Morning light spilled over the ramparts of Stellar Keep, brushing the frost-rimmed spires with rose-gold. From the upper courtyard Shunjiro took it in, white roofs sparkling, banners stirring in a soft alpine breeze, and decided the capital looked almost story-book beautiful when it wasn’t buried beneath a blizzard. “Quite the view, isn’t it?” He half-turned; The king stood a few paces behind, hands clasped at the small of his cloak. Even relaxed, the monarch’s frame filled the stone archway. Shunjiro bowed in the clumsy way foreigners do. “Thank you for everything, Your Majesty. I owe you.” “You’re welcome in the Stellar Empire any time,” he replied, a warm rumble in his chest. “Just try to stay out of trouble, and if you stumble across King Malachi again, bring him along. I haven’t shared a drink with that giant in far too long.” “Wait- you know Malachi?” Shunjiro blurted. The king laughed, the sound echoing off frost-slick walls. “There isn’t another smith alive who can forge Devil’s Luck steel. When my guards handed me that dagger, I knew only one man could have gifted it. That’s why I freed you instead of tossing you back into the storm.” Shunjiro scratched the back of his neck. “Guess I’m luckier than I thought.” “Luckier and colder,” the king said, eyeing Shunjiro’s thin training clothes. “One moment.” He snapped his fingers. A swirl of violet sigils flashed, Shunjiro blinked and suddenly felt wool and fur instead of cotton. A heavy navy over-coat, insulated trousers, and sturdy winter boots had replaced his tattered clothes. He yelped, patting the new outfit. “How-? I didn’t even blink!” The king chuckled. “A gift from me to you. You’ll need it crossing the passes.” Shunjiro bowed once more, then straightened. “Before I go, may I know your name, Your Majesty?” The monarch’s blue-silver eyes warmed. “A fair request. I am King Aurelius, ruler of the Stellar Empire and Cosmic Continent.” He extended a hand the size of a smith’s hammer. “King Aurelius,” Shunjiro repeated, clasping the offered hand as best he could. “It’s an honor. Thank you, for the clothes, the hospitality… and the second chance.” Aurelius’s grip was firm but friendly. “Travel well, Shunjiro of Radiance. We will remember your courtesy.” The great hall emptied behind them, the echo of King Aurelius’s boots fading into the marble corridors. Shunjiro found himself squarely in front of his new escorts, four very different auras, one formidable team. Yuuna lingered a step ahead of the others, snowy cloak drawn close, her dark hair framing an unreadable expression. To her right lounged a tall swordsman whose smirk came as easily as his tousled locks; the sheer confidence rolling off him was almost visible. Beside him stood a broad-shouldered man of few words, posture straight, eyes as sharp as a falcon’s. And at the back, a gentle presence Shunjiro instantly recognized from the Radiance entrance exams, a girl whose warm smile eased the chill in the air. A low chuckle rumbled behind Shunjiro. “The Crimson Lotus,” King Aurelius announced, pride and amusement mingling in his tone. “Guides of renown. They’ll see you through the Shadow Realm and home to the Light Continent.” He bounded forward, signature grin in place, and thrust out a hand to the nearest warrior, the cocky swordsman. “Hi! I’m Shunjiro. Thanks for helping me out!” The man’s laugh was easy, grip firm. “Looks like we’re babysitting.” He winked. “Name’s Satoshi.” The stoic observer gave a short nod. “Kojiro,” he introduced, voice even and cool. Next, the kind-eyed girl stepped up, offering both hands. “Good to see you again, Shunjiro. I’m Emi.” Her gentle energy felt like spring after winter. At last Yuuna moved. She inclined her head, just enough to be polite, without quite meeting Shunjiro’s eyes. “Yuuna,” she said, tone crisp but not unkind. Before any awkwardness could settle, Aurelius rested one massive hand on Shunjiro’s shoulder. “Safe travels, Shunjiro. May your road be uneventful, though I suspect it will be anything but.” A knowing gleam danced in his blue-silver gaze. With that, the king turned and strode away, cloak swirling behind him. Left alone with the Crimson Lotus, Shunjiro adjusted the fur-lined coat gifted by Aurelius and blew into his gloved hands for warmth. “Well,” he said, brightening despite the cold, “shall we hit the road?” Yuuna finally met his gaze and nodded once. Snowflakes drifted past the arched doorway, and the five figures stepped into the wintry morning, ready to brave whatever the Shadow Realm, and fate, had in store. The group’s boots crunched through the snow-packed streets as the citadel’s towers faded behind them. Satoshi threw Shunjiro a sidelong grin. “Hope you can still keep up if something nasty crawls out of the Shadow Realm.” Shunjiro straightened, eager to sound capable. “So, uh, what ranks are you guys these days?” Satoshi and Kojiro traded the briefest glance, then answered together. “SS.” Emi tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “I’m A rank,” she added, almost apologetically. Up front, Yuuna spoke without turning. “SS.” Shunjiro’s eyes went wide. “That’s incredible! I’m… well, technically I’m still C rank.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a crooked smile creeping in. “But I haven’t had a reevaluation in about a month, so, maybe I’m a bit higher now?” Satoshi gave an exaggerated whistle. “C rank tag-along headed for the Shadow Realm, huh?” Kojiro’s brow quirked, though his tone stayed even. “How long have you been adventuring?” “Little over a month,” Shunjiro admitted. Satoshi snorted, half amused, half incredulous. “Figures the kid with the king’s recommendation and a Devil’s-Luck dagger shows up still green.” Yet a spark of interest lit his eyes. “All right then, rookie, prove you can keep pace.” Shunjiro grinned, tightening the winter cloak around his shoulders. “Just try not to fall behind.” The snow thinned to bare stone as they crossed the imperial border, and the world dimmed as though someone had drawn a heavy curtain across the sky. One moment Shunjiro could still glimpse dawn’s blue behind him; the next, only a low, colorless haze stretched ahead. A cold, metallic taste settled on his tongue, unmistakable proof that they’d stepped back into the Shadow Realm. Emi slowed first, knuckles white on her staff. “I hate this place,” she whispered, every breath a little cloud. Satoshi clicked his tongue. “Keep your rhythm, Emi. The faster we move, the sooner we’re out.” Trying to brighten the mood, Shunjiro flashed a grin. “Hey, I trained here an entire month! Even survived an ambush from a guild called the Eclipsed Abyss. So, uh, compared to that, this stroll should be easy-” Yuuna’s boot scraped to a halt. All color drained from her cheeks, and she slipped to the tail of the column, eyes fixed on the ashen ground. Shunjiro pivoted. “Yuuna? Everything okay?” “I’m fine,” she answered, voice so quiet it nearly vanished into the mist. Yet her shoulders were taut, and her gaze refused to meet his. Satoshi edged closer to Shunjiro and murmured, “She gets skittish with newcomers. Give her a little space, she’ll thaw.” Shunjiro nodded, but the explanation rang hollow; Yuuna hadn’t been shy at the palace last night. No, something about the name Eclipsed Abyss had cut deeper than simple nerves. He filed the thought away, tightening his cloak as they pressed on into the gloom. Whatever secrets the Shadow Realm held for them, he suspected Yuuna carried one of her own. The group pressed on, the silence of the Shadow Realm broken only by the crunch of snow beneath their boots and the occasional distant howl. Satoshi’s voice cut through the tension. “Remember, stay alert. This place is full of dangers, and we need to keep moving. We’re not just fighting the environment; we could encounter anything.” Shunjiro nodded, his senses on high alert. The foreboding landscape around them seemed alive, shadows shifting unnaturally in the dim light. Despite the tension, a spark of excitement flickered within him. This was his chance to prove himself to the Crimson Lotus, and to Yuuna. Alright, Shunjiro, he thought, determination hardening his resolve. Time to show them what you’re made of.