Ella sat comfortably on the chair in her room, her glasses reflecting a cryptic language that flowed endlessly as her hand rolled on the panel in front of her. Two books rested on the table, one white, one black.

With each movement of her fingers, a wink of light resonated, illuminating the edge of the book on the desk with a soft, white glow.

“Let’s test the connection system,” Ella said, waving her hand. The panels of light combined into a brilliant white crystal, which she carefully placed on one of the books. Slowly, the crystal absorbed into the pages.

“I am Elmyra Rinaca Lestria, unit code X70153, Sky Piecer Unit. I request access to connect,” she stated confidently.

The light on the book connected to the ceiling, and a voice responded, “Access granted.”

“Record unit to Lord Ravie Sun Feather, X70153-02,” Ella said, Light halo glowing on her head. “Unlock access to follower unit and grant Lord title of Lestria Kingdom to unit.”

The holy book waved, updating itself to fulfill Ella’s request.

As Ella glanced at the book, she noticed something that caught her attention. “Oh, I forgot to update the follower badge.”

She reached over to the table’s side drawer, retrieving a silver triangular necklace and placing it on the book.

“Record Follower badge to Lord Ravie Sun Feather, X70153-02.”

The badge started blinking and syncing itself with the rhythm of the book.

The update process continued.

Ella looked at the smiling Rocky on the table and lightly tapped its head. “Hump, don’t look at me like that. I won’t forgive your sin. How dare you accept a cookie from someone else.” Ella then touched another book, this one adorned with silver strips and patterns against its black cover. “Do you know how much effort it takes to write the codex and create a holy book? It costs a fortune, even more than pure jade coins. Thanks to my kindness, I’m giving this to you.” Her fingers traced the smooth, marble-like corner of the crafted book, its edges perfectly rounded.

Wang!

Light on the white book and badged finished it light. And monotonous sound out “Holy shine upon saint sky Piecer, Recorded follower Lord Ravie Sun Feather X70153-02. Updated completed.”

Ella sat up, took two books and a necklace into her arms. She looked out the window, but even at noon, there was no sunlight, only a dark black sky and white snow. “I’m not used to this at all.” The halo on her head depleted. She then moved to the door and went outside.

She made her way to the refugee camp. Along the way, the town and houses were closed, with only fire lamps and Luminate crystals illuminating the area. There were no people outside like usual, only occasional sightings of knights patrolling. People had gathered in churches or grand restaurants to keep warm and conserve energy.

She hurried, wishing to reach her destination quickly and not wanting to stay in the cold winter that was starting to bite her legs. Perhaps she should have worn pants instead of a skirt?

The refugee camp on the east side was just one block away.

As she stepped into the corner, suddenly a body flew towards her. Since her arms were busy holding books, she couldn’t react in time. “Ahhh—”

Pluck! Slosh! Two bodies slid down the road. Ella held onto her books tightly, not letting them fall from her hands. On instinct, she kicked at the body.

Swoosh! But he swiftly ducked his head and moved her leg away to the side. “Ella, what are you doing? Are you going to kill me?” he asked.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, her senses returned. “R-Racoon?” But when she looked at his face, it was covered in red, and even his body and coat were stained with red. Her body hair stood on end, and she dropped the book from her hands as she grabbed his body. “Rain, are you alright? Who did this to you?” She shook his body.

“Ella, please stop shaking. I’m okay, perfectly fine.”

“You’re not fine. There’s blood everywhere.”

“Oh, it’s just a little blood. Don’t worry.”

“Hah” Ella checked, her head lowering. The blood was vivid, fresh, and had the particular smell of iron. Moreover, his body, which she had touched, was cold, even colder than snow.

“We will talk later. I have some business to deal with first,” he said, standing up.

Rave moved beside Ella and offered her a hand. “Please, Miss Ella.”

Ella grabbed his hand and lifted herself up, feeling awestruck by the scene in front of her. Rain entered the fighting ring, Scotoma ring and the lights illuminated the rectangle shape up. What on earth happened? On the opposite side stood Pale Walnut Follower Warmund, holding a sword that dripped blood onto the floor. Aria and Faye were standing beside the fighting zone, their attention fixed on the center. The swirling snow around Aria was odd, While Faye’s had no snow at all. The expressions on their faces clearly showed their dissatisfaction.

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“Ravie, what happened?” Ella asked.

The light on Ravie’s chest turned red, and his face grew grim. “He stole his candy.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Is it worth using the Scotoma Area for just candy?” Ella questioned.

“Yes, that follower’s mind is broken. He stole something important from Him,” Rave explained.

“What are you…” Ella swiftly looked at Warmund, noticing a sachet tied around his wrist. It was the flowery sachet that Rain always wore on his neck.

Rain walked closer to Warmund, his voice blending with the cold air. “Return it back to me,” he demanded, his eyes lowered.

Willna, from afar, also shouted, “Mundi, please give that sachet back to Mr. Rain.”

“Stop calling me that. You’re not my mother, and all this began because you don’t know how to think. Give the coin to him,” Warmund said, his voice filled with frustration. He pointed his blade at Rain. “You give me back the coin.”

“Are you blind?” Rain asked, his voice filled with frustration. “It’s Anna’s belongings, and we traded our trust,” he said, bending his knee.

With bare hands, he hurried forward, his movements swift and intense.

The blade swooshed in front of him, but he managed to dodge it, his body blending seamlessly with the motion. He reached out his hand, hoping to grab the sachet.

However, the sachet suddenly lifted as if an invisible force had pulled it upwards. A knee struck his left side, causing him to lose his balance.

Pluck! Rain’s body flew through the air, sliding on the snowy ground with a trail of red marking his path. Luckily, the soft surface of the snow cushioned the impact.

Swiftly, Rain stood up and charged at the walnut follower once again.

Warmund raised his hand and brought it down in a slashing motion. Rain quickly dashed to the left, evading the attack. He pivoted on his toe and launched himself towards Warmund.

Warmund slightly shifted his body and knocked his elbow into Rain’s back.

Rain lost his balance and fell to the floor, but he used his hands to press against the ground and spun his legs, attempting a lower attack.

Warmund effortlessly jumped and slashed at Rain’s legs, cutting the tips and causing fresh red blood to splash onto the snow.

Fearless, Rain sprang up using his legs and lunged towards Warmund mid-air. It felt like time slowed down as his fingers reached out, desperate to touch the sachet.

But Warmund reached out his hand in front of him and exclaimed, “Space Blast.”

Swoosh! Rain’s body sent through the air, crashing into the wooden wall of a nearby house with a loud thump. The impact caused cracks to appear, and snow from the roof fell, creating a cloud of dust. Rain lay still, blood slowly seeping from his mouth.

“Rain!” Ella shouted, rushing towards him, but Rave blocked her path.

Ella’s eyes widened in worry. “Get out of the way!”

Rave shook his head, his eyes shining red and his hands trembling. The light on his chest turned crimson as he said, “Please don’t intervene. He will settle with himself.”

She didn’t want to talk with red hair in front. She quickly glanced at Aria. On the blue saint, things were worst. Red blood was clearly visible on her lips, while water balls danced and transformed into spikes. “Aria…”

Warmund landed on the snow field and swung his sword once to remove the blood from the blade. “Why are you so weak like this, Follower Rain?”

Willna said, “Please stop, Warmund. It’s just a coin. Why did we have to come this far?” Her pale blonde hair floated along with the wind as she clutched her skirt tightly.

“Stop talking, Willanna. We have to take our things back. Because of your soft-headedness, we can’t protect anyone—”

Swoosh! A rock flew by quickly.

Cleng! The sword flicked the stone away.

Warmund looked at the child, who was already standing up. “I told you, this little trick can do anything. You’re already in the Space zone. I can detect anything in the area.”

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Many rocks flew.

Cleng! Cleng! Crack! He protected everyone with swift sword movements. “Why does everyone admire you so much? Even Grandfather smiled widely just by seeing you. All I see is a weak child who fights like a kid. No power, no magic, nothing. You can only throw stones and babble.”

Rain slowly bent his knee. “Your sister…”

“What are you talking about? Are you babbling again?”

Rain dashed out as he hurled all the stones at once.

Warmund stepped back a little while, swinging his sword to protect himself. Rain finally engaged in close combat. He reached his hand out.

“Hah, you haven’t learned any lessons.” He turned his sword to the left, dodging Rain’s hand, and then kicked out.

Rain jumped up, avoiding the attack, and his hand touched the sachet.

Warmund moved his hand farther back and punched out with the other hand. “Just a little trick—” but something was wrong when he saw Rain’s face. He smiled widely, and his cheek was swelling up.

Splash! Blood spurted out from Rain’s mouth.

Bam! Rain’s body was once again sent, but he managed to spin in the air and gracefully slide along the snowfield. He stood up, brushed off his dirty hand, and pleaded, “Please, Mundi, can you be a little kinder to your sister? She’s always so kind to you.”

Warmund wiped the blood from his face and exclaimed, “Those are dirty tricks from a thug! Are you still worthy of being a follower?”

Rain tilted his head slightly and replied, “Well, I am indeed a follower.” He then proudly displayed his necklace and added, “Your Empress herself crafted this classic version badge.”

“Hah, a badge can’t change one’s true nature,” Warmund retorted as he pulled a sachet from his wrist and threw it, landing it between both followers. “Take it if you dare, but I’ll cut you in half.”

“Ha, you’re quite generous, Mundi,” Rain remarked with a smile as he looked at him and stepped on the sachet.

“Silence, weakling follower,” Warmund said as he grabbed his follower's book, causing it to emit a bright light. The crystal light turned red.

“Warmund, stop!” Willna shouted, her hair fluttering and her eyes shimmering. “You can defeat him—”

“No! This follower needs to be taught a lesson,” Warmund said, his book glowing as it connected with the sky, causing his arms to be covered in white and light particles to sparkle.

Rain looked at her, smiled, and silence moved his mouth, “Don’t worry, Anna.”

As Wind caressed Rain’s hair, he walked to the sachet, and snow touched his pale body, with red blood flowing down to the floor, painting it all with a crimson flower.

The golden saint’s heart began to beat faster. She knew well that the Book could receive power from the holy tower, even if it came from a follower’s book. That power was enough to cut a little child in half with just one flick of the blade.

“That’s not fair at all…” Ella said, swiftly grabbing the black book from the floor.

“Yes, that’s not fair at all. That foolish follower will die quickly,” Rave said, staring at the scene.

Ella was startled by his words. “What are you talking about?”

“She already drew an arrow,” Rave said, as magic particles in his hand blew in Rain’s direction.

As he walked closer to the sachet, his eyes slowly turned golden. Particles of light began to gather around his body, forming tiny stars. The wind coiled around his body, carrying those stars with it.

“Ria, let’s teach him a lesson,” a clear voice called.

“Yes, brother Rain,” a sweet voice answered.