Morning — Ryunn Villa, MARU
Rio stepped out of the bath chamber, water still trailing down his skin. Steam curled behind him like misty specters, clinging to his thoughts — tangled between confusion and clarity. The moment he reached for his towel, Ana appeared beside him, silent as always, graceful as ever.
"Let me help, young master," she said softly, taking the towel from his hands before he could respond.
Her fingers brushed his skin — slow, deliberate. Every motion carried a kind of reverence that was hard to ignore.
Rio tensed slightly. "Ana… you've been distant."
"I've only been patient," she whispered, voice trembling — not with fear, but something deeper. "I've served you faithfully for years, Rio. But lately… I've watched you grow. Change. Become something brighter."
Without a word, she wrapped the towel gently around him — then slowly, her arms found his waist from behind.
"You don't even realize it, do you?" Her breath was warm against his back. "You're no longer the boy who left MARU."
He turned. Their faces inches apart. The space between them buzzed with heat — unsaid words begging for voice.
But just as Rio's lips parted—
---
[Whisper of the Divine Mind – Interruption]
[DENSE MYSTERIOUS VOICE]:
> This… this is your species' greatest weakness. Desires, unchecked. Emotions, unrefined. It is time you see what lies beyond your petty attachments…
And just like that, the world dissolved.
In its place — the cosmos cracked open.
Rio was adrift amid collapsing stars and newborn galaxies. Celestial titans spun the fabric of existence between their fingers. Mountains the size of solar systems were forged and crumbled in an instant. Tier-30s…? No. These beings rewrote the concept of Tiers.
This was beyond mortal comprehension.
Rio's breath caught. Not in fear — but revelation. He wasn't even a spark in this scale of power.
---
Back in the Villa – Silence Falls
Rio blinked. The steam was still there. Ana's hands still on his skin. But the moment… it was gone.
He gently took her wrists and stepped away. "Ana… I can't."
She stiffened, quickly pulling her hands back, a blush blooming across her cheeks. "Forgive me, young master. I—I overstepped—"
"No." His tone was soft, not cold. "You were honest. And I respect that. But I can't go further. Not now. I don't even understand the path I'm walking."
She nodded, composed but quietly hurt. "As you wish… I'll clean your room."
As she turned, he called out.
"Ana."
She paused.
"Don't ever think I see you as just a maid. You're more than that. Just... not the one I'm meant to walk beside."
She bowed — not as a servant, but as someone hiding a broken piece of herself — and left.
---
Later – Grand Hall of MARU
Rio adjusted his collar as he entered the grand hall. Light poured in from skylit panels, but tension beat it to the floor.
Erame spotted him first. "Ah, the young breeder returns," he laughed, offering a dramatic bow. "Thought you'd be late after… your morning exercise."
Theo leaned against the far pillar, arms crossed, gaze sharp. "Disgracing our name again? Or just using it to seduce staff now?"
(They're eavesdropping… or there's surveillance tech hidden in my room?. Bastards.)
Rio's eyes narrowed. "Say one more word, Theo. I dare you."
Theo's smirk widened. "Or what? You'll cry into your maid's lap again?"
A sudden voice cracked through the room.
"Enough."
Xanthia.
She strode forward, arms folded over her academy blazer. Her golden eyes flicked between the brothers.
"You're supposed to be two wings of the same sky," she said coldly. "Act like it."
Even Erame straightened. "Lady Xanthia... always the diplomat."
She ignored him, muttering just loud enough for Rio to hear, "You're hiding something, Rio Ryunn. And I intend to find out what."
Rio didn't reply. He simply pulled on his gloves, eyes forward.
"Let's go."
---
MaxxField Battle Arena – Practice Match Announcement
The arena pulsed with energy as cadets took their seats.
A deep voice boomed from the central spire:
Master Jordan:
> "Welcome, elite cadets. Today's matches are your last warm-up before Selection Week. You may challenge freely—but remember, this is not war. Keep your pride intact."
The stadium screen flashed.
[MATCH 1: XANTHIA vs. SOLDRAK LUKE]
Element Types: Light Manipulation vs. Fire Dragon's Fist
TIER: 3 vs. 2
The crowd stirred. Whispers darted through the stands.
Soldrak Luke. Royal blood. Dragon's flame. Relentless up-close.
Xanthia Solaris. Mysterious. Controlled. Rumored to wield divine-tier tactics—yet still largely untested.
Soldrak stepped into the ring, fire cracking along his arms as gauntlets ignited.
"Ladies first," he smirked.
Xanthia entered calmly, her short blade gleaming. A pistol rested lightly at her hip — untouched, as if daring fate.
"Try not to burn yourself," she replied, her voice as cool as moonlight.
[1… 2… 3… FIGHT!]
The crowd roared as fire and light collided in a blur of brilliance.
And Rio, from the upper box, said nothing.
But he watched.