At Lilies Park.
It was the morning of a new day in the place where the Blendbreeds were free to live and train, safe from any danger of the Mortal World. Caelio walked slowly toward the entrance of the Seventh House, his gaze fixed on the modest wooden door painted gray—the signature color of Ien's children. Lilies Park was still wrapped in the silence of early morning; most of the Blendbreeds were still resting, which explained the boy's calm pace.
Once he reached the entrance, he stopped and placed a hand on his chest. His heart was pounding wildly—more than he would have liked.
Despite his typically bold spirit, he had thought long and hard about this moment and this gesture, imagining the possible consequences. Yet now that he stood before the dwelling, uncertainty began to creep over him.
With a deep breath, he took the letter he had prepared so carefully—though his handwriting was far from elegant—and placed it gently on the doorstep.
He hoped it would be enough to catch Marina's attention, at least as much as she had caught his.
The daughter of Ien, for some strange reason, had occupied his thoughts ever since she had bumped into him. Caelio had watched her in secret during the following days, captivated by her gaze and innate grace. Because of Elaine's warning and the limited freedom Aena had granted him, he had never found the courage to approach her. That letter was his attempt to break the ice, to open a window for contact with someone he deeply longed for.
Then, if she doesn't answer, I can always try with Elaine.
He laughed silently, and after giving the letter one last glance, he walked away slowly, knowing that now all he could do was wait.
He hoped one of his kin would find the message and be kind enough to deliver it without reading it. Maybe, just maybe, it would be the start of something special.
"Seventh House mission complete. Next stop: the Grand Manor."
The Blendbreed set off. As he walked along the trail leading to the hill where the temples stood, he couldn't focus on anything except his uneasiness.
He had found the courage to take the first step, but now he feared the consequences of his actions. He had been too reckless—as usual. What would Marina think of the letter? And what if she didn't even read it? The idea of being rejected terrified him, but the damage was done.
Or not? I can always go back and take it before it's too late.
He stopped and considered it for a few seconds.
His mother—may the gods bless her soul—used to say his greatest flaw was indecision. Every time, it was the same cycle of events. He made an impulsive choice, then thought it over and realized he hadn't acted wisely. Doubts and paranoia followed, until someone else made the decision for him.
His back prickled, as if warning him to turn back.
No, not this time. I promised I'd be a different person here.
In the end, he chose to stay on his path and head to the Grand Manor.
The Blendbreed crossed the entrance and stepped into the corridor that would lead him to the rector's office. It took barely more than a minute before he stood before the carved wooden door. He gripped the handle with his left hand and knocked with the knuckles of his right, signaling his presence.
He waited three seconds, counting silently, then turned the handle and entered the office with a cheerful smile on his face.
"Good morning. Everything all right here?"
Caelio immediately noticed something was off about the man. The weariness in Lyceum, the rector of the park, was obvious even to a fool. The blond-haired boy knew the man suffered from a curse that forced him to constantly battle his nature as an Erchitu. Aena had told him when he'd asked about the rector's identity.
"Good morning to you, Caelio. Please, have a seat," he welcomed him, gesturing toward the armchairs. "I need to speak with you about something important."
They exchanged a glance, and the boy noticed the yellowish sclerae—a clear sign that his condition had worsened. The man harbored concerns about the Divine Pathway of the Flower and wanted updated news. But there was something more—it was clear in the rector's "golden" eyes, a tension Caelio couldn't decipher.
"Caelio, I'm truly glad to have you here. I hope you're finding a bit more freedom now that the divine Aena is away from the park," he began. "But I need to know how Elaine is doing, because I haven't heard from her in days."
He wished he could give the rector good news, but he had made a promise—so he had to lie.
"Elaine is fine. The ritual failed, and now she's dealing with the defeat in solitude. The last time I saw her, she told me she wanted to be alone for a while."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"You should take care of yourself too. You don't look like someone in good health…"
The rector nodded, worry still evident on his face.
"This…" he touched his cheekbone, "is nothing to worry about."
"But I am worried."
Lyceum smiled and put on the dark-lensed glasses resting on his desk.
"Divine Mardi is handling my treatment, and according to him, I need to start reducing the doses if I want my condition to stabilize. If I kept the same frequency, the cells in my body would develop resistance to the potion. That said, tell me, Caelio—why didn't you inform me about Elaine sooner?"
The boy hesitated for a moment, fully aware he had lied.
"I… didn't want to worry you unnecessarily. The doctor asked me to keep it private until she had made peace with herself."
Lyceum's eyes narrowed in a grimace of disapproval.
"Caelio, you know very well we can't afford to keep secrets within the park. Especially when it involves powers that dangerous. If we start hiding things from each other, it won't take long before everything falls apart. We'll start to distrust one another."
Irritated, Caelio couldn't stop himself from releasing his regal aura—a reflection of his divine heritage.
"Lyceum, Elaine can handle the situation. Spare me the moral lesson… and I'm tired of being controlled by everything and everyone."
The rector's expression hardened. The aura radiating from the blond forced him to lean back, and the wheels of his chair screeched sharply against the floor.
"I–I don't accept that kind of tone, Caelio. There are rules everywhere—especially here. I order you to stay out of sight and keep a low profile, just as Aena instructed."
The Blendbreed clenched his jaw, frustrated by the reprimand.
"Or what? You think you can silence me when you can barely stand?" he said through gritted teeth before turning away. "You know what? I'm done with these rules. You all act like you're terrified of making a wrong move. We're not in a minefield. Emion can shine my boots for all I care! You hear me, idiot?" he shouted upward.
"Go ahead, strike me with lightning! I'll see if I can send it back!"
Then he stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. He had no intention of listening to the rector's voice any longer. As he walked away, he found himself brooding over the injustice of it all.
Why did they always treat him like a spoiled child, when he knew he was so much more than just a Blendbreed? His regal aura was an essential part of who he was, and he had no intention of suppressing it just to please others.
He was about to mark his first month here, and no one even knew his name—except Elaine.
The only reason he had shut himself away in Lilies Park was his mother: Tessa Rivoli. A mortal born to a pair of Blendbreeds, capable of seeing through the veil of reality woven by the goddess Rutia.
Dead, because of me.
Her final advice had been to reach the park and stay there until his nineteenth birthday.
Despite his frustration, he was determined not to disappoint his mother.
Not long now, anyway.
In truth, he knew he could count on the rector and didn't want to jeopardize that relationship. He would need an ally when the time came to deliver the unpleasant surprise to Aena.
With a sigh, he decided to follow Lyceum's orders—at least for now. He'd find a way to prove his worth without drawing too much attention to himself.
As he walked along the path leading back to the central square, he once again felt his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced toward the Seventh House, from which no soul had yet emerged.
Of course. Too early for the princess.
Despite the tension, his mind was still dominated by the memory of that letter left on the doorstep.
What would Marina think? Would she be curious? Or would she simply ignore his gesture?
The uncertainty tormented him, but at the same time, a spark of hope had rekindled in his heart.
Maybe—just maybe—he'd manage to form a connection with that girl who had captivated him so deeply.
Why her, though? Sure, she's wonderful, but I'm not the type to get hung up like this.
He was well aware there would be obstacles along the way—like the boy Elaine had mentioned, and Marina's noble lineage—but he was determined to give it his all to win her over.
Yes, absolutely. You will be mine.
Setting the matter aside, he headed toward the woods, intending to meet the daughter of Mardi. He knew he had to stay focused on his new acquaintance.
Or maybe I'll go for my only friend.
He had worked with the beautiful Blendbreed during the passage ritual, but now she needed his help to learn how to control her new powers.
At least I get to walk around this place and not stay locked up, he consoled himself.
Once he reached the clearing where Elaine was waiting, the boy greeted her with a smile, masking his nervousness.
"Apologies for the delay, fair maiden. My meeting with Lyceum took longer than expected."
She burst out laughing at the way he had introduced himself. After a moment, she stopped and locked eyes with him. The two stared at each other for a few seconds before they both gave in to a second wave of laughter.
The daughter of Mardi covered her mouth with her hand to calm herself, then looked at him with a concerned expression.
"Did something happen, Caelio? Did Lyceum… ask about me?"
The blond hesitated for a moment, deciding to be honest.
"Actually, yes… but I lied to him, just like you asked me to. The problem is something else—I left a letter for Marina in front of her house, hoping to catch her attention."
Elaine's eyes widened in shock.
"Seriously? Oh, Caelio! You're insane!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.
"You threw yourself into the Lupi's den—better hope Marina doesn't find it!"
Caelio stepped back. The temptation to run and retrieve the letter came rushing back.
"You think I made a mistake?"
"I told you it wasn't a good idea," she said, giving him a scolding look, then rested a hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"Don't worry. You were brave, and that's already something valuable. Whatever your fate, just know I'll make sure you get a proper funeral."
Elaine's words made him shiver. He shrugged his shoulders to shake off the annoying itch on his back.
"Thanks. Really reassuring."
"Blendbreed warned is half saved. Marina only has eyes for Shirei."
"Him again. When am I going to see this guy?"
The girl laughed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Jealous? You'll meet him soon, I hope. He's the newest member of the Equinox Flowers, so he's out on a mission with them."
The Blendbreed sighed before continuing. "Alright. But now, I think it's best we focus on your training. Are you ready to learn how to control lightning?"
Elaine nodded enthusiastically, eager to begin. Caelio started guiding her through the exercises, dedicating himself fully to his friend's training.
"So, basically, it works like any other power, but I imagine that if you're not used to it, it'll be a pretty intense surge of energy."
The young daughter of Mardi looked at him with eyes full of expectation. Her immaculate skin and long blond hair shimmered in the sunlight, her slender and graceful figure a stark contrast to his bulk, which was made even more evident by his odd hunch.
"Second point: don't expect this to be easy. Not even remotely. But I'll do my best to help you."
Despite her friend's warning, Elaine already knew that the road to mastering her new electrokinesis powers would be difficult. Her mind wandered back to the countless hours spent training with the other members of the Daffodils Academy, when Darryl had forced them to train relentlessly.
Now I'm getting all nostalgic.
Caelio demonstrated several stretching exercises to start. Then they moved on to mana mobilization, which the Blendbreed assumed would be a breeze. Instead, she quickly discovered that the sensation was completely different.
"It's natural that you're not used to it. The mana running through your body is now tainted by Emion's power. Absorbing it will be easy, but channeling it is a whole different story. It's going to take some serious work."
The Blendbreed wiped a small bead of sweat from her forehead. "Got it. Didn't think you were this much of an expert."
The boy stepped closer, his deep dark blue eyes focused on her arms. "Trust me, I've made some serious messes. The thing is, mana comes out like a triggered bomb. You try to hold it back, just to release the bare minimum, and boom—you end up creating thunder. Spoiler: then you pass out. Second spoiler: you burn down your house. Especially if it's made of wood."
Lifting his hand, he began to concentrate, his royal aura emitting a faint glow. Slowly, a tiny spark of electricity appeared at the tip of his fingernails. As he stretched out his fingers, five tiny bolts of lightning danced silently through the forest, leaving scorched lines of grass on the ground.
"Pretty neat trick, right? I know, very elegant. It's the first thing my mom decided I should learn, but it's not really my style."
"I figured as much!" Elaine replied with a laugh.
"The core idea is to feel the energy flowing through your body, let it move freely along your limbs, and stop it just as it's about to be released."
"Okay, I got it."
"Yeah, sure. I doubt it, but let's try."
The daughter of Mardi followed his instructions, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. She could feel a strange tingling sensation along her arms, as if thousands of tiny sparks were racing through her veins. Focusing, she tried to channel that energy—but when she opened her eyes, nothing had happened.
A shadow of disappointment crossed the girl's face, and her shoulders slumped. "And, of course, I can't do it. This is completely different from how I usually work. How am I supposed to get used to it?"
"You're kidding? That's normal. Look, I don't know exactly how it works for someone who's gone through a Transition, but I think it's pretty common to struggle. Your body evolved in one way, and now you're asking it to adapt to a radical change."
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his understanding gaze contrasting with his bright smile. "Don't worry. These are new abilities—it takes time to learn them. Better to struggle getting them out than the other way around. Try again, focus on the tingling."
The girl nodded and closed her eyes, determined not to give up.
Her concentration kept her from asking her new acquaintance how he'd learned to control electricity, even if the clues were becoming pretty obvious by now.
Aena, his aura, his powers, and his home.
Couldn't be clearer. If word got out, someone would probably have a heart attack. A third Forbidden Heir here in Lilies Park…
She shook her head and resumed channeling the mana.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
Half an hour had passed, and Elaine had already failed a dozen times.
Please. Please, work.
She felt something unusual inside her body—a sensation of heat and pressure, like something trying to break free. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes, noticing with surprise small sparks dancing along the surface of her skin.
"Hey! It's happening! I'm doing it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder and excitement.
The boy watched with wide eyes. "Incredible!"
Encouraged by his words, Elaine focused even harder, feeling the flow of electricity increase. Small bolts began forming at her fingertips, crackling and sparking with growing intensity.
A radiant smile spread across the Blendbreed's face. Joy and excitement lit up her emerald-colored eyes. "I can control them!"
She'd been skeptical about this method, at least at first. She had believed it would be impossible to master a power without reaching the Evanescent Trail. She had to admit she was surprised by the discovery.
Watching his friend, Caelio couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride.
A record-time teacher, if I may say so. Mom, this one's for you.
Moments later, Elaine threw herself into the boy's arms. The Blendbreed embraced her in return, although his gaze lingered more on the blonde's cleavage than her face. They spun around a few times, then separated, putting a respectable distance between them.
"So, what do I do now?" Elaine asked, awaiting the next instructions.
"Try again. How else are you going to learn to use it in any situation?"
"Right," the blonde replied before getting back to work.
However, as she continued to practice, the boy noticed her expression beginning to tighten. She seemed slightly uneasy, as if something was bothering her.
"Elaine, are you alright?" he asked, stepping closer with concern.
The Blendbreed hesitated for a moment before nodding with a forced smile. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It's just… these new powers take more effort than I thought."
She laughed, but it didn't quite convince him.
"If you're tired, we can stop and take a break. We've been here for a while—I don't want to push you too hard."
"No, really, I'm fine!" she insisted, determined to keep training. "I want to learn how to control them as soon as possible, so I can surprise my teammates when they get back. I need to be able to make a difference."
"You don't need to overdo it."
"Relax! I've got this! And I'll introduce them to you too, even Shirei!
Caelio nodded, still unsure, but decided to let her continue. Elaine seemed so eager to prove herself that he couldn't bring himself to stop her.
Having a pretty girl around isn't so bad, after all.
As time passed, however, he noticed the signs of fatigue piling up. Mardi's daughter had grown pale, and her efforts to control the lightning were becoming more strained. The scattered bolts crackling through the clearing only confirmed his worries.
"It's been over an hour and a half. We can stop for today," he suggested gently, lightly holding her right arm. "You don't need to push this hard."
Elaine looked at him with pleading eyes, her breathing heavy. "Please, let me try one more time. I… I need to be enough."
Caelio studied her with concern, seeing an anxiety and desperation that triggered old memories.
It was like looking into a mirror.
A skinny little boy with a terrible haircut, worn out, just trying to prove to his mother that he was special. Stupid of him—every child is special to their mother.
"Elaine, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. Your friends wouldn't want this—I'm sure of it."
Her eyes welled with tears, the words hitting a nerve deep inside her.
"But I… I want to make a difference. I want to be useful—not just Mardi's daughter. I don't want to watch my friends suffer while I hide behind them."
"Don't push yourself past your limit—it's not worth it. Dummy."
With that last word, the Blendbreed gave her a playful punch on the head, scolding her.
Elaine backed away, holding her head with both hands. "Ah… how dare you…"
He'd actually done it. He'd messed up her hair.
Her expression shifted from shock, to a smile, and then to mock rage. "Come here. Forget lightning—now I'll show you stars!"
The two of them took off running through the woods. The boy was faster—much faster than Elaine—but unfamiliar with the terrain, he tripped multiple times until he finally fell. The Blendbreed quickly caught up and stretched out her hand toward him with a solemn voice.
"Last words?"
"Time-out! I surrender!"
They both burst into laughter. Then the blonde pulled himself up and began brushing dirt off his clothes.
"I didn't think you'd be so unathletic—really disappointing," she teased.
The Blendbreed caught his breath. "I'm not used to running. How about we take a break?" he asked his "student."
Nodding, Elaine settled beneath a tree, and the blonde followed promptly. "Thank you, Caelio," she murmured, her voice low and tinged with emotion.
"No problem. I knew you needed it."
Sitting in silence, the two Blendbreeds let themselves be wrapped in the peace of the forest, each lost in their own thoughts.
Caelio couldn't shake the concern that had gripped him during their training. He'd noticed the signs of discomfort on the face of his new—and only—friend in the park, that strange sense of strain that went beyond mere exhaustion.
He sighed, knowing he couldn't force her to open up. He himself preferred to keep things bottled inside. He just had to be patient, and wait for her to be ready to talk.
What a pain. Why don't any of you ever talk? I say that, but then I'm always the one who ends up talking!
He huffed. For now, what mattered was being there for her, supporting her, and keeping watch—just as the goddess of love had asked him to do.
Hidden behind a few trees, Aena herself, queen of the gods, was watching the scene unfold in the clearing. Her amber eyes peeked through her mask, locked onto the two Blendbreeds.
The goddess's face was etched with an expression of deep disappointment. Shaking her head, she let out a heavy sigh and murmured under her breath, "Oh, Emion, why did you have to ruin yet another one of my precious flowers?"
She had always watched over the Blendbreeds in the park with love, treating them as her own children. But her husband's interference had once again upset the delicate balance of that enchanted place. She had wanted the king of gods to deny such a reckless Passage—just as any other deity would have done. The practice was so rare in the modern age that it had nearly become obsolete.
Aena knew many of her students had attempted it, trying to keep it a secret from her. Still, the number of those who had succeeded in the last century didn't even reach double digits. The Passage was usually attempted only with the greater gods, who typically refused to grant their powers to those who couldn't hope to control them.
Now Mardi's daughter had been bestowed a dangerous force—one that endangered her very life.
And all because my husband wouldn't listen to me.
With her sharp gaze, she noticed faint cracks running through Elaine's Imperiac System—disturbing signs that her Divine Core could soon become damaged, or worse, explode. The goddess shook her head again, the worry gripping her heart.
The two resumed training slowly, giving Elaine time to continue without overexerting herself.
"I can't let things remain as they are…" she murmured, her voice laced with sorrow. "This poor girl is in serious danger—because of you."
Observing Caelio as he patiently instructed her, Aena could see the determination and effort of the young Blendbreed trying to master her new powers. Despite the difficulties, the girl seemed driven by a strength of will Aena had never noticed in her before.
I haven't seen her like this in a long time… she reflected, a faint smile curling on her lips. Maybe Caelio could manage to save her. He's the best guide available.
However, as she watched, the negative symptoms of the Equinox Flower began to intensify. Her face was growing pale, her movements becoming more and more awkward and fatigued. The goddess sighed deeply, knowing that the worst was yet to come. Seeing her so happy, so determined in her choice, tore at her heart. She had always been the most cheerful and kind-hearted of the Equinox Flowers, but many times, her nature had been forced to balance the gloomy Ada. In this moment, however, Mardi's daughter was allowing her true feelings to surface.
Her divine core won't last long, she noted, nearly on the verge of tears. Soon, it will explode, and we won't be able to save her. I'm sorry, but I don't know what to do, little one.
Pressing her lips into a thin line, she remained hidden, continuing to observe the scene unfolding before her. Despite her heart being heavy with worry, she could not intervene. It was an unbreakable rule: do not interfere with the will of her husband. The final word was always Emion's. No one, not even her, could disobey.
With a resigned sigh, Aena kept vigil. There had to be a way to help her, to prevent her divine core from exploding with catastrophic consequences. But for now, all she could do was wait and hope that Caelio could guide the young Blendbreed in the right way.
"Hold on, beautiful lily," she whispered tensely.
Suddenly, Elaine collapsed to the ground, overcome with intense discomfort. Her face was twisted with tension and effort, struggling to breathe. Caelio rushed to her side, enveloping her in a protective embrace.
"No, no. Hey, beautiful! No dying here! Catch your breath, let's go! Do I need to take you to the infirmary?" he heard him shout.
Mardi's daughter waved her hand to reassure him, then sat down on the ground, regaining her strength. Aena looked down, where her right foot had sunk into the ground, ready to spring her forward.
Five more minutes passed, but the danger seemed to have passed.
Praise be to you, Una.
Aena silently thanked the goddess of life, then, with one last look full of concern, she withdrew, disappearing into the forest. She needed to prepare; she had to reverse the process before it was too late. All she could do now was wait and hope that Mardi would be on her side.
First thing, I'll notify the Lyceum to intervene. The less she uses her powers, the more we can delay the inevitable.
The future of her beloved lilies was hanging by a thread, and she wouldn't allow them to be destroyed. Whatever it took, the goddess was determined to protect her Blendbreeds. She could not break Emion's rules, but she could circumvent them through the Blendbreeds.
They were born for this originally, and it was time to use their peculiarity to her advantage.
Aena was trembling, though she hadn't realized it.
The fear of the future had even managed to grip the queen of the gods. Fate had laid its hand upon them.