The afternoon sun had begun its slow descent.
Golden rays stretched across the ancient grounds of Aetherial Institute.
Students filled the stone pathways like flowing rivers.
Some carried books.
Others carried weapons.
Many carried both.
The distant sound of training echoed from various practice grounds.
Laughter drifted through the academy.
Arguments about examinations filled the air.
Academy life continued peacefully.
At least on the surface.
Meanwhile—
Kel walked through the central academic district.
His destination was clear.
Luna.
The final member of the party.
Far beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren's voice appeared.
"This should be easy."
Kel raised an eyebrow internally.
"Why?"
"Valeryn accepted."
The goddess sounded amused.
"Karos will accept anything interesting."
"Lucien considers explosions a hobby."
A brief pause followed.
"Compared to them, Luna seems normal."
Kel immediately shook his head.
"No."
"No?"
"Luna is the hardest one."
Silence followed.
Then Seiren laughed.
"Of course she is."
The silver-haired young man continued walking.
Because Luna possessed something rare.
Something powerful.
Something troublesome.
Common sense.
And convincing people with common sense was often more difficult than convincing reckless fools.
Eventually—
The academy library appeared.
An enormous structure of white stone and enchanted crystal.
Towering shelves could be seen through the massive windows.
Countless students entered and exited daily.
Knowledge itself seemed to reside within its walls.
Kel wasn't surprised.
Because Luna was exactly where he expected her to be.
Near one of the side gardens.
Beneath a flowering silverleaf tree.
Reading.
Naturally.
The black-haired girl sat upon a stone bench.
Several books rested beside her.
Others floated nearby through magic.
Notes filled pages around her.
The sight looked less like studying and more like preparing for war.
Kel approached quietly.
The crunch of gravel beneath his boots made Luna look up.
Blue eyes met silver eyes.
A smile immediately appeared.
"Aedon."
Kel nodded.
"Luna."
The black-haired girl closed her book.
"You are surprisingly difficult to find when classes end."
Kel considered.
"People keep dragging me into things."
Luna laughed.
The answer sounded genuine.
And unfortunately—
Probably true.
The girl studied him for several moments.
Then noticed something.
"Aedon."
"Hm?"
"You're planning something."
The accusation arrived instantly.
Kel blinked.
"Why would you think that?"
Luna pointed toward him.
"Because that's the exact expression you make whenever you're about to ask someone for help."
The observation stunned him slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Far beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren immediately began laughing.
"She figured you out."
Kel ignored her.
Meanwhile Luna folded her arms.
"Now tell me."
The black-haired girl leaned forward slightly.
"What dangerous thing are you planning?"
Kel sighed.
Then sat down nearby.
The silverleaf tree swayed gently above them.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
Creating dancing shadows upon the ground.
Eventually—
He answered.
"I want to raid a dungeon."
Silence.
Luna stared.
Then stared harder.
Then closed her eyes.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
When she opened them again—
Disappointment filled her gaze.
"Aedon."
"What?"
"I was hoping the answer would be something normal."
The silver-haired young man looked confused.
"Dungeons are normal."
"No."
The answer arrived instantly.
"They absolutely are not."
Kel decided not to argue.
Because technically—
She had a point.
Luna rubbed her forehead.
Then asked—
"What kind of dungeon?"
Kel remained honest.
"A haunted dungeon."
The black-haired girl immediately stood.
"Aedon, I have decided not to participate."
Kel blinked.
The speed of rejection impressed him.
Very efficient.
Luna pointed toward him.
"Do you know how many terrible stories begin with those words?"
The black-haired girl began counting.
"Haunted ruins."
One finger.
"Ancient crypt."
Second finger.
"Mysterious cave."
Third finger.
"Abandoned mansion."
Fourth finger.
"Forbidden dungeon."
Fifth finger.
Her expression became serious.
"Nobody ever enters those places and says everything went wonderfully."
Kel couldn't disagree.
Because she was correct.
Painfully correct.
Luna sat down again.
Then sighed.
"You know what bothers me?"
Kel listened.
The girl looked toward him.
"The fact you sound completely calm."
Her blue eyes narrowed.
"Whenever ordinary people mention haunted dungeons they become nervous."
A pause followed.
"You sound like you're discussing lunch."
Far beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren immediately agreed.
"She's right."
Kel ignored both of them.
Then answered.
"The dungeon isn't my main concern."
Luna blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Kel leaned slightly forward.
His expression became more serious.
"Tell me honestly."
The black-haired girl listened.
"If monsters attacked the academy tomorrow..."
A brief pause followed.
"How many students could actually protect themselves?"
Luna frowned.
The question felt strange.
Unexpected.
Yet she thought carefully.
Eventually—
"Not many."
Kel nodded.
"And if stronger monsters appeared?"
The silence deepened.
Luna understood immediately.
Not many.
Perhaps fewer.
Then Kel continued.
"The students here are talented."
His silver eyes drifted toward the academy buildings.
"Exceptionally talented."
"Future heroes."
"Future leaders."
"Future professors."
The wind moved gently through his silver hair.
"But talent doesn't automatically become strength."
The black-haired girl remained silent.
Listening carefully.
Kel continued.
"Most academy training happens under supervision."
"Arena battles."
"Controlled exercises."
"Safe environments."
His voice remained calm.
"But real danger doesn't work that way."
Luna slowly lowered her gaze.
Because she understood exactly what he meant.
The difference between training and reality.
The difference between sparring and survival.
The difference between injury and death.
The black-haired girl sighed.
Then looked toward him.
"So this is training?"
"Partly."
The answer arrived honestly.
"And partly?"
Kel smiled faintly.
"I want to see how everyone performs together."
Luna narrowed her eyes.
"Everyone?"
"Karos."
Reasonable.
"Lucien."
Expected.
Then—
"Valeryn."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The black-haired girl stared.
Then smiled.
A dangerous smile.
Far beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren became interested immediately.
"Oh?"
Luna crossed her arms.
"So."
Kel already knew trouble was coming.
The girl tilted her head.
"You invited Valeryn first?"
"No."
"Second?"
"...Maybe."
Luna's smile widened.
The expression somehow looked more dangerous than Valeryn's.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The black-haired girl leaned closer.
"And she agreed?"
"Yes."
"And Lucien?"
"Probably."
"And Karos?"
"Definitely."
Luna nodded.
Then looked toward the sky.
Thinking.
Several moments passed.
Kel remained patient.
Eventually—
She spoke.
"Aedon."
"Hm?"
"Do you trust them?"
The question surprised him.
Because it was important.
Very important.
The silver-haired young man thought carefully.
Then answered.
"Enough."
Luna listened.
Kel continued.
"I trust their abilities."
"I trust their intentions."
A brief pause followed.
"As for everything else..."
A faint smile appeared.
"...that takes time."
The black-haired girl looked thoughtful.
Then slowly nodded.
Because she agreed.
Trust wasn't built overnight.
Trust was built through shared experiences.
Victories.
Failures.
Danger.
Time.
The wind moved through the garden.
The silverleaf tree above them rustled softly.
Minutes passed.
Neither spoke.
Eventually—
Luna sighed.
A long sigh.
The sigh of someone surrendering to inevitable trouble.
"Aedon."
Kel immediately recognized the tone.
Success approached.
"Yes?"
The black-haired girl pointed directly at him.
"If I agree..."
A dangerous pause followed.
"...and something ridiculous happens..."
Kel waited.
"...I'm blaming you."
The answer arrived instantly.
"Fair."
Luna blinked.
Then laughed.
Because somehow—
That response made it impossible to remain annoyed.
Eventually—
She stood.
Gathering her books.
The floating tomes settled neatly beside her.
Then she looked toward him.
Blue eyes filled with reluctant determination.
"Fine."
Kel smiled.
The final piece had been secured.
Luna immediately pointed toward him again.
"Do not smile like that."
"What?"
"You look like a villain whose plan just succeeded."
Far beneath Scarder Lake—
Seiren laughed so hard she nearly lost composure.
"She's definitely one of the protagonists."
Kel ignored the goddess.
Again.
Meanwhile Luna continued.
"When are we meeting?"
"City square."
"The central fountain."
"After classes."
The black-haired girl nodded.
Then sighed one final time.
"I genuinely believe I am making a mistake."
Kel stood.
"Probably."
Luna stared.
Then stared harder.
Then threw a book at him.
The silver-haired young man caught it effortlessly.
The black-haired girl immediately regretted nothing.
As the afternoon sun illuminated the academy gardens—
The final member of the party had finally agreed.
And somewhere in the distance—
The gears of fate continued turning.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Unknowingly.
Toward a future dungeon.
Toward hidden darkness.
Toward a tragedy Kel intended to rewrite.
One companion at a time.