Hey, Kids?
Ludenberg Lavante opened his eyes at Dalia Retiu's call.
It wasn't quite the vigor he'd felt after completing his trial, but the fatigue that had built up unnoticed over time seemed to melt away in an instant. His body felt remarkably light. A pleasant drowsiness, like after a deep sleep, washed over him. He barely managed to rub the sleep from his eyes... and realized he was leaning against Ashytara Solenute's head.
"...Mm?"
But Ludenberg acted as if it were no big deal, sleepily reaching up without thinking to stroke Ashytara's hair. It didn't take long for his slightly blurred vision to clear. Honestly, it felt a little nostalgic. Back when he trained under his father and woke up leaning against a tree, he'd often stroked Ashytara's hair just like this.
Beside him, Ashytara seemed to have woken to Dalia's voice as well, rubbing her sleepy eyes. But her reaction was worlds apart from Ludenberg's dazed blankness.
"Wha... huh?"
The moment she realized Ludenberg was affectionately stroking her hair, a bewildered question slipped from her lips. Her face flushed bright red, and she yanked her head away with startling speed.
"Goodness."
"...What's wrong?"
Ludenberg eyed Dalia curiously as she gazed at them with a delighted smile.
"You two dating?"
"Huh? No."
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
Ludenberg answered without a second thought, so Dalia turned to Ashytara. Unlike his nonchalant expression, Ashytara's face was beet red, her hands flapping in front of it.
Dalia, ever attuned to others' moods from her student council duties, grasped the situation immediately.
"Ah-ha."
Honestly, anyone seeing them would think the same. Ludenberg, acting without a clue, and Ashytara, startled by his every move. In Dalia's eyes, their dynamic was crystal clear: Ludenberg, oblivious and uninterested in romance, and Ashytara, who clearly saw him as more than a friend.
It was an adorably mismatched couple.
"Um, Dalia sunbae?"
"Yeah? What's up?"
Ludenberg couldn't fathom why people always reacted like this when they saw him with Ashytara. Sione, Professor Nah Tes, Dalia—even the restaurant owner earlier. Why did treating her like always lead to assumptions they were dating?
"Mind if I ask one thing?"
"Shoot."
"People keep asking if we're dating whenever we're together... any idea why?"
Thwack! Dalia slapped her forehead in disbelief at Ludenberg's question.
"Wow..."
She stared at him like he'd grown a second head. Ludenberg just tilted his head in confusion.
"Hmm. Maybe figure that out for yourself, Lud? Right, Tara?"
"Yeah. I think so too."
Ashytara replied to Dalia in a thoroughly deflated tone. Ludenberg could only cock his head at their attitudes. Utterly clueless about romance, he had no way to understand.
After sufficient rest in the Moon Garden, Ludenberg and Ashytara nodded at Dalia's suggestion to linger a bit longer before heading to the Star Tower. They decided to go straight there.
They'd planned to wander more festival spots, but nothing in the guidebook caught their eye.
They figured heading to the Star Tower early was better and set off immediately.
"Where's the Star Tower? Is it in the guidebook?"
"Let's check!"
At Ashytara's suggestion, Ludenberg flipped through the guidebook. At the edge of the map, atop the northern mountain of Solemnute Adem, a massive tower appeared.
"Here?"
Ludenberg tapped it, and a path lit up. Their current position marked on the map, footprints began marching toward it. The end led to the Celioum church.
It read:
To reach the Star Tower, take the Wind Path!
Dalia's familiar round handwriting jumped out.
"Guess we go via the Wind Path."
"Sounds good. No other plans anyway..."
"Yeah."
They headed straight for the Celioum church.
The Celioum church was quieter than expected. With few students heading to the Star Tower yet, it made sense.
"Not many people, huh."
"Yeah. Straight to the Wind Path platform."
"Right."
After a quick check, they boarded. A floating sensation enveloped them... and the somewhat rough winds of the Wind Path carried them to the mountain's edge. The priest operating it this time wasn't the most skilled.
Before them loomed a tower stretching to the heavens. The Star Tower seemed to touch the sky itself—could've been called the Sky Tower. Far grander than Solemnute's Sun Tower, it exuded sheer awe. Its peak nearly brushed the clouds, its scale unimaginable.
Suddenly, clouds parted over the tower, sunlight hitting it. The faintly silver structure began to gleam where light touched, sparkling brilliantly.
"Whoa..."
Battered by turbulent winds, Ashytara—well-accustomed to such sights—still gasped in admiration. Even she, raised amid sanctity and nobility, was captivated by the Star Tower's overwhelming beauty.
Finally, at the entrance, the winds dispersed. Looking up, it was even more breathtaking than from afar. And the Sacred Law Formations etched into every brick... they couldn't guess the building's purpose.
"What Sacred Laws are carved here?"
"Dunno... Ask Professor Nah or Nadan?"
"Probably."
"Let's head in."
As they entered, a sight like the Wisdom Pavilion seized Ludenberg's eyes. Bookshelves plastered the circular walls, each asserting its presence. The center held neatly arranged shelves brimming with tomes. The floor bore small patterns resembling those in Sacred Law Formations—likely supporting the wall carvings.
The silent interior suited the pair, who preferred quiet.
"Nice and quiet. It'll get rowdy later."
"Yeah. Oh, right, Tara."
"Hm?"
"Student council gets free access here, right? Perfect for exam prep."
"Oh! Yeah! Wisdom Pavilion was too crowded last time..."
"Final theory exams? Prepping here wouldn't be bad."
"Yeah. True."
Ashytara beamed. Truth be told, dorm studying sufficed for quiet—Philia wouldn't disturb her, and her focus was ironclad regardless. She just liked studying alone with Ludenberg.
The sparsely visited Star Tower, library-like with resources and silence... ideal for studying.
"So, what now?"
"Dunno?"
As they pondered, a voice echoed.
"You two here too early?"
The familiar voice sparked wariness in Ashytara and curiosity in Ludenberg.
"Professor Nah?"
"Yup. What brings you so early? Nothing much to see."
"Checked the festival guide... nothing else appealed."
"Fair. Skip Mysterious House, and it's all samey. But this place isn't exactly touristy?"
"Star Tower was our only must-see today. Killed two birds. What about you, Professor?"
"What do you mean? I'm hosting this afternoon's event."
Nah Tes stared at Ashytara like she'd said something absurd.
"The comet viewing...?"
"Yup. It'll be spectacular—I guarantee. Lucky you, festival on this day."
Ludenberg and Ashytara tilted their heads at her casual boast. How impressive could it be?
"Not just the comet... plenty else to see. Should be fun."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'll explain when more students arrive—first-years separate. Don't wanna spoil now. Wait a bit; read or whatever. Boring for me since I've read 'em all... might entertain you."
"Ah, okay."
Curious about the tower's books anyway, they obeyed. Nah mentioned offhand that the Star Pilgrims collected them from worldwide travels—many valuable, including her own finds. Handle with care.
Ludenberg scanned shelves intently, seeking the most intriguing reads. One book caught his eye.
Considerations on Istradim Seta
One of the Six Heroes: the Star Knight, Istradim Seta.