Chapter 59: A Celestial Encounter

The Stone Forest during the night was a different world. Most recruits wouldn’t dare venture into its depths once the sun set, for the forest seemed to come alive with whispers, shifting shadows, and unseen threats. But Abel was not like most recruits. The darkness no longer frightened him. Instead, it felt almost like home.

As he moved through the dense undergrowth, the dim starlight filtering through the canopy above, Abel’s eyes adjusted effortlessly. His transformation had sharpened his senses beyond what he had ever thought possible. Where others saw darkness, he saw detail—the soft glow of starlight illuminating every branch, every leaf, and every twitch of the creatures lurking in the shadows. His ears picked up the faintest rustle of movement, and even his skin seemed to tingle with the energy of the night air.

The Stone Forest had terrified him once. But now, it was simply an extension of himself.

Tonight, Abel was experimenting with his newfound abilities. His connection to the stars had grown stronger, and with each night of stargazing, he felt his power deepen. The more he absorbed starlight, the more his vision sharpened, and his body became faster, more agile, and strangely attuned to the world around him. The overwhelming trance that had once overtaken him when stargazing was gone—now, he could gaze at the stars and still remain fully aware of his surroundings. It was as if the stars themselves were whispering secrets directly to him.

As he stopped in a small clearing, Abel gazed up through the breaks in the canopy, his glowing eyes reflecting the light of the stars. He could feel it—something more. Starlight felt similar to mana, and he could sense its flow through his body, like a current of energy surging through him. His heart raced with excitement. This wasn’t just some random power—it was an affinity, a connection to something ancient and powerful. The stars had chosen him.

His eyes glowed with a faint, starry blue light, and he couldn't help but smile. "Finally," he muttered under his breath, "I'm sensing mana."

The realization filled him with a strange sense of fulfillment. Abel had known that non-gifted recruits would eventually develop an elemental affinity though their means, but it would always be something uncommon, something outside the typical six elements the gifted were born with. For him, it was clear now, his affinity was connected to the stars, to the very light that filled the sky above him.

But just as he was about to revel in his newfound power, something caught his attention. Through the canopy, in the corner of his vision, he noticed the movement of a shadow. It was subtle, hidden beneath the thick cover of trees, but it happened, there was a shift in the cold night. His senses heightened, Abel could feel a presence, a figure standing just out of sight. Whatever, it was, it wasn’t a beast. It was human.

Without moving, Abel’s glowing eyes shifted toward the direction of the shadow. His heightened awareness tingled, and he could almost feel the eyes of the hidden figure locked onto him.

…

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

In the shadows of the forest, Agatha watched him.

She had heard the rumors—whispers of Stargazer, the non-gifted recruit with strange, glowing eyes who had been touched by something unnatural. But now, seeing him in person, standing beneath the stars with that eerie glow in his eyes, Agatha felt a chill run down her spine. She had always prided herself on remaining unseen, her darkness affinity allowing her to blend seamlessly into the shadows, but tonight… tonight was different.

Even hidden in the deepest shadow, she felt exposed. Stargazer’s glowing eyes were fixed on her, as if he could see right through the darkness. For a moment, her confidence wavered. How could he see her? No one ever saw her.

She stayed perfectly still, her heart pounding in her chest. But there was something unsettling about the way Stargazer held himself. He seemed calm, almost serene, as if he was aware of everything around him.

Then, to her shock, Stargazer spoke, his voice breaking through the silence of the night.

"How long are you going to stay there?" he asked, his tone almost casual, but laced with certainty.

Agatha froze, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she thought he was bluffing—he couldn't possibly see her. But the way his glowing eyes followed her, as though they were locked in an unspoken stare, sent a shiver of fear down her spine. She was used to the darkness, used to being unseen, but now it felt like she was the one being watched.

Realizing she had no choice, Agatha stepped out from the shadows, her pitch-black hair catching the faint glimmer of starlight as she revealed herself. She stared at Abel, trying to mask her shock with a cool expression.

"How did you see me?" she asked, her voice steady, though there was an undercurrent of disbelief.

Abel didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, observing her with a calm intensity. "People have their secrets," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "What do you want? Did you come here to mock me for being non-gifted?"

Agatha frowned, shaking her head. "No," she replied. "I’m not like the others."

Abel raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"I don’t care about status or privilege," Agatha said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "I don’t agree with the gifted recruits who think they’re better just because of their birthright. I care about power, real power. And I know you’ve already grasped the concept of mana. I can feel it—you’re closer to a breakthrough than most of the gifted here."

Abel was silent for a moment, studying her carefully. There was a sincerity in her voice that he hadn’t expected, and it intrigued him. "I appreciate that," he said, his glowing eyes softening slightly. "But the work is never done. There’s still so much I need to figure out."

Agatha nodded in understanding. "We all have our paths. But I’m telling you—what you have, what you’re doing, it’s going to take you far. The Tower is going to see a new Apostle one day."

The two stood in silence for a moment, the tension easing slightly as they acknowledged the weight of their shared ambitions. Agatha then stepped back, her form starting to blur as the darkness around her seemed to bend and twist, swallowing her whole.

"My name is Agatha," she said, her voice fading into the night. "I’ll be watching your progress, Stargazer."

And with that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Abel alone once more beneath the stars.

He let out a slow breath, his glowing eyes reflecting the starlight as he returned to his stargazing. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.

The night as long as there were stars in the sky, it was his domain.