Ardyn lay on his bed, both hands tucked behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling above. The room was dim, washed in the warm amber of a single lamp. Across from him, Pimri sat cross-legged on his own bed, thumbing slowly through a worn book. Doma was already asleep—curled under a blanket, snoring softly in the corner.
"Hey, Ard," Pimri said, closing the book and setting it aside.
Ardyn turned his head.
"I mean, we haven't known each other that long," Pimri continued, "but man… you haven't really been yourself since the match. You wanna talk?"
Ardyn gave a faint grin, the kind that tried too hard. "No, I'm good."
"Shut up," Pimri shot back, half-smirking. "Seriously, though. Did something happen during the game?"
Ardyn hesitated. His smile faded as he stared at the ceiling a moment longer. Then he sat up slowly, elbows resting on his knees.
"Maybe I just feel like… we didn't really win," he said quietly.
Pimri leaned back against the wall. "Come on. You heard what Captain said. You didn't win it with luck. You played that."
Ardyn didn't answer.
Pimri tilted his head, squinting. "Is that all?"
Ardyn gave a quick nod.
Pimri didn't buy it.
"This isn't about Mirae?"
Ardyn blinked. "What? No."
"Huh." Pimri crossed his arms. "See, that sounded like someone trying way too hard."
Ardyn opened his mouth to argue but didn't find the words. He just sat there, caught mid-thought.
"You think you won't see her again," Pimri said, softer this time.
Ardyn was stunned. He didn't know what to say. He hadn't even admitted that to himself—not fully. But now that Pimri said it, it hit too close to the truth.
"I say we go find her," Pimri said suddenly, hopping off his bed with a grin. "Let's ask the receptionist."
Ardyn managed a smile. "Thanks, Pimri. But... Orriven left a few days ago."
Pimri froze mid-step. "Oh."
He sat back down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, man."
"Thanks for the concern," Ardyn said, voice low.
"Anytime," Pimri replied. "That's what teammates are for, right?"
Ardyn nodded, then eased himself back down, arms returning behind his head as he stared once more at the ceiling.
"Maybe we should already sleep," Pimri mumbled, rolling onto his side and tugging the blanket up. "We'll be leaving early tomorrow."
Ardyn didn't answer, but his breathing slowed, and the room fell into a quiet stillness—just the soft rhythm of Doma's snoring, and the faint hum of wind outside the window.
* * *
The next morning came quiet and silver. Dawnlight spilled across Corith's upper platforms, the wind slow and steady as the Windmere team gathered near the edge of the dock, a long, curving platform of stone and steel that jutted out from the cliffs like a rib of the isle. The Loria, Windmere's airship, was already docked when they arrived, its broad fins catching the morning light as the crew prepared for boarding.
Ardyn walked beside Ava, both of them quiet with sleep and thought.
"Did Captain Seris say why he left earlier than the rest of us?" Ardyn asked, eyes flicking toward the Loria's boarding incline.
"He said he had to attend something important," Ava replied as they started climbing the ramp. "He's been in and out of the inn these past few days. Always off to meetings with the Skytest Council. Running errands. I think he's been working nonstop."
Ardyn glanced toward the bridge of the airship. "He's really taking this seriously."
"Wouldn't you?" Ava gave him a grin. "It's been years since Windmere made it past prelims. He's making sure we don't just show up to the next round—he wants us to compete."
They stepped onto the main deck—wide and clean, with railings of copperwood and sail lines bundled neatly near the helm. Crew members moved with purpose, and other team members were already trickling in from the ramp.
Then the main cabin door opened—and out stepped Captain Seris.
"Oh," Ava said, blinking. "Guess he's already here."
Captain Seris clapped his hands together, sharp and clear. "Everyone."
The team and support crew turned, gathering near the center of the deck. Doma tucked his gloves into his belt. Kael leaned on the railing. Pimri half-jogged to catch up.
"I have an important announcement," Seris began.
"As you all know—it's been many years since Windmere made it past the preliminaries."
He turned slightly and pointed to Ardyn.
"Ardyn here was instrumental to that."
There was a round of claps—genuine, if still a little groggy from the early hour. Ardyn gave a nod, half-awkward, as the team looked his way.
"We're about to face tougher opponents," Seris went on. "Faster. Sharper. More ruthless."
He paused.
"And I'll admit it. Roe and I? We're not enough to get you ready for what's next. We need more support. More speed."
He stepped aside from the door.
"So with that," Seris said, "I'd like to introduce your new speed trainer."
The door creaked open again.
Mirae stepped out.
Ardyn's eyes widened. His breath caught—not just from surprise, but from something else. She looked the same. Confident. Controlled. A faint glint in her eyes like she already knew how the team would react.
"Mirae Rinaka of Orriven Isle," Seris said.
There was a beat of silence. A few glances exchanged. A quiet murmur rippled across the team, but it was quickly followed by applause, polite and respectful.
Mirae gave a small wave. Her gaze moved across the team. When it passed Ardyn, she raised one brow—just slightly.
Ardyn exhaled through his nose, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He shook his head, like he couldn't believe it—and yet maybe he could.
"She'll be training you in speed and agility," Seris said. "And let's be honest. She's one of the fastest Cirrans currently flying in the Skytest. You've seen it yourselves."
He turned back to the team.
"Now, Ardyn once told me we might've won by luck. And maybe that's half-true. But the rest? That was wit. Instinct. Timing. Still... if that wind hadn't hit, if Mirae had stayed in play, I'm not sure we'd be standing here. So we're lucky again—that she agreed to join us."
Heads nodded. Kael crossed his arms. Ava gave a thoughtful look. Sedge raised his hand.
"Yes, Sedge?" Seris said.
"Isn't this against Skytest rules?" Sedge asked. "She's from another isle."
"I asked the Council," Seris replied. "They agreed. Ss long as she doesn't compete. Trainer status only."
Ava raised her hand.
"Yes, Ava?"
"Nothing important," she said, smiling. "Just wanted to say... finally, I have a roommate."
A few chuckles broke out across the deck.
"Any more questions?" Seris asked.
No one spoke.
"Then please welcome Miss Mirae Rinaka."
This time, the clapping was stronger—more sure of itself. Mirae dipped her head in acknowledgment.
As the team began to shift into boarding routines, Pimri slid beside Ardyn, draping an arm over his shoulder.
"Isn't this a nice little plot twist?"
Ardyn gave him a sideways glance and bumped him lightly with his elbow. "You have no idea."