The academy sparkled under the twilight sky. The four who were once ordinary college students—Shane, Luna, Rio, and Xin—now walked the halls as refined royalty. Dressed in elegant robes, their eyes sharper, their presence heavier, they shined like celestial gems.
But even with all the attention, Shane couldn't sleep.
A Glowing Night
Shane slipped out from her room in silence, barefoot against cold tiles. Her instincts pulled her outside the palace, past the training ground, into a forest where the wind whispered and the moonlight shimmered.
There, in a clearing, stood Wei Hansol—his figure calm, his glowing blade dancing through the air with power and precision. Each slash cut through the night, leaving golden trails that floated like fireflies.
Shane stepped out from the shadows, arms crossed.
"You always train this late?" she asked with a smirk.
Hansol didn't flinch. "Only when I need to think."
"I guess I'm thinking too," she said, walking into the moonlight. "Care to spar?"
He nodded once.
Swords clashed, power echoed through the clearing. Sparks flew—not just from the blades, but from something deeper. Shane's fiery spirit awakened mid-duel. Her aura burst into flames—golden and crimson, alive and radiant.
Wei Hansol's eyes widened. His own golden aura began to swirl, wrapping around hers like a silent melody. The ground beneath them lit up with glowing runes.
A voice, ancient and soft, echoed around them:
"When stars clash, destiny awakens."
They froze—breathing heavy, a heartbeat apart.
Wei Hansol's voice was low, serious. "Your power... it responds to mine."
Shane blinked, startled. "What does that mean?"
Before he could answer, Selen stepped out from behind the trees, her silver hair glowing in the moonlight.
"You two… you just triggered the Realm Echo."
Shane frowned. "Realm Echo?"
"It's a sign," Selen said. "Your bond has begun."
Luna's Moonlight Vision
Far from the forest, Luna sat alone in her room, sketching under candlelight. As her pencil moved, a glow shimmered across the page. The drawing changed on its own—showing her standing beneath a full moon beside a quiet noble with silver eyes.
Her breath caught.
"Yen Yu…" she whispered without knowing how she knew his name.
The sketchbook glowed again, revealing a palace made of moonstone, and a crescent sigil floating above them.
Luna pressed her hand to the image. Her heart raced.
"I've seen this place before… in my dreams."
To Be Continued...