Chapter 49: Stargazing

Abel had spent the past few days in quiet isolation, taking full advantage of the time off Marcella had granted him. His body was still adjusting to the strange changes he had undergone, and each night, he found himself stargazing, driven by a hunger he could no longer ignore. It had become routine—a need to consume the starlight itself, as bizarre as that sounded. The hunger would return daily, gnawing at him until he fed it again by staring into the vast night sky.

During the day, Abel rested, though he noticed odd transformations continuing to take root within him. His vision had sharpened considerably in the dark, to the point where dimly lit rooms appeared almost fully illuminated. As long as starlight could reach him, even in its faintest form, he could see clearly. True darkness still posed a challenge, but under the light of the stars, his surroundings were crystal clear. A tingling sensation had also begun to spread through his fingertips, though he hadn't yet figured out what that meant. Despite the strange new path he was walking, Abel’s thoughts occasionally returned to his old knowledge book—the one that had guided his initial studies. It still held value, especially the idea of inscriptions. Though he was unsure if he wanted to inscribe the symbols on his body, he wondered if they could be used on objects. The thought intrigued him, and he decided it was worth exploring further when the time was right.

Meanwhile, Sena had been adjusting to his own transformation, though his circumstances were different. After the fire that had erupted during his rebirth, his original room had been rendered uninhabitable, forcing him to use most of his contribution points to purchase a new one. The new room, much like his old one, was modest in size—no larger or more luxurious than what he’d had before. The stone walls were bare, the bed plain but comfortable, and the only decoration was a simple desk with a mirror tucked into the corner. Despite the unfortunate cost of replacing his room, Sena didn’t mind. What mattered most to him was how his body had changed.

He stood before the small mirror in the corner, inspecting the visible differences. His hair had turned a deep crimson, a shade so rich it almost seemed to glow under the dim light. His skin had taken on a faint golden hue, and he appeared slightly taller, more muscular. There was a newfound strength in his limbs, an energy that pulsed through him with every step he took. Sena flexed his fingers, marveling at how much more connected he felt to the world around him. Whatever had been holding him back before was gone. He was reborn, in more ways than one.

Sena’s thoughts drifted back to the moment of the fire, the heat overwhelming him until he had finally let go, allowing his body to burn and be remade. The fire had been a test, and now that he had passed, he felt a sense of confidence that he had never known before. His new body wasn’t just stronger—it was the embodiment of his path forward.

Just as he was settling into his room, there was a knock at the door. It was Nando and Isabella, coming by for their usual chat. Sena greeted them with a wide smile, letting them in, though they couldn’t help but comment on his new appearance.

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"You look different," Nando said, his eyes scanning Sena from head to toe. "A lot more... fiery."

Sena laughed. "Yeah, feels that way too. It’s like I’ve been set free. I think I’ve found my path—at least now I know what I’m aiming for."

Isabella, ever the observer, nodded in approval. "That’s good. Knowing where you’re headed makes all the difference."

They talked for a while longer before there was another knock at the door. This time, it was Abel. He looked slightly dazed, his expression distant, but still managed to smile as he entered the room.

"Your eyes... they’re glowing," Isabella said, tilting her head curiously as she studied him.

Abel rubbed the back of his neck, feeling self-conscious. "Yeah, it’s from the stargazing. I’ve... been feeding on the light, I guess."

Sena nodded, understanding completely. "We all go through changes. At least you’ve found a way to deal with it, right?"

They spent the next few hours talking and catching up, sharing stories about their individual tasks and experiences. Nando made a few jokes about Sena’s new hair, and Isabella mentioned an upcoming task where she would be transporting beast carcasses back to the Tower. She seemed more excited about the opportunity to keep some parts for herself, which her snake familiar would undoubtedly enjoy.

As the night wore on, the group eventually parted ways. Nando and Isabella headed back to their own quarters, leaving Abel and Sena to their thoughts. Sena gave Abel a knowing look before heading off to his own room. Abel, still feeling the effects of his unusual path, made his way toward his room as well.

However, just as Abel reached the end of the hall, something caught his attention—the large window that framed the night sky.

Without thinking, his gaze locked onto the stars, and just like before, the world around him seemed to blur and fade. He stood frozen, entranced by the starlight, unable to pull himself away. His eyes glowed faintly as the light filled him, sating the hunger that had gnawed at him since sunset. He was vaguely aware of other recruits passing by, whispering and glancing in his direction.

"Is he... stargazing again?" one recruit murmured to another.

"Look at his eyes," another whispered. "They’re sparkling... that’s strange."

"Yeah, he’s been doing this a lot lately. Weird guy."

Abel didn’t hear the rest of their comments. He was too lost in the stars, drawn into their infinite glow, feeling the hunger inside him fade away with every second. Hours passed, and though recruits came and went, Abel remained, standing motionless in the hall, his eyes locked on the window.

Eventually, as the night stretched on and the Tower quieted, Abel finally blinked, the trance broken. He sighed, shaking his head as if clearing the fog from his mind. This was something he needed to work on—the uncontrollable urge to stargaze could become a problem, especially if it left him vulnerable like this.

With a final glance at the stars, Abel turned and headed to his room, already thinking about how he could gain better control over this strange new power.