Morning sunlight poured through the dusty windows of Room 6.
Rick woke up first, somehow already halfway off the bed and tangled in a blanket like a muffin burrito. Yuuv was curled up next to his wand, softly snoring with one sock missing. Lui stood by the chalkboard, tapping it with his finger.
"Time to pick a quest," he said.
"I vote for one with cake," Rick mumbled from under the blanket.
"No cake quests," Izumi said, already dressed and flipping through the town's quest board book. "But there's a simple delivery quest to a nearby hill shrine."
"Does it pay?" Iuro asked.
"Two silver coins and a small cake as thanks," Izumi replied without looking up.
"I CHANGE MY VOTE TO THAT ONE," Rick declared, leaping up.
They cleaned up, ate a quick breakfast (mostly toast and arguments), and headed to the quest board in the center of Timbervale. The board was busy—guilds came and went, grabbing low-rank missions like herb runs, pet rescues, or farm help.
Moonreign, the cocky rival group from before, was already strutting around the square, flashing their shiny C-Novice tags.
"You guys still alive?" Vayne smirked at the Celestars.
"Yup," Rick said. "Still better looking too."
Yuuv blinked behind him.
Ding~
The shimmer made one of the Moonreign boys flinch. "Can he stop doing that?!"
"He doesn't even try," Ishi muttered.
They picked their quest—a simple delivery of enchanted herbs and a healing charm to the peaceful Shrine of Dulin, a one-hour walk uphill through soft meadows.
"You'll pass the flower hills," the registry lady said. "But don't touch the yellow ones. They're moody."
"…Flowers are moody now?" Rick blinked.
"They explode into confetti if you bother them," she smiled.
"I like them already."
Just as they were about to leave, a familiar group in lavender cloaks approached.
"Celestars," said a calm voice.
It was the girl from Lilac Thorns, the friendly rival guild. Her name tag read: Averelle – Team Lead – Lilac Thorns.
"You're doing the Dulin delivery too?" she asked.
"Yes," Lui said. "Why?"
"We're headed near the shrine for a scouting quest. Maybe we'll meet there."
Yuuv gave a tiny wave.
Averelle looked at him, then smiled. "Still carrying the bell?"
Ding~
"…Still adorable," she chuckled, walking away.
Lui gave Yuuv a long look. "You really attract strange compliments."
"I just exist," Yuuv replied sleepily.
—
The road to the shrine curved through golden grass and whispering flowers. They walked two by two, keeping pace.
"Why do you think this shrine needs herbs and charms?" Iuro asked.
"It's run by an old priestess who heals travelers," Izumi explained. "Sometimes they pay her in food or songs."
"Songs?" Rick asked. "Can I pay in beatboxing?"
"No," everyone said.
Halfway through, a rustle from the left made them freeze.
A wild boar charged out, squealing, eyes glowing faintly.
"DEFENSE FORMATION!" Lui shouted.
They snapped into motion—Lui and Ishi up front, swords drawn. Izumi backed up with Yuuv, while Iuro and Rick flanked the sides.
Iuro raised his staff, summoning tangled vines that slowed the boar's charge. Rick shot a burst of water under its feet, making it slip.
"Yuuv!" Lui called.
Yuuv raised his wand, eyes glowing faintly.
Ding~
The shimmer this time wasn't just soft—it rippled like a pulse, and the boar suddenly froze mid-step. Then blinked.
Then turned around…
…and ran away.
"…You pacified a wild boar with a bell," Izumi muttered.
Yuuv just yawned. "It looked angry. I told it 'please no.'"
They continued on, finally reaching the old stone steps of the Shrine of Dulin.
It was a peaceful place. Flowers bloomed in circles, and a soft wind danced around bells tied to trees.
An old woman in white greeted them. "Oh! You're the Celestars?"
"Yes, ma'am," Lui said, bowing.
She took the herbs and charm and gave them a small cloth pouch. "Thank you. And here's your reward."
Two silver coins—and a square sponge cake with vanilla cream.
"YESSS," Rick whispered, eyes shining.
"Please don't feed the shrine's birds," the priestess added casually.
"…What?" Rick blinked.
"They're made of enchanted mist. Eating them causes birds to sneeze."
—
As they rested in the shrine garden, another group arrived—Lilac Thorns.
Averelle spotted them and waved. "Looks like you beat us here."
Lui nodded. "We had a boar fight."
Averelle raised an eyebrow. "And won?"
Yuuv nodded.
Ding~
She chuckled again. "Still undefeated, huh?"
She walked to Lui. "When we all rank up, we should spar sometime."
Lui blinked. "…Sure."
Yuuv leaned toward Rick. "She's nice."
"She's scary," Rick whispered.
"She is kind," Yuuv added.
"Still scary."