Star Trail

CHAPTER 10 Silver Specks

Months slipped by like water through open fingers. Rai studied and practiced without rest. The Mind Shield was mastered. The Light Bridge was improving — he could now teleport from one end of a room to the other, though his landings were still rough.

Meanwhile, Rai and Nara grew closer. They spent their free hours together in the library, in the cafeteria, and on the Academy grounds during the golden hours of late afternoon. Nara always had a book in her hands, and Rai always listened to her stories with full attention.

One afternoon, as they sat beneath a towering golden tree, Nara set down her book and looked at Rai.

"Rai, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"After you find your father... do you still plan to stay at the Academy?"

Rai looked at her. Her dark eyes were full of a worry that was entirely genuine. He understood what she feared — loss. The same kind of loss she had already endured.

"Of course I will," Rai answered without hesitation. "You're my friend, Nara. I'm not going anywhere."

Nara smiled. But Rai could see the faintest shimmer of tears at the corners of her eyes. She quickly looked away.

"Good," she said, her voice wavering just slightly. "Because I'm working toward something too. I want to become the best healer the Academy has ever seen. So I can fix everyone who's been hurt."

Rai smiled back. "You will. You're the hardest worker in Healing Potions."

Nara laughed. Her laugh was like a small bell ringing. "And you're the hardest worker in Source Calling. Master Anom says you're already performing at a second-year level."

"Sure, but I still can't open that ancient book," Rai said, frustration threading through his voice.

"You will," Nara said. "I know you will."

That night, while Rai was practicing Source Calling in the high tower, something unexpected happened. The light that poured from his hands was not just gold. There were specks of silver mixed in, spinning like stars in a night sky.

Rai stared at his hands. The silver specks shimmered, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. His source had changed. Or maybe, his source had grown.

Master Anom, who happened to be passing by, stopped in his tracks. He stared at Rai's hands with eyes that glistened.

"Like your father," he whispered. "Exactly like your father."

"What is this?" Rai asked, awed.

"Starlight," Master Anom answered. "You carry the Starlight within your source, Rai. Your father placed it inside you before he left. And now, now that you're strong enough, the light is beginning to emerge."

Rai studied the silver specks dancing above his palms. Starlight — that was what his father had spoken of. And it had been inside him all along.

"I have to open that book," Rai said, certain now.

Master Anom nodded. "Tomorrow morning. I'll bring you to the hidden library. But remember, Rai — whatever you find in that book, you are not alone. You have friends. You have me. And you have a strength that is far greater than you realize."

Rai nodded. The silver specks in his hands slowly faded. But the light in his heart burned brighter than it ever had.