Chapter—Quiet Departures and Heavy Truths
The train moved steadily forward, its rhythmic sound filling the silence between Luke and Shuri. Outside the window, winter fields passed by in pale shades of white and gray, reflecting the calm that followed the chaos of the past days.
Shuri sat near the window, her hands folded on her lap. A faint smile lingered on her face, but her eyes were distant, filled with memories.
"…I'm really happy," she said softly.
Luke turned toward her. "About what?"
Shuri looked at him and smiled more openly. "About everything. Christmas, New Year, staying with you and your friends. I never imagined I'd experience something like that."
She paused for a moment, then added quietly Luke can hardly hear, "Especially meeting Loid… it was a really beautiful time for me."
Luke noticed the warmth in her voice. He nodded lightly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I'm also glad you got to see our guild properly."
Shuri laughed gently. "Aurafiest is different from what I imagined. Everyone is unique… but kind."
Then her expression shifted slightly, becoming serious.
"But yesterday…" she continued, "that disaster… that blue light in the sky. I never expected something like that to happen."
Luke's gaze drifted to the window again. "Yeah," he replied. "It was… unforgetable."
He didn't say more, but Shuri could feel the weight behind his words.
The train slowed as it approached the station.
Soon, the doors opened, and cold air rushed in.
Shuri stood up, adjusting her bag. She looked at Luke with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Luke. For everything. I'll never forget these days."
Luke gave her a small smile. "Take care. And… we'll meet again soon. At Aurafiest."
Shuri nodded firmly. "I'll definitely join."
They stepped onto the platform. After a final wave, Shuri walked away, occasionally turning back until she disappeared into the crowd.
Luke stayed for a moment, watching.
Then he boarded the returning train.
As the train moved again, Luke leaned back and stared out the window. His reflection faintly appeared on the glass, eyes calm yet burdened.
Yesterday will definitely become news, he thought. There's no way the world will stay silent.
By evening, Luke reached home.
The familiar surroundings felt oddly distant, as if the world had shifted slightly since he last stood here. After dinner, he sat quietly in his room, lost in thought.
Then his phone vibrated.
Marin: There's something important tomorrow. We need to gather after school.
Luke typed back quickly.
Luke: What is it about?
A moment later.
Marin: I'll explain tomorrow.
Luke stared at the screen for a few seconds before locking his phone.
Something important… he thought.
---
The next day passed slowly.
After school, Luke met Loid, Chika, Uno, and Marin outside the gate. Everyone noticed Marin's unusually serious expression.
"What's going on?" Chika asked. "You look tense."
Marin took a breath. "I received a mail from the Guild Association."
Uno's eyes widened. "Guild Association? Why?"
"They asked us to meet them at a Guilde Association Headquarter," Marin replied. "They didn't explain much."
Loid crossed his arms. "So we'll find out after reaching there."
They agreed and made their way to the Guild Association headquarters.
The building stood tall and imposing, its structure radiating authority. Inside, they were asked to wait. The silence in the waiting area made everyone uneasy.
After some time, an attendant approached them. "You may enter."
They followed him into a meeting room.
Inside, standing calmly near the table, was Kaizen Ryuga.
For a moment, everyone froze.
"…Kaizen?" Uno muttered.
Marin bowed immediately, followed by the others. "Sir."
Kaizen nodded slightly. His gaze scanned the group before stopping.
"There was one more girl with you before," he said. "Where is she?"
Marin answered, "That was Shuri, Luke's cousin. She returned to her hometown. She'll join us after finishing schooling."
Kaizen nodded. "I see."
He gestured for them to sit.
"You all witnessed the disaster that occurred in the city," Kaizen said.
Everyone nodded.
"You didn't panic. Instead, you helped injured civilians, managed chaos, and supported the response effectively."
His gaze turned to Marin. "As the leader of Aurafiest, you stepped forward without hesitation."
Marin straightened unconsciously.
"For these actions," Kaizen continued, "the Guild Association has decided to officially promote Aurafiest to a D-rank guild."
For a split second, silence filled the room.
Then joy exploded inside them.
They controlled themselves due to the formal setting, but their eyes sparkled with happiness.
Kaizen continued, "As a D-rank guild, you are now permitted to enter dungeons up to C-rank."
"Thank you, sir," they said together, bowing.
Uno hesitated, then spoke. "Sir… may I ask about yesterday's disaster?"
Kaizen's expression hardened slightly. "There are things I cannot disclose yet."
All where shovk that there is something that cant be disclose.
Loid leaned forward. "Then… what was that thing the Auramaster took out?"
Kaizen clenched his fist.
"I expected that question," he said,
Continued" I cannot hide it to all any way and especially to guolde should know this. "
He placed several documents on the table. "Well Before I continue, you must sign this confidentiality agreement. Everything discussed beyond this point must not be shared with anyone. Violation will result in punishment."
The mood changed instantly.
They exchanged glances, uneasy but understanding the gravity.
After a brief discussion, they signed.
Kaizen collected the papers.
He starts,
"When the System changed the world," he said slowly, "it didn't just give humans aura. It awakened something else."
"A trait"
All shock and ask in same tone "trait".
"Yes," Kaizen replied. "The System gave us a two-year period to stabilize and understand aura."
Marin frowned. "What happens after two years?"
Kaizen's voice grew heavy. "The monsters currently confined within dungeons will come out. The barriers will not remain."
Silence followed.
"Why hasn't this been announced?" Loid asked.
"Because it would cause mass panic," Kaizen replied. "We're disclosing this information gradually."
Uno swallowed. "Then… that thing yesterday?"
Kaizen took a breath. "It was a devil. A being made of corrupted aura."
Shock spread across their faces.
"Devils prey on human aura," Kaizen continued. "They seek to dominate this world."
"And the Auramaster defeated it?" Chika asked quietly.
"Yes," Kaizen said. "He removed it from the crack and destroyed it completely."
Luke remained silent, heart pounding.
Kaizen said, "Our role as guilds is not just exploration anymore. It is preparation. For monsters… and devils."
Chika hesitated. "Do we know anything about the Auramaster?"
Kaizen shook his head. "No. We suspect he may be from this country."
Luke felt a strange mix of relief and tension.
"What's the plan for these two years?" Uno asked.
"We're coordinating with other Auramasters worldwide," Kaizen replied. "But nothing is certain yet."
He stood up. "This knowledge must remain within your guild. Any new member must sign the same contract."
They all agreed.
Every body greet and they left the headquarters in silence.
At the base, no one spoke for a long time.
Finally, Marin said, "This is bigger than we imagined."
Loid nodded. "But we can't back out now."
Chika smiled weakly. "At least… we're together."
Luke listened quietly.
Inside, a decision was forming.
If Kaizen thinks the Auramaster is based here… Luke thought, then I can't stay in one place.
He looked up at the sky through the window.
If the world is in danger…
Then I'll move through it.
So no one can trace me.
I will help people throughout world and no one can find me.
---
End of Chapter