The dorms of Spectrum Academy were quiet — too quiet.
Moonlight poured through the glass ceiling, painting soft silver across the hallways. The six domes stood in a perfect circle, each glowing faintly in its student's color.
Inside one of them, Vale's dome shimmered pale teal. He stirred in his bed, half-asleep — until something soft brushed against his hand.
A faint chirp.
He blinked, groggy. "Huh?"
Another chirp, closer this time.
When he turned, two glowing blue eyes stared right back at him — wide, curious, and far too close.
"AAAH—!" Vale almost fell off the bed.
The tiny creature tilted its head innocently, fur shining like moonlit silk.
"Wait, you're that— the one from the garden!"
The little thing squeaked again and crawled onto his pillow, purring softly. Its translucent tail flickered with joy.
Vale sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Oh great. You followed me home."
He hesitated — then smiled faintly. "...You're kinda cute though."
The creature yawned, curled up, and fell asleep beside him, glowing faintly.
But Vale didn't stay quiet long. A few minutes later — knock knock knock!
"Vale, you awake?" Lyra's voice.
"Open up!" Draven added.
He groaned, opened the door slightly — and immediately, five heads peeked in.
"WHAT is that?!" Eira gasped.
Mira squealed. "It's so fluffy!"
Nox smirked. "So the rumors are true. Vale finally got a roommate."
Vale glared. "Very funny. It just appeared."
Lyra crouched beside the bed, watching as Lumi blinked awake and hopped into her palm, chirping.
"It's not scared of us," she said softly. "It's… happy."
The six of them exchanged glances — a quiet wonder hanging in the air.
Then —
A faint clang echoed from the corridor outside.
The night guards.
"Hide it!" Draven hissed.
They scrambled — Vale grabbed Lumi and stuffed it gently inside a blanket while Eira tossed a pillow over it.
The door opened just a crack as the guard's lantern swept through the hall.
"Students awake at midnight?" the guard rumbled.
"Just… night study," Draven said too quickly.
"Study?"
"Yes, about… nocturnal magical biology," Nox added deadpan.
The guard narrowed his eyes — then walked away.
As soon as his footsteps faded, they all burst into muffled laughter.
Lyra wiped a tear from her eye. "We're so dead if anyone finds out."
Vale lifted the blanket — Lumi peeked out, chirping softly.
"Guess we're hiding you, little one," Vale whispered. "Welcome to the team."
Morning:
The next day, Lumi was safely hidden in a small pouch inside Vale's satchel. During breakfast, the creature quietly nibbled on crumbs, earning barely suppressed giggles from Mira and Eira.
By the time they reached their Elemental Resonance Class, the air inside the hall had changed.
Two new figures stood at the front — wearing long robes of violet and silver, masks shaped like fractured mirrors.
"Good morning, Initiates," one of them said in a deep, echoing tone.
"Today, we begin Phase Two of your training. The art of binding truth from illusion."
The class fell silent.
Lyra whispered to Draven, "Who are they?"
Draven didn't answer. His gaze stayed fixed on their masks — because for just a moment, he could've sworn one of them whispered his name.
"Let's begin," the second masked teacher said softly. "We'll see which of you is ready… and which still hides behind color.