Auren's eyes widened, seeing Lyrax."Wow… you made a red alert in Baku? How?"

Lyrax chuckled playfully, scratching his tummy."Nothing. The seer informed King Velmore. He thought the Leader of Litos had manipulated her vision."

Auren blinked, collected his thoughts… and then burst out laughing."Haha! What?"

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The temple air grew heavy. Lee Wang appeared, walking inside without opening the gates, as if he were transparent. Auren and Lyrax leaned over the balcony, watching.

Lee Wang's eyes were serious. Then, unexpectedly, a soft smile touched his lips."Don't think of me as a hard guy, Auren. I am only hard where it's needed."

Auren's gaze dropped in submissive respect.

Lee Wang raised his hand. Black clouds swirled above, forming ominous patterns. He clapped once.

Thummm!

The air around the temple seemed to glitch, tearing like paper. Auren staggered back, feeling the strange force even near him. Curiosity burned in his chest. What is happening?

Another clap echoed. The temple seemed to shift in an instant.

Children appeared, walking around as if from nowhere. Some froze near Auren.

"Hey! Hey, Sora! They just appeared!"

"Yes, Talen. They're near our room. I… I'm scared."

Talen's eyes burned with anger."No! I'm not afraid! Let's kick him! Yaaa!"

Auren stopped him with a single cold look. One strand of hair fell across his eye, catching the wind unnaturally."Never think about it," he said coldly, firmly.

Sora charged from the side, fist raised. Auren dodged effortlessly, poised to counter.

Lyrax's voice cut sharply through the tension: "Stop, both of you."

Their eyes widened as they noticed Lyrax standing with Auren."Oh… that's great," one muttered. "He's with him."

Some kids on the third floor froze, eyes wide, as if seeing ghosts. Auren and Lyrax had appeared from nowhere, their descent almost effortless. Most children stayed inside their rooms, unaware of the sudden presence, but a few on the balcony and corridors gasped in surprise. The main crowd gathered at the lower entrance, their chatter halting as they noticed the newcomers. The temple's air felt playful yet tense, as if it knew something extraordinary had arrived.

Lyrax's calm, simple voice cut through the murmurs."Sora, Talen, from now on, he is one of you. His name is Auren. Be nice to him."

Talen's eyes locked onto Auren, steady and piercing."I'll be watching your attitude," he said, his tone carrying both challenge and curiosity.

Auren tilted his head, eyes fixed on Talen. What is he thinking? The intensity in Talen's gaze made him curious, but he said nothing, keeping his expression neutral.

Sora, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, stepped forward with a warm smile."Oh! You're Auren! Very nice to meet you. You're welcome here," she said, her friendliness softening the tension in the air.

Talen's eyes lingered on Auren for a moment longer, then he gave a curt nod."I'll see you tomorrow," he said, grabbing Sora's hand and pulling her inside a room, closing the door quickly.

Lyrax chuckled softly."Don't think about them. It's just their way," he said.

Auren shrugged, a small smile forming."Hmm, it's fine."

Without warning, Lyrax grabbed Auren, and they floated down, gliding over the playful crowd below. The kids stared in awe as they descended, whispers spreading like wildfire. Auren's curiosity grew with each passing second, his eyes darting across faces, noting reactions and expressions.

Lee Wang appeared suddenly, transparent until fully materialized, standing beside them. His gaze was serious, sharp, yet there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. He rubbed Auren's head gently."Auren," he said softly, "train harder, and be friends with them. Learn from each other. Strength comes not only from power, but from bonds you build along the way."

Auren nodded, his mind racing. The playful chaos, the curious children, and the sheer presence of Lee Wang filled him with anticipation and determination. He was ready to step into the temple's life, learn its ways, and face whatever challenges awaited him.

*****

"From now on, you will be staying on the 3rd floor, Room 7. Your new life begins now. Life of discipline. Life of determination."

Lee Wang turned, walking away from the main gate of the temple. But even as he left, the massive gates slowly opened with his hands, moving as if the air itself obeyed him.

Lyrax floated beside Auren, voice calm."Auren… see you later."

Auren nodded, eyes still wide from the day's chaos."Thank you… for today. I learned so much. Thank you."

Lyrax chuckled softly."Hmm… still a long way to go." He shot upward, flying out of the temple into the sky, disappearing.

Auren sat back on the stairs, hand resting on his head. His gaze fell on the ancient carvings etched into the stone around him."Shit… I forgot to ask about them," he muttered to himself. "I'll ask tomorrow for sure."

He stood, turning toward the staircase. Room 7. He paused, glancing at the numbers: 5… 6… 7. He walked forward, each step echoing in the quiet corridor.

Finally, he reached the door. Room 7. Hand raised, he knocked once, sharp and deliberate."Knock… knock."

The gate creaked open, and Auren stepped inside.

On the other side, he saw a boy sprawled across the bed, wearing all black, his clothes loose and unbothered. His hair looked like a bird had nested in it, messy in every possible direction. One of his ears carried a black-and-blue crystal piercing, catching the light faintly.

The boy lazily opened one eye, his other still half shut, while his hand scratched the back of his head. His voice came out slow, drowsy, as though he had just been pulled out of a dream.

"Who are you?"

"I am Auren," he replied with confidence, taking a step forward. "And you?"

The boy yawned, then mumbled out his name, dragging the syllables.

"I am Dax."

"I am your new roommate, Dax," Auren explained, trying to sound polite.

At that, Dax suddenly sat up, like someone had pressed a button to wake him fully. His eyes widened, and his lips curved into a lazy grin.

"What? Again? A new member? Welcome, welcome, buddy!" He clapped his hands once, like it was some grand celebration.

Before Auren could even reply, a sharp voice came from the corner of the room.

"What new member? Not at all."

Auren turned his head and noticed a girl standing there, arms folded, face annoyed as if this wasn't the first time she had been surprised like this. Her glare went from Dax to Auren, then back to Dax again.

Dax waved his hand lazily at her, brushing off her anger like dust. "Nyra, he's a boy. He's my buddy. What's the problem with you?"

Nyra looked sharp that day, her pale skin glowing under the light, a loose black jacket hanging off one shoulder, a silver chain glinting at her neck. Her hair was tied in a quick high ponytail, a few strands falling freely across her face, and the smirk on her lips carried that cool, untouchable vibe—as if she really was the queen of the room.

He turned back to Auren and gave him a playful wink. "You're my buddy, right, Auren?"

Auren froze for a moment. The whole situation was too sudden

*************

Shared Dorm with Dividers (Balanced & Realistic)

A big rectangular room.

Beds arranged along the walls (like 2–3 on each side).

Between each bed, there's a wooden partition, curtain, or crystal wall (since your world has glowing things, you can use glowing partitions).

In the center, a common table or couch where they talk, eat snacks, or play games.

Each side has its own small wardrobe/locker.

******************

Nyra grinded – oh god, why, boy…Auren waved – hi, Nyra. Master Wang sent me.

Nyra – ok, hi, I am the queen of this room, you better listen to me.

Dax copied her style – yai yai yai, better listen, queen of nowhere.

Nyra – Hey, you shut ur mouth.

Dax – make me, crownless queen.

Good for nothing, loser, trynaa be cool girl.

You know her, she is not female, she is like some dude hiding in a girl's body..

Nyra picked up he pillow and smashed it right on his head – take this, king of idiots!

Auren laughed, scratching his head – umm… am I in the wrong room or a madhouse?

Nyra turned back, hands on her waist – welcome to room no.7, madhouse is free, rules are strict, mess is endless.

Dax – and I'm the one who keeps this place alive. Without me, all boring.

Nyra rolled her eyes – alive? More like annoying.

Auren – …I see my new life starting already.

Nyra: "You know, Auren… he has a bad habit of..Dax (quickly covers her mouth, laughing nervously): "It's nothing, Auren… really nothing."Nyra (bites his palm, muffled but fierce): "He has a habit of—"

Auren tilts his head, eyes narrowing with interest."Of what…?"

Silence hangs in the room. Nyra smirks, Dax sweats, and before a word escapes, the door slams open.

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