically around him, then fizzles out. He looks terrified for a moment.]
Zeru (thinking): "What... was that?"
[A faint voice echoes in his mind — inaudible, mysterious. Then silence.]
[Final panel: He looks toward the window, where the moonlight glows.]
Caption:Ten days until the Spirit Weapon Ceremony.