"So, this started about six months ago when our planet was completely suppressed by an organization called Shadow Krath Pirates. There was a Secret Realm that had opened on our planet, which attracted them, and they moved swiftly."

Ryzen and Rivera began telling their story.

"They locked down everything and started killing people en masse to instill fear in the rest. They enslaved the whole planet and were sending our own people to explore the Secret Realm, basically using us as fodder."

"They exploited our planet’s most talented prodigy, who was famous at that time, but that also invited tragedy. The lovely girl who adored all named Lyra Ravengold. She... her family was killed in front of her, and they tortured her with lightning shocks using some method and forced her to use her talent to craft magic items. Those villains used her to create armor and weapons that armed our people and themselves, increasing their progress in the Secret Realm, but also the deaths of our own people... until Elder Tyoga arrived with his team!"

Ryzen’s eyes blazed. "Elder Tyoga was overwhelmingly powerful. He was very angry because we could feel the atmosphere of the whole planet reacting to his powers."

"A large metal ship would get torn apart by thick golden lightning currents, literally shredding it into pieces!"

"This happened all over the skies of our planet, where the pirates had stationed their ships. Boom! In one second, a massive ship would be destroyed."

"He and his team annihilated all fleets and every single pirate, but Elder Tyoga did 90% of the work, to be honest."

"We also came here because of him." Ryzen grinned. "We will train and become strong enough to join the Rainstar Guild."

"We are here." Rivera looked ahead, excited.

A vast, tranquil expanse unfolded beneath a sky softly tinted with golden light filtering through the dome above. The lake itself was crystal clear, its surface reflecting the surroundings like a flawless mirror, disturbed only by gentle ripples that shimmered with faint mana glow.

Elegant pathways of smooth white stone curved around the water, bordered by blooming trees whose leaves glowed faintly in hues of silver, blue, and soft violet. Petals drifted lazily through the air, dissolving into particles of light before touching the ground.

Small floating platforms hovered above sections of the lake, each carrying miniature gardens or seating areas. Streams of water arced gracefully between them, defying gravity as they flowed in controlled loops.

The entire place radiated calm.

At the center, near the edge of the lake, stood an open pavilion.

It was simple.

Refined.

White pillars held up a curved roof adorned with subtle runic engravings. Thin curtains of translucent fabric swayed gently with the breeze, never fully closing, preserving the openness of the space.

Inside the pavilion, a man stood.

Elder Tyoga. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Dressed in elegant yet simple robes, his presence alone seemed to harmonize with the surroundings. His white hair flowed softly behind him, and his calm gaze rested on the lake as if he were listening to something beyond sight.

"Woah..." Aelira whispered. "This place..."

"It’s amazing," Rudrean murmured, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

As they approached the entrance, a faint barrier shimmered into visibility.

A scanning formation activated instantly.

Soft lines of light passed over their bodies, reading their mana signatures and permissions.

A brief pause.

"Access granted."

They stepped inside.

The atmosphere shifted subtly the moment they entered.

Quieter.

Deeper.

Even the air felt more refined.

Elder Tyoga turned slowly.

His eyes landed on them.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"So, you’ve arrived. Come, sit."

He walked to the table and sat in the chair.

The other four arrived and sat down.

Ryzen and Rivera were visibly shaken in a positive way.

Meanwhile, Rudrean and Aelira had curiosity in their eyes as they looked at him.

"Hello. I am Rudrean."

"I am Aelira."

Both of them introduced themselves with a smile.

Seeing them, Ryzen and Rivera quickly followed, with a stammer or two in their speech.

Elder Tyoga laughed. "Relax, you two. I remember you very well."

He glanced at Rudrean briefly before returning to Ryzen and Rivera. "Memories are one thing people don’t forget as they get stronger. Good job working hard these past months."

Ryzen and Rivera felt so moved that their eyes became teary.

"Thank you, Elder Tyoga! We will work harder and join the Rainstar Guild!" Ryzen bowed, accidentally banging his head on the table.

"And follow your footsteps!" Rivera nodded, her eyes blazing.

"I am glad to hear that." Elder Tyoga chuckled. "Now then, I called all four of you for something important. Consider it a request. I want you all to accept someone as your team’s fifth member."

"Her name is Lyra Ravengold."

"Her?" Aelira’s eyes twinkled. "Ryzen and Rivera told us about her."

"Yes, her." Elder Tyoga’s smile slightly withdrew. "She is a bit different, given what she went through. She is also dangerous. When she saw the tragedy in front of her and felt the fear, her talent triggered an evolution to protect herself. It carved her inside out with an exotic metal frame, but that did not stop her from experiencing the overwhelming pain given to her by those vile creatures."

Rudrean’s fists clenched. ’I hate people like those.’

Isalyn was strangely silent.

"But even so, I believe your group is the most suitable for her. I would owe you a favor if you could guide her and give her genuine care as a fellow person, because I see kindness as well as the talent to protect her in you." Elder Tyoga’s eyes had a mysterious glint. ’These four, especially Rudrean, showed an unusual level of empathy for a stranger in his reaction to Lyra’s situation.’

’What is it in him that made Lyra react? Her reaction is half dominated by her talent, which is why she can never pay attention to anything other than crafting magic items, so she and her talent both resonated with Rudrean somehow.’

He was eager to see, but also worried because he had increasingly found out just how terrifying the potential held by Lyra was.

She was a tool of domination and destruction if she landed in the wrong hands.

The best way to protect her would be to make her stronger, hone her talent further, and, most importantly, get some trusted people.

Because he was burdened by his role as one of the ten Executives of the Rainstar Guild and could not look over Lyra all the time.

He needed her to be in good hands.