The night air was cool, carrying a faint wind through the training yard of Mythic Union Highschool.
Most students had already gone to their dormitories, leaving the massive courtyard empty… except for one Grey Stone "loser" who had decided to continue his secret training.
Dominic crouched on a stone wall, his hands glowing faintly with a ripple of gravity.
"Gravity Step… and now Gravity Pulse… perfect."
He released a wave of gravitational energy that lifted small stones into the air. Each rock floated, spinning around him like tiny satellites.
"Not bad… considering the Cosmic Stone is still mostly sealed," he muttered.
Suddenly, a shadow moved behind him.
"Practicing at night, Dominic?"
Dominic jumped. His heart raced.
Lyra Windvale had appeared, her silver hair shimmering under the moonlight, her wind aura softly fluttering around her.
"Lyra! You scared me!" Dominic exclaimed, rubbing his chest.
"I could say the same about you," she replied, stepping closer. A stray piece of debris caught in the wind, brushing lightly across Dominic's arm.
Dominic felt his face heat up slightly. "…It's just… the wind…"
Lyra's green eyes sparkled as she noticed the floating stones spinning around Dominic.
"Impressive," she said softly.
Dominic scratched his head awkwardly. "Thanks… I mean, it's nothing. Just… training."
Lyra stepped closer to observe. "I wanted to see your technique… up close."
Dominic backed up slightly—though there wasn't much room on the narrow wall. He stumbled and grabbed onto Lyra's arm to steady himself.
"Whoa—!"
He realized too late that their bodies were now very close, almost touching. The warmth of her presence and the gentle sway of the wind around them made his face burn hotter than ever.
Lyra blinked, slightly startled herself.
"This is… a bit awkward," she said softly, trying to hide her own embarrassment.
Dominic's mind raced. 'This is not training… this is not training… WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?'
He tried to step back, but gravity subtly shifted around his feet, and he slipped—his chest brushing lightly against Lyra's in the process.
"Oh—!"
They froze. Both turned crimson. The floating stones spun faster in the sudden disturbance, and a faint gravity pulse rippled outward.
Dominic coughed, trying to regain his composure. "Uh… sorry… totally my fault!"
Lyra's eyes softened. "It's… fine. Accidents happen."
A beat of silence passed between them. Then Lyra's lips curved into a small smile.
"You're… different than I expected, Dominic."
Dominic's heart skipped a beat. "…Different good or… different bad?"
She tilted her head, letting a stray lock of hair fall across her face. "Both, maybe."
Dominic's mind went blank. He quickly moved back a step, nearly tripping over a floating stone.
"Right… yes… training… must focus…" he stammered.
Lyra laughed softly, the wind around her swirling playfully. "Relax. I won't bite."
Dominic muttered under his breath, "…I hope not."
But inside his soul, the Cosmic Stone pulsed violently, reacting to the sudden emotional tension. Small stars of energy flickered faintly around his body, almost like a heartbeat.
'…What the hell is happening?' Dominic thought.
Before either could say anything else, a faint crimson glow appeared in the distance.
Kael Draven. Devil Stone user.
He had returned. And he was coming for a secret attack.
Dominic took a deep breath, and instinctively, Lyra moved closer, almost instinctively letting her wind aura protect both of them.
"You… really can't stay out of trouble, can you?" she said softly.
Dominic grinned awkwardly. "I'm starting to think trouble likes me more than I like it."
Lyra smirked. "Then let's see how well your 'Gravity Pulse' can handle Devil Blood."
Dominic's grin returned—though his heart still thumped for another reason entirely.
'First Kael… now Lyra… this night's turning out way too complicated.'
---