Chapter 60 – Whispers of Giants

  Training Grounds Banter

  The Proving Fields were alive with the steady rhythm of drills—sigils glowing in the dirt, recruits grunting through repetitions, the sharp crack of wooden blades striking rune-forged dummies.

  Seven exhaled as the mana crystal in his palm flared too hot, searing his fingers before sputtering out. He muttered a curse, shaking the sting from his hand.

  From across the yard, Ripper’s gravelly voice carried over the noise.

  “Remember this, boy—your enchanted combat doesn’t consume mana. It multiplies it. If your pool is one thousand, then every multiplier you stack bleeds it faster. Get your flow stable, or you’ll burn yourself out faster than kindling in a storm.”

  Seven grunted an acknowledgment, wiping sweat from his brow.

  Fluffy plopped down beside him, her twin short swords clinking against her thighs. “Training all day’s gonna melt my brain. Let’s breathe a little before you collapse, rookie.”

  Raven leaned against a post, arms folded, expression unreadable. “A pause won’t hurt. This week’s been punishing enough.”

  Seven gave them both a sidelong glance. “So after the trials—what happens then? More drills? More mana crystals shoved in my face?”

  Fluffy perked up, ears twitching with excitement. “That’s when the real fun begins! Pass the survival trials and you’re not just an initiate anymore. You start missions—outside the walls!”

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  Seven chuckled dryly. “Outside, huh? Be nice not to feel crammed in here like sardines.”

  The two bunnyfolk blinked.

  “Sardi… what?” Fluffy tilted her head.

  “Small fish. Packed into tins,” Seven waved vaguely. “Never mind. Point is—getting out sounds good.”

  Raven’s voice cut sharp. “Don’t mistake novelty for safety. Beyond the walls are Wild Magical Beasts, hostile terrain… and worse.”

  Fluffy leaned in with theatrical gravity. “Giants. Sometimes, you might even run into the Neko Titans.”

  Seven blinked. “…Wait. Titans? They actually live this close?”

  Raven’s violet-gray eyes met his without a hint of humor. “Yes. They’re not myths. Neko Titans are apex predators. Sixty to ninety feet tall. Ears, tails, claws—and strength enough to crush platoons. They don’t play with prey. They consume it.”

  Fluffy nodded. “The Aku Clan’s the worst. Technically our neighbors, if you call bloodthirsty giants ‘neighbors.’”

  Seven swallowed, throat tight. His left hand instinctively rubbed the scar tissue where his arm had once been. “I lost this to Saya. She wasn’t even ten feet. And you’re telling me there are ones… thirty times her size?”

  Raven’s gaze softened slightly, though her tone remained steady. “If a Titan challenges you, you don’t fight. You endure. Outsmart. Survive. The Guild avoids provoking the Aku for a reason.”

  Seven muttered under his breath, “Guess survival’s still my specialty.”

  Fluffy nudged him, grin returning. “Relax, rookie. Stay behind Novastra’s barrier and they won’t touch you. And if something slips through, well—” she puffed her chest—“you’ve got us.”

  For once, Seven let a faint smile tug at his lips. “…Not the worst deal.”

  Lady Lumin and Val

  Far from Novastra, in the shadowed valley of the Aku, the air shimmered with quiet menace beneath the Dark Fruit Tree. Lady Lumin sat beneath its massive boughs, parchment spread across her clawed hands, golden eyes glinting as she read. She been reading terms for some time now but been busy with other reports and tasks she has her clan been dealing with.

  “Freedom of travel. Trade rights. An alliance.” Her voice carried like steel wrapped in silk. “Humans reaching across the line they swore to defend with blood.”

  At her side stood Valerie, her enforcer and confidant. “They’re desperate. The barrier keeps us out, but their survival hinges on Aether. We should use that desperation. If they want peace, let them bleed for it—Aether in exchange for breathing room.”

  Lumin’s lips curved faintly. “Astute as always, Val. Novastra bleeds mana, and we decide how much lifeblood they’ll receive.”

  Val bowed her head. “Shall I draft a counteroffer?”

  “Not yet.” Lumin’s gaze turned southward past the mountains where the Aku resides having the high point seeing the sea, toward the faint shimmer of Novastra’s barrier. Her tail lashed once in irritation. “First, I want answers about that spatial rift nine months ago. Since the day that spatial magic been appearing, more rifts have followed. Disturbances stir, then vanish. Coincidence? I think not.”

  Her golden eyes narrowed, burning with quiet certainty. “Let them stew. We will answer in time.”