In the months that followed, the Solara and Crescent Kingdoms poured their full attention into strengthening their military might. Training grounds were expanded, academies restructured, and new knight programs established—all in preparation for the unseen war that loomed beyond the horizon. Yet amid their feverish efforts, they continued to keep the Tempest Kingdom in the dark, refusing to share the vital truths Serah had revealed. Their silence was a political blade—one wielded with quiet arrogance.

For Serah Magna, however, there was no time to waste on politics. She took charge of the Solaran Knight recruit division, leading the training of hundreds of fresh-faced knights with the kind of relentless discipline that made her both feared and revered. Having personally faced the Pureblood demons, Serah knew their nature better than anyone alive. She understood their speed, their savagery, and their eerie intelligence. To her, it wasn't just about forming an army—it was about preparing soldiers to survive.

But beyond that, there was another reason she took the role: Galen. Her younger brother. Her greatest headache and her deepest pride. Training new recruits gave her the perfect chance to shape him, to pass on her methods and wisdom directly to him. Among all her trainees, Serah knew none possessed Galen's raw potential. His grasp of fire myst was nothing short of exceptional—his control refined and his casting speed nearly unmatched.

Many whispered that Serah favored him, that her judgment was clouded by familial affection. But that wasn't bias—it was fact. Galen Magna was the most naturally gifted fire mage of his generation. At just eighteen, he had already reached High-Tier Seven-Star mage, and if he pushed himself even a little, he could easily ascend to Eight-Star within months. His core burned with immense potential… yet his heart remained utterly indifferent to power.

To Galen, strength was pointless. Why strive when his sister—his unstoppable, brilliant sister—was already a goddess of war in her own right? What was there to prove? The kingdom was safe enough with her around.

That complacency was his curse.

If not for his careless mindset, Galen would already be standing among the elite knights. Still, despite his stubbornness, Serah refused to give up on him. She saw something others couldn't: a spark waiting to ignite. And though he complained endlessly, he listened to her more than he'd ever admit. That, at least, made her work bearable.

***

The sunlight spilling through the tall, arched windows bathed Serah's office in a warm glow. Papers and reports cluttered her desk—mission logs, demon activity summaries, recruitment tallies. She was reviewing a stack of fresh documents, her quill scratching rhythmically across parchment when a firm knock interrupted the quiet.

"Come in," she said without looking up.

The door opened with a creak, and Galen stepped inside, dressed in the official crimson and black uniform of the Solaran Knights. His hair was a bit messier than regulation allowed, his sword hanging loosely at his side. He looked far too relaxed for someone reporting to the Knight Commander.

"You called for me," Galen said, attempting—poorly—to sound formal.

Serah paused, her quill freezing mid-stroke before she slowly lifted her gaze. The corner of her mouth twitched. "Really?" she asked dryly.

"What?" Galen blinked innocently.

"Don't act like you didn't just try to sound like a recruit fresh out of basic."

He shrugged, grinning. "Hey, I thought I nailed it."

Serah scoffed softly and went back to her paperwork. "Have a seat and give me a minute."

Galen plopped down in one of the chairs across from her desk, exaggerating a sigh. "You know, you could at least pretend to appreciate the effort, not laugh."

"I didn't laugh," Serah said, her eyes still on the papers. "I scoffed. Big difference."

"Same thing to me."

"Of course it is to you," she muttered under her breath before finally setting her quill down and looking at him properly.

"Anyway," she said with a composed tone, leaning back slightly, "how are you holding up?"

"Same as always—sore," Galen groaned dramatically. "Your training sessions are brutal. I swear you're trying to kill me."

"It's for your own good," Serah replied simply.

"Yeah, right," he said with a grin. "Been training for what, seven… eight months now? Still haven't been sent on a mission. At this rate, I might as well retire early and spend my time with some fine-looking ladies instead."

Serah's eyebrow twitched, and she glanced toward the thick ledger on her desk, resisting the urge to throw it at his face.

"You done?" she asked flatly.

"Depends," Galen said, smirking. "Am I getting something better to do?"

Serah exhaled through her nose, a faint smile flickering at the corner of her lips. "Actually, yes. Today happens to be your lucky day."

Galen blinked, the smirk faltering. "Wait—seriously?"

"Yes." Serah reached into the pile of documents, pulled out a sealed folder, and slid it across the desk toward him. "You've got a mission."

He raised an eyebrow, opening the folder as she continued speaking.

"There've been multiple reports of Advanced Horrors and Gaia-class demons sighted along the borders of Zones Seventeen and Eighteen. Civilians are panicking. I need you to head down there and confirm the situation. You'll be going with three other recruits—Fred, Ivar, and Lyra. I've already approved the team."

Galen flipped through the folder, scanning the details without much expression. After a moment, he closed it and set it back down. "Sounds simple enough," he said casually.

Serah gave him a skeptical look. "Just so you know, this mission will determine whether you're eligible for a rank advancement. And you're to work with your team, Galen. Don't you dare dump all the work on them like last time."

"Hey, first of all," Galen said, raising a hand, "the rank thing doesn't really matter to me. And second, me? Dump work on others? Never."

Serah stared at him, completely unamused.

He sighed. "Alright, maybe sometimes. But come on, it's been months since I had any real action. I'm dying for something exciting."

"Uh-huh." She leaned forward, folding her hands on the desk. "Your objective is simple: scout the borders of Zone Seventeen and Eighteen. Confirm the sightings. If the demons can be eliminated, do it—but do not engage recklessly. If it's beyond your control, report back immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Galen said with a mock salute, his grin returning. "So, who am I going with again. And when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Serah said. "You'll be going with Fred and Ivar. Lyra will meet you guys there."

Galen tilted his head thoughtfully. "Not bad. They're tolerable. I can work with that."

"Good. Then get moving. I've got reports to finish." She waved a dismissive hand at him, already reaching for her quill again.

Galen rose from his seat, grinning. "You're the best, sis. Really."

"Flattery won't save you if you screw up," she said without looking up.

He was halfway to the door when her voice stopped him.

"Oh, and Galen?"

He turned, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Be careful," she said, her tone softening just a bit. "If anything happens to you… Mother will have my head."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "C'mon, I'm a Magna. What could possibly happen to me?"

And with that, he stepped out, leaving Serah alone in the quiet hum of her office. She watched the door close behind him, her expression unreadable for a long moment—then sighed, whispering softly to herself, "That's exactly what worries me."