The forge beneath Solstice Academy was alive with sound.
Steam hissed from pressurized vents. Sparks danced in the air. Mechanical arms rotated across the ceiling, assisting with welding, assembling, and engraving. And at the heart of it all—stood Eri Yume, goggles pulled over her eyes, her hands moving with impossible precision.
Kael, Hana, Tetsu, and Ryuu watched in awe from the observation deck as Eri slammed a core crystal into a metal frame. A glowing surge pulsed through it, activating a sleek, obsidian-colored gauntlet.
She turned toward them and shouted through the noise, "Get down here, rookies! Your gear's ready."
They moved quickly.
One by one, Eri unveiled her creations.
"For Kael," she said, walking over with a set of reinforced armguards laced with void-reactive alloy, "these will help regulate your power output. No more uncontrolled bursts… in theory."
Kael flexed one on, feeling it hum. "They feel… stable."
"For Tetsu," Eri grinned, tossing him a pair of kinetic amplifiers that strapped to his boots and gloves, "built-in propulsion. Punch harder, move faster, and—if you ever get too flirty—maybe use it to rocket away from danger."
Tetsu whistled. "Marry me."
"No."
Next came Ryuu's—sleek shoulder guards etched with energy runes that enhanced his blade channeling. "Perfect for your flair. Try not to destroy them on the first swing."
Ryuu smirked. "No promises."
Then she turned to Hana and handed her a crystalline hairpin shaped like a flower. "This enhances focus and reaction speed. And yes, it doubles as a dagger if needed."
Hana touched it softly, eyes bright. "It's beautiful."
Eri took a step back, arms crossed and proud. "All of it's custom-built, tuned to your Wills and battle styles. These aren't just tools—they're extensions of who you are."
Kael looked at her. "Thank you, Eri. Seriously."
She nodded, then shot a finger at all of them. "But bring it all back in one piece. I don't have time to remake it every time you feel like being dramatic heroes."
Tetsu nudged Kael. "She totally means you."
Kael smiled faintly, "For once, I'll try not to break anything."
The group shared a quiet moment. Then Kaede's voice echoed through the training hall above.
"Squad Four, report to the Arena. Trial simulations begin now."
The Ascension Trials were still days away.
But their real training?
It started now.