Kirie Isogai-Neo-Tunia, Ignatia, and Nyx ventured deeper into Empyrea Solis's leisure offerings, drifting along lazy rivers that wound through glowing grottoes, braving riptide surfing where waves crashed with arcane fury, and skimming across waveboards that skimmed atop shimmering pools.
Countless activities unfolded in a blur of shared laughter—bright peals echoing over the water—and fleeting embarrassment, like when Kirie's visor slipped during a wipeout, sparking Ignatia's teasing grin and Nyx's stifled smirk. These moments wove a thread of camaraderie, a positive first impression knitting the trio closer beneath the tropical sun.
As the hours stretched on, Nyx and Ignatia found their regard for Kirie softening, drawn not just by his gentlemanly charm—his quick apologies, his steadying hands—but by that elusive, golden scent clinging to him.
It lingered in the air, sweet and intoxicating, stirring their senses in ways neither could name nor fully grasp, an unspoken pull that shadowed them through the afternoon's revelry, unnoticed yet undeniable.
Evening descended, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, and the freshmen gathered in Empyrea Solis's grand dining hall. The vast chamber sprawled beneath a vaulted ceiling aglow with enchanted chandeliers, its long tables set to serve all two thousand students with seamless efficiency.
Magically charged AI robot waiters—sleek, rhombus-shaped figures from the playpark—glided across the polished floor, their metallic surfaces reflecting the warm light as they delivered steaming platters and chilled goblets.
Technology and enchantment hummed in harmony, ensuring every plate arrived hot, every drink perfectly timed, as the hall buzzed with the lively chatter of a well-earned respite.
The Five Stars—Kirie Isogai-Neo-Tunia, Ignatia, Nyx, Zenric, and Alden—had grown familiar enough to claim a table together, settling across from one another beneath the dining hall's enchanted chandeliers.
Zenric and Alden, quieter presences earlier in the day, now joined the trio with a newfound ease, their voices weaving into the warm hum of conversation as platters clinked and AI waiters glided past.
"I thought you'd be a vegetarian, Zenny!" Ignatia teased, peering down at Zenric's plate with a playful tilt of her head. His modest meat platter gleamed under the light—slices of marinated beef, tender pork, and juicy chicken nestled alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a vibrant heap of greens, their colors popping against the white ceramic.
Ignatia's own bowl cradled an energizing stew, its rich, spicy aroma curling upward, a comforting balm for her boundless vigor. She stirred it absently, her golden-brown eyes glinting with mock surprise.
"Meat from natural animals is also nature's will, Ignatia," Zenric replied, his voice a calm ripple as he closed his eyes, savoring a bite of beef. The juices burst across his tongue, earthy and robust, a quiet communion with the world he revered. "I accept everything nature offers—always have." His short-sleeved hoodie rustled faintly as he leaned forward, the Son of Gaia's serene acceptance grounding the table's lively energy.
"Good eats, good sleeps…" Alden mumbled, his groggy drawl drifting over the clatter. He twirled chopsticks through a steaming bowl of ramen, noodles slipping lazily into his soup spoon before he slurped them down with a soft, indulgent smack.
The broth shimmered with tender protein—slivers of pork melting into the warmth—its richness suiting the Blue Flash's lethargic style, a perfect match for the sleepy slump of his shoulders and the blue-tipped hair framing his half-lidded eyes.
Nyx sat in silence, her dark eyes fixed on Kirie Isogai-Neo-Tunia with furrowed brows, a quiet storm brewing beneath her composed exterior. She prodded her lasagna with a fork, its creamy layers yielding under the tines—cheesy and rich, stacked with tender pasta, flecked generously with vibrant greens and a dusting of parmesan that crumbled like savory snow.
Each bite brought a flicker of satisfaction, a small comfort against the unease prickling her senses as she watched him, her robe turning back into a cape.
"Wow...!" Kirie, by contrast, gulped at the feast that dwarfed the varied plates of his companions. A towering hamburger loomed before him, its juicy patty spilling over the bun, flanked by a heap of animal-style fries—crisp, golden, and dripping with melted cheese and tangy sauce. Beside it rested an 8-inch burrito, its tortilla straining to contain a riot of flavors: spiced meat, rice, and beans bulging beneath the surface.
"All of this...!" One might question such audacious choices for dinner, yet the sparkling galaxy of delight in his lilac-cyan eyes silenced any doubt. His mouth watered at the mere thought of diving in, a hungry gleam cutting through the hall's warm glow as he gripped his utensils, ready to savor the chaotic symphony of tastes. "For me...!"
And so they ate, each of the Five Stars—Kirie, Ignatia, Nyx, Zenric, and Alden—diving into their meals with distinct rhythms, styles, and depths of relish. The table became a stage, their dining a performance mirroring the flair that had crowned them superstars in the Astrum Valoria.
Kirie attacked his towering burger and burrito with gusto, tearing into the chaos of flavors with swift, eager bites, his fries vanishing in a blur of cheese and sauce.
Ignatia savored her stew in hearty spoonfuls, her fiery energy tempered by the comfort of each warm, spicy gulp.
Nyx picked at her lasagna with measured precision, fork piercing the creamy layers as she relished the subtle interplay of cheese and greens, her pace deliberate yet appreciative.
Zenric, ever the calm center, chewed his meat platter slowly, each slice of beef or pork a meditative act. His eyes were half-closed as he honored nature's bounty with quiet reverence.
Alden slumped lazily over his ramen, slurping noodles in languid, indulgent drags. The broth dribbled faintly as he leaned into the warmth, his chopsticks twirling with a sleepy grace.
Together, they shone—literal stars of the show, each bite a testament to their individuality. Their presence filled the grand hall with the same brilliance that had lit up the trials, now grounded in the simple act of a shared meal. With them, the freshmen also enjoyed their scrumptious meals, the hall a treasure trove of budding friendships, comrades, and rivalries.
After what felt like an hour, colorful flowers whisk past the students to direct their attention towards the other end of the dining hall. Deb stood at its center, brought up by a circular plate that elevated him.
"Good evening, my glowing freshmen."
The familiar, flamboyant voice of Principal Deb once again captured the attention of all present, ringing out with warmth and theatrical charm. He stood beneath the glittering chandelier of the Empyrea Solis Grand Dining Hall, arms wide open like a showman at the peak of his act.
The hall glimmered with soft golden lighting, casting a glow upon polished floors, enchanted floral centerpieces, and tables laden with lavish, ever-replenishing cuisine—meals prepared by an elegant synergy of robotic assistants and magical chefs whose wands flicked rhythmically in the background.
Deb's eyes twinkled beneath his half-moon spectacles as he addressed the gathered sea of students, many still glowing—whether from magical residue or sheer exhaustion.
"Rest well tonight," he said with a playful, knowing smile, "for tomorrow, you will be brought back to the Ember Trials! I eagerly await the fire you'll bring—revitalized, renewed, and ready to burn ever brighter. Remember! Burn long and burn bright, my students... and you too will shape the world in the image of your dreams."
With a flamboyant spin of his cane and a snap of his fingers, Deb vanished in a cloud of glittering stardust, the scent of roses and burnt cinnamon lingering faintly in the air.
A gentle chime rang through the dining hall, signaling the end of the communal feast and prompting the students to rise.
Magical displays guided them to the gender-separated dormitories, opulent structures nestled just beyond the tranquil lounges and arcane bathhouses. Each building gleamed under the moonlight, constructed from a fusion of white crystal and smooth obsidian, humming faintly with protective enchantments.
While the rest of the students filtered off toward their temporary accommodations with chatter and laughter trailing behind them, Kirie slipped away from the crowd, his expression contemplative.
He wasn't heading to his dorm.
Instead, he followed the winding corridor that snaked beneath the Empyrea Solis, lit by floating lanterns imbued with wind runes that stirred gently with his passing. Aunt Elspeth's words echoed in his mind, firm and fond: "You need to make those adjustments now, Kirie. That armor won't survive the next trial unless you give it teeth."