The walk back home was calm.


    The lanterns along Mizukaza’s streets flickered gently as merchants packed their stalls. The sky above was tinged with soft orange and fading purple, while the air carried the warm scent of roasted meat and fresh bread.


    Arata walked beside Zetsubo, quiet, still processing the new world he was part of—the sights, the people… and the stars. Everyone in that house had them.


    As they approached the estate, its large frame stood sturdy and still. Lanternlight glowed through the windows. It looked more like a fortress than a home.


    Zetsubo opened the door, and warmth spilled out—the smell of stew and burning firewood, the low hum of laughter and clinking plates.


    Kate leaned in the kitchen doorway as they stepped in. “Back already?” she asked with a smirk. “Thought you two got lost.”


    “Nah,” Zetsubo replied, stepping inside. “Kid just needed a proper tour.”


    At the table, Grundor and Omega were mid-conversation, while Beatrix sat off to the side flipping through a book. Spiffy was, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.


    As Arata walked in, his eyes naturally drifted to the glowing marks on everyone’s bodies—the stars.


    He’d seen them before but never thought to ask.


    “…Hey,” Arata said, hesitating. “What do those stars on your bodies mean?”


    Grundor leaned back in his chair, smirking. “So you finally noticed, huh?”


    Kate waved Arata over to the table. “C’mon. Sit. It’s nothing complicated.”


    Zetsubo stayed standing nearby, arms crossed but relaxed.


    Grundor tapped his temple. “They’re called star ranks. A system the gods made to measure your overall power—magic, combat skill, even potential.”


    “The more stars you have, the stronger you are,” Omega grinned.


    Kate nodded. “Most people are born with two. That’s normal. Three’s above average.”


    Arata glanced down at his arm, where three faint stars rested. “So there''s pretty good, then?”


    Omega gave a short laugh. “Better than most. But climbing higher? That’s where it gets rough.”


    Arata blinked. “How long does it take to go up?”


    “For regular folks?” Omega leaned back. “Ten years if they’re lucky. You have to train constantly and break yourself over and over. It’s pure agony.”


    Arata tilted his head. “So… how did you guys get to four stars?”


    Kate smiled. “Same way you will—training, missions, life experience. Some of us were born closer to it. Some had to claw their way up.”


    Arata nodded slowly, eyes drifting around the room. “And… Zetsubo has five?”


    The group fell quiet for a beat.


    Zetsubo just shrugged. “Yeah.”


    Grundor chimed in. “Five stars are rare. Nobles, war generals, kings, that kind of thing.”


    “But also,” Kate added, “the higher your star count, the more eyes you attract. Good and bad.”


    Arata leaned forward on the table. “Do stars ever change how you act? Or how people treat you?”


    Spiffy finally spoke, his voice dry. “Yeah. People treat you like a threat. Or a tool.”


    Kate rolled her eyes. “Don’t scare the kid.”


    Arata smiled faintly. “So if I keep training, I could go higher too?”


    Omega smirked. “Yeah. But don’t expect to jump ranks overnight.”


    “I don’t,” Arata said. Then he added, half-grinning, “...but one day, I’ll surpass all of you.”


    Beatrix laughed from across the room. “Bold.”


    Omega laughed too. “I like this kid.”


    Spiffy just grunted. “We’ll see.”


    Zetsubo finally stood upright. “Alright, enough chit-chat. Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow.”


    Grundor stretched, grabbing the book from Beatrix’s hand. “Discipline builds strength.”


    As the group slowly scattered, Arata sat for a moment longer, looking at each of them.


    Five. Four. Four. Four. Four.


    He looked at his own.


    Three.


    Just for now.