Tiny wings fluttered from her back, and her features were delicate but sharp. She wore what looked like a dress made of condensed sunlight.
"A fairy," Levi said flatly.
"A light spirit, if you please. Fairies are for children's stories. I am a being of pure divine energy, crafted by a god's dying breath to serve as your mentor and guide."
"Right. And I suppose you're going to teach me how to use my powers?"
Mera's expression grew serious. "I am going to try to keep you alive long enough to matter. Do you have any idea what you've gotten yourself into?"
They had reached the Fighter's Guild, and Levi could see the familiar crowd of hopefuls gathering outside. In a few hours, he would be back in those tunnels, facing the same tests that had claimed his life before. But this time, he had advantages.
"Tell me about Aseraph," he said quietly.
"Not here." Mera's tiny form darted closer to his ear. "Too many listeners. But I will say this—he was betrayed by those he trusted most. His power was scattered to prevent anyone from following his path. You are the first in a thousand years to prove worthy of his legacy."
"Worthy how?"
"By being willing to sacrifice everything for love. Most mortals seek power for themselves. You seek it for another. That... that is what he would have wanted."
Levi spotted Elena near the guild entrance, checking her equipment with practiced efficiency. She looked up as he approached, and her eyes widened slightly.
"Levi? You look..." She paused, tilting her head. "Different. Healthier, somehow."
"Good breakfast," he said with a shrug. "Ready for round fifty?"
"Are you joking about it? That's new." Elena's smile was warm but curious. "I like it. Confidence suits you."
[DIVINE SIGHT ACTIVATED]
[ANALYZING SUBJECT: ELENA VOSS]
[HIDDEN ATTRIBUTE DETECTED: LUNAR AFFINITY]
[COMPATIBILITY RATING: HIGH]
[ROMANTIC POTENTIAL: CONFIRMED]
"What's wrong with your eyes?" Elena asked suddenly.
Levi blinked, realizing they must have been glowing. "Nothing. Just... focused, I suppose."
"They're beautiful," she said softly, then blushed. "I mean, they're very intense. Like you're seeing something the rest of us can't."
"Maybe I am."
Before Elena could respond, Kane's voice cut through the morning air. "Well, well. The failure's back for more punishment."
Levi turned to face his tormentor, but this time, something was different.
Kane looked... smaller somehow. Still arrogant, still surrounded by his crew, but Levi could see the insecurity beneath the bluster.
The way his hand rested on his sword hilt spoke of someone who'd never faced real danger. The expensive gear was compensation for lack of skill.
"Kane," Levi said evenly. "Ready to watch me pass?"
Kane's laugh was harsh. "You? Pass? I'll bet you don't make it past the first tunnel."
"How much?"
The question caught Kane off guard. "What?"
"How much do you want to bet? I'm feeling lucky today."
Elena stepped closer, her eyes bright with interest. A few other candidates had noticed the exchange and were drifting over to listen.
"You don't have anything worth betting," Kane sneered.
"I have something you want," Levi said calmly. "Information. I've been in those ruins more times than anyone here. I know where the traps are, where the beasts hunt, where the markers are usually hidden."
"And you'd bet that against what?"
"Your sword." Levi nodded toward Kane's ornate weapon. "That's a third-generation Valdris blade, isn't it? Worth at least ten thousand credits."
Kane's face reddened. "You're insane. Even if you pass—which you won't—why would I give you my family's sword?"
"Because you're so confident I'll fail. Unless..." Levi let his voice carry just enough doubt. "Unless you're not as sure as you pretend to be."
"I'll take that bet," Elena said suddenly. Everyone turned to stare at her. "Not the sword—I don't care about that. But I'll bet Kane here that Levi not only passes, but scores in the top ten."
"Elena," Levi said quietly, "you don't have to—"
"I want to." Her dark eyes met his. "I've been watching you for months. You learn from every failure, adapt to every setback. Most people would have given up by now. The fact that you haven't tells me something important about your character."
[RELATIONSHIP STATUS UPDATE]
[ELENA VOSS: INTERESTED → IMPRESSED]
[ROMANTIC PROGRESSION: 15%]
"This is getting interesting," Mera whispered in his ear. "She has good instincts."
Kane looked around at the growing crowd of spectators. "Fine. But when you both lose, I want public apologies. On your knees."
"Deal," Levi said before Elena could object.
The guild doors opened, and Proctor Hendricks emerged with her usual stern expression. "Candidates, form up. Today's examination will be held in Sector Seven of the Grimwald Ruins."
Everything proceeded exactly as Levi remembered—the same briefing, the same warnings, the same nervous energy in the crowd. But this time, he was ready.
The transport ride gave him time to think. Elena sat across from him again, but now she was studying him with open curiosity rather than polite sympathy.
"You're different," she said finally. "Not just confident—that could be an act. There's something else. Like you know something the rest of us don't."
"Maybe I do," Levi said.
"Care to share?"
Levi glanced around the cramped vehicle. His original teammates were there—Marcus still nervous, Torres still checking his weapons, Yuki still silent. But he also noticed things he'd missed before.
The way Elena's group deferred to her leadership. The subtle hand signals between Kane and his crew. The fact that at least three other candidates were carrying illegal enhancement drugs.
"The examination isn't just about survival," he said quietly. "It's about choices. Every decision you make down there reveals something about who you are."
"And who are you, Levi Ashworth?"
He met her eyes directly. "Someone who's tired of losing."
[LIGHT ENERGY REGENERATION RATE INCREASED]
[PROXIMITY TO COMPATIBLE SUBJECT DETECTED]
[BOND FORMATION POSSIBLE]
"Your eyes are glowing again," Elena said softly.
"Sorry. It's... hard to control sometimes."
"Don't apologize. It's remarkable. Like you're carrying starlight inside you."
The transport shuddered to a halt, and Hendricks' voice crackled over the intercom. "Sector Seven, north entrance. Remember—two hours to find a marker and return. The clock starts now."
As the doors opened, Levi felt a familiar mixture of fear and determination. But this time, the fear was manageable.
This time, he had power.