Rojin led me through the house, the firm wooden floor creaking softly beneath our steps. Narrow planks lay pressed together in a staggered, uneven pattern, exuding a rustic charm that gave the place an almost hand-crafted feel.
Lanterns lined the walls, giving off a gentle, cool-yellow glow—yet their precision hinted at a modern touch, much like the doors we passed. The blend of tradition and subtle technology strange, but interesting all at once.
“So… I’m going to have to wear your clothes?” I asked, giving Rojin’s outfit a long, skeptical once-over.
He glanced over his shoulder with barely a pause. “What? Something wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“I wouldn’t say that… just, a little different,” I replied, shaking my head with a faint grin.
He wore a thick, indigo-blue robe that flowed all the way down to his ankles, the hem swaying gently as he walked. Black cloth boots peeked out from beneath, barely visible. His chest was partially exposed beneath the robe’s open collar, but whether it was by intention or comfort, I couldn’t tell. I just hoped it wasn’t a tactic to show off the well-defined muscle underneath.
Then again… maybe Thea would approve if I did that...
We passed through several more doors while my mind wandered, gravitating toward how long it had been since my last real training session. There was so much to reassess. My Inner World and the World Seed—both constantly evolving, fueled by the orbs and the lingering Voice Race soul.
That boy. That man who had suffered for so long. Why had he used me as a conduit, sending that strange signal to Kris after just a moment of contact? Why was he helping me? What did he want from me?
The void-tentacles had aided me, and for that alone, I wouldn’t hesitate to return the favor if I could. But I had no idea what he might want?
Then there was my elemental control. The current method, channeling energy through plant roots, felt more like a makeshift patch than a true solution. Before, there had been the core-swapping. When one was at the helm, it gained a greater dominance. That had to be a clue to something.
Natural Force was an upgrade to my capabilities, one clearly meant to enhance rather than simply sustain. That seemed to be its defining trait.
And of course, there was my automatic purification. How far was I from reaching Fire Force Body Refinement? That next step loomed, but it felt just out of reach. I still hadn’t explored the full potential of explosive energy either.
A way to channel it away from me using its passive form that could do some real damage during battle. There was potential to it. That much was obvious by the amount of hurt it could dish out to just myself.
The memory of Griffith’s words struck me hard, my heart thudding in response.
I have been too relaxed. There is still so much room to grow, and I’ve been messing around too much to do it properly. Sooner or later, that’s going to catch up with me.
We crossed a few more thresholds before arriving at a small room, modest in design but practically glowing in my eyes. A wide bed rested in the center, draped in clean white sheets with two neatly arranged pillows. The frame was simple. The mattress itself looked like a perfect balance between plush and firm, neither too thick nor too thin.
“My god…” I breathed. The awe in my voice was involuntary. I just… hadn’t seen a real bed like that in what felt like forever.
Rojin turned, his expression shifting as his eyes widened. “What the hell are you crying about?!”
I quickly raised an arm, brushing away the sudden wetness at the corners of my eyes.
“It’s just… beautiful, you know?”
“Uhhh, y—yeah, thanks,” he stammered, visibly puzzled.
It wasn’t his fault. You don’t really know what you’ve lost until it’s gone. Months of sleeping on hard-packed earth, tangled in itchy grass and waking up sore to biting winds. Yeah, not exactly restful. And as much as it stung to admit, even Miss Star’s inn hadn’t offered a bed with a mattress that could rival this one.
I didn’t need to test it to know.
Rojin paid no mind to my awe-struck appreciation of the room’s simple luxuries. Instead, he moved to a sliding paper door and pushed it aside with a crisp swish. It hit the wall with a soft thud as he knelt and began rifling through a tightly packed collection of near-identical robes.
“Not big on variety, huh?” I muttered with a soft chuckle, watching him sift through the sea of sameness.
His fingers brushed along several more garments before shoving a thick cluster aside, revealing a fresh row tucked deeper inside. Sleek black robes accented with elegant white trimming. Jet black wasn’t usually my style, but I had to admit, the contrast in stitching gave it a surprising edge.
“I do,” he replied, correcting me with a casual tone as he pulled one of the darker robes free. “There’s this one, or I’ve got some white and gold sets too, but…”
He trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
I extended my hand, smiling with thanks. “A bit too flashy, maybe?”
He chuckled softly, handing me the garment before turning away to rummage further, pulling from a tidy row of boots. There had to be ten or more pairs stuffed in there. Was he a collector? Or just seriously committed to one look? Maybe there were other compartments.
“Yeah, those are usually for special ceremonies,” he explained, validating the theory I hadn’t spoken aloud.
“Like a date?” I teased, already peeling off the rags wrapped across my torso. I kept on the essentials, but everything else came off as I shrugged into the robe, cinching the sash snugly at my waist.
He replied just as I approached a nearby mirror to get a proper look at myself.
With a low grunt, he muttered, “Yeah, I guess. You—I haven’t seen Synthia look at someone like that before.”
I slowly swayed from side to side, admiring the robe’s cut and movement. It hung with a graceful weight, soft to the touch, yet clearly made of something durable. I gave it a firm tug just to test it—solid. Reinforced, maybe? Was it like Mei’s outfits that could withstand a direct explosion?
“What look?” I asked, eyeing myself again, mentally making a note to repay Rojin for this generosity. Not that I had any real intention of giving the robe back since it felt too comfortable. And, well, the lower portion had enough freedom
to make a return unlikely on principle. A little too much exposure from my ripped garments.“It’s nothing,” he deflected, turning as he held out a set of loose-fitting training pants and matching footwear. I accepted both without hesitation.
I slipped into the new clothes, grinning as I glanced his way. “You’re a lot easier to talk to than you look, you know that?”
He scowled in response. A scowl I was beginning to suspect was less about mood and more just his default expression. Still, that first encounter hadn’t exactly been warm.
“Most people say I’m terrible at it,” he admitted bluntly. His gaze slid over me, assessing. After a long pause, he gave a short nod of approval. “That should be acceptable. We’ll discuss payment later.”
I gave the sash one last pull and turned to admire the finished look in the mirror again.
“Guess I’ll have to figure out what kind of currency you all use around here.” Then an idea hit, and I spun to face him. “There are other ways I can pay, you know.”
He blinked.
So did I.
“W—what?” he stammered, instinctively stepping back a pace.
I stepped forward to match, noticing we stood almost eye to eye.
“I mean, I could teach you something. Something that might actually benefit a warrior like you,” I clarified, my grin widening. He had the bearing of a fighter. Anyone with half a sense could tell that much. And a little instruction in World Force? That could only make him stronger.
He quickly raised his hands in protest, palms out like I’d accused him of something. “No, that’s okay. We can just use normal trades.”
I paused. “Uh… yeah, that’s what I meant. You’re not interested in learning techniques from beyond your borders? Unique energy methods that aren’t used here?”
He froze, catching me off guard. “Oh.” A couple of rapid blinks. “Oooooh. Yeah, that’ll work.”
Yeahhh, his communication skills were… eccentric at best.
This fabric feels nice, Luna murmured, her petals brushing lightly against the dark robe’s surface. You should wear things like this more often.
No argument here, I replied. Before we head back, I’m grabbing as many of these outfits as I can.
And that bed… maybe a carpenter too. Hm. I really should start a list.
I wasn’t even sure if Serith could bring others back with us, but there had to be a way to travel between the two nations. In her era, there had at least been communication between the Bridge of Caedia and those distant places in the visions from the Dragon Vein.
The Kingdom of Stars and here.
“Good,” I said, nodding. “Then I’ll teach you something before I leave. Mei knows a few techniques too, so if I run out of time, you can always ask her.”
Rojin moved toward the doorway leading back into the hallway and slid it open.
“You’re better than I expected,” he said over his shoulder. “The master—” He paused, letting out a long, slow breath as he stepped into the corridor. “He never had anything kind to say about other Champions.”
I followed, lingering for a few moments longer just to savor the feel of fresh air drifting in from the windows. A crisp breeze swept through the hall, soft and cool, threading through the already pleasant warmth.
He continued walking.
“Mei worked hard—really hard, but she never even fought a beast on her own. Her father was always close by, watching.”
I caught the meaning easily. “She’s strong,” I said, “but she’s never had to risk her life?”
“Exactly.”
A pause settled between us, the hush of wind rushing through the corridor offering a kind of wordless punctuation. It whistled gently between the wood beams, a sound that only emphasized the stillness around us.
“Then why did her father agree?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “Why let her enter something this dangerous?”
He dropped his head, and since he walked ahead of me, I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
“Maybe… maybe he thought the Ancestor had already done too much for him. I don’t know.”
It was clearly more complicated than I’d assumed. But still, to gamble your child’s life for any reason? I couldn’t think of a single justification that made it acceptable. And yet, in the State of Stars, most parents held no traditional bond with their children.
Just… a cultural difference, I told myself.
Rojin opened the next door, and we stepped into a welcoming room filled with warm light and the scent of food lingering in the air. A large man, a young woman, and a smaller girl sat alert around a long, low table adorned with rich, red plush cushions.
“PETER!”
Mei’s voice exploded into the space like a firecracker, her shout ringing through the room with enough force to nearly rupture my eardrums.
My benefactor winced, rubbing the side of his head. “She’s never that happy to see me. What the hell’s your secret?”