Ralina gazed out of the window with a smile on her lips, watching Alec's attempts to coax the playful Elementlet out of the moat below. She chuckled at the sight of Alec bounding along the water's edge, cutting through a bed of flowers, while trying to catch up to the youngling. Even from her high vantage point, she could still detect the faint scent of pollen on the gentle breeze.

Beside her, Ellie and Hope were exploring the room, but their attention kept shifting to the amusing scene unfolding below.

“Leave the fish alone,” Alec's voice echoed from below.

The three women exchanged glances. A soft, melodious laughter filled the room as they watched the familiar dance below. After a few moments, their laughter faded, leaving only the crackling fire to break the silence of the warm room.

“Do you think the boys' room looks this good?” asked Ellie as she felt the sheets on her bed.

“Why couldn’t we share a room with the boys?” asked Hope innocently.

Ellie shot a look towards Hope and gave her a wry smile.

Ralina shrugged as she gazed out of the window, distracted by the faint sensation that had begun to permeate the air. It felt like an unseen power that was slowly enveloping them, growing stronger. It was something she couldn't explain why, but somehow, she felt it was connected to the vision that poured out of the Book during the battle on the beach.

She felt a tingle on her skin, a gentle whisper in her ear, as if the ghosts of the past were speaking to her, trying to communicate beyond words.

Curious, Ralina turned her attention back to Ellie and Hope, wondering if they too sensed something unusual in the air. But their conversation had shifted and seemed oblivious to the unexplainable sensation she felt.

"I can't believe how massive this place is," Ellie said, her eyes scanning the walls surrounding them. She moved beside Ralina and gazed out of the window. "And the view is incredible."

Hope nodded in agreement. "Lady Amber surely knows how to make her guests feel welcome."

Ralina smiled but couldn't help but feel a bit distant from their conversation. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the events that led them here.

“This is my first vacation in like, forever,” Ellie said softly more to herself than anyone. Ralina eyed the human. They’d had the chance to talk on the trip here, yet the conversation had left her baffled. Ellie’s words about her home world, Earth, being far more advanced was hard to grasp and the way she referred to the world as a medieval fantasy landscape, had left her confused.

"I mean, it feels like I'm in one of those fantasy books I used to read as a kid," Ellie had said, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

At the time, both Hope and Ralina exchanged looks. "Fantasy books? What do you mean?" Hope asked, genuinely curious.

Ellie explained, "Well, you know, stories with knights, castles, and magical creatures. It's like the world I grew up in is completely different from this place."

“Oh, like Maze’s stories?” Hope asked.

Stolen story; please report.

“Exactly!”

Ralina couldn't quite grasp the concept. For her, there was only Ren Daral, where the things Ellie marvelled at were ordinary. The idea of a world without such normalities seemed unimaginable.

“So, you girls seem pretty close to Karn?” Ellie said, tearing Ralina from her thoughts.

As the conversation changed, a contemplative silence enveloped the room. Ralina and Hope exchanged glances, their eyes filled with uncertainty. It was a topic that was complex and difficult for them to fully understand.

"I admit," Ralina began, her voice soft yet sincere, "my first impression of Karn was rash and immature. I judged him solely based on his appearance and his status as a magic man. But as we've journeyed together and faced certain challenges, I've come to see what kind of man he is."

Hope nodded, her eyes distant, as if lost in her thoughts. "I feel the same way. For me, he was like a warm light at the end of a dark passage. Yet he can be distant at times, and I found myself conflicted by the new emotions I felt towards him. But with everything that has happened, he said we couldn't afford distractions or uncertainties. So, we had to focus on surviving and protecting everyone."

Ralina's gaze softened as she looked at Hope. "True enough, our priority was always survival. But now, things have changed. The danger has passed, and we may have the opportunity to understand ourselves now."

Ellie glanced between the two troubled women with concern then sighed to herself, “he’s gonna kill me for this.” She smiled gently. “May I add, if you wish to proceed with exploring any of these feelings, that you do only when you understand yourselves first?”

Hope stared at Ellie and seemed to deflate. "You're right. It's time we discovered who we are."

Ellie pulled Hope into a warm hug as she continued, "you’ve both faced the unimaginable, and it's only natural that your emotions would be all messed up. The important thing is that you're acknowledging your feelings now and that you’re taking the time to understand them."

Ralina glanced at Ellie with gratitude.

Hope added with a hint of determination, "And we'll support one other through this. We are friends, after all."

Ralina paused at the word ‘friend’, finding the concept foreign but smiled at the newfound sense of solidarity blooming between them. "Yes, we are,” she paused. “Friends, and I'm grateful."

As their collective thoughts fell on Karn, Hope hesitated for a moment, then brought up the incident with the Alchemist and his lack of reaction.

"When I was under the effects of the ghost eyes, my emotions and feelings were numb, but I could remember everything," she said, then murmured, “I wish I could feel the same way about that night.”

Ellie pattered her on the shoulder, then offered that the effect was like a thing called anaesthesia, which prompted a brief explanation of the concept. The explanation left Ralina dumbfounded, however, Hope's description seemed to connect with Ralina's own experience. She admitted, "Since I touched of the Book of the Known, I've felt something within me guiding me, like a force of warmth."

Hope's eyes widened in realisation. "I felt something like that too when I held the book! It was as if someone or something was pulling the strings within me. I'm curious about it and want to learn what it means."

“Learn?” Ralina asked curiosity getting the best of her.

Hope leaned in, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "You know, there's a place that might hold the answers to all our questions. A university within the city of Brancourt, in a different sector. It's a centre for exploring knowledge, and I believe the reason why Karn came here was to find the answers he seeks there."

Ralina and Ellie exchanged glances, both eager.

"What kind of knowledge does this university hold?" Ralina asked.

"Farlen says it's a place of great learning," Hope continued. "Scholars from all over Ren Daral come here to study various subjects, including magic, history, and the spiritual forces that were once at war in our world. They’ve an extensive library filled with ancient tomes and scrolls that might shed light on the book."

Ralina’s eyes lit up. "So, you're saying we might find answers about this weird sensation we are both feeling?"

Hope nodded. "Exactly! Karn must have come here for a similar reason, and I think it's related to the same questions we have."

Ralina's excitement grew. "If the university holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of our world, then we must go there."

Ellie agreed, "Sounds interesting." She eyed the Elementlets down below, looking like she had some questions needing answered herself.

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow, let's ask Lady Amber if we can make our way to the university,” Hope said. “I have a feeling our future is about to take a new and enlightening turn."