The morning light poured through the tall windows of the condominium, painting soft gold across the floorboards. The heater hummed warmly through the chilly November air, filling the home with a cozy stillness. Rin had been up since dawn—humming to herself, turning up the heat, and skipping between the kitchen and the mirror like it was the most important day of her life.

  She felt new. Lighter. Maybe even… more adult?

  She tied her hair back with the red bow Chippy had gifted her and applied a dab of lip gloss—the same one her friend swore “worked wonders.” Then she stood before the mirror, turning once, smiling at her reflection.

  Her outfit felt right for the morning—crisp white sweater dotted with black stars, a dull orange skirt that sat somewhere between fall and fashion confusion, and black thigh-high socks that met the hem just perfectly. She even did a little spin, just to check.

  When the knock came at the door, she was already halfway to it, practically skipping.

  She swung it open with a beaming smile.

  Eddie stood on the other side looking pale. Behind him, Chippy was too busy inspecting her nails to notice, and towering over them both was a man in gray-and-gold armor—Vix’s ever-present guard.

  Rin’s smile twitched.

  “Good morning—oh.” Her eyes trailed up the armored giant, who stared down blankly at her.

  Eddie glanced back at him, shivering. “Jeez… I didn’t realize there was a just always watching this place.”

  “Yeah. He always is,” Rin sighed, rolling her eyes as she ushered Eddie and Chippy inside. The guard grunted and quietly shut the door behind them.

  “Come on,” she said, helping Eddie with his jacket and tugging his book bag off his shoulder. “You’re safe now. I think.”

  “Ehh, you get used to it,” Chippy said, flopping onto the sofa like she owned the place. She propped up her feet, inspecting her nails for any microscopic imperfections.

  “Do you really?” Rin muttered, irritation slipping into her voice. She stayed beside Eddie, who was stiff as a board, still clutching his book bag.

  Rin helped him out of his jacket and guided him toward the sofa. The moment he sat down, he released a long, shaky sigh.

  “Sorry,” he said, rubbing his arms. “It’s just… I’ve never been in the homes of And then there’s a paladin just casually patrolling outside? Way too much for little Eddie.”

  He turned his head mid-rant—then stopped. “Whoa…”

  Rin and Chippy looked over as Eddie crossed the room, drawn toward the tall glass windows that reached the ceiling. He hesitated only a second before sliding one open. A burst of icy air rushed in, biting at their cheeks.

  The balcony stretched wide, overlooking the treetops below. Waves of orange, gold, and red blurred in the wind, and tiny white flecks drifted lazily through the air—the first signs of snow.

  “This view…” Eddie said, stepping out into the cold. “Your home is amazing, Rin.”

  Rin stayed inside, her hands clasped behind her back as she watched him from the doorway.

  “Home?” she said softly. “It feels like a prison most of the time.”

  Her reflection in the marble tiles looked distant, almost fragile. “I just… want to be at Kormadyne with you guys again.”

  The heater hummed behind her, loud in the silence that followed.

  “Kormadyne?” Chippy echoed, smirking as she tilted her head. “Girl, you got suspended for for that duel with Drenco!” Her voice brightened as she hopped off the sofa, throwing her arms out dramatically. “You were ”

  Rin blinked, the compliment hitting softer than it should have. “Not cool enough to beat him, I guess…” she murmured, guilt creeping into her tone.

  Eddie, who had been out on the balcony, suddenly burst back inside, sliding the glass doors shut with a loud “No—wait! Rin!” he shouted, pointing straight at her. “What on earth was that back then?!”

  Rin tilted her head, puzzled. “What?”

  Chippy turned too, matching Rin’s confusion.

  “You used ” Eddie blurted, his voice somewhere between awe and disbelief. “That’s too advanced for us—even as freshmen!”

  “I-It is?” Rin stammered, blinking fast.

  “Yes!” Eddie cried, waving his hands like he couldn’t contain himself. “No one just—just That takes training! Repetition! You have to be how to shape it! And you just—” he threw his hands up “—you just wielded it like it was nothing! Like you’ve been throwing blades your whole life!”

  Rin froze, the memory replaying vividly. Steve’s lessons… the moment Drenco launched those fire waves… how something deep inside her had simply into focus. She hadn’t thought. She’d just acted.

  But why?

  Why did she hold back before? And why did she stop holding back now?

  Her thoughts blurred, spiraling—until Eddie grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.

  “Rin!” he said, his voice breaking through the fog. “You could’ve ”

  “Wh-what?!” Rin gasped, covering her mouth, eyes wide with fear. “I—I could’ve Drenco?!”

  “I mean… that would’ve been well-deserved, honestly,” Chippy said flatly, still inspecting her nails.

  “” Eddie and Rin barked in perfect unison.

  Chippy froze, blinking at them before flopping back onto the sofa with her hands raised.

  “I—I didn’t want to kill him, Eddie!” Rin stammered, voice trembling.

  Eddie sighed, finally letting her go. “I believe you, Rin. I’m just… surprised you only got a three-day suspension for using something that dangerous.”

  Rin looked away, fidgeting. “I think I might need to thank Uncle Remmy for that…”

  “Oh, right. A Director.” Eddie’s gaze drifted around the home now, taking it in properly. It wasn’t enormous, but every inch looked expensive—gold-trimmed pillars, flawless white walls, and polished marble flooring that reflected the morning light. The kitchen tile even alternated black and white like a chessboard, and a sleek glass stairway led downward to a lower floor.

  “What’s down there?” Eddie asked, pointing.

  “Some more bedrooms, I think? One of them’s Mister Vix’s,” Rin answered casually.

  “Oh…”

  “My room’s upstairs,” Rin added, pointing over her shoulder.

  “What? Really?!” Chippy perked up immediately, jumping back to her feet. “Can I ”

  Rin giggled. “Sure! Honestly, I’m so glad you guys came. I had the week ever last week.”

  “Oh? Because Vixxy-poo ignored you the whole time?” Chippy teased without thinking.

  Eddie groaned, dragging his hand down his face.

  “No…” Rin said softly, smiling faintly at the memory. “Actually, he was with me for the longest time last week.” The smile faltered as her cheeks reddened. “I had… a situation come up, and—”

  She froze mid-sentence, her eyes darting toward Eddie.

  “Uh… what?” he asked, blinking.

  “Um… Eddie? Maybe you shouldn’t hear this part…” Rin mumbled, looking away, her voice growing smaller.

  “What? Why not? I can handle it!” Eddie puffed out his cheeks, looking oddly proud.

  “Er… ummm…” Rin fidgeted, face turning pink. “It’s a… girl thing. Chippy will understand.”

  Eddie turned toward Chippy, silently pleading for help—

  —but Chippy just blinked, tilting her head. “Wait… what kind of girl thing?”

  “Wh—Whaaa?! You don’t That thing girls have!” Rin blurted out, her voice jumping an octave.

  Chippy blinked, wide-eyed. “Uh… makeup disasters?”

  “Nooo!” Rin groaned, burying her face in her hands.

  “I’m lost,” Chippy admitted flatly.

  “Didn’t Mrs. Staffire ever tell you?” Rin said, peeking through her fingers.

  “Mrs. Staffire?! You mean She talked to you?!” Chippy gasped, her voice cracking with sudden jealousy.

  “Y-Yes…” Rin squeaked softly.

  “How?!”

  “” Eddie cut in from the hall, his face reddening instantly. “You mean that very pretty lady from Christmas Break last year—the one on the communicator call?!”

  “Yes! That’s her!” Chippy huffed, crossing her arms. “She’s so rare to get ahold of! Probably second only to my big brother himself!”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Or to Vix whenever he makes promises he can’t keep,” Rin deadpanned.

  Rin waved her hands quickly. “A-Anyway! Come with me! I need to tell you this Mrs. Staffire said not to share this stuff with boys until I’m older!”

  She grabbed Chippy’s hand and tugged her down the hall, vanishing into her bedroom.

  Eddie stayed frozen in place, curiosity practically radiating off him. He could faintly hear their voices behind the closed door.

  “Whoaaa… such a pretty room!” Chippy’s muffled voice said.

  Then came a shriek. “”

  Eddie jumped.

  After several minutes, the door opened again. Rin emerged, half-carrying Chippy, whose face was ghost-white—like she’d just been told the universe’s darkest secret.

  “I can’t believe that’ll happen to …” Chippy wheezed, eyes unfocused.

  Rin gave an awkward laugh, patting her friend’s shoulder. “Y-Yeah… welcome to being a woman, I guess.”

  Eddie blinked, still dazed by whatever mysterious “girl talk” had just occurred—but honestly? He was glad he hadn’t been part of it.

  “A-anyway,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “Can we… get back to business?”

  “Business?” Rin tilted her head. “Oh! Like racing strategies?”

  “Er—no. Ra business!”

  “Ohhh, right!” Rin said with a bright smile, helping Chippy ease back down onto the sofa. Once she was settled (and still faintly pale), Rin joined Eddie on the other side of the coffee table.

  Eddie unzipped his bag and poured out a stack of thick, worn books onto the glass table. The impact made a sharp that made him flinch. “Sorry…”

  “It’s alright,” Rin giggled, helping him straighten the pile.

  “Okay, okay—so!” Eddie said, his excitement returning. “I found these books in the section of the Athenaeum. I was flipping through them as usual and found something interesting.”

  He picked up a yellow-colored volume and flipped it open. Inside, instead of printed text, there were bound notebook pages covered in cramped handwriting.

  Rin leaned closer, curious. “I’ve never seen a book look like that…”

  “That’s because…” Eddie grinned, flipping to a section where the pages had been torn out. “It a book—it’s a notebook!”

  Rin blinked, confused. “A notebook with a hardcover? In the section of the Athenaeum?”

  “Exactly! Weird, right?”

  Rin nodded, her ponytail bobbing.

  “I thought maybe it was like what Mister Chase did—you know, when he hid notes about the spells he used to break into the restricted floors. But this—” Eddie turned the notebook around for her to see—“this feels It’s supposed to be there.”

  To prove his point, he drew his wand and tapped the cover. A small white orb pulsed from its tip, striking the notebook.

  Instantly, the notebook shimmered and reacted. Faint runes—glowing gold and deep blue—spiraled across its surface, lighting the air with a soft hum. Rin gasped as the pages lifted and the entire book began to float, spinning slowly in place.

  “Whoaaa… that’s so pretty…” Rin whispered in awe, her eyes reflecting the runes’ glow.

  “These symbols…” Eddie muttered, brow furrowed. “I haven’t learned them yet. Actually—we learn these until way later. But clearly it’s a restricted book for a reason.”

  “Hey…” Chippy said suddenly, her dazed expression sharpening as she squinted at the floating notebook. “Wait a sec—I recognize those runes.”

  Eddie whipped his head toward her. “You You’ve seen these before?”

  Chippy nodded slowly. “Yeah… my brother. He’s written some of these before.”

  Rin’s ears perked up. “Yaxon? Really?”

  “Mm-hm.” Chippy crossed her arms, thinking back. “I overheard him talking once—well… maybe twice—like, two years ago? He said he had work in the Fairy Forest.”

  Eddie froze. “F-Fairy Forest?! You mean Fairy Forest in Kormadyne?!”

  Chippy blinked at him, unfazed. “Are there more?”

  Eddie hesitated. “…No?”

  “Then that’s the one,” Chippy said flatly.

  Eddie clenched his jaw, raising a fist in mock frustration before groaning. “I swear, talking to you is like arguing with an enchanted brick wall!”

  Chippy smirked. “And yet you keep trying.”

  Rin giggled softly beside them, though her eyes lingered on the hovering notebook. The golden-blue runes were still swirling faintly—like they were

  “A-anyway,” Eddie said, rubbing his forehead, “did he ever say he was going there?”

  “Well…” Chippy started, glancing upward as she counted on her fingers. “A little while after he said that, he disappeared. I’ve only seen him—”

  She raised both hands, all fingers spread, then folded them down one by one until only four remained on her left hand. “—four times since.”

  “Whoa…” Eddie muttered. “I forget you two are even siblings sometimes.”

  “” Chippy snapped, her tails flicking in disbelief. “I mention him like, all the time! Every! Single! Time!”

  Eddie snickered under his breath. “Guess I tune you out. Anyway… only Yaxon could ever survive in that place.”

  “Eddie?” Rin asked, tilting her head. “You make the Fairy Forest sound… bad. Aren’t fairies supposed to be good?”

  “What?! No!!!” Eddie blurted, horrified.

  “I actually agree with Rin,” Chippy said, shrugging. “From everything I’ve heard, fairies supposed to be good, right?”

  “Remember that book we read together, Eddie?” Rin pressed. “It said fairies grant wishes—especially for good children!”

  Chippy’s eyes sparkled. “Really? They grant wishes?”

  Eddie threw his arms in the air. “No, Rin! That’s Fairies in real life are mischievous, chaotic, and They lure you in, drain your life, and—”

  Rin’s smile vanished instantly. “Aw, come on! Does have to kill us?!”

  Eddie sighed, exasperated. “We live in a dangerous world! That’s literally why we have a whole class called ”

  Chippy grinned. “Well, if fairies are that bad, I’m starting to think my brother might’ve gone there just to mess with them.”

  Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose. “That… actually sounds like him. But that still doesn’t explain what these runes mean—or what’s—”

  “Wait!” Chippy suddenly shouted, bolting up from the sofa. She ran to the floating notebook and tried to snatch it out of the air—but it darted higher, spinning out of her reach.

  “What the heck?!” she yelled, jumping to grab it again. “Why isn’t it coming down!?”

  “Oh… right. I hit it with a spell,” Eddie admitted, rubbing the back of his head as he stood up. “I guess I should… apologize?”

  “Apologize?” Rin repeated, blinking.

  Eddie cleared his throat, bowed deeply, and spoke with dramatic sincerity. “I’m sorry, Mister Notebook.”

  The runes pulsed—once, twice—before the book slowly descended back onto the glass table. The glowing marks faded away like mist dissolving in sunlight.

  Rin blinked. “Are we not gonna talk about the notebook’s ”

  She was promptly ignored.

  “Eddie! Look!” Chippy said, flipping through the pages until she landed on one covered in messy handwriting. “The writing—it looks just like my brother’s!”

  Eddie squinted, leaning in. “Strongest sorcerer in the world… and can’t fix bad handwriting,” he muttered.

  “Are you sure?”

  Chippy nodded rapidly, her tails twitching with excitement.

  Eddie frowned, eyes scanning the uneven text. The page seemed to tremble faintly under the light—like the words themselves were breathing.

  “Well,” he said finally, voice low and certain, “looks like Yaxon’s hiding something in the Fairy Forest.”

  Rin and Chippy exchanged a look before turning back to Eddie.

  “So…” Rin began carefully.

  “So?” Eddie repeated, eyes shining. “We go find out what it is!”

  “You just said the fairies in the Fairy Forest are dangerous and can kill you,” Chippy deadpanned, folding her arms.

  Rin chimed in without missing a minute. “You were also terrified of the guard standing outside my house. What makes you think you can face of all people?”

  Chippy snorted. “Yeah, plus—aren’t you, like, his biggest fan? How are you supposed to hold him off if we ever find him?” she teased, smirking as she handed the now-closed notebook back to Eddie.

  “Wh–what?!” Eddie sputtered, clutching the book to his chest. “H–How could you two?! You think so little of me!”

  He slammed the notebook back down on the coffee table in dramatic offense. Rin yelped, quickly scooping it up and patting the cover like she was soothing a frightened cat.

  “Shhh, it’s okay, Mister Notebook,” she whispered.

  Chippy rolled her eyes. “Besides,” she said, leaning back into the sofa, “there’s no point going down there based on a guess. And for what? A hunch? He’s probably not even the Fairy Forest! I heard he was in Mexico!”

  “I don’t even know what a is—and I still think Chippy’s right!” Rin said, throwing her hands up.

  Eddie frowned. “Rin? We really need to get you a globe. Anyway, Chippy, how do you that?! From ”

  “Uh… his wife! Big Sis Aimee!” Chippy blurted out a little too fast.

  Rin blinked. She could tell immediately that Chippy was lying, but the response still managed to snap Eddie straight out of his defensive stance.

  “Wait, Rin,” he said quickly. “Is her skin really that pinkish-pale in real life?”

  “It is,” Rin said, smiling faintly as she recalled. “And her hair was so long and pretty… white with hints of lavender. It almost sparkled…”

  “She looks like an alien,” Eddie whispered dreamily, “but like… in the way…” He began to drool.

  “Um—anyways!?” Chippy clapped her hands sharply, snapping both of them out of their trance.

  “Oh—right!” Eddie said, straightening his posture. “All jokes aside,” he continued, carefully taking the notebook back from Rin’s hands. Thankfully, it didn’t start glowing—or crying—again. “I think it’s important we try to investigate. We might discover something connected to If anyone knows what that power really is, it’d be the strongest sorcerer himself.”

  Chippy rubbed her chin, nodding thoughtfully. “…Makes sense…”

  “So… to the Fairy Forest, then?” Rin asked gently, a small spark of excitement in her tone.

  “Not yet,” Chippy interrupted before Eddie could speak. She flashed a grin. “First, we need to this Grand Prix.”

  “Oh yeah…” Rin chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. “The Grand Prix.”

  “Yes, Grand Prix!” Eddie said, throwing his arms up. “Though at this rate, Chippy might win it all by herself—you barely give her any callouts anymore.”

  “I’m the best. It’s kinda how the world works,” Chippy said proudly, rubbing her nose with exaggerated confidence.

  Eddie squinted at her, fighting the urge to start an argument. “…Right.”

  “H-How’s Alvie doing?” Rin asked softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

  “Huh? Oh. No clue. Guess we’ll find out when we’re back at school.”

  Rin’s smile dimmed. The thought of being away for two whole months made her chest ache. The break had barely begun, and already, she wanted to return.

  Eddie noticed the slump in her shoulders and stepped closer. “Hey… it’ll be alright, Rin. Do you think Mister Vix would let us stay over?”

  “St-stay over?!” Chippy squealed, her pigtails twitching. “Omg, omg, omg, I need to tell my mom! I’d to stay here!”

  Rin shrugged, uncertain. “I’m not sure… I don’t imagine he’d be upset, but… I can’t know for sure.”

  “Can’t you ask him?” Eddie said, patting her back encouragingly.

  “I can’t—wait.” Rin blinked, a smile tugging at her lips. “No. I ! I Totally can now!”

  Before either of them could reply, she darted to her room, grabbed her communicator, and came sprinting back. She scrolled rapidly until she found the mysterious new contact Vix had given her: .

  Eddie squinted, trying to peek at the holographic screen, but Rin’s fingers were a blur. He smiled, assuming she was just excited—until a sudden clatter from the kitchen made him whirl around.

  “Chippy! What are you in Rin’s kitchen?!”

  “Getting food! Duh! If I’m staying here, there better be good snacks!”

  “Chippy! That’s ” Eddie scolded, exasperated.

  Rin, still typing, tilted her head. “Is that really rude?”

  “Yes! rude!”

  Rin ignored them both, pressing She gripped her communicator tightly, staring at the glowing screen.

  He’d said he’d come running in an emergency—but this wasn’t that. Not really. Still… she needed an answer soon. If Eddie and Chippy could actually stay for the rest of break…

  Her heart fluttered. Maybe, just maybe—she wouldn’t miss Kormadyne quite so much after all.

  #

  Rin waited until the moon had risen high and the snowstorm howled outside. She groaned, sinking deeper into the giant white sofa as Chippy gleefully devoured a sandwich she’d made from Rin’s fridge—her visit, technically.

  Eddie’s stomach growled in protest. Rin had told him more than once to go eat something, but he’d refused each time, insisting it would be disrespectful until Mister Vix officially said they could stay.

  He still hadn’t answered.

  Archas, meanwhile, had gladly allowed Chippy to stay—of course she had.

  “Rin?” Eddie finally asked, his voice small over the wind rattling the glass. “Are you sure I can go eat something?”

  “…Yes…” Rin hissed tiredly, still clutching her communicator. She’d been waiting for hours—hoping for a chime, a call, a text, Even a random news alert stating the world was ending would’ve been better than silence. Her anxiety had burned out long ago, leaving only dull exhaustion.

  Eddie shuffled to the kitchen, returning with two slices of whole-wheat bread and a lonely slice of cheese in between. He bit into it, chewing quietly.

  “Eddie?” Rin asked, her voice softer now. “I know about Chippy, but… if Mister Vix doesn’t respond, will your parents come pick you up soon?”

  Eddie froze, staring at his sandwich. He chewed in silence for a long moment before glancing up again, his cheeks puffed with dry bread. He nodded, but his eyes said something else.

  “Poop! I wanted you to stayyy…” Rin moaned, burying her face into the sofa cushion.

  “…I wanted to, too,” Eddie murmured. So quietly, he thought only he could hear it.

  But Rin had. She looked up, concern painting her face before it softened into a gentle smile. She patted the cushion beside her.

  Eddie hesitated, then took a step forward. Then another. One careful step after the next, like he was walking a tightrope, until finally, he sat down beside her.

  “Eddie,” Rin said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you… not want to go home?”

  He swallowed hard. The air in the condo shifted. Despite the heat blasting from the vents, the room suddenly felt colder—bitter, heavy, and unwelcoming.

  “…Rin,” he said at last, eyes fixed on his lap. “I never want to go home.”