The soul space shimmered beneath a sky of eternal twilight. Stars hung motionless, and the ground below mirrored the cosmos like glass. This space had become our second home—a sanctuary forged by mana, spirit, and time itself.
But today, it wasn't about training. It was about awakening.
At the center of the frost-covered plain stood Lyra, her long obsidian hair dancing in the gentle wind. Ice crystals sparkled around her, suspended midair, reacting to her presence. Her pale skin glowed faintly in the starry light, eyes shut in complete focus.
She was trying again.
Trying to forge her Domain.
Her breath condensed in the air. Magic surged within her, swirling like a blizzard, then erupted in a halo of frost. Snowflakes sharpened into needles, forming a ring around her. The very temperature dropped—Scarlett took a step back, arms wrapped around herself instinctively.
But then—crack.
The swirling domain shattered like glass, the mana dispersing with a gust of cold wind.
Lyra fell to one knee, panting, her fingers trembling.
"Again?" Layla asked, arms crossed as she hovered midair. Her wings cast long shadows across the field, her amber eyes flickering with controlled irritation.
Scarlett stepped beside Lyra, kneeling gently. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Lyra whispered. "I… almost had it."
"Almost doesn't cut it," Layla said with a huff as she landed gracefully. "You're forcing it. Domains don't come from technique. It's a manifestation of who you are—your emotions, your will."
Lyra's expression twisted, conflicted. "I know that… but no matter how hard I try, it slips."
Layla clicked her tongue. "You're treating your mana like a weapon, not a part of yourself. You're overthinking."
Lyra lowered her head. "...Maybe I'm just not strong enough yet."
"No," Scarlett said firmly, taking her hand. "You're strong, Lyra. You just haven't found the right key. It's there. Waiting."
A heavy silence fell.
Everyone had been giving their all for the past month.
Scarlett's shadow monsters had evolved into full-fledged lieutenants—swift, intelligent, deadly. Her dual mastery of wind and shadow made her a nightmare on the battlefield.
Layla? She was a monster. Her domain of Corruption had stabilized. Her wings glided effortlessly, her aura overwhelming even during practice matches. She was untouchable—but still trained every night without fail.
And me?
My clones helped me grind endlessly through elemental fusion, swordsmanship, and aura control. I had even begun refining my Elemental Domain—one born purely of mana, capable of adapting to every elemental type.
But Lyra… she was stuck.
Despite her elegant control of snow and ice, despite her rising strength and frostbitten aura… she couldn't step through the final threshold.
And I could tell—this wasn't just a mana issue.
It was emotional.
Mental.
Something inside her was locked.
Layla turned away with a sigh, but I stepped forward, kneeling in front of Lyra as she sat defeated on the frost-glazed ground.
"Lyra," I said gently. "What do you see when you close your eyes and reach for your Domain?"
She blinked at me, unsure.
"I see… snow," she murmured. "I see ice covering everything. A blizzard… endless. Beautiful, but lonely."
I narrowed my eyes.
"…Lonely?"
She looked away.
Scarlett tilted her head. "Do you ever see something alive in that snow?"
Lyra shook her head. "No. Just silence."
Layla frowned. "That's your problem. A domain isn't about silence. It's you. If it's lonely, maybe you're holding something back."
I leaned back, thoughtful. My own domain was system-gifted. Layla's, forged by Corruption and emotion.
But Lyra?
She wasn't like Layla, whose soul burned with obsession.
Lyra had a different reason for walking this path. One she hadn't shared.
"…Do you think we should go somewhere?" I asked suddenly.
Lyra blinked. "Go… where?"
"Somewhere like… a frozen island," I said. "Covered with snow and ancient ice. Or maybe somewhere you want to go."
Layla turned toward me, curious. "That sounds cool and all, but why?"
"When you awakened your domain," I said, looking at Layla, "you were standing on land corrupted by your own element. It matched you… and I was in danger."
"That emotional trigger helped you break through."
I turned to Lyra.
"Maybe she needs the same. A place that resonates with her. A memory. A connection."
Now, all eyes were on Lyra.
She remained silent for a long time, her breath fogging in the air.
Then she slowly stood up, brushing snow off her arms.
"…I'll think about it."
But I saw it.
A flicker.
A shadow in her eyes—something she wasn't telling us.
We returned to the real world, the soul space fading around us like mist.
The warmth of the bed greeted us, soft pillows and velvet blankets. Lyra lay on one side, facing the wall, her back to us.
Scarlett and Layla exchanged knowing glances.
"She's hiding something," Scarlett said softly.
Layla nodded. "Yeah. That hesitation… wasn't just about power."
Then, both girls looked at me.
"You should talk to her," Layla said, surprisingly gentle.
Scarlett smiled. "We'll give you two some time."
And without another word, they both left the room, the soft click of the door sealing us in silence.
I turned to look at Lyra.
She hadn't moved.
I slowly got up and walked to her side of the bed, kneeling.
I reached out… gently placed a hand on her waist… and pulled her into my lap.
She gasped softly in surprise.
I rarely initiated things with her. Not like I did with the others. She was reserved. Distant at times.
But now… she needed this.
Her body trembled slightly as she found herself sitting on me, her head resting against my chest, my arms wrapped securely around her.
"I… what are you doing?" she asked, but her voice lacked resistance.
I smiled faintly, running my fingers through her hair.
Her tense shoulders slowly relaxed.
Minutes passed.
She stayed there—breathing slowly, eyes closed, simply listening to the rhythm of my heartbeat.
Then I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"…Lyra."
Her fingers curled into my shirt.
"Do you want to tell me something?"
Her breath hitched.
And then…
"…maybe I do."
To be continued…