"Mikhail, do you believe in God?"
A child dressed in a dark blue robe with a symbol of light on his chest sat under a shady tree. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, carrying the faint scent of wet grass and wildflowers. He closed his book and looked at Rev with serious eyes.
"You mean... the God taught at the Atrium?" Mikhail replied softly, his eyes gazing at the sky that seemed too vast for ordinary humans to comprehend.
"Yes. Luminar David said that the universe is God, and the universe continues to evolve."
Mikhail stood up and walked over to Rev, who was still lying casually on the grass. He held out his hand.
Rev hesitated for a moment, then smiled slightly and took his hand to get up. He smoothed out his light green robe and the belt that held a small roll of notes.
Rev whistled softly, a light tune that sounded too casual for such a serious question.
Mikhail looked down for a moment, his eyes fixed on the gently swaying grass. "I... have my doubts," he said softly. "Sometimes it feels like their teachings are far from my heart..."
He paused for a moment, looked at the Atrium, and took a breath. "What's on my mind is... finding the truth about my parents."
Without waiting for an answer, Mikhail walked away. Not because he cared about the teachings, but because it was almost Lumina time, and he had to prepare himself.
"Mikhail, where are you going? Wait for me!" Rev hurried after him, breathing a little heavily, but his eyes remained serious.
"To my room. I have something to do," replied Mikhail.
In his small room, Mikhail stared at the bookshelf near the window. Scriptura Caelestis or the history book? Scriptura seemed more appropriate. The holy book, with its thin, faintly glowing pages, was the teaching of the universal god. He had never opened it, except when required during Lumina. Carefully, he took Scriptura and his notebook, placing them on the table.
Knock knock knock.
The knock on the door startled him. Mikhail quickly grabbed Scriptura Caelestis and his notebook, then opened the door.
A boy with a stern face and striking blue eyes stood in the doorway. His old green robe was decorated with a small emblem on the shoulder, a sign that he was the head of his class.
"Recess is almost over. Everyone must go inside before Lumina begins. There will be an introduction of new students," he said firmly.
"Okay, Eric," Mikhail replied flatly, then stepped outside.
Eric nodded and turned to another room.
Light streams through the windows of the Lumina room, creating a warmth like a morning embrace. The scent of sandalwood incense fills the room, mingling with the breeze from the open windows. The trees outside look like living paintings. All the members have gathered.
Tap... tap... tap... The sound of footsteps approaches. Two figures enter the room.
A man in a white robe glows in the light, a sun necklace hanging around his neck, none other than Luminar David. Next to him stands a small child dressed in simple village clothes, his hair messy, his face nervous.
"We have a new friend," says David, gesturing gently. "Welcome to the Atrium Lumen, where light unites souls from across the universe."
The child bowed his head, his cheeks reddening.
"Can you... introduce yourself?" David asked patiently.
He took a deep breath, bowed his head for a moment, then finally spoke in a soft voice.
"My name... my name is... Ivan Yugostiv. From Versvyaz."
Versvyaz... what a strange name, Mikhail muttered to himself, his hand supporting his chin on the table.
"Please sit next to Lylia," David instructed.
Lylia, a girl in a bright yellow robe, smiled warmly like a morning sunflower. She waved gently at Ivan. The boy smiled shyly, then walked over and sat down.
David raised his hand, his voice friendly but authoritative, "Let's begin today's Lumina."
Mikhail glanced back and looked at Ivan, who was now sitting quietly next to Lylia. A small sense of curiosity swirled in his mind. Who exactly was this boy?
Luminar David began to explain the day's teachings, his voice calm as usual. The students opened their Scriptura.
Mikhail opened his book too.
The pages were thin and glowed softly... as usual.
But...
His hand stopped. His fingertips suddenly felt cold.
In the corner of a page he had never read before, there was small writing that was not part of the book.
The writing appeared slowly... like ink seeping from the light.
"He will come."
Mikhail froze. What... is this?
He blinked. The writing disappeared.
His heart beat once, harder than it should have, as if something had just knocked from inside his chest.
Slam!
The Scriptura closed hard in his hand.
The sound broke the silence of the classroom. Several students turned their heads. For some reason, the room felt quieter than before.
"What's wrong, Mikhail?" asked Luminar David, his eyebrows slightly raised.
Mikhail hurriedly reopened the Scriptura. The page was blank. Just the usual sacred text.
"N-nothing, Luminar," he replied quickly.
His hands were still trembling slightly.
He... who is he?
Maybe I was just hallucinating.
Lumina continued as usual. Luminar David's voice filled the room again, the students took notes, and sunlight continued to stream in through the windows.
From that moment on, the room felt a little too cramped... as if the walls were quietly closing in.
And he didn't know that this was only the beginning.