After another hour of flight over the vast expanse of the sea, the island finally came into view.
Dominion Isle.
A massive landmass stretched beneath them, surrounded by the deep blue of the ocean. Towering mountains pierced the sky at its center, their jagged peaks crowned with mist. Dense forests covered much of the island, their emerald canopies concealing whatever mysteries lay within. Rivers cut through the landscape like veins, feeding into sparkling lakes and winding streams. Even from this altitude, Velren could make out the shifting terrain—open plains, craggy cliffs, and dark marshlands, all forming a battleground unlike any other.
'Wow…'
The island was far larger than he had imagined. It wasn't just some training ground—it was an entire battlefield waiting to test them.
***
With a heavy whir, the airship began its descent, and after a few minutes, it finally landed upon the golden sands of the island's coastline. The moment the ramp was lowered, students began pouring out onto the beach, their gazes darting around to take in their surroundings.
Velren stepped onto the warm sand, feeling the faint ocean breeze against his face. The salty scent of the sea mixed with the earthy aroma of the nearby jungle, creating an oddly refreshing contrast. The shoreline stretched far in both directions, curving into rocky outcrops on one side and leading into dense foliage on the other. Waves crashed rhythmically against the shore, their sound blending with the murmurs of students already discussing their plans.
Somewhere beyond the tree line, hidden deep within the island's vast terrain, their real challenge awaited.
***
As per the instructors' instructions, the teams from each class were scattered across the beach, positioned a fair distance away from one another as they awaited further orders. The tension in the air was almost palpable—some students spoke in hushed voices, likely strategizing, while others merely stood in silence, watching and waiting.
Velren glanced at Eterna, who stood beside him with her usual composed demeanor. After a brief hesitation, he decided to speak up.
"Should we, uh… explain each other's Ka?" he asked.
As usual, an awkward silence lingered between them.
Just as he started wondering whether she would even answer, Eterna finally responded.
"I don't mind—"
Before she could finish, a ray of light suddenly descended upon them. No—not just them.
It engulfed every single first-year present.
A blinding radiance swallowed their entire figures.
Velren's breath hitched.
"What the hell—?"
And just like that, his entire surroundings blurred.
***
Velren opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as he struggled to control the overwhelming light that still lingered in his vision. His body felt oddly weightless for a moment before sensation returned to his limbs.
He exhaled, collecting his bearings as he pushed himself upright. But when he finally took in his surroundings—
The beach was gone.
Towering trees now surrounded him, their thick canopies blocking most of the sunlight and casting shifting patterns of shadow across the forest floor. Vines curled around massive trunks, and the faint hum of insects buzzed in the air. The earthy scent of damp soil was also replaced the salty tang of the ocean breeze.
"Wha—what the hell just happened?!"
"Teleportation," a calm voice answered.
Velren turned, finding Eterna standing nearby, unshaken as she dusted off her sleeves.
So that blinding light had transported them here, deeper into the island?
"Couldn't they give us a little heads-up at least?" he muttered.
Eterna glanced at Velren before speaking.
"Let me see the sigil."
Velren blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden request.
Still, he complied, reaching into his pocket and handing over the metallic emblem.
Eterna took it with careful hands, tracing her fingers on the intricate engravings. The faint glow of Ka pulsed within the sigil, and the numbers etched on its surface—acting as their remaining time—ticked down steadily.
Velren watched as she examined it in silence.
After a brief pause, he asked:
"Do you... have any plans in mind?"
Eterna's gaze remained fixed on the sigil in her hands. Then, without looking up, she spoke.
"When Stars Decide."
Velren blinked.
"...What?"
She finally lifted her head, meeting his eyes with a calm, unreadable expression.
"That's the name of my Vital Crest."
Velren remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"My Ka allows me to manipulate light," she said, turning the sigil over in her palm.
"I can shape it, condense it, make it move the way I want."
She lifted a finger, and a small wisp of golden-white light flickered into existence above it. The glow was soft yet steady, hovering just above her skin like a tiny star. As Velren watched, the light pulsed faintly, shifting in intensity as if responding to some unseen rhythm.
"It's not just ordinary illumination," she continued.
"I can solidify it, sharpen it, or even make it linger in a place for a while. And…"
She hesitated for a moment before adding:
"Sometimes, I get… a sense of when danger is near."
Velren raised an eyebrow.
"Like a... sixth sense?"
Eterna exhaled slightly, her gaze still focused on the light in her hand.
"It's not that clear. I don't see visions or anything. It's more like… a shift in the air. A feeling in the back of my mind. I just—know when something is coming, even if I don't always understand what it is."
She closed her fingers, snuffing out the wisp of light.
"It doesn't happen all the time, and I can't control very well. But when it does, it's never wrong."
She returned her gaze to the sigil in her hand, tracing her fingers on its engravings. The faint glow of Ka pulsed beneath her touch.
Velren watched her in silence, his thoughts still lingering on what she had just revealed. An ability to manipulate light, combined with an innate sense of incoming danger… that was a powerful combination. One that could turn a losing battle into a winning one.
But now, it was his turn.
Velren exhaled slowly. How much should he share?
He had no reason to hide his Ka completely, but at the same time, he wasn't exactly eager to lay everything out. Some things were better left... unsaid.
After a brief hesitation, he finally spoke.
"A World Not Mine."