Mid-Autumn, Year 01 - Eryndor Academy, Festival Week
Lanterns drifted like fireflies across the floating gardens, painting the academy in hues of silver and crimson. Students rushed between stalls - some selling enchanted sweets, others performing alchemy tricks for applause. Music, laughter, and mana filled the air.
Kain stood behind the After Life Booth, apron tied, polishing potion bottles that shimmered with inner light. Beside him, Laora tuned a small mana-harp to keep the rhythm of her resonance elixirs, while Daniel counted coin with suspicious precision.
Selene adjusted the stall's crystal lights. "We should keep things elegant," she said. "People judge by presentation."
Daniel nodded. "Presentation sells. Dignity optional."
Elayne added softly, "No explosions this time."
Laora grinned. "No promises."
Opening Ceremony
The Chancellor appeared on the central stage, her robes aglow with constellations."Welcome, students of Eryndor! May your creations reflect your hearts. Remember—the festival is not for profit, but harmony."
Daniel whispered to Kain, "So… profit is forbidden?"
"Technically," Kain said, "we're demonstrating alchemy."
"Demonstrating capitalism," Daniel corrected.
The crowd laughed as the Chancellor raised her staff. Fireworks of light spiraled through the air-silver and ash intertwining-signifying the festival's theme: "Unity through Contrast."
The Arrival of the Kitsune Clan
A hush fell as a group of dignitaries entered through the sky bridge. Their garments rippled with shimmering foxfire. At their center walked two sisters:Lady Yoriko Kitsunomi, heir of the Kitsune clan and one of Lumiel's betrothed;and her younger sibling, Yanari Kitsunomi, whose hair blazed midnight blue and whose eyes burned like sapphire flame.
The sisters' tails fanned behind them in waves of ethereal light.
Laora whispered, "Royal Kitsune at our festival? That's new."
Daniel smirked. "Lumiel did say his love life was… complicated."
Yanari's gaze drifted over the stalls-until it met Kain's.For a moment, the noise of the festival vanished. The blue flame behind her eyes flickered as if recognizing his soul.
"Half-dragon… half-Aeon…" she murmured, almost to herself. "Your aura sings too loud."
Kain blinked. "Sorry?"
She stepped closer, tail swaying. "Not an insult. Just… curious."She extended a hand, her fingers tipped with faint azure fire. "Yanari Kitsunomi. Shinobi of the Ninth Tail."
"Kain Machiavelli," he said, shaking it. Her touch felt like lightning wrapped in silk. "Blacksmith."
She smiled. "A creator, then. Maybe we'll trade someday."
Daniel leaned in from the side. "Careful, brother. That one trades in souls."
Yanari's ears twitched. "Only the ones people waste."
Selene raised an eyebrow but said nothing; a tiny spark of silver light shimmered at the tip of her wing.
The Duel of Arts
As dusk fell, each department presented its craft. Laora and Elayne performed a live alchemy duet, blending resonance with herbal light. Kain forged under open sky, the Flame of Nihility burning calm and pure, shaping a crystal goblet etched with the Tree of Life.
When he lifted it to the air, the crowd gasped. The goblet shone half black, half silver-perfect balance.
Then Yanari stepped onto the stage for the Shinobi Exhibition.
Her twin katanas flashed; blue flames coiled like serpents. Every motion blended art and battle-a dance of illusion and grace. At the finale, she landed before Kain's forge, one blade pointing upward.
"Forge me something that matches this," she challenged, smiling. "If you can."
He met her gaze, the Flame answering with a pulse of silver light."Give me a day."
Nightfall Confessions
After the crowds dispersed, Kain walked through the lantern gardens. Selene joined him quietly, her wings folded. The silence between them was comfortable, until she spoke.
"She's strong," Selene said softly. "The Kitsune girl."
"She is," Kain admitted.
Selene's smile was faint. "Be careful. Kitsune play with hearts."
He chuckled. "You think I'm easy to fool?"
"I think you're kind. That's rarer—and easier to wound."
Before he could answer, she reached out, brushing a bit of forge dust from his cheek. "You always carry light, Kain. Just remember—some people are drawn to it for warmth… others to extinguish it."
Her words lingered long after she left.
Midnight Visitation
Later that night, a whisper pulled him from sleep. The room shimmered faintly; his Flame awakened, casting ghostly light.
From the window, a familiar voice: "You really forged that in public?"
Yanari crouched on the sill, tails glowing faint blue. "The Flame of Nihility… rare toy."
"It's not a toy."
She smirked. "Then show me it's alive."
Before he could respond, she stepped closer, aura flickering between shadow and light. "You and I - we both live between truths. You with your void flame, me with my foxfire. Maybe we can learn something… together."
Her blue flame flared, blending for an instant with his silver one. The air hummed—a strange harmony neither of them understood.
Then she vanished, leaving behind a faint wisp of foxfire and a whisper of laughter.
Dream of Ix
Sleep returned slowly, and so did the Aeon's voice.
"Two flames now touch yours," Ix murmured, its tone half-amused, half-fond."Creation binds creation. Balance grows complex—just as it should."
Kain sighed. "You sound entertained."
"The Tree is never bored, child. It simply waits to see which branch blooms first."
He opened his eyes to find a single strand of blue fire resting on his palm.
[Status Update]
Name: Kain Machiavelli
Race: Half Nihility Aeon • Half Blood Dragon
Level: 11 Exp: 390 / 520
Tree Rank: Hod (8th Sphere)
Guiding Aeon: Ix – Aeon of Nihility
Spirit Invoked: Van Helsing – First Dragon of Blood
Unique Skill: Shadow Nihility Flame Lv 2
Life Skills: Blacksmithing Lv 3 | Alchemy Lv 2 | Trading Lv 2 | Mining Lv 1
Bond Updates: Selene von Arctis (Trust 14 %) | Elayne Valmor (Affinity 9 %) | Yanari Kitsunomi (Interest 5 %) | Laora Machiavelli (Resonance Aid)
Objective: Forge a weapon worthy of the Kitsune's blue flame and uncover the rising shadow within the Academy's heart.
End of Chapter 7 – The Festival of Silver and Ash