After finishing breakfast, Mikhail returned to his room. He placed his scroll of notes on the desk, then opened the small wardrobe in the corner. A bathing cloth hung neatly, and a jar of water had already been prepared since morning.
He stepped into the small dormitory bathroom. Cold water touched his skin, washing away the remnants of sleep. He poured the water slowly over his body, then scrubbed his face with the herbal soap commonly used by Atrium students, the scent of mint and cinnamon refreshed his mind. A few drops fell onto the stone floor, creating a faint echo that felt calming.
After bathing, he put on his deep blue robe with the emblem of light on his chest. His hair was still slightly damp, but his face looked fresher. He tightened his belt, took the Scriptura Caelestis and his notebook, then walked toward the Lumina hall.
The Lumina hall was filled with morning light streaming through tall windows, casting bright lines across the stone floor. The fragrance of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, mingling with the sound of Scriptura pages being opened in unison. The students sat neatly, pens ready in hand, awaiting Luminar David's voice.
Luminar David stepped into the center of the room. His white robe shimmered softly, the sun-shaped pendant on his chest swaying gently. His voice was calm, yet full of authority.
"Today," he said, "we will speak of Queen Lunareth."
The room fell silent. Every eye turned to him.
"Lunareth is the Queen of the Moon. She guards the boundary between light and darkness, between dream and reality. She is not merely a symbol of gentleness, but also the keeper of the inner gate."
David raised his hand, as if drawing in the air. "Queen Lunareth has Saints, each with a role to preserve the balance of the cosmos. There is Saint Gatekeeper, guardian of the threshold between the real world and the inner one. Saint Dream, who delivers messages through sleep. Saint Light, who guides lost souls. Saint Guide, who safeguards direction and purpose. And Saint Shadow, who ensures that darkness does not exceed its bounds."
Mikhail wrote quickly, though his hand trembled slightly. The words about Saint Dream and Saint Shadow felt too close to his own recent experiences. Ivan, seated in the front row, bowed his head deeply, as if the words pressed upon him. Rev glanced left and right, trying to catch his friends' reactions, while Eric remained upright, his sharp eyes weighing whether these teachings were truth or mere symbolism.
Luminar David looked across the students. "Though Lunareth is the authority of the moon, she may manifest even in daylight. For she is not merely ruler of the night, but the divine extension of the God of the Universe."
He paused briefly, then added with heavier tone: "Events such as solar eclipses or lunar eclipses are not accidents. They are acts performed together by Queen Lunareth and King of the Sun, Solvaris. Two authorities of light, complementing one another, at times converging, at times opposing, to maintain the balance of the cosmos."
The Lumina hall grew tense. The sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to quiver faintly, as if listening. Some students swallowed hard, sensing something far greater than a lesson.
Luminar David closed his teaching with a voice gentle yet commanding: "Remember, children. Light and darkness are not enemies. They are two sides of one existence. Lunareth and Solvaris ensure that both remain in balance. Should that balance falter… the universe itself will tremble."
His words echoed through the hall, leaving a long silence. The students bent over their Scriptura, recording words that felt more like warnings than teachings.
Mikhail stared at his page, blank as always. Yet within his chest, David's words resounded, mingling with the vivid memory of his dream. Ivan remained pale, Rev forced a faint smile, and Eric gazed straight ahead, as if challenging the truth with his own mind.
And in that hall filled with light, each of them felt something different, a subtle vibration, as though the world itself was waiting for something yet to come.
As the lesson ended, chairs scraped softly against the stone floor. The fragrance of incense faded, replaced by the warmth of midday air.
Mikhail remained seated, staring at his Scriptura. The page was blank as always, yet his chest felt heavy with David's words.
Rev leaned over, tapping his shoulder. "Hey, you're too serious. Class is over. Let's go eat." Mikhail turned, his voice low. "Rev… did you hear what he said? About Saint Dream?" Rev shrugged, forcing a crooked smile. "Sure. But maybe it's just a story. Don't let it haunt you."
Ivan passed by, pale and quiet. Mikhail stood quickly. "Ivan." The boy froze, lowering his gaze. "I… I felt it too." Rev frowned. "Felt what?" Ivan swallowed, his voice barely audible. "Since morning… something pulling at my head. Like a presence pressing close."
Eric appeared near the doorway, arms folded, eyes sharp. "You both felt the same thing?" Mikhail nodded slowly. Ivan said nothing, only bowing deeper.
Rev raised his hand with a half-smile. "If this keeps up, we'll need a new club: The Pulled-By-Strange-Forces Club." His attempt at humor fell flat. No one laughed.
Rev lowered his hand, his smile fading. "Okay… maybe this isn't a joke."
The air around them grew heavier, silence pressing in.
Mikhail looked at Ivan. "Have you ever dreamed… something that felt real?" Ivan hesitated, then nodded. "And in that dream… there was a voice."
Mikhail's chest tightened. He knew then, they were not merely students listening to lessons. They were being touched by something far greater, something waiting beyond the balance of light and darkness.
Mikhail walked with Rev and Ivan, Eric following close behind. The corridor was filled with chatter and footsteps, sunlight stretching across the stone floor in long golden lines.
They entered the dining hall, where the air was filled with the scent of roasted fowl glazed with honey, steaming herbal stew, and fresh bread from the ovens. Wooden tables stretched across the room, crowded with students. Platters of cheese and fruit were passed along the benches, and cups of herbal tea steamed gently.
The four of them took their trays: bread, stew, slices of fruit, and roasted meat and sat together at the far end of a long table.
Rev immediately tore into his bread, sighing with exaggerated relief. "Finally. I thought I'd starve before David finished his sermon."
Ivan, however, barely touched his food. His fingers tightened around the edge of the tray, his eyes fixed on the stew as if it held answers. After a long silence, he spoke quietly: "Mikhail… about what Luminar David said. The King of the Sun… Solvaris. Who is 'He', really?"
Mikhail froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. Rev looked up, surprised, while Eric set his fruit down with deliberate calm.
Eric's voice was firm, cutting through the tension. "Not now. Eat first. Questions can wait."
Ivan hesitated, then lowered his gaze. He picked at the bread, though his appetite seemed absent. Mikhail glanced at him, sensing the weight behind the question. Rev shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, Ivan. If you want to talk about kings and gods, at least do it after stew. Trust me, it tastes better that way."
Eric's eyes remained sharp, watching Ivan and Mikhail both. "There will be time. But not here, not now."
The four of them ate in uneasy silence, each carrying thoughts heavier than the meal before them.