[Scene: Ashen's Room – 10:03 PM]
The lights were off.
Ashen sat on the edge of his bed.
Feet dangling. Blanket wrapped around his shoulders like a cape.
Just... swinging his legs in silence.
Then—
Thump.
A small shift of wind.
The window slid open—
Katrina.
Again.
Landing softly on the floor like she'd done it a hundred times.
> "So now you're awake, small fry,"
she smirked, arms crossed.
> "Couldn't handle a light training schedule?"
Ashen looked away, embarrassed.
> "I'm sorry…"
She rolled her eyes—but walked over.
A quiet pat on his head.
Then—
Two apples.
Ashen blinked, surprised.
> "For me?"
She didn't answer.
He bit in instantly.
Crunch. Crunch.
Like dinner never happened.
> Internal – Ashen:
"Apples in this world taste far superior to Earth."
> "So good…"
Katrina gave the faintest smile.
> "Get well soon."
She turned, ready to vault back out.
But—
> "Wait!"
Ashen's voice, mouth still half-full.
She stopped. Looked back.
> "I had a dream. A nightmare, kind of."
Katrina tilted her head.
> "So? You wet your pants or what? That what this is?"
> "No! I'm not a child!"
Ashen sat straighter.
> "It was something about the Seven—"
Suddenly—
Thud.
His chest twisted.
His breath hitched.
> Internal – Ashen:
"What? I… I can't say it?"
> "Even this?"
---
[Flashback]
A sunny afternoon.
Ashen was curled up in Lira's lap. A soft breeze drifted through the kitchen window. She brushed his hair gently with her fingers.
Ashen's expression was unusually serious—his brows drawn, lips pressed tight.
> "Mama... I wanna tell you something about the future"
Sharp pain.
The world slowed.
Time froze.
The words caught in his throat.
His chest tightened just like now.
---
[Present]
Ashen gasped, holding his ribs.
Panting. Sweating.
Katrina was instantly beside him, hand on his back.
> "Ashen?! Hey—what happened?"
> "Ashen?"
He nodded weakly. Reached for the glass by his nightstand and drank.
> "I'm okay. Just… a headache."
Katrina didn't buy it.
> "You sure?"
She squinted suspiciously.
Then raised a brow.
> "What were you gonna tell me?"
Before he could answer—
TRR TRR TRR
TRR TRR TRR
A soft hum from her belt.
The caller shell buzzed against her waist.
She grabbed it, flipping it open.
> "Yeah?"
From the other end—Arjun's voice. Slightly static.
[Scene Shift: Whisper's Light Ship— Somewhere on open sea]
Arjun stood on deck, wind rushing past him.
> "Katrina. You hear the news?"
> "The Adventurer's License Exam…"
> "It's been preponed."
> "Next month."
---
Katrina's expression changed.
Eyes narrowed.
Focus sharpened.
> "Next month…?"