Aston awoke to the gentle hum of energy that pulsed through the walls of the dormitory. It wasn't loud—just a soft, ever-present thrum like a heartbeat, signaling the flow of spiritual energy. For a moment, he lay still, listening to the subtle noises: the quiet whir of climate control, the distant sounds of running water from neighboring rooms. And the occasional chirp of the spirit birds outside the window.

As he exited the room, Gray leapt on his shoulders while Mirage flew outside. He walked towards the central plaza of the academy, dressed in his uniform and robes. Mirage perched on a lamppost near the monument.

He didn't have to wait for long.

"Good morning," Seria greeted, her voice lifting as she approached. Her yellow hair glistened in the sun. On her head, the Prismatic Butterfly in its dormant form, just sat there like a hairpin. It matched her in both grace and quiet power.

Aston nodded, "Morning. You're early."

"I said I would be. Besides," she added with a smirk, "someone said this city is worth seeing in the daylight."

Rowan arrived a few moments later, hands in his pockets and a lazy grin on his face, Verdy, his Verdaline Moss Lemur, was clinging to his back like a fluffy scarf, its moss-colored tail flicking with sleepy indifference.

"Sorry I'm late," Rowan said with a dramatic yawn. "Verdy wouldn't stop chewing on my collar this morning."

Verdy squeaked innocently in response, blinking his leafy eyes as if to deny everything.

"Alright," Aston said, glancing around. "Let's tour Halcyon Reach."

They started by descending into one of the gently sloping walkways that led from the upper terraces of the academy. From above, it looked like a gleaming cascade of glass and stone, alive with the pulse of spirit energy. Unlike the weathered cobblestones of Shale City, everything here felt deliberate, infused with both artistry and function.

"Back home, the roads cracked if you looked at them wrong," Aston mused aloud. "This place? You could probably do cartwheels on the ceiling and not leave a scratch."

"Tempting," Rowan joked, cracking his knuckles.

"I'd pay to see that," Seria said, hiding a smile.

They passed by rows of floating signs advertising beast-taming salons, alchemical cafes, and scroll shops that offered everything from aura protectors to spirit enhancers. Students milled around, some with powerful beasts trailing behind them, others with small companions perched on shoulders or wrists.

Gray basked in the attention he got from the passersby, flicking its tail cutely and giving an occasional chirp of satisfaction. Mirage, ever watchful, glided silently behind them, occasionally swooping closer to scan the surroundings.

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"Your cat is really cute."

"I want to pet it!"

"Aww, babe, can you get a kitten for me?"

A bunch of ladies approached the group and all their attention was on Gray. Some tried to touch the cat, but were swiped away by the furry paws.

"Well, your cat commands attention," Seria commented.

Aston just shrugged and told the ladies that they needed to be someplace and would like to proceed walking, so the crowd dispersed.

"Well, Verdy can't compete with that, he's still asleep. He's storing energy for a sprint that'll scare someone later," Rowan said.

They moved forward and stopped at a market square where spirit beast treats and spiritual food stalls lined the plaza. The aroma of roasted flamefruit dumplings, and sizzling broth-laced skewers filled the air.

"I vote we eat first," Rowan declared. "Touring on an empty stomach is a sin."

No one argued.

They bought dumplings filled with spicy blue radish and charred beast tripe—strange combinations, but surprisingly delicious. Aston ordered grilled grass wraps, while Gray happily tore into a bowl of fish flakes. Mirage, elegant as always, plucked dried rodents from a specialized vendor with an approving hoot. Verdy nibbled on a bundle of glowing mint moss that left green flecks on Rowan's collar.

"This is miles better than what I had in Shale," Aston said between bites. "We had skewers, bread, and… that's about it."

"I grew up in a port city," Seria said, sipping a chilled spiritfruit drink." Most of our meals were seafood. Fresh. Or stolen by Swell Wing Seagulls."

"Ooh, no wonder your family's rich. A port city is a trade city," Rowan jested. "Mine's a mountain town. Everything's salted. Even the bread."

The laughter came easily. For a moment, they weren't students on the cusp of exams or initiates climbing toward elite ranks—they were just teenagers, sharing food and stories.

After the meal, they continued exploring—through the Scholar's Spiral, a spiraling structure of floating platforms and suspended gardens,; the Artisan's Row, where forgemasters crafted armors and tools using spirit-infused ores; the City Arena, where anyone can fight with their spirit beasts.

Seria paused near the railing, watching a sparring session. "Do you think we'll be that strong one day?"

Aston answered quietly, "We'll have to be."

Rowan patted Verdy's head. "We have already started. We'll have to take it one step at a time."

As the sun began to dip toward the western cliffs, the group slowly made their way back toward the dormitory terraces. The golden light cast long shadows, but none of them seemed in a rush.

Seria turned toward Aston as they reached the fork to their individual buildings. "Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," he confirmed.

"Don't be late," Rowan called with a smirk, walking backward as Verdy clung lazily to his shoulders.

"You're the one who's late!" Seria smiled.

Aston stood still for a moment, watching them leave. Gray purred against his neck, and Mirage gently shifted its wings.

The day had been simple. No crises. No secrets. Just quiet joy, shared steps, and kindred spirits.

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