The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting the room in warm hues of gold and pink. I opened my eyes and immediately felt a jolt of excitement course through me. This wasn’t just any morning—this was the morning. Today was the day I’d meet a nymph, maybe find out if I had what it took to be an Arknight, and possibly uncover what The Origin had in store for me.

Throwing off the covers, I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The floor was cool under my feet, but it didn’t bother me. I stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh as I glanced around the room. It was still surreal to wake up in a place like this—a room in a grand manor with more luxury than I’d ever experienced back home.

I stood and headed to the wardrobe, pulling the doors open with a small smile. The clothes inside weren’t fancy, but they were definitely a step up from what I was used to. I grabbed a crisp white shirt and dark trousers, slipping them on quickly. As I buttoned up the shirt, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was its usual mess, and I still looked like the same Souta Tanaka as always, but something about today felt different. Special. Like maybe—just maybe—I was finally stepping into the kind of life I’d always dreamed of.

A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. “Souta,” came Leo’s sharp voice from the other side. “It’s time for breakfast. Don’t make me drag you out of there.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!” I called back, shaking my head with a small laugh. Typical Leo.

I ran a hand through my hair, gave my reflection one last glance, and headed for the door. Today was going to be amazing—I could feel it.

Leo was leaning against the wall when I stepped out, her arms crossed and her tail swishing lazily behind her. Her sharp amber eyes immediately flicked over me, taking in my freshly combed hair and slightly wrinkled shirt with a raised brow.

“Well, look at you,” she said, smirking. “Managed to dress yourself without setting anything on fire. I’m impressed.”

I frowned, already bracing for whatever jab she had lined up. “Was that… a compliment?”

“Don’t push your luck,” she replied, falling into step beside me as we walked down the hallway. “It’s just surprising. You’ve got the air of someone who struggles with basic coordination.”

“Wow,” I said flatly. “You’ve really got a way of lifting someone’s spirits, you know that?”

Leo snickered, her ears twitching. “Oh, come on. Don’t take it so seriously. I’m just saying you don’t exactly scream ‘future Arknight.’”

I rolled my eyes. “And what does that look like, exactly? Should I walk around with a glowing sword and a dramatic cape or something?”

“More like you should stop slouching and figure out which end of the sword to hold,” she shot back, her grin widening.

“Right,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Good to know you’ve got all the faith in the world in me.”

She glanced at me sideways, her amber eyes glinting with amusement. “Faith is earned, Tanaka. So far, all I’ve seen is a guy who talks big but hasn’t done anything to back it up.”

“Oh, I’ll back it up,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her. “Just wait.”

Leo laughed, a sharp, quick sound. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Good,” I said, crossing my arms as we continued down the hall. “Because I’m going to prove you wrong.”

She stopped abruptly, turning to face me with a smirk. “Is that so?”

I nodded, standing a little taller. “Yeah. Just watch.”

Leo tilted her head, her tail flicking thoughtfully. “Alright, Tanaka. You’ve got my attention. But just so you know, proving me wrong isn’t easy.”

“Good,” I said again, matching her smirk. “I like a challenge.”

Her grin widened, and for a moment, her sharp edges softened just a little. “We’ll see if you’ve got what it takes,” she said, turning back toward the dining hall. “But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

I followed her, the banter leaving me strangely energized. Despite her sharp tongue, I could tell there was more to Leo than just snark. And while I didn’t know exactly how I was going to prove myself, one thing was clear: I wasn’t going to let her doubt stop me.

As I walked into the dining hall with Leo, the first thing I noticed was Zia. She was seated at the table, absolutely devouring her breakfast. Her plate was piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, bread, and fruit, and she was eating with a speed and intensity that was almost mesmerizing. Her usual graceful demeanor was nowhere to be found—right now, she looked more like someone who hadn’t seen food in days.

“Uh…” I started, raising an eyebrow as I took my seat. “You sure you’re okay, Princess? It doesn’t exactly look… healthy how much you’re eating.”

Zia paused mid-bite, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk as she stared at me. She quickly swallowed, her face turning a little red. “I’m just… really hungry today,” she said defensively, picking up a piece of bread and taking a smaller, more measured bite.

Leo snorted, plopping down into her chair. “Yeah, sure, Zia. That’s not the fourth helping you’ve grabbed or anything.”

“It’s not!” Zia shot back, pouting as she held her bread protectively. “I didn’t eat much last night, okay? I was nervous about today!”

I smirked, leaning back in my chair. “Nervous? About what? You’ve got a feast in front of you and the most amazing company imaginable.” I gestured dramatically to myself.

Zia rolled her eyes but couldn’t hold back a small smile. “Yes, because you’re so intimidating, Souta.”

Yohei, sitting calmly at the head of the table, chuckled softly. “I think it’s best we let the Princess eat in peace, lest she decide to throw something at one of you.”

Zia glanced at Yohei with wide eyes. “I wouldn’t—”

“Oh, you would,” Leo cut in with a sly grin. “I’ve seen it. Remember the incident with the apple?”

“That was years ago!” Zia exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. “And he deserved it!”

“Uh-huh,” Leo said, clearly enjoying herself. “And I’m sure you’ll say the same about Souta here if he doesn’t watch his mouth.”

I laughed nervously, holding up my hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m just trying to keep things light. No need to weaponize breakfast.”

Yohei shook his head, smiling. “Enough, all of you. We have a busy day ahead. After breakfast, we’ll meet with the Nymph; Leo.”

I blinked, the banter forgotten as my attention shifted. “The Nymph?”

“Yes,” Yohei confirmed, setting down his cup of tea. “He’s… a bit of a recluse, but he lives here. If anyone can determine whether you have what it takes to become an Arknight, it’s him.”

I glanced at Leo, a grin already forming on my face. “Wait a second… you’re not talking about this Leo, are you?”

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Leo froze mid-chew, narrowing her eyes at me. “What?”

“Well,” I said, adopting an exaggerated thoughtful expression, “sharp tongue, mysterious vibe, lives in a fancy manor… sounds like a nymph to me.”

Zia burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand as she tried to compose herself. Even Yohei cracked a smile, though he tried to hide it behind his teacup.

Leo, however, was not amused. “Do I look like some magical woodland spirit to you?” she asked, her tone dangerously low.

I shrugged innocently. “Hey, if the shoe fits…”

Without missing a beat, Leo grabbed a piece of bread and launched it at me. I barely dodged, the bread landing with a soft plop on the floor behind me.

“Careful,” I said with a smirk. “Food fights aren’t very Arknight-like.”

Leo leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as her tail swished in irritation. “You’re lucky we have bigger things to worry about, Tanaka.”

“Like what?” I asked, still grinning.

“Like meeting the actual Nymph,” Yohei interjected smoothly, cutting through the tension. “I suggest you finish eating, Souta. You’ll want to be at your best.”

I nodded, turning my attention to the spread in front of me. The food was delicious, as always, but my thoughts kept drifting to what lay ahead. A nymph? A recluse who could tell if I had what it took to become an Arknight? It sounded like something out of a dream—or a nightmare.

But one thing was for sure: I couldn’t wait to find out.

As we finished breakfast, Zia leaned back in her chair, letting out a satisfied sigh. “I think I might have overdone it a little,” she admitted, patting her stomach lightly. “But it was worth it.”

I smirked. “You sure you don’t want to take another plate for the road? You’ve got room, right?”

She shot me a look, though there was no real malice in it. “I think I’ll survive without it, thanks.” Rising from her chair, she stretched her arms above her head, her usual graceful demeanor returning. “I think I’ll go for a little wander before we leave. Clear my head a bit.”

Yohei nodded approvingly. “Take your time, Zia. The morning is still young.”

She gave him a small smile before turning to me. “Good luck, Souta. Meeting Leonidas can be… interesting.” With that, she glided out of the room, leaving an air of calm elegance in her wake.

Leo, on the other hand, stood with far less ceremony, her chair scraping against the marble floor as she pushed it back. “I’ve got training to do,” she said briskly, brushing imaginary crumbs off her pants. Her sharp amber eyes flicked to me for a moment. “Try not to embarrass yourself too much, Tanaka.”

I rolled my eyes but kept quiet as she strode out, her tail swishing behind her. I had to admit, her intensity was almost impressive—almost.

Yohei remained seated, sipping his tea leisurely as the hall grew quieter. Finally, he set his cup down with a soft clink and turned his piercing blue eyes to me. “So, Souta,” he said, his tone light but laced with curiosity, “are you ready to meet Leo?”

I nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “For the sake of confusion, let’s refer to him by his full name—Leonidas. It’s best we keep the two Leos distinct.”

“Got it,” I said, though I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person this “Leonidas” was. The name alone made him sound impressive—or intimidating.

Yohei rose from his chair, his movements graceful and deliberate. “Good. Then let’s not keep him waiting. Follow me.”

I stood and adjusted my vest, feeling a nervous energy building in my chest as I trailed behind Yohei. The dining hall doors swung open as we exited, the cool air of the corridor washing over me.

Yohei led me through a narrow, hidden passageway concealed behind an unassuming bookshelf. The moment we stepped inside, a cool rush of air greeted us, carrying a faint metallic tang and the scent of old stone. The walls were rough-hewn, carved with faint markings that glowed softly in the dim light. Every step I took echoed in the narrow corridor, making it feel like we were descending into a place that hadn’t been disturbed in years.

“This place always gives me a sense of nostalgia,” Yohei said, his voice bouncing off the stone walls with ease. He turned back to glance at me, his ever-present grin firmly in place. “Not many people get to see it, you know. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.”

I didn’t answer right away. My eyes were fixed on the glowing symbols etched into the walls. They weren’t like anything I’d ever seen before. At first glance, they seemed like random patterns, but the longer I stared, the more they seemed to shift, almost like they were alive. Every time I tried to focus on one, it slipped away, leaving me more curious than before. “What are these markings?” I finally asked, unable to help myself.

“Old magic,” Yohei replied, running his hand lightly along the wall as we walked. “Nothing you need to worry about. They’re just... safeguards, in a sense. They keep this place hidden.”

“Hidden from what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at the faintly glowing script.

He smirked but didn’t answer, instead coming to a stop at a large wooden door at the end of the passage. Without hesitation, he pushed it open, and we stepped out into the open air.

I blinked, my breath catching as I took in the sight before me. We were at the very top of the manor, standing in an open observatory surrounded by an intricate railing. The roof above was a dome of glass, but the panels were retracted, giving us an unobstructed view of the world below. From here, I could see everything—the sprawling town of Ham-Seyal in the distance, its cobblestone streets and timbered houses glowing faintly in the morning light. Rolling fields stretched beyond the town, dotted with patches of forest and winding streams that sparkled like silver ribbons.

Closer to the manor, I caught sight of Zia, as beautiful as ever; strolling gracefully through the garden, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she inspected the vibrant flowers. Not far away, Leo was training with her weapon of choice—a massive mace. My jaw dropped slightly as I watched her swing it effortlessly, her movements precise and powerful. “She uses a mace?” I muttered under my breath. “Why does that somehow make sense?”

“You seem surprised,” Yohei said, drawing my attention back. His smile had grown a little wider. “Leo’s not one to hold back. She’s always been... intense.”

“That’s one word for it,” I muttered, still watching as she smashed her mace into a wooden training dummy with a force that sent splinters flying. “Remind me not to get on her bad side.”

Yohei chuckled, placing a hand on the railing and leaning forward slightly. “Well, as entertaining as that is, we have business to attend to.” He straightened and raised his voice slightly. “Leo, it’s time to come out. Show yourself.”

I looked around, confused. “Wait, she’s down there. What are you—”

Before I could finish, a soft, glowing light began to form in the center of the observatory. It started as a faint shimmer, like sunlight on water, but quickly grew brighter, illuminating the entire space. I stepped back instinctively as the light condensed into a humanoid shape, its form radiating a soft, ethereal glow.

When the light finally faded, a boy stood before us—or at least, he looked like a boy. His features were youthful and ethereal, almost too perfect to seem real, with large, luminous eyes the color of glimmering starlight. His short, silver hair seemed to shimmer faintly, catching the light in soft waves, as if it were spun from pure moonlight. His clothing was nothing short of breathtaking—a gleaming, translucent ensemble that seemed to be crafted from light itself, adorned with intricate patterns resembling constellations and geometric shapes. The delicate armor-like accents along his shoulders and chest glistened with a crystalline quality, casting soft, iridescent reflections with every subtle movement.

Each detail of his attire exudes elegance, from the star-shaped embellishments that glowed faintly like embedded gemstones to the gentle flow of sheer fabric that floated behind him, almost like a cape caught in an eternal breeze. The entire ensemble seemed alive, as though it pulsed with the energy of the cosmos, making him appear both calming and unsettling—an entity not entirely of this world, as if he were a fragment of the night sky come to life.

I blinked, taking an involuntary step back. “He’s... a kid?”

The boy—Leo, apparently—rolled his eyes, crossing his arms with a huff. “Oh, great,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Another one who can’t believe what he’s seeing. Let me guess—you were expecting a wise old sage or something?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Yohei cut in, his tone light and teasing. “Now, now, Leonidas. Is that any way to talk to your elders?”

Leonidas narrowed his eyes at Yohei, his expression unimpressed. “Elders? Don’t make me laugh. I’m older than you, Yohei.”

“Not in this form, you’re not,” Yohei shot back with a grin. “And it wouldn’t hurt to show a little respect.”

Leonidas rolled his eyes again, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “idiot.” Then his gaze shifted to me, and his expression grew even more skeptical. “And who’s this? Another stray you’ve picked up?”

“Hey, I’m not a stray!” I protested, though the words felt weak even to me.

Yohei clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin never faltering. “This is Souta. He’s here to figure out if he has what it takes to be an Arknight.”

Leonidas arched a delicate eyebrow, looking me up and down with a critical eye. “Him? An Arknight?” He snorted, clearly unimpressed. “Sure. Why not? Let’s just hand out the title to anyone who shows up.”

“Hey!” I said, bristling at the insult. “I might surprise you.”

Leonidas smirked, the faintest hint of amusement in his otherwise grumpy demeanor. “You’d better. Otherwise, this is going to be a waste of my time.”

Yohei laughed, stepping back and gesturing between us. “Well, this should be fun. Leonidas, let’s get started. Souta, try not to embarrass yourself too much.”

I can’t guarantee that...