The world stretched endlessly below—a sea of clouds tinted gold by the rising sun. The Kunpeng's wings shimmered with faint silver light, cutting through the morning sky like a divine streak.
Everyone sat comfortably along Aira's broad back, the wind whipping past their hair. The air was crisp, cold, and alive with mana currents. For a moment, none of them spoke—each lost in the simple awe of flight.
But soon, curiosity took over.
Kyle leaned forward, staring intently at the ring gleaming on his finger. "So this thing really works, huh?" he muttered, slipping a small dagger in—and watching it vanish instantly. A second later, he pulled it back out, his eyes lighting up like a child's. "Hah! It's like magic within magic!"
Aurelia laughed under her breath. "That's because it is magic within magic."
