Chapter 25 (Volume 1 Finale)

For the first time in weeks, laughter echoed through the cold metal halls of the Universal Guard headquarters.

Asche lounged on a levitating couch, nose buried in a new book on elemental psychology. Berwick sat beside him, dramatically arguing over the nuances of star-born emotional duality while nursing a mug of King’s Ale.

Nearby, Eris and Alto were locked in an intense card game, Eris raising an eyebrow each time Alto misread her tells. She hadn’t lost once.

Astera had somehow managed to coax a game console into the lounge, and the TV was alive with vibrant flashing colors.
Astera (yelling):
Take that! I knew Lily would fall for that feint combo!

Lily (growling):
You little—run it back! No heals this time!

In the background, Shizuku stood by the glass wall of the chamber, arms crossed as he looked out at the swirling nebulae beyond. His expression was unreadable—quiet, but content.

Later that night, in the quiet of a private chamber lit only by pale lights, Shizuku stood across from his daughter, Lily. Both wore modified combat robes, their weapons resting at the edge of the room.

Sweat glistened on their foreheads from a rigorous duel—magical circles, martial strikes, and bursts of elemental pressure filled the air.

Shizuku (breathing evenly):
Your balance is improving. You're not letting your affinity overpower your instincts anymore.

Lily (smirking):
Maybe because you finally let me spar without going easy.

Shizuku (grinning softly):
I go easy on no one.

He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

Shizuku (gently):
You will be a Captain one day. I just know it.

Lily’s eyes widened. There was no exaggeration in his voice. Only conviction—the kind of belief that comes from a leader, and more importantly, from a father.

Lily (quietly):
…You really think so?

Shizuku:
You already walk like one.

—

The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of her Spirit Lamp. Lily had just begun to remove her gloves when a sudden pulse of mana swept through the room—lightly, like a breeze. She froze.

A glowing sigil appeared in the air. From it stepped a tall figure: calm, regal, cloaked in shifting robes of law and time.

His eyes, older than the stars, looked at her with curiosity.

Emrys:
Lily Mizuyari.

Lily (stepping back):
Okay, who the hell are you?

The man smiled, not insulted—just amused.

Emrys:
I’m your ancestor… through Shizuku’s side.
The name’s Emrys.

Lily blinked.

Lily:
Wait—like the Emrys? The Triumvirate? That Emrys!?

Emrys (with a wink):
The very one. Thought I’d stop by before you make your next move.

As the stars twinkled outside HQ, the Universal Guard settled into a rare night of peace.

But the light of the next journey was already rising.