Training at the guild courtyard had been going on for hours, and Nova kept stealing glances at Sataro every time he moved.
The way he corrected Ren's stance…
The way he adjusted Haruto's breathing from afar…
The way his hair fell when he focused…
Nova found herself biting her lip.
Why does he look good doing EVERYTHING?
Meanwhile Sataro tried very hard not to look at her.
Her laugh.
Her voice.
The way she cheered for Ren.
It all pulled at him in ways he wasn't ready for.
At one point Nova leaned beside him, close enough that their arms brushed.
Sataro stiffened.
Nova smirked.
"You're so tense. Relax, Sataro."
He didn't move.
"Y-You're standing too close…"
"Oh? Am I?"
She leaned closer.
Sataro backed up so fast he tripped on Ren.
Nova laughed.
Lira falling for Haruto
Inside the hall, Mira was drilling Haruto.
Dodging. Footwork. Mobility. Breath control.
Haruto was sweating like crazy.
At the side of the room, Lira watched him, clutching her hands together, cheeks pink.
Haruto finally turned to her and smiled through his exhaustion.
"Hey… you okay?"
Lira nearly melted.
"Uh— y-yes! I'm fine! I'm great! You're great!"
Haruto blinked.
"Thanks…?"
She turned red and whispered to herself:
He smiled at me…
Mira walked by and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh look. She's in love."
Lira squeaked like a dying mouse.
"M-MIRA—!"
Haruto's Intense Training
Mira pushed Haruto harder than anyone had ever pushed him.
"Again. Again. AGAIN!"
Haruto dodged a wooden staff strike that would've knocked the wind out of him.
Mira moved like a panther.
"You think your demon cares about your weakness?
MOVE!"
Haruto swallowed and pushed himself harder.
Lira watched breathlessly.
He's so brave…
Ren's Training Disaster
Outside, Ren was sprawled on the ground again.
"I hate training…"
Sataro sighed.
"We've been at this for hours. Try casting something— ANYTHING."
Ren lifted his hand weakly.
"…uhhh— fire?"
Nothing.
"…wind?"
Nothing.
"…sparkle?"
Still nothing.
Sataro rubbed his face.
"You might genuinely be hopeless."
"I TOLD YOU," Ren groaned.
"I have no magic…"
Sataro handed him a training sword.
"Then we'll switch to sword training."
Ren groaned again.
"Kill me…"
"No."
The Moment Everything Changes
Sataro raised his wooden sword.
"Alright. Simple block— ready?"
Ren held the sword loosely.
"Ready-ish."
Sataro swung low.
Ren reacted too slow.
The wooden sword slipped from Ren's hand—
and Sataro's real sword (from his belt) fell loose and FELL FORWARD—
straight toward Ren's chest.
Nova screamed,
"REN!"
Sataro froze— too far to grab it.
Ren's eyes widened—
Then he clenched up, bracing for death.
The sword hit him—
CRACK!
The blade SNAPPED clean in half like it hit stone.
Sataro's eyes widened.
Nova gasped.
Haruto and Lira ran outside.
Ren blinked.
"…Am I… dead?"
Sataro stepped forward slowly.
"No… Ren… look at your arm."
Ren looked down—
His skin was no longer skin.
It was crystal.
Clear, shimmering, diamond-like crystal forming over his forearms and chest.
Lira gasped.
"W-Whoa…"
Nova whispered:
"…He can't cast magic…
because HE IS magic."
Ren stared at himself.
"BRO WHAT AM I?!"
Haruto laughed breathlessly.
"Dude! You're awesome!"
Ren puffed out his chest proudly.
"Finally! I'm cool!"
The Spy Watches
Up on the rooftops, hidden in the shadows, the spy watched the entire thing.
He whispered into the crystal again.
"My king…
The older brother is skilled with a blade…
But the blonde boy—
He has awakened some kind of rare ability."
Sable's voice crackled through:
"…Describe it."
"His skin turned to crystal, sire. A defense technique I've never seen."
There was a long pause.
Then Sable whispered:
"…Interesting.
Keep watching.
Do NOT lose them."
The spy nodded.
"Yes, my king."
He kept his eyes on Sataro.
And on Haruto.
And on Ren.
The hunt had just escalated.