[Scene 1 – Morning After the Storm]
Sunlight quietly entered Riku's room through the half-open window.
Birds chirped.
No sirens.
No announcements.
No alarms.
Just… morning.
Riku slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he forgot everything.
Then Bolt jumped onto his chest.
"GOOD MORNING!! You're finally alive!"
Riku groaned. "Bolt… five more minutes…"
"You slept for TWO DAYS," Bolt said proudly. "That's a record!"
Riku sat up, rubbing his head. His Core felt… calm. Almost silent.
"That's weird," he muttered. "No pulse. No purple sparks."
Bolt tilted his head. "Maybe the storm got tired."
Riku smiled faintly.
For the first time since the tournament began, his heart felt light.
[Scene 2 – Downstairs, Like Nothing Happened]
The smell of warm bread filled the house.
Riku's mother stood in the kitchen, humming softly, as if the world hadn't nearly collapsed two nights ago.
"You're awake," she said calmly, placing a plate on the table.
"Sit. Eat properly."
Riku blinked. "Mom… the arena—"
She cut him off gently.
"It's been officially declared an 'equipment malfunction.'
The tournament is postponed indefinitely."
She looked at him — not as a scientist, not as someone hiding secrets.
Just a mother.
"You don't need to fight today."
Riku nodded slowly.
Bolt whispered, "She's pretending everything's normal… but her hands are shaking."
[Scene 3 – The Town Resets]
Soren Town looked… ordinary.
Shops reopened.
Kids ran through the streets.
Posters of the Soren Spirit Cup were quietly taken down.
Toma jogged up to Riku, waving.
"Yo! Sleeping beauty finally appears!"
Riku smirked. "You say that after I almost died?"
Toma shrugged. "Details."
Then he lowered his voice.
"Hey… officials say new students are being transferred to our academy because of the 'delay.'
Something about cultural exchange."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
Toma grinned. "Perfect timing, right?"
Bolt's ears twitched. "I smell… someone new."
[Scene 4 – The New Student]
The academy classroom buzzed with low chatter.
The teacher clapped her hands.
"Quiet, everyone.
We have a transfer student joining us today."
The door slid open.
A girl stepped inside.
Black hair tied loosely.
Eyes calm, observant — like she was always listening more than speaking.
Her uniform was neat, but slightly different.
She bowed politely.
"My name is Mira Saen.
I've just moved to Soren Province."
The room whispered.
"Another transfer?"
"After the arena thing?"
"She looks serious…"
Mira's eyes scanned the class.
They stopped.
For half a second —
They met Riku's.
Something passed between them.
Not lightning.
Not destiny.
Just… recognition.
Mira looked away first and took the empty seat near the window.
Bolt leaned close to Riku's ear.
"…That girl."
Riku whispered back, "What about her?"
Bolt stared, serious.
"She feels… quiet.
But storms hide in quiet skies."
[Scene 5 – A Normal Ending]
Classes ended like usual.
No attacks.
No hunters.
No dragon shadows in the sky.
Riku walked home, hands in his pockets.
Behind him, Mira exited the school gate alone.
She paused, looking at the clouds above Soren Town.
Softly, to herself:
"…So this is where the storm bearer lives."
Riku didn't hear her.
But Bolt did.
And for the first time since the arena collapse—
The wolf spirit felt something new.
Not da
nger.
Not fear.
But change.
🌤️ End of Chapter 13
Next: Chapter 14 – "When the Quiet Breaks"
> A normal routine.
A girl with secrets.
And a calm that won't last forever.