Tall panels of dark wood lined the walls, their surfaces polished to a mirror sheen and inlaid with thin veins of brass. A long table of obsidian glass stretched through the center, flanked by high-backed leather chairs—all untouched. On the far wall, a mounted screen flickered softly.
The projection played in silence.
A man sat cross-legged in one of the chairs, elbows resting lightly on the armrests, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Then he pressed a button.
The screen froze.
"This clip is proving more that he probably is a Breather," the man said, turning his head slightly behind him.
A figure stood in the dark, still and quiet, arms crossed—slender frame outlined by the screen's glow, long hair falling clean over one shoulder. Composed and silent.
"Now that you've already infiltrated Windmere," the man continued, "dig more. Confirm if he really is."
He leaned back.
"If you prove that he is… let me know at once."
With a slight nod, the figure walked to the door, opened it with quiet ease, and slipped out—vanishing into the dark beyond.
* * *
It was the second morning since The Loria had departed Caldrith Vale.
The airship cut smoothly through the upper winds, its fins steady, sails pulled tight in the quiet drift of cruising altitude. The sky was a pale wash of blue and gold, high clouds stretched thin like threads of silk.
Ardyn stepped out from the main cabin, rubbing sleep from his eyes and blinking against the sunlight. The deck was already alive with the gentle rhythm of wind and motion, the low hum of engines beneath the floorboards. He hadn't spoken to Mirae since the day she boarded—no real words, at least. Just brief nods. Half-glances. And an awkward silence that had stretched longer than it should've.
Then he saw her.
She was leaning against the ship's railing—arms crossed, posture relaxed, eyes fixed on the horizon. The copperwood edge framed her neatly, and the morning light caught her hair just right. She looked calm. Listening.
Next to her stood Pimri, animated as always, hands moving while he spoke, likely spinning a story with too much detail and too much enthusiasm.
Ardyn slowed.
Then his eyes widened.
Pimri gestured broadly, and Mirae nodded, a small smirk tugging at one corner of her mouth.
Was he—was Pimri telling her that I had been looking for her?
His stomach turned. And his eyes widened further as Mirae's head shifted—just slightly—angled toward him.
Panic flared, sharp and sudden. Before her eyes could meet his, Ardyn swerved, veering toward the opposite side of the deck as if he hadn't seen them at all.
Too late.
From the corner of his vision, he caught it: two hands rising in a wave. Pimri's grin. Mirae's wave, calm and deliberate.
He kept walking, pretending not to notice, but the tips of his ears were already burning.
"Hey, Ard, man!" Pimri called out.
Ardyn froze mid-step, then turned slowly toward them. He lifted a hand in a hesitant, confused wave.
"Come here—join us," Pimri said, beckoning.
"Were you pretending you didn't see us?" Mirae asked, one brow raised in amused suspicion.
Ardyn ran a hand through his hair and left it resting there, fingers scratching lightly at his scalp. "What? No. I… didn't see you."
"You're a terrible liar," Mirae said, her voice dry but not unkind.
"Okay, okay," Ardyn sighed. "I just thought I'd let you both talk. That's all."
Mirae nodded—twice, slow and deliberate—then glanced away, as if letting the moment pass.
Ardyn immediately shot a wide-eyed look at Pimri and mouthed, "What are you telling her?"
Mirae's gaze shifted back to him.
Ardyn's face snapped to neutral, his hand dropping awkwardly to his side as if nothing had happened.
"You know Mirae here is very good at reading people?" Pimri said, nudging Ardyn with an elbow.
Ardyn blinked. "Why?"
"Well…" Pimri tilted his head, then pointed toward the front of the ship. "Look at those two."
Near the bow, Kael and Ava were leaning on the railing, both facing outward—close but not speaking, their shoulders almost brushing.
"Mirae told me there's something going on between those two," Pimri said, lowering his voice slightly.
Ardyn's brows furrowed. "That's what the two of you were talking about?"
Mirae and Pimri chuckled softly.
"Just a day," Pimri said. "One day, and she picked up on it. I've been flying with them for months and didn't have a clue."
He glanced back at the pair near the bow. "But after she pointed it out, I started putting the signs together—and yeah, I think she's right."
Ardyn looked at Mirae. "So you're fast at everything, huh?"
"I am," she said with a quiet, confident smile.
Before Ardyn could respond, Pimri looked down at his watch. "Ah—gotta go. Doma told me to wake him up at eight."
He turned and hurried toward the cabins, leaving the two alone.
Ardyn hesitated, then lowered his voice. "You owe me an explanation."
Mirae didn't look at him, but her arms shifted as she leaned more comfortably against the railing.
"Why did you let me win?" he asked.
"Because we have the same mission now," she said. "The myth."
"Breathers?" Ardyn asked in a near-whisper.
She nodded. "We've got a better chance of finding something if we work together. If Orriven had won, I don't think I'd have any chance of convincing my team to let you join us. But me joining yours? That made more sense."
"You planned this before the match?" Ardyn asked, voice low.
"No," she replied, finally glancing his way. "It came to me during the gust. Like a shift in the wind."
Ardyn shifted, turning his gaze out over the open sky beyond the railing. "So what now?"
"We research," Mirae said. "During downtime, when we're not training or competing."
She turned slightly, her tone sharper with purpose. "We'll find him."
"Who?" Ardyn asked.
"You already forgot?" she said, one brow rising.
"The Cirran from the far south," he said, remembering.
She nodded. "If anyone can confirm whether you're actually a Breather…" she paused, then corrected herself, almost too smoothly, "whether we are… it's him. And maybe—just maybe—he knows something about the Four."
Ardyn opened his mouth, about to ask something more, when the main cabin door creaked open. They both glanced back—Pimri stepped out, stretching his arms as he crossed the deck toward them.
"So… you two were still talking about Kael and Ava?" he said, eyes narrowing with mock suspicion.
"Yes!" Mirae and Ardyn said in unison.
Pimri narrowed his eyes. "You're both terrible liars."
* * *
Ardyn wrestled with the necktie in front of the mirror, brows furrowed in frustration. The loop tightened too much, then slipped apart again. He let out a quiet sigh and tried once more—unsuccessfully.
Behind him, the room buzzed with motion as Kael, Sedge, Pimri, and Doma finished dressing in their formal attires—pressed shirts, tailored coats, polished shoes. The cramped quarters of the Loria's guest room suddenly felt like a ballroom prep hall.
"Please don't tell me you've never worn one before," Sedge said, watching Ardyn with mild disbelief.
"As a matter of fact, yes," Ardyn replied dryly.
"Let me help you with that," Kael offered from beside him. He stepped over and deftly began fixing the knot.
"You haven't?" Pimri muttered, slipping on one shoe while adjusting the cuff of his sleeve.
"Nope," Ardyn said. "You expect me to wear a tie in a mechanic shop?"
"So whose attire are you borrowing?" Doma chimed in, glancing up from buttoning his collar.
"Mine," Kael said as he finished tightening Ardyn's tie with a small tug. "Fits him better than I expected."
Ardyn turned toward the others, tugging slightly at the collar. "Why are we even wearing this?"
"We're having dinner at Savoring Rock," Kael replied.
"What's that?" Ardyn asked, genuinely puzzled.
"A famous restaurant," Kael said. "And they require formal attire."
"And a very expensive one," Sedge added with a grin.
"I think we've been paid a decent amount after winning the prelims," he continued. "Captain Seris wants us to celebrate there."
"You guys been there before?" Ardyn asked, adjusting his sleeves.
"I think only Kael," Sedge replied.
"I'm just excited to feast," Doma said, flashing a grin as he straightened up.
Just then, the door creaked open and Roe leaned in halfway, one hand on the doorframe. "Boys," he said, "Captain Seris says to be ready in a few minutes. We're nearly there."
"I think we're all good," Sedge said, giving his cuffs a final check.
The boys stepped out onto the deck, their polished shoes tapping softly against the metal boards. A cool wind met them, brushing against their coats as they looked ahead.
There, rising out of the dark like a floating lantern, was the small isle—no larger than a market square. Dozens of golden lights traced its edges, hung from tall curved posts and clustered in warm halos along the walkways. The silhouette of a low, elegant building stood at its center, glass-paneled and glowing from within.
Savoring Rock.
The Loria began its slow approach, descending toward the isle's docking ring. Ardyn leaned on the railing beside Kael and Sedge, caught off guard by the quiet elegance of the place. From this distance, it looked more like a private estate than a restaurant.
A long whistle broke the silence.
"Whoa," Pimri muttered, elbowing Ardyn lightly.
Ardyn turned—and saw them.
The main cabin door had opened, and the Windmere women stepped out one by one. Members of the team's support crew—from the medic, one of the Galegear engineers, and even the ship's cooks—all dressed in formal wear. Dresses of deep blues, silvers, and rich maroon shimmered subtly under the ship's deck lights.
But Ardyn's eyes didn't linger on them.
What caught and held him was Mirae.
She wore a sleek black dress with a halter neckline that framed her shoulders and collarbone, the fabric flowing clean and simple but catching the light. A thin silver chain circled her waist, just enough to break the silhouette, and her hair—usually tied back for flights—fell loose down her back, slightly waved. She moved with quiet certainty, composed but entirely unbothered by the attention she was clearly drawing.
Beside her walked Ava, her blond hair just past her shoulders, softly curled and catching the wind. She wore a lavender dress, off-shoulder with subtle pleats that rippled as she walked, giving her the look of effortless poise. She was talking to Mirae, laughing about something—but even her calm smile couldn't outshine the strange gravity Mirae carried in that moment.
"Okay," Pimri said under his breath, "I take back everything. This is already the best part of the trip."
Mirae and Ava made their way toward them, steps light and unhurried as the deck lamps traced soft glows along the hems of their dresses.
"I almost didn't recognize you two," Pimri said with a half-teasing, almost poetic tone. "Thought we had a couple of air goddesses stepping out from the cabin crew."
The boys laughed—Sedge giving a low chuckle, Kael shaking his head in amusement.
"Well thank you, Mister Pimri," Ava said with a grin, giving a dramatic little bow in her lavender dress.
Then Mirae turned to Ardyn, one brow raised. "Well, look at you, Splash Boy," she said. "Looking stunning tonight."
"You don't know how much I struggled with this tie," Ardyn replied with a grin, tugging lightly at the knot.
She tilted her head. "Well, you wear it well."
"You look…" Ardyn started, the word catching slightly on his tongue. He glanced around suddenly, as if remembering they weren't alone. His eyes darted to the rest of the team just as—
Clap.
"Everyone prepare—we're docking," Captain Seris called from the helm, his voice brisk but warm. "And please assist the beautiful ladies on the incline."
The deck stirred into motion as the Loria slowed its approach. But Ardyn, for just a breath longer, found himself standing still—his eyes flicking once more to Mirae before stepping forward.
The Loria touched down with a gentle hum, its landing fins locking into place beside the isle's smooth docking platform. The moment the incline extended, warm lanternlight spilled across the metal ramp, casting soft gold hues on the Cirran team as they descended in pairs and small clusters.
Savoring Rock stood ahead—low, elegant. The outer walls were dark stone polished to a glossy sheen, broken by broad windows that shimmered. Vines of flowering windlilies trailed from hanging boxes overhead, their pale petals stirring slightly in the breeze.
As the Windmere team crossed the short stone path to the entrance, soft music filtered out—something stringed and slow, with a faint fluttering rhythm.
Inside, the air shifted—cooler, fragrant, touched with something citrus and smoke. The lighting was low and amber, flickering gently from candle domes suspended in glass globes. There were only a handful of guests scattered across the space, seated at wide tables with polished surfaces that caught the light like dark water.
Servers moved silently in tailored vests, their steps practiced and precise.
Captain Seris led them toward a long table set near the back wall—half-curved to match the room's shape, with cushioned seats and a narrow indoor garden framing one side. The table was already set: silverware gleaming, glasses sparkling under soft light, and a folded menu embossed with a floating isle seal at every plate.
Ardyn walked near the end, he slid into his seat as the others settled around him.
For once, Windmere didn't feel like an underdog isle from the edge of the map.
The courses came one after another—plated with delicate precision and rich with flavors Ardyn didn't have names for. Bowls of steaming broth, seared meats glazed in windfruit reduction, crisped rootcakes stacked like towers. Glasses clinked softly in cheers as laughter spread along the Windmere table. Even Captain Seris cracked a rare grin as he raised a toast, and for a while, the tension of training and matches slipped away beneath candlelight and warmth.
Then the front door chimed.
A group entered—larger in number than theirs. Composed. Silent. Their uniforms, even beneath formal coats, bore the same matte-gray palette trimmed in pale violet. They moved like a formation rather than a dinner party, guided by an attendant to a long table set just a few lengths away.
The Windmere team didn't speak—but something in their posture shifted. A few forks paused. Ava's smile faltered slightly. Even Pimri leaned back, watching as the group settled.
Ardyn leaned toward Doma beside him. "Why? Who are they?"
Doma's tone dropped slightly. "Cindralune team."
From Ardyn's other side, Kael added, "Two-time consecutive Skytest champions."
"And finalists again this year," Doma muttered.
Ardyn's brows furrowed.
"Meaning we might end up facing them," Pimri said from across the table, arms now folded loosely over his chest. He nodded at Ardyn. "Remember what I told you?"
Ardyn looked at him, already hearing it in his head.
"After prelims," Pimri said evenly, "the game changes."
"We could die," Kael added quietly.
There was no drama in his voice. Just fact.
Later that night, after the laughter dimmed and most of the plates were cleared, Ardyn slipped away from the warm light of the dining hall. He climbed the winding stair tucked behind the upper terrace and stepped out onto the rooftop.
There she was—Mirae—standing alone beneath a wide sky, the stars sharp and cold above her. The wind tugged gently at the ends of her hair as she leaned on the railing, gaze lifted.
Ardyn walked slowly to her side.
"Is it fine to join you?" he asked.
"You're already here," she said, raising a brow.
"Sorry."
"Just kidding." A smile slipped onto her lips, quick and natural.
"You still don't know when I'm serious."
"You're hard to read," he said.
"You're just so…" she paused, eyes narrowing playfully, "so Ardyn."
"What?!" he frowned.
"You're exactly Ardyn." She waved a hand as if brushing the thought away. "Don't think too hard about it."
"By the way," she said, her tone shifting. "Toren told me that you saved him. Thanks."
Ardyn nodded with a smile—then a voice broke the moment.
"I know what the two of you are."
They turned.
A figure stood behind them, half-silhouetted by the stairwell's glow.
Ardyn recognized him from the group that arrived earlier—one who had stood out even then. He had long, wavy white hair that fell past his shoulders, and piercing blue eyes that held a quiet intensity—calm, serious, and unreadable.
"Elari, right?" Mirae said. "Elari Duskmere."
He gave a single nod.
"What do you mean, you know what we are?" Mirae asked, voice steady but sharpened.
Before he could answer, more footsteps echoed up the stairs.
Kael and Ava emerged, slowing as they spotted the group.
Elari glanced over his shoulder at them, then turned back to Mirae and Ardyn.
"Don't be too obvious in the games," he said quietly. "They're watching."
Then he walked past Kael and Ava without another word, descending the stairs and disappearing into the shadowed halls below.
Kael and Ava moved closer.
"What was that about?" Kael asked.
"Just taunting us," Mirae said, arms crossed, her voice cool. "As if he can."
Ardyn looked at her, a question caught on his tongue. Mirae met his gaze for just a heartbeat—and in her eyes was something unspoken.