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Alma Rosenthal woke up in her room at home on Eirda Terrace, surrounded by pink furniture, walls, and floors. Cute dolls and her rock companion sat neatly on her wardrobe.
After finishing her morning routine, she went downstairs and found her breakfast already set on the dining table—but, as always, her father was gone.
As she ate, her thoughts drifted to the Lumina Relay. Every year, she had done it with Nadia. But now… just thinking about it made her blood simmer.
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Then she remembered Drifter. He might not even know about the Lumina Relay, and for a big event like this, it was important for him to experience the joy as well.
I''m sure he will…
With that thought, she headed to the academy, taking the public skyrail. Along the way, she greeted some friends, walking with them as they chatted about their Lumina Relay partners. A few asked Alma to join them, but she politely declined—she had already decided who she would run with.
Finally, she spotted him wandering through the courtyard. With a casual wave, she said goodbye to her friends and made her way over to him.
"Good morning, Drifter!" she called out, waving with a broad smile.
"Morning, Alma." Drifter smiled back at her.
Alma studied his face with genuine curiosity. "You look... different," she whispered, her voice nearly lost in the bustle of the courtyard. "Brighter, maybe?"
Drifter took a measured breath before responding. "Do I?" still smiling.
Standing before him, Alma shifted between eagerness and hesitation. "By the way, have you joined the Lumina Relay yet?" she asked, eyes bright with excitement.
"Lumina Relay?"
"The biggest event of the year!" she explained enthusiastically. "It’s the highlight of Founders'' Day, where teams of two compete in challenges."
She fidgeted with her bag, her voice softening. "Will you... team up with me?"
He held her earnest gaze for a moment before nodding. "Of course, Alma."
Relief washed over her features. "Thank you, Drifter! I’ll do my best to keep up!"
The quiet of the courtyard was broken by familiar voices. Drifter noticed Jaxon and Alina ahead, approaching them with Alma at his side. A brief exchange of waves followed, leading to a discussion about their team assignments.
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Alina had rushed to register her team with Luna when Lorcan—seemingly late for class or something—came sprinting past and crashed into her. As a result, Jaxon and Alina were accidentally paired together, much to her visible frustration and his apparent amusement.
"Don’t you dare pull anything, Jaxon," she warned.
"Whatever you say, boss," he responded casually.
As they walked away, they encountered Nadia Fernleaf in the corridor. The tension between her and Alma was palpable—Alma deliberately avoided eye contact, while Nadia quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction, leaving a weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
"What’s going on?" Drifter asked.
"It’s nothing, Drifter... Just something between friends," she said with a smile.
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Then, they parted ways—Drifter heading to the simulation room while Alma attended her classes.
By afternoon, she returned home, but once again, her father was nowhere to be seen. With a quiet sigh, she went about her own routine before eventually going to bed.
The next morning, it was the same. Another breakfast… without her father.
She stared at the meal in front of her.
She sighed. Did he forget what day it is…? He had already skipped it last year… and the year before that too.
Finishing her breakfast, she left for the outskirts of Nethia City.
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As Alma arrived at the outskirts of Nethia, she found a crowd gathered on the vast green plains, with towering ice-capped mountains in the background. Above them, glowing holographic runes filled the sky.
In the morning light, Alma’s pink hair swayed as she waved at Drifter cheerfully. She made his way to his side, exchanging light banter as they waited.
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Headmaster Gideon stood at the podium in front, beginning his speech. As he spoke, Luna and Nadia emerged from the crowd, making their way toward Drifter and Alma.
"Good luck, Drifter. The first stage isn''t going to be forgiving," Luna said, her voice calm and measured.
"G-good luck, Drifter, Alma," Nadia added softly. Her smile faltered when Alma turned her attention to her shoelaces.
Without looking up, Alma tightened the laces and said sharply, "Stay focused, Drifter. Don''t worry about irrelevant things."
Drifter observed Nadia''s slumped shoulders. "Good luck to you too, Luna. Nadia," he offered, trying to ease the tension.
The announcer''s voice cut through the air: "Welcome to the Lumina Relay! This year''s course will test your synergy, skills, and endurance. Prepare yourselves—failure is not an option!"
"Stay careful, Alma. Safety comes first," Drifter said firmly.
She smirked. "I know. Don''t start talking like my dad, Drifter. I''m here to win."
The sigil beneath them pulsed with light. "Begin!" the announcer shouted.
Teams surged forward into Stage 1: Elemental Sync. The ground shifted between fire, ice, wind, and earth.
"Use Exalt first. Match my rhythm," Drifter instructed.
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They moved in sync, tossing their Elemental Orbs from their pouches to create safe paths. Nearby, Caelus and Vellya glided through the obstacles effortlessly. Vellya''s laughter rang out: "Come on, Big Sis Alma! Mama says Vellya’s going to win!"
"Keep dreaming, kid," Alma replied.
They cleared Stage 1 and faced Stage 2: Gravity Shift—a maze of floating walls and shifting gravity. Drifter noticed Alma''s exhaustion but she pressed on.
The final stage, Mirror Maze, loomed ahead. "Are you alright?" Drifter asked softly.
"Don''t worry... I''m fine. Just focus on the next stage," Alma insisted despite her labored breathing.
"You sure? We can rest."
She shook her head. "No, Drifter. Let''s finish this first. We''ll rest after... please."
The announcer''s voice boomed: "And now, we enter the final stage! Half of the participants have been eliminated! Who will overcome the last obstacle and advance to the next phase?"
The crowd erupted in cheers as they faced the maze of endless reflections.
The announcer''s voice cut through the crowd''s roar. "And now, the final phase of the Lumina Relay—the Spectra Battle! Only the strongest pairs will compete for victory! The event begins in 30 minutes... all teams may rest until then."
"Spectra? Didn''t expect that to be part of this," Drifter said, a faint smile forming.
Alma wiped sweat from her face. "Yeah... I forgot to mention that. You know how it works, right?"
"Fortunately, Reine, Sloane, and Lorcan gave me a crash course."
They settled at a round table in the rest area, water bottles in hand. Drifter noticed Alma''s pale face and labored breathing. She hadn''t fully recovered.
"By the way, why didn''t you team up with Nadia?" he asked carefully.
Alma tensed. "Can we not talk about her?"
"Alright... sorry about that." he said.
After a pause, Alma spoke playfully. "Drifter, if you could turn back time, what would you do?"
"I don''t know... maybe I''d rewind time just enough to make every day feel like the weekend," he chuckled softly.
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"I''d turn back time... so I was never born into this world," she whispered while staring at her water bottle.
Drifter nearly choked. "Alma, you''re joking, right?"
She forced a laugh. "Of course, Drifter... Did I scare you?"
The announcer''s voice interrupted: "Teams, please gather at the main stadium!"
The Simulation Nexus hummed with energy at the stadium''s center. Mist hung in the air as spectators filled the stands. The transparent dome above projected shifting landscapes.
"Our opponents are Luna and Nadia, right?" Drifter checked the schedule.
"Yeah... we''re not exactly lucky. Luna''s one of the strongest players here," Alma crossed her arms.
"We''ll see about that," Drifter replied as glowing runes erupted across the dome, revealing a frigid tundra landscape.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Spectra Battle begins now! Who will rise to claim victory?" Announcer booming.
On the opposing side, Luna Sabriel stood poised, her posture rigid yet graceful. Beside her, Nadia Fernleaf fiddled nervously. Her movements were hesitant, and her eyes occasionally darted toward Alma, only to quickly look away.
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In the spectator seating, Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine watched the event unfold.
Reine called out politely, while Sloane placed a bet on Drifter’s victory—though, to be fair, he was always betting on something.
Lorcan, meanwhile, sat with pride, convinced that his teachings would give Drifter the edge to defeat Luna.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
His gaze returned to the battlefield as Drifter shifted into position. Beside him, Alma shuffled her deck. There was tension in the way her brows furrowed.
Holographic decks materialized before them. Drifter’s Arcane Saber Deck gleamed with sharp metallic edges, while Alma’s Holy Flame Celestial Deck radiated a calming, luminous aura. Across the field, Luna’s Void Winter Sorcery Deck pulsed with icy darkness, and Nadia’s Blooming Terra Deck bloomed with colorful floral patterns brimming with life.
"We need to finish this quickly. Nadia’s deck gets dangerous if the match drags on." Drifter said.
"Got it, let’s go all out." Alma said.
The match began with intense synergy between the Arcane Saber and Holy Flame Celestial decks. Drifter’s Exalted and dark magic-wielding knights served as relentless attackers, perfectly complemented by Alma’s celestial construct creatures. Her Holy Flame buff spells amplified Drifter’s aggressive strikes, allowing their team to dominate early on, quickly draining the Defense Power (DP) of Luna and Nadia in the opening moves.
Yet, Luna Sabriel remained calm, methodically controlling the game with her Void Winter Sorcery. Freezing their attacks with ice-element spells and eliminating their creatures with dark spells. Nadia, on the other hand, supported her team with Blooming Terra creatures—creatures and plants that healed and protected, forming a sturdy defense against their relentless assault.
"I… I’ll support you, Luna." Nadia said.
Terra Keeper Cervusia, a majestic, large deer-like creature with the Defender trait, emerged onto the field, its protective vines blocking every attack directed at its team. The crowd roared as the strategies became increasingly intricate.
The battle intensified as Alma summoned her signature hero card, High Celestial Priestess Anima, a majestic figure cloaked in radiant golden flames. Her powerful aura significantly boosted her team’s AP (Attack Points), empowering all of Alma’s celestial construct creatures to launch devastating attacks. The onslaught wiped out Nadia’s creatures, including the formidable Terra Keeper Cervusia.
The audience erupted in cheers at the arrival of Anima, their excitement shaking the arena.
Under pressure, Nadia, her hands trembling slightly, summoned her ace hero card, Rhosvaia, Verdant Rose Queen, a graceful humanoid plant with long crimson hair. Playing a series of spells, Nadia triggered Rhosvaia’s effect, summoning Verdant Thorn Tokens with the Defender trait, forcing enemies to attack them first. In an instant, six Verdant Thorn Tokens covered her field, forming a defensive wall to withstand the next assault.
Not to be outdone, Drifter activated his ace card, Arcane Saber Chronos. The spectral knight descended with a thunderous impact, unleashing Exalted Blades Rain. The devastating attack obliterated all of Nadia’s Verdant Thorn Tokens, and dealt 5 direct damage to her team, reducing their DP (Defense Power) to 6. With Chronos’s Fast Attacker trait allowing it to attack immediately, the knight struck down Rhosvaia, clearing the field. Simultaneously, Drifter’s other Arcane Saber Knight creatures launched a direct attack, poised to end the match.
But before the finishing blow could land, Luna Sabriel, calm and calculating, activated her final Evocaier Ability, Healing Surge. The ability restored 6 DP, saving her team from defeat and leaving their DP at 2 as the attack ended.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as the match teetered on the edge of conclusion.
"Impressive. But we’re far from done." Luna said.
With a graceful motion, she first time summon creature in this match, Dark Witch Caelia, spectral witch that use massive black hole, all drifter''s and alma’s creature include Chronos and Anima vanished from the field, and their strategy ground to a halt.
Alma ended her turn by summoning several celestial construct creatures, refreshing her field. She then activated Celestial Exalt Flames, a spell that heals her team’s DP by 4 and deals 4 direct damage to the opponent at the start of their next end turn. A glowing golden flame sigil materialized on the battlefield, its presence radiating power.
"Just give up already… next turn will be your end!" Alma said with smirk.
On her turn, Nadia summoned a pair of flower humanoids: Freesia, Weaver of Petals and Petal Priest Anemone. Their arrival triggered the Resonance effect, surrounding their team in a shimmering Spellshield. The protective barrier absorbed the impending Exalt Flames attack, the golden flames dissipating against the radiant blue shield. Additionally, the duo’s healing aura swept across the battlefield, restoring Luna and Nadia’s DP (Defense Power) from 2 to 6, shifting the momentum of the match.
"No way!" Alma gasped.
The crowd erupted into cheers. But even as the noise grew, Alma’s focus lingered on the graceful movements of Freesia and the comforting aura of Anemone. Something about their synchronized harmony sparked a flicker of nostalgia—fragments of childhood memories with Nadia.
She remembered the days when they were inseparable, always laughing, always there for each other. The images surfaced like long-forgotten photographs, flooding her mind with bittersweet clarity.
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She looked at Nadia''s face, noticing the sadness there—the subtle downturn of her lips, the expression that seemed to appear every time Alma looked at her. Alma’s heart tightened, filled with doubt. Alma glanced back at Nadia, who opened her mouth, hesitated, then closed it again. Finally, Nadia spoke softly.
"I… I’m sorry, Alma. If I ever did anything wrong… please, talk to me."
Alma remained silent, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the card in her hand. Her voice came out faint. "It’s not your fault, Nadia… it’s all mine. I’m sorry."
The battlefield raged on. Drifter stole a glance at Alma and Nadia. The tension that had once hung heavy between them seemed to dissolve, replaced by Alma’s cautious smile and Nadia’s expression of relief. For a moment, Drifter allowed himself a small smile. But that satisfaction was short-lived.
As his turn began, Drifter’s focus locked entirely on the game. He summoned Arcane Saber Ravely, a violet spectral knight who immediately brought forth three Spectral Sword Tokens. With their Phase Shift trait, the tokens bypassed enemy defenses and launched a direct attack on Luna and Nadia.
With their DP reduced to just 3, victory seemed within reach. Yet, Drifter’s expression betrayed no hint of triumph—no smile, no satisfaction. His mind remained sharp, knowing the battle was far from over. His eyes flicked toward the remaining cards in his hand, the weight of the ticking seconds pressing down like an unseen burden.
When Luna’s turn came, she faintly smiled. Drifter felt a sudden unease—he might lose.
Raising her hand, Luna summoned Voidfrost Sorceress Selene, an elegant sorceress cloaked in an icy aura, her dark metallic half-mask adorned with frosty teal feathers beneath her hood. Towering behind her, a massive crystalline entity with enormous wings materialized, exuding an aura of sheer intimidation.
With practiced precision, Luna activated Selene’s ability. A barrage of ice spears rained down upon the field. In mere moments, every creature on the battlefield was reduced to nothingness. As the battlefield lay in ruins, Selene’s crystalline entity moved forward. Clutching a massive spear in its hand, it delivered a final, devastating strike directly at Drifter and Alma, reducing their DP from a full 30 to zero in one decisive blow.
A heavy silence fell over the arena, the weight of the moment settling like frost. Amidst the destruction, Selene stood atop the hand of her towering crystalline entity, her sigils spinning gracefully as her icy aura radiated an unyielding chill. The match was over.
Moments later, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers, their excitement echoing throughout the Simulation Nexus, celebrating the spectacular conclusion of the battle.
"And that’s the end! Luna and Nadia have turned the tide and claimed victory!" the announcer boomed.
Alma and Drifter stepped down from the platform, their holographic decks fading away.
Drifter turned to Luna, extending his hand with a smile. "That was a great match. You deserved the win."
Luna shook his hand firmly. "Likewise."
Turning to Nadia, Alma hesitated before speaking, her voice softer than usual. "You played well, Nadia. Really well."
Nadia blushed slightly, a shy smile gracing her face. "I… thank you, Alma. That means a lot."
Alma returned to the spectator seats, watching more battles unfold. Eventually, Luna and Nadia lost against Caelus and Vellya.
The Lumina Relay Arena roared with applause as the final clash reached its peak.
Alina Walsh, wielding her Glysvion Knight Deck, led by Winter Knight Lyshea, delivered the decisive blow, breaking through the defenses of Vellya, who commanded Little Girl Necromancer Nini with her Necromorth Legion Deck.
Beside Alina, Jaxon Virelli, with his Emberwind Outrider Deck, led by Stormbrand Marshal Sairo, launched a barrage of fiery projectiles that overwhelmed Caelus Amelioris and his Tempest Lord Revalt, showcasing breathtaking speed and raw power.
The battle was fierce, with Necromorth Legion’s necromantic creatures and Galeborne’s graceful winged beasts forcing the champions to fight to their limits. But in the end, the synergy between Glysvion Knight and Emberwind Outrider proved unbeatable, securing a decisive victory.
As the battle settled, Alina and Jaxon stood victorious, their names etched into Lumina Relay history. Vellya and Caelus took second, while Luna and Nadia secured third.
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Jaxon laughed, throwing an arm around Alina while holding the trophy. "Told you—we make a great team."
Alina sighed but smirked. "Yeah, yeah... not like I expected us to win anyway."
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Alma noticed Nadia approaching her, her expression unreadable. "Can we step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you." Nadia asked.
Alma hesitated, her stomach tightening. She nodded silently, following Nadia out into the night. The air was cool, and the faint hum of glowbeetles and night butterflies filled the space around them. Their golden and silver light flickered like tiny stars, catching on Nadia’s glasses as she walked beside Alma.
With each step, Alma felt the weight in her chest grow heavier. She couldn’t help but notice how different Nadia seemed now—her posture straight, her movements confident, her gaze unwavering. This wasn’t the same Nadia who used to shy away from confrontation. The change was undeniable, and it made Alma feel small, like she was being left behind.
That look in Nadia’s eyes, the one that used to feel so protective, now felt like pity to Alma. It stung, a constant reminder of her own perceived weakness. Their shadows stretched long under the dim glow of the lamps, the distance between them feeling impossibly wide. Memories flashed unbidden in Alma’s mind—the Grakling’s piercing cry, Nadia’s blood staining the ground, her injured body carrying Alma to safety. Guilt washed over her in cold, relentless waves.
She could have died... She doesn’t need me anymore. Maybe it’s better if I just... keep my distance, Alma thought, her mind spiraling.
"Alma... I need to talk to you," Nadia''s gentle voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.
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Alma froze, fingers clutching her skirt. "About what?" she whispered to the night air.
Nadia produced a cream-colored box with a golden ribbon that caught the pale light. "First, this. Happy birthday, Alma."
Tears welled in Alma''s eyes as she laughed bitterly. "You... remembered?"
"You’re important to me. I know things have been... different lately, but I didn’t want today to pass without saying that."
Her hands trembled as she accepted the gift. "You''ve always been so thoughtful, Nadia. Thank you."
"There’s something else I need to say, Alma." Nadia continued, gazing at distant Nethia.
"What is it?" Alma whispered, gripping the box tighter.
"I''ve realized I''ve been treating you like your father, that I didn’t stop to think about how it might make you feel." Nadia said firmly.
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Alma’s eyes widened as tears streamed down her face, yet she forced a smile.
Maybe now she finally realized... that this the one that really hurt her.
Her friend was treating her the same way her father had—pitying looks, careful words, always commenting when she pushed herself too hard. She knew her father must have said something to Nadia about her illness.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, “It’s okay, Nadia… Thank you.”
Drifter and Luna approached to them. "Well, it seems things turned out okay," Drifter observed calmly.
"Alma, Nadia... are you both alright?" Luna asked gently.
Both of them nodded with a smile.
"By the way, today is Alma’s birthday," Nadia said.
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Luna and Drifter exchanged glances before offering Alma warm birthday wishes. A thought crossed Drifter’s mind, and he suddenly had an idea.
"How about we celebrate by having a meal together?" he suggested.
With that, they returned to Nethia City and gathered at a cozy restaurant, sharing a meal filled with warmth and laughter. Alma''s face remained radiant with joy, even as they made their way home, the celebration leaving a lasting glow in her heart.
On the way back, Nadia and Luna left first, leaving Alma and Drifter alone. Alma stepped closer to him.
"Thanks for always standing by me, Drifter," she said with a smile.
"No problem..." he replied, smiling.
There was a brief pause before she spoke again.
"Actually, I wanted to apologize... for back then. You were hurt because of me."
"It’s no problem. It was my fault too—I underestimated everything," he said, his smile fading as his tone grew firm.
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Alma smiled and waved cheerfully as they parted ways. As she glanced at Drifter, she thought he seemed to stand beside her where her father once would have been. A quiet warmth settled in her heart.
When she arrived home, her eyes widened—Friedrich was waiting with a modest cake and a single candle.
"Happy birthday, Alma," he said warmly.
"Thank you, Dad," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.
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Back in her room, Alma gently set down Nadia’s gift before opening her photo album. She carefully placed the newly taken photo inside—one from today’s birthday celebration with Nadia, Drifter, and Luna—her fingers lingering over the pages.
As she gazed at the album, a soft smile formed on her lips. Her smile, Nadia’s smile—they were always there, captured in each moment. Yet, beneath that warmth, a sudden ache welled up in her chest, deep enough for her to place a hand over it.
Silent tears slipped down her cheeks, vanishing into the stillness of the night.
How much longer can I live like this? she thought.