Drifter moved through his morning routine with practiced ease, his gaze falling on the book Luna Sabriel had given him. Today marked his final Alcherider session—he''d grown confident enough to navigate the streets independently.
Luna greeted him with her characteristic unreadable expression. In the simulation room, she gestured for him to sit beside her, directing his attention to the simulated street ahead. The controls felt natural now, far simpler than the rune-control sticks of his past. Everything responded to intuitive hand movements: circular motions to turn, swipes for lane changes, push-pull for speed control, and a palm-down gesture for braking. Though the vehicle could operate autonomously, Drifter preferred manual control.
Their session was interrupted when Alina burst in, searching for Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine—they''d skipped class. The group''s investigation led them to Alma, who mentioned overhearing talk of a bet. The trio had been challenged to kill the sealed Grimwarden Revenant in Urendha Cave.
Drifter noticed Alma''s usual cheerfulness had dimmed, her smile faint. Even Nadia, her constant companion, was absent. They''d grown apart, each drawn into different circles and activities. The observation stirred something in Drifter—what had changed between them?
Alina''s expression darkened as she explained the stakes: breaking the seal would unleash an undead horde. Without hesitation, Drifter, Alina, Jaxon, and Luna rushed to the cave, dread coiling in Drifter''s chest.
Deep within, surrounded by purple runes etched into stone walls, they found the trio—alive, but barely. Battered and trembling, they faced an army of ghostly, skeletal creatures. The seal was broken.
Drifter materialize Exaltare, his dark gray sword along with spectral swords as blue projectiles erupted from his left hand, cutting through the undead. Alina’s ice greatsword cleaved through their ranks with deadly precision, while Luna’s ice magic froze enemies in place. Jaxon’s twin bowguns unleashed a relentless storm of crimson projectiles, striking down any creature that moved.
The undead retaliated with blasts of dark miasma, slashing strikes of shadowed energy, and raking claws. Overseeing them all was the Grimwarden Revenant—a towering beast of blackened bone and armor, its void-dark skull exuding an eerie presence.
As the team closed in on the revenant, its minions fought with relentless fury. The revenants cleaved through the battlefield with their greatsword, dark energy surging through their blades with lethal force, sending out devastating shockwaves.
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The battle raged on until Drifter’s sword struck its head, Jaxon’s explosive shot detonated, Alina’s powerful ice cleave tore through its form, and Luna’s frost blast struck all at once—bringing the Grimwarden Revenant crashing down.
Relief flooded Drifter only when he confirmed the trio''s survival, but anger quickly followed. Alina''s voice cut sharp and furious, her words heavy with disappointment. For the first time, Drifter felt genuine rage toward them. The situation echoed his time with the Order, where survival was paramount. Risking lives for a meaningless bet seemed beyond comprehension.
"We''re sorry," they apologized, voices laced with remorse. Yet doubt lingered. While Reine appeared to have simply followed along, Lorcan admitted he and Sloane had initiated the bet. But were they truly repentant?
That night, Drifter lay awake, fingers curling against his sheets. Had he truly adapted to this era? The emotions churning in his chest—worry, anger, relief—felt foreign yet familiar. When he''d thought they might die, fear had gripped him. Their safety brought relief. Yet anger persisted, keeping sleep at bay until exhaustion finally claimed him.
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As he woke up and went through his morning routine, preparing to head outside, he glanced at the calendar—28th Avesia, the fifth month. Ascension Day.
Stepping outside, he found the academy grounds eerily silent, save for the distant prayers drifting through the air, commemorating the First Celestial Sentinel’s escape from Celestria—the day she freed countless slaves from the grasp of the Holy Empire of Selvaria.
Curious about the city''s celebrations, Drifter headed to the alcherider parking lot. In the courtyard, he spotted Reine and Vaeloria on a garden bench, surrounded by vibrant flowers and oval-shaped automatons. Their conversation drew his attention.
"I don''t know what I would''ve done without you," Vaeloria murmured.
"I-It''s no problem, Ria. If you''re not feeling well, I can take over again," Reine replied.
"Thank you so much, Reine. I''m really sorry... you''re a lifesaver," Vaeloria sighed.
Just as Drifter was about to greet them, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Not feeling well again? Funny... I saw you at the mall yesterday. You looked perfectly fine," Lorcan said, his tone sharp as he moved toward Reine and Vaeloria.
Vaeloria''s expression tensed slightly, but she kept her voice light. "Don''t go making wild accusations. I was at home resting all day."
"How convenient. You get sick just in time for the city''s big sale," Lorcan scoffed.
"W-Wait, she was at the mall? But... I thought..." Reine hesitated.
"That''s so mean! I really was sick. I wanted to go to school, but... what else could I do?" Vaeloria protested.
"Hah, just an excuse. Next time, I''ll snap a photo," Lorcan muttered.
"It''s fine. I''ll take care of it," Reine said softly.
"See? Reine doesn''t mind. Thanks a lot, Reine. Bye!" Vaeloria waved, her steps graceful as she walked toward the exit. She spotted Drifter, winked playfully, and waved. "Bye~"
Drifter only nodded, then looked at Reine. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air.
Lorcan sighed, grabbing a handful of seedlings. "Man, I came here on my day off to back you up, and you let her off that easily?"
"You didn''t have to, Lorcan. Sorry... you should just go home," Reine said, using telekinesis to prepare the soil.
"Come on, stop treating me like a stranger. I''ll help." Lorcan knelt beside him. "You''re way too nice, Reine. If you keep this up, people will just take advantage of you."
"Sorry... I didn''t mean to trouble you," Reine murmured.
Drifter observed quietly. Reine often trailed behind Lorcan and Sloane, always eager to help—but there was a weight to him, something unspoken.
As Drifter approached, Lorcan glanced up. "Oh... thanks again for yesterday. And... sorry," he said, unusually serious.
It was unexpected. Lorcan usually joked around or threw out a casual "old man." This was different—was he genuinely reflecting on what happened?
"It''s fine. Just don''t do it again," Drifter replied with a faint smile.
As they finished up, Lorcan offered to guide him around the city as thanks for yesterday, proudly extending the invitation. Seeing his enthusiasm, Drifter gave a small nod.
They made their way to the underground parking lot, where Drifter mounted his Alcherider Zenith, with Reine and Lorcan joining him. Lorcan mentioned casually that his alcherider was still in repair from yesterday''s crash, though whether he was joking remained unclear.
"Mind if we stop by Sloane''s place first?" Lorcan asked.
Drifter agreed. As they reached Nethia City, he noticed it seemed quieter than usual due to the holiday. Only the distant echoes of prayers filled the air as groups in white robes headed to the faith temples to pray to the Creator. The revelation that Sloane''s family managed the Nethia Faith Grand Temple had surprised him.
The grand temple near the academy bustled with white-robed worshippers, their prayers resonating through the air. Drifter found himself in awe of the crystalline spire gleaming under the sunlight. Inside, he studied the intricate wall carvings while cool air surrounded them, and colored light from stained glass windows danced across the shining floor.
A short-haired man in white approached them in the main worship area. Lorcan''s familiar interaction with him revealed he was Alan Gast, Sloane''s father. When Alan offered them a chance to pray to the Creator, they accepted. Drifter wondered how long it had been since he''d last prayed in a temple—surely before Paxluma''s fall.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Sloane''s arrival was marked by widened eyes at seeing them all gathered. After Lorcan''s invitation, he turned to his father.
"See you later, old man," Sloane said, giving Alan a quick wave and light kiss on the hand.
Alan shook his head affectionately. "Take care, noodle."
As they headed for the door, Sloane glanced at Drifter. "What''s the special occasion? Even you''re coming along, Drifter?"
"Got bored. Thought I''d tag along," Drifter replied.
Lorcan shot a teasing look at Reine. "Look at him talking like a normal person now. Remember when he sounded like a wind-up automaton?"
Reine''s soft chuckle carried from behind.
Their city tour continued with Lorcan as guide. The Central District''s official atmosphere was marked by government buildings, the academy, hospitals, and an unexplored central park. The Nethia Grand Hall stood out with its intricate design contrasting the surrounding geometric structures.
When Lorcan mentioned the area''s reservation for the upcoming city festival, Drifter merely nodded.
Downtown featured shorter buildings than the Central District, with more billboards and cafes sporting cute maid automatons. People crossed through X-shaped intersections, and the area blended residential apartments with commercial and entertainment spaces.
The residential district, Tranquil Grove, teemed with life—pet owners walking their companions amid geometrically diverse buildings and abundant greenery. Lorcan proudly indicated his unkempt two-story home, which looked long-uninhabited. They passed the garden-encircled Natura Feld Complex before reaching Eirda Terrace, where luxurious homes reminded Drifter of Friedrich''s residence.
Skipping Reine''s district for later, they entered the Commercial and Entertainment District. It resembled downtown but featured both outdoor and indoor structures, with the Eirda River flowing through and metallic bridges spanning it. The district housed various facilities: gyms, pools, theaters, and sports venues including Spectra duel arenas, Evoball arenas, and Alcherider tracks. At Nethia Mall, Lorcan and Sloane playfully debated between watching Zero-G ball or racing.
Checking his Lumina Core—14:14—Drifter glanced at the quiet Reine, whose calm expression prompted him to wonder how someone so reserved fit so naturally with the group.
"What if Reine picked?" Drifter suggested.
After Lorcan and Sloane''s agreement, Reine hesitated before suggesting, "Eh... how about we go to my place? It''s getting late."
"Alright! Let''s play Spectra!" Lorcan exclaimed enthusiastically.
Sloane covered his ears, either joking or genuinely bothered by Lorcan''s volume. Despite his unfamiliarity with Spectra, Drifter nodded as they headed to Reine''s house.
In Halcyon Heights, Drifter parked in the public lot. The district''s rectangular homes varied only in minor details, its atmosphere reminiscent of Tranquil Grove. Reine''s two-story house featured a small balcony overlooking a tidy garden.
A petite young girl with pointy ears and golden twin ponytails greeted them at the door. "Mama! Reine is home! And..." she called, glancing behind her before looking back. "Oh... there''s Sloane and Lorcan. And... uh...?"
Inside, they met Reine''s mother, a woman with pointy ears, golden bobbed hair, and green eyes who studied Drifter curiously. White walls displayed family photos of Reine, Reina, the little girl, a blue-fringed bearded man, and Reine''s mother, while furniture and flowers decorated the space.
"And who might you be?" Reine''s mother inquired.
"This is Drifter, Mom. He''s an Order member stationed at the academy," Reine explained.
"Good afternoon, ma''am," Drifter said with a small bow.
"A pleasure to meet you. You seem much more mature than these two," she remarked, gesturing toward Lorcan and Sloane.
Reine''s room welcomed them with blue and white wallpaper, stacks of books, photos, and various colored magisterial consoles. As Reine activated one console, a large holographic display flickered to life.
"Ever played Spectra before, Drifter?" Lorcan teased.
"No," Drifter replied simply.
"Watch us first, old man," Lorcan smirked. "Let''s do 2v2! Reine''s with me!"
"Alright, give me a sec," Reine said, focused on the console.
"I''m sitting this one out. My money''s on you two losing," Sloane commented lazily.
"Oh, just wait. When we win, you''re gonna owe us big time!" Lorcan retorted.
The screen transformed into a blue-hued virtual arena resembling a simulation nexus. Lorcan and Reine appeared virtually, facing two female opponents across a volcanic landscape. As they summoned creatures and cast spells, their summoned beings clashed with explosive force.
"What are they even playing? Leading an army? It feels more like a tactical simulation," Drifter mused.
"Pretty much. It''s a mix of strategy and combat. You summon creatures, cast spells, and use five Hero Cards to crush your opponents. Matches can be 1v1, 2v2, or even 3v3 if you''re up for it," Sloane explained.
Drifter observed Reine''s precise movements and deliberate decisions. When Reine''s turn came, his floating orb—uniquely glowing in yellow-black-black sequence—shattered instantly. A surge of energy manifested a blue phoenix.
"Solth, the Searwind Archon, attack!" Reine commanded.
The phoenix''s direct strike secured their victory, prompting Lorcan''s celebratory leap. "Yes! Rank up, finally!"
"''We''? Let''s be real, Reine carried you," Sloane laughed.
"Hey, my ''fake losing'' strategy was genius," Lorcan grinned.
"Sure, let''s go with that," Reine smirked faintly, carefully packing his Hero Cards.
"Alright, big shot. Let''s see what you''ve got in a Friendly Match," Sloane challenged.
"Fine! Just don''t start crying when I win," Lorcan replied dramatically.
Drifter''s attention drifted to photos in the corner—young Reine with Vaeloria at Eldoria Public School, and a more recent graduation photo with Lorcan and Sloane at Nethia Public School. The evident history between Reine and Vaeloria contrasted sharply with their current distant dynamic.
That evening, dinner passed peacefully, accompanied only by silverware clinking and home-cooked aromas. As they departed, golden sunset light bathed Nethia City''s streets.
"Thanks for the invite, Reine. Dinner was great," Sloane said.
"Thank you for having me. It was... a good evening," Drifter added.
"Thanks, Reine! That was awesome. Let''s do it again soon," Lorcan chimed in.
"Yeah. Take care, guys," Reine responded.
"The old man''s hooked on Spectra. He just won''t admit it," Lorcan teased.
"Oh, of course, Master Lorcan. Teach me your legendary ways," Drifter smirked.
"Master? More like the master of losing streaks," Sloane countered.
After declining Drifter''s offer for a ride, Lorcan and Sloane waved goodbye. Later, lying in bed, Drifter smiled faintly at the ceiling. Living here isn''t so bad at all, he thought before drifting off.
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The next morning''s academy message jarred Drifter from sleep:
From: Academy
To: Drifter, Lorcan, Sloane, Reine, Vaeloria
Subject: Frontier Outpost Shift Schedule – 30th Avesia (5th Month) – 6th Ingrith (6th Month)
His eyes narrowed as he read the message. The Frontier Outpost—the boundary to Area Zero. This might be his chance to gather intelligence, to see what lay beyond the borders they''d kept him from. Might be best to scout there, he thought.
Drifter went through his morning routine, meticulously preparing for the day ahead at the academy. As he crossed the courtyard, he spotted Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine walking together. They waved him over, their faces brightening at his approach.
"Drifter! Over here!" Lorcan called out.
He joined them, falling into step as they bantered about the upcoming mission. Lorcan and Sloane joked as always, their laughter carrying across the courtyard.
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"How about a free lunch if Ria skips again?" Sloane said, nudging Lorcan with her elbow.
"Not taking that bet," Lorcan replied with a chuckle. "That''s practically guaranteed."
Reine smiled softly but said nothing, his eyes occasionally darting to Drifter, gauging his reactions.
The conversation flowed easily until Lorcan suddenly stopped, exchanging a conspiratorial glance with the others.
"Hey, Drifter," he said, voice dropping to a whisper. "Want to see something cool? Our secret spot."
"Are you skipping class?" Drifter asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sloane laughed. "No, we just want to show you something quickly. Won''t take long."
Curiosity piqued, Drifter followed as they led him toward the research center garden. Behind the neatly trimmed hedges stood an abandoned building, its stone walls covered in ivy and moss. Despite its dilapidated appearance, Drifter could see signs of recent use—cleared pathways, a makeshift door that hung properly on its hinges.
"Welcome to base camp," Lorcan announced proudly, sweeping his arm in a grand gesture. "We claimed this place last term. Nobody comes here but us."
"Our own little sanctuary from academy politics," Sloane added, leaning against the doorframe.
Drifter nodded and offered a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes. It was a good hiding spot, he had to admit. Useful, perhaps, for his own purposes later.
As they made their way back to the academic Wings, Drifter spotted a lone figure beneath a sprawling oak in the Research Center Garden. Luna sat with her back against the trunk, speaking into the holographic interface of her lumina core. He started to approach her, to offer a greeting, when her words reached him.
"Don''t worry, Grandmaster... I''ll update the report if he shows any change."
Drifter froze mid-step, his expression hardening. There was no doubt who "he" referred to. The warmth that had begun to build within him over the past days instantly crystallized into ice.
So that''s how it is, he thought bitterly. All this time... she just grandmaster pawn, even now, they still see me as a threat. This isn''t a home—it''s a prison.
His fists clenched at his sides as suspicion gnawed at him.
I almost let my guard down...
Was all this kindness merely an elaborate trap to keep him here, docile and contained? His teeth gritted with determination. Whatever it took, he had to reach Paxluma. That hadn''t changed. Nothing had changed.
Drifter turned away without greeting Luna, his face a careful mask as he rejoined the others. But the transformation hadn''t gone unnoticed. Lorcan and Sloane''s laughter died the moment they saw his expression.
The two exchanged worried glances. Sloane subtly shook her head, while Lorcan shrugged slightly as if to say, "How should I know?"
Only Reine remained perfectly still, his eyes carefully studying Drifter. He recognized the shift immediately—the way he carried himself, the distance in his eyes. In a matter of moments, the person who had begun to warm to them had vanished, replaced by the stranger who had first arrived at their academy.