"You can't stop fate, but you can trip it down the stairs." – Guildmaster Rai
The celebrations at Renga Guild were in full swing.
Banners hung from rafters (mostly stolen from the bakery next door), paper slime hats were passed around, and Master Rai had tapped into his secret stash of "Victory Juice" (which turned out to be highly flammable fermented mango).
Kazuki basked in the glow of accidental heroism, ice cream in one hand, a tiny crown placed unevenly atop his head by Smile, who was now wearing a cape made from napkins. Wolf guarded the buffet table like a war general, and Eagle was teaching villagers how to glare dramatically while landing from midair.
Even Aurelis, the aloof druidess, allowed herself a tiny smile as she sipped shimmering tea from a floating leaf-cup.
But underneath the joy and chaos, something stirred.
Far below Renga. Deeper than Daigo or even Smile could sense.
A second crack had opened.
It pulsed quietly… waiting.
Later That Night
Kazuki found himself unable to sleep.
Too many pastries. Too much excitement. And also, Smile had stolen his pillow and was using it as a throne.
He slipped outside onto the guild's wooden balcony, which overlooked the moonlit hills of Renga. A breeze rolled in, bringing the scent of pine and burnt slime napkins.
Aurelis stood there already, her silvery hair drifting in the wind like dandelion fluff.
"You felt it too," she said without looking at him.
Kazuki blinked. "Felt what? I thought I just had a weird mango dream."
She turned her eyes to the stars. "The seal didn't close it. It merely distracted it."
Kazuki frowned. "The Voidcreature?"
Aurelis shook her head. "Worse. This world has cracks. Not just physical—fated cracks. Destiny has been tampered with."
Kazuki scratched his head. "So… you're saying the world is, like… emotionally unstable?"
She gave him a sidelong look. "Something like that."
From the shadows, Daigo appeared.
Of course.
Because rival entrances were his specialty.
"The second crack is beneath the royal capital," Daigo said grimly. "We'll need to go there. Whether we like it or not."
Kazuki froze. "The capital? As in… politics, nobles, arranged marriages and overcooked feasts?"
"Yes."
Smile emerged behind him, now wearing a monocle.
"Does it have fountains?" the slime asked.
"Several."
"I shall pee in them."
The Royal Summons
The next morning, a sleek mana-carriage—clearly designed for overly important people—arrived outside Renga Guild. A royal herald stepped out, announcing in a booming voice:
"BY DECREE OF THE FIVE-LEAF COUNCIL, THE CHOSEN HEROES ARE TO REPORT TO THE CAPITAL FOR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AND TEA."
Kazuki squinted. "Wait, they still think I'm a hero?"
Daigo nodded, crossing his arms. "Unfortunately."
Rai clapped Kazuki on the back. "You're going to the big leagues, kid. Just try not to set the palace on fire."
Smile perked up. "No promises."
As they packed, Aurelis whispered something to a nearby flower. It shimmered and vanished. A seed—tiny, glowing faintly—settled into her palm before she tucked it into her sleeve.
A new bond… waiting. Watching. One that would awaken in time.
On the Road
The journey to the capital took two days. Along the way, the group passed through lands slowly changing—mana growing erratic, shadows stretching longer, and whispers at night.
Villagers murmured about falling stars and "mirrored wolves" seen at twilight.
Even Daigo seemed uneasy.
But Kazuki? He practiced dramatic poses in front of the carriage mirror, occasionally asking Smile if his new scarf made him look mysterious.
"It makes you look like a lost tourist," Smile replied.
"Perfect.