Drifter strode through the Training & Recreation Zone of Verm Evocaier Academy, the lush grass and t trees surrounding him. Crystal walkways gleamed in the m light, guiding him past geometric buildings—some domed, some regur, and some square—all standing in stark trast to the natural beauty around them. He noticed a few people gathered at tables uhe open sky, enjoying their meals and engaging in lively versation. The air was thick with the savory aroma of cooking food. His gaze shifted stantly, abs the rhythmic flow of activity. Footsteps echoed nearby, blending with the spsh of swimming pools and the hum of versation filling the air.

  As he walked through the crystal walkway, he saw the stone-floored arena in the distance. A group of students wielding greatswords, nces, spears, maces, swords, and shields struggled to materialize armor. They strained, tration evident, each attempt flickering like a dle in the wind. A few managed solid armor, but its edges wavered, unstable, as if it might crumble with the slightest touch.

  Drifter watched in silence, a familiar feeling stirring within him. He remembered the weight of the struggle—the challenge of learning to materialize armor, even as an adult. It had taken him three grueling years to get it right. Yet, these students pressed on, uerred by failure, their eyes burning with quiet determination.

  To his left, a ptform materialized in the air, ected by plex energy threads. At the obstacle course, students leaped between floating ptforms with effortless agility, their energy thread abilities Evocyte Links guiding each precise movement.

  Drifter moved toward the dome building, where a ptform marked by flowing crystal runes caught his attention. Students unleashed their elemental powers—fire crackled, ice glittered, lightning fshed, and wind howled. At the ter, a simuted monster rampaged, its fury met by their coordirikes. When one of the student fell, their natural barrier shimmered into pce, a shield of light guarding them from harm.

  "The methods are different, but the essence is the same," he mused silently.

  He exited the building and tinued walking when he saw a girl with pink hair waving at him in the distance. As he approached her, he remembered the girl he had met before—Alma Rosenthal—who was apanied by a petite girl with brown hair and gsses.

  "Hey, Drifter! That outfit really suits you!" Alma said, her bright smile lighting up her face. "How are you doing? Adjusting well?"

  Drifter offered a faint smile, his gaze briefly shifting to his attire—a bck high-colred suit jacket adorned with intricate vine-like embroidery.

  "I’m still adjusting," he admitted. "This pce… it’s different. Everything feels different."

  He paused for a moment, his voice softening as he murmured, "It’s hard to believe how much has ged."

  "You’ll get used to it in no time! This pce grows on you. Oh, by the way, this is my friend, Nadia," Alma said with a wide smile, gesturing to the girl beside her.

  Drifter's gaze flickered toward the petite girl standing silently beside Alma. She wore a simple white blouse paired with a flowing light green skirt.

  "o meet you, Nadia," Drifter said gently.

  "o meet you too... Drifter," Nadia replied, her voice soft and almost a whisper. A small smile pyed on her lips as her eyes met his briefly before flickering downward, a shy blush c her cheeks.

  Alma waved goodbye to Drifter with a casual smile.

  "Well... See ya," she said, her tone easygoing. "Got an alchemy assigoday. I'll fill you in ter!"

  Drifter tilted his head, intrigued.

  He thought back to his days at the Mage Association, before the camity—when alchemy had been a source of fasation, a hobby he’d once lost himself in. The memory sparked something within him, a brief flicker of the excitement he had once felt.

  "Alchemy? I used to practice as a Mage too. It’d be fasating to see how far it’s e," he replied.

  Nadia looked up, her warm brown eyes widening slightly.

  "Are... are you sure? I mean, I’m sorry—it’s kind of a quick errand. We wouldn’t want to bother you," she said.

  "It’s no trouble. Besides, I’m genuinely curious to see how Alchemy has evolved in this time. Let’s go," Drifter said firmly.

  Alma beamed, while Nadia’s cheeks flushed pink. Though she remained quiet, a hint of gratitude flickered in her smile as she adjusted her gsses and began walking alongside Alma.

  The three of them set out toward the translocator outside the city. Upon arriving, Alma reached out to touch the device. As her fingers made tact, the air shimmered with holographiterference, and a detailed map materialized before them. Alma tapped the bck iear the Verm Pin, and in an instant, a wave of blue light enveloped them, ing them in a glowing co.

  When the light faded, Drifter found himself standing on the edge of a vast, unduting pin. The green grasses swayed gently like waves in a soft breeze. Without thinking, he materialized his bck armor. A cape materialized behind him, shifting subtly in the wind. The armor felt weightless, as though it were aension of his own body.

  He surveyed the sweeping ndscape, a dull ache tightening in his chest. The ice-capped mountains in the distahe soft caress of the breeze—it all felt like Varlumia before the camity. A fotten peace stirred within him, just out of reach.

  He gnced behind him. Alma strode fidently, each step carrying the weight of purpose. In stark trast, Nadia trailed behind, her hands trembling slightly, eyes darting nervously.

  "I hope we don’t run into trouble…" she murmured.

  They moved through the grassnds, their hands raised slightly above the earth. Soft pulses of telekinesis worked delicately, gathering pnts without ever toug them. The faint hum of Evocyte energy shimmered in the air, weaving an uhread of harmony around them.

  It was an unspoken symphony, power moving in quiet bance, but Drifter remained vigint. His sharp mind dissected every detail, sing the enviro for hidden threats.

  Suddenly, there was movement on the horizon. Drifter’s eyes narrowed, deteg an unseen menace.

  "They’re in trouble."

  He spotted a girl with a red ponytail hair wielding a fming spear, a tall boy with dark brown hair gripping dark elemental daggers, and a boy with wavy brown hair, his hands glowing with white sigils.

  Surrounding them was a horde of Sky Serpents—medium-sized bd-purple creatures with six wings, slig through the air above. Below, Sandstalkers erupted from the earth, their rge, scorpion-like forms armored with brown, chitinous exoskeletons.

  Amid the chaos, a hulking Dreadstalker Lion flickered in and out of sight, its dark mane shimmering with malevolent energy—a predator cloaked in shadow, waiting for the perfeent to strike.

  "Those… they’re our cssmates," Nadia whispered, her body trembling.

  Alma nodded. "Yeah, that's Alyssa, Bryan, and Erick. We have to help them."

  "Let’s move," Drifter anded, his voice sharp.

  Alyssa spotted them, raising a weary arm.

  "We hahis… just need a little more time!" she called out, her breath ragged.

  Bryan shouted in frustration. "Alyssa, we ’t hold them off much longer! We have to fall baow!"

  Eriterjected, "Focus on fighting! Arguing won’t save us!" his tone desperate.

  "Watch out!" Drifter’s shouted.

  The Sky Serpents unched a synized assault, their shrieks creating shockwaves that lit up the natural barriers. The force scattered the group like autumn leaves in a storm.

  From the ground, Sandstalkers emerged, swarming Bryan and Erick. Cws tore at their bodies as they colpsed, helpless, the onsught relentless. Bryan and Erick struggled, tears streaming as they reached out, but their cries were drowned out by the chaos.

  In a fsh, Exaltare, the dark gray sword, materialized in Drifter's right hand, and blue spectral bdes surrounded him. He vanished into burst of blue particles, reappearing beside Bryan and Erick. With a fluid motion, he unleashed a series of devastating sshes, each spectral sword following his every move. The Sandstalkers, caught off guard by the sheer speed and precision of the attack, were obliterated in an instant.

  Nearby, Alyssa slowly staggered to her feet, her spear slipping from trembling hands as she fought to rise. Then, the Dreadstalker Lion, which had been invisible before, reappeared in a blur of motion. Its dark, energy-infused cws were raised for a devastating strike aimed at Alyssa. The blow shattered her barrier, sending her flying, bloodied. As she fell, her red armor and spear dissolved into crimson particles.

  In a heartbeat, Drifter teleported to her side and k beside Alyssa. His left hand glowed with radiant blue light as he cast Healing Surge, the healing energy flowing over her wounds with a soft, steady hum.

  "Damn it..." Alyssa groaned weakly, her voice barely audible.

  The healing energy enveloped her, mending the injuries a strength to her limbs.

  "Hold on. I’ve got you." Drifter's voice was firm, though his hands trembled—just for a moment.

  At least, for once, I save the rookie.

  As her breathing steadied, Drifter tinued healing her, his gaze shifting toward the Sky Serpents in the distahe serpents unleashed a pierg wave of sound aimed at Alma and Nadia, who responded with bursts of fire, pink energy, and crystalline shards glowing with a golden-green hue.

  "I’ve got this, Nadia!" Alma called out fidently

  A Fireball shot out as Alma gathered the red and pink sigils in her hands. Upon reag its target, it exploded in a brilliant bze, scorg a Sky Serpent’s wings. Without hesitation, she followed up with a Bzing Burst, hurling a fiery orb that detonated with a deafening bst, iing the remaining Serpents.

  "You’ve got this, Nadia. Focus," Alma said, fshing a reassuring smile.

  Nadia carefully unleashed her Earthen Bolts, crystalline shards glowing with a golden-green hue, oer another. Finally, one found its mark, sending a Sky Serpent plummeting to the ground.

  "I… I did it!" Nadia excimed, a small, triumphant smile spreading across her face as her earlier hesitation gave way to pride.

  Alma unleashed a barrage of Fire Bolts, each crag through the air with fiery precision, finishing off the st of the Serpents. As the remnants of the horde retreated, they disappeared into the horizon, leaving only the silence of victory.

  Then Drifter shifted his gaze to the ground, where a sound grew closer. The Dreadstalker Lion roared, its gargantuan form cloaked in an aura of dark energy. In an instant, it vanished, reappearing before Drifter with terrifying speed, its cws crag with raw elemental force.

  Without hesitation, Drifter grabbed Alyssa tightly, and both dissolved into a swirl of blue particles, reappearing atop a green hill. He gently pced Alyssa near a tree, then his gaze shifted to the Dreadstalker below, charging toward Alma and Nadia. In the blink of an eye, Drifter teleported behind the creature and struck. His blows were a blur—each ssh leaving glowing blue trails as the Lion staggered, howling in agony. Dark energy and blood spttered across the battlefield, painting a grim portrait of the beast’s suffering.

  In a final desperate move, the Lion recoiled, letting out a paralyzing roar that shattered the air itself. The grouh them quaked as the sound reverberated, freezing the very air in its wake.

  But Alma lifted her hand, her expression unwavering with determination.

  "Exalt Barrier!" she anded.

  A transparent pink dome shimmered ience, enveloping them in a protective shield, abs the full force of the roar’s devastating energy.

  As the lion’s body became nearly invisible again, Nadia k, pressing her hands to the earth.

  "Not this time."

  A Seismic Pulse erupted, splitting the ground. Jagged spikes of rock impaled the Lion, immobilizing it in a stone prison.

  Drifter anded his spectral swords to strike the Lion’s fs repeatedly, each blow drawing a pierg cry from the beast.

  "Let’s end this," Alma decred, her fire sigil bzing bright.

  An Inferno Tornado swirled to life, engulfing the Dreadstalker Lion in a fiery storm. Its final roar was drowned out by the r fmes, and its massive body disied into ash.

  Silence fell. The crag fmes subsided, leaving behind the acrid st of scorched earth. Drifter stood tall as his bck armor aare faded into soft blue particles.

  Alma and Nadia cast their healing spells—Exalt Healing, marked by pink circles, and Healih, surrounded by greeending to the wounded Erid Bryan. The injured novices slowly began tain their strength.

  Drifter returo Alyssa, who was sittih the tree. He extended a hand to help her up, but Alyssa gestured to dee, her haly pushing his away.

  “Thank you... we owe you,” Alyssa said, her voice weary yet filled with gratitude.

  “I’m gd you’re all safe.” his toeady.

  A warmth stirred within him. The gratitude in her voices, simple and genuine, was a stark trast to the days of old—when all that remained was sorrow and a burning desire for revenge.

  They begarek back toward the distant glow of the Translocator, the path ahead quiet but purposeful. Alma g Drifter, her smile softening into one of genuine appreciation. Nadia, adjusting her gsses, offered a quiet but sincere nod of thanks. As they he Translocator, Nadia stepped forward, taking charge of the device. The blue light swirled around them, a brilliant streak slig through the endless sky, guiding them home.

  As they made their way back to the outskirts of the city, Alyssa, Bryan, and Erick thahem again before parting ways. The group tinued on toward the academy, heading straight for the alchemy b.

  The doors to the Alchemy Lab slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a pristine white room filled with rows of herbs, elixirs, and humming instruments. Alma pced the gathered materials on the tral table, her movements effit yet graceful, while Nadia swiftly began s and arranging them. Drifter lingered he door, the se with quiet curiosity, his gaze flig from one er of the b to the , his eyes lingering on the many unfamiliar instruments.

  “Well, I think I’d rather see you all making one,” Drifter remarked with a faint smirk. “I’ll pass for now.”

  Alma ughed lightly. “It’s easy… e on, we’ll teach you.”

  “Maybe ime…” Drifter replied, shrugging.

  “If you say so,” Alma quipped, her smile never fading.

  His gaze fell on a green potion oable, and a flicker of memory swept over him. Once, making potions had been a source of joy, an art he had cherished. But after the Camity, the same cos had touched too many lifeless bodies. The faces of the dead fshed before his eyes, and for a moment, the room seemed to slow, the weight of the memories pressing down on him.

  Meanwhile, Alma and Nadia tiheir work, arranging the potions into one of the boxes. The moment they ope, a sudden chill filled the air. They pced the potions inside and sealed the box with a quiet finality.

  Alma’s movement caught his attention. She was heading for the exit, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she turned back toward them.

  “Hey, since we’re done, how about we check out the ival iy?” Alma suggested, her grin widening.

  Drifter raised an eyebrow."Aren’t you tired?"

  Nadia let out a soft ugh. "She’s always like this."

  Drifter hesitated. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I’m sorry, I’ll have to pass."

  Alma crossed her arms, tilting her head pyfully as she leaned slightly toward him. "What, too shy to hang out with two girls?"

  Drifter shrugged lightly. "Maybe…" his tone even.

  Alma burst into ughter, her voice bright and full of life, while Nadia stifled a small chuckle, a wide grin spreading across her face as she nudged Drifter’s arm with modignation. "Oh, e on, Drifter. You still look young—you’re not some old man!"

  Nadia nodded. "Please join us, if you don’t mind." her voice soft.

  Drifter gnced betweehe faint smile lingering as he exhaled. "Alright… let’s go."

  Ie afternoon, as Drifter and his paniohe academy aered hia City, his gaze fell oizens moving in groups. They wore sharp suits, emerging from the t crystalline building beled "Skygate Teologies." Others in matg attire also filed out of the "Magitronix" building nearby. The st of delicious food wafted from street stalls aaurants, while well-dressed individuals i suits ehe establishments.

  They made their way to hia Mall, buzzing with activity. As they entered, Drifter noticed a group of young girls in the shopping district, ughing and pointing at a bag with the "Levana" logo printed on it.

  They arrived at a wide, open spa the mall, where a lively ival buzzed with energy. Music, ughter, and the st of sweets filled the air. Families waeenagers roamed in groups, and Alma, brimming with excitement, pulled Drifter and Nadia from stall to stall—pying games, tasting strange foods, and diving into the vibrant ival.

  Drifter felt the pull of it all—a smile tugging at the er of his mouth as Alma’s iious enthusiasm drew him deeper into the ival. He couldn’t help but chuckle whe the jackpot, only for the prize to turn out as an exaggerated, ugly caricature of her. Nadia’s lips twitched upward in a slight smile. For a moment, the world felt lighter.

  They finally arrived at a photo booth, and Alma grabbed their hands, her grin wide with excitement. Drifter’s hand stiffened unfortably as Alma’s fingers curled around his, a brief fsh of heat c through him. His pulse quied at the ued touch.

  “Let’s take some pictures! It’s tradition!” Alma said with a smile, gng at him.

  Drifter g Nadia beside him, who smiled. He shifted, his gaze dartiween Alma and the ground, the uneasy tightness in his chest growing. But when he saw Alma’s face alight with joy, he couldn’t help but take a step forward.

  They posed: Alma held up a peace sign near her faadia pced her hands in front of her, and Drifter simply stood there.

  The camera fshed, and the attendant hahe photo to Alma. She walked over and sat on a nearby bench, her eyes already sing the picture with delight. Later, Alma carefully pced the new photo into a small album adorned with cute creature stickers, flipping through its pages with a tender smile.

  Drifter, intrigued, leaned closer. "An iing colle," he remarked.

  Alma beamed, holding out the album to him with boundless energy. "Wanna take a look?"

  Drifter opehe album, his fingers lightly brushing against the pages. Each photo featured Alma, or Alma with Nadia—images of them as children running through fields; as teenagers huddled over shared projects; and now, as young adults at the Academy, their expressions refleg shared triumphs and unwavering camaraderie.

  They left the mall, and as stars and shadows swallowed the sky, the city lights and holographic billboards cast a soft glow over the crystal buildings, streets, and sidewalks. Drifter noticed the area was nearly empty—no one on the pedestrian walkway except for them, and only a few alcheriders glided oreets. Then, suddenly, a loud voice shattered the quiet.

  “Now it’s nighttime. For your safety, please remain indoors at your designated residehank you.” The calm, female synth voice echoed through the city.

  Drifter gnced up at the nearby holographic billboard, which flickered to dispy the time: 22:00. He remembered the nights from the past... how the monsters grew fiercer with each passing hour. It seemed nothing had ged.

  Alma stepped closer. "Thanks, tonight was really special." her voice soft but filled with gratitude.

  Nadia gave Drifter a slight bow. “Goodnight, Alma… Drifter.” her voice barely a whisper.

  Drifter nodded. “Take care.” his voice soft but warm.

  He moved forward, walking alone, a faint smile tugging at the ers of his lips as the day's events unfolded in his mind. For a fleeting moment, he was elsewhere—a city bathed in golden light, where t golden temples reached toward the heavens. People in tunid flowing robes bustled past, some mounted on meical structs that hummed with life.

  He saw himself as a child, ughing with a friend who had wavy bck hair. They sprihrough a ival, weaviween vibrant stalls and joyful crowds, the air filled with the sounds of celebration.

  Then, his older self emerged, standing on a tower ptform, his gaze fixed on the heavens as the sky itself tore apart.

  Green lightning split the sky, and the air was thick with the stench of burning stone. Panid screams echoed in his mind as crimson-bck tendrils shed out, and creatures desded from the torn heavens.

  He rushed to the fallen, his hands glowing with blue light as he tried in vain to heal them, but it was futile.

  One by ohey slipped away. The golden city crumbled before him, its majestic spires turning to ash and fire.

  He ran toward what had once been home, but now, it was nothing but rubble. Nearby, he loo see the old man with brown hair and the woman with shoulder-length bck hair, but their warm smiles were gone forever. Only fragments of them remained, scattered in the debris—except for the rings, still resting on severed fingers and hands in the dirt, the only remnants Drifter could reize.

  Pressing forward through the agic crag around him, tendrils sshing the air—his gaze fell on the man with wavy bck hair. Struck by crimson tendrils, the man aged rapidly, his body withering until, at st, he crumbled into dust.

  As he returo the present, the faint smile that had briefly touched his lips disappeared. His fists ched, his jaw tightening, and he tinued walking, his gaze unwavering, locked firmly oh ahead.