Glorious melodies, sung by angel choruses, reverberated over the celestial fields. It affected every divinity and soothed them in their humdrum existence.

In a certain region of the celestial realm…

In the Garden of Floresha, where the source of magic blooms, there were the seven kinds of flowers of magic that diligently flourished. Each kind from lotus, starflower, calendula, freesia, protea, dahlia, hollyhocks, and carnations was grouped into different sections in the garden.

As one looked closer, there was someone tending with great care to the flowers. Aenar the god of magic was diligently watering the gorgeous, sparkling flowers that represent everyone’s magic in the world of Illahayah’s.

He had long platinum hair and eyes that seemed to stare out into the cosmos itself. He was clad in magnificent flowing green robes composed of the finest crushed emerald stones.

Instead of pure water, a rainbow of colors was flowing from the golden watering can he was holding. When it reached the petals of the flowers, they became more brilliant than ever and sparkled as they danced with the soft breeze in the place.

“What do you need?” Aenar’s deep yet melodic voice resonated in the garden’s comforting silence.

“How come you’re always busy when I come to visit?” A mischievous voice responded.

Verena, the well-known goddess of mischief in the celestial realm, leaped down from the tallest tree in the heart of the garden. Her glamorous purple hair, tied in a single ponytail at the back waved as she landed behind Aenar.

Her eyes were covered by an eye patch on the left, while the other had the hue of a dazzling golden sun. Her outfit comprised of a casual purple long sleeve crop top combined with a fitted magenta short with a big white buckle.

“You should know that my job is one of the most important things that keep the world moving.” Aenar simply replied as he continued to water the flowers.

“Yeah, yeah,” Verena simply nodded her head as she crossed her arms leaning on the tree. For thousands of years of living, she was already used to her friend’s snarky remarks. 

“So what do you need? I have no more astral coins to give you,” 

(A/N: Astral coins were the currency they used in the heavenly realm. Its appearance was that of clear jade and diamond.)

“Hahaha,” Verena simply laughed. “Don’t worry, I am quite raking up money after I won the last gambling with those minor gods,”

“You really have so much plenty of time on your shoulders so don’t waste mine now and go away,” Aenar simply replied sounding a bit annoyed now.

“My friend, don’t be like that, it’s been one hundred years since I visit you,” Verena said with disappointment in her voice. “Did you not miss me?”

“Say that when you pay all your debt to me,” Aenar continued to walk ahead. “The only thing I miss is my peaceful time when you’re not here.” 

“Ouch! Hahaha!” Hearing his words, Verena just let out another chuckle. “But of course, of course, after a few hundred years, I’ll be able to pay.”

“…”

‘Talking to this woman is really a waste of my time.’

Aenar proceeded to walk away without saying anything. It was clear that he was no longer interested in conversing with the carefree goddess. Verena, on the other hand, didn’t mind as she followed Aenar.

“Actually, the reason I came here is that I heard that Lumiera has finally chosen a champion to defeat the demon king, if I remember right, her name was Cheong, Hyun Jae from Earth.” 

“Everyone already knows that.”

“Yep, yep,” Verena nodded her head. “But you know I found out something too, the Fate of the Stars.”

Aenar flinched but he just continued to walk to not show his reaction to this goddess.

“What of it?”

“It was also already time for that,” A huge mischievous grin formed on Verena’s face. “And this time it seems we have plenty of interesting participants hahaha to look forward watching,”

“You heard, Bradimyll.” Verena clutched her stomach as she burst out laughing. “His champion just wanted to idle around after all the effort of driving that truck just to bring that guy here. That simpleton even gave him lots of cheats.”

“Then Fiera’s champion kept starting a war here and there.”

“Ah, right your champion too, it seems he is doing well right?” 

Aenar simply ignored Verena’s remarks as he continued to water the flowers.

“He is surely turning his place into some modern era, just very like you,” Verena continued with a merry tone in her voice.

Aenar was still ongoing with his work not caring about a single thing that Verena was spouting. Seeing this, Verena opened her right palm, and a tiny crystal orb sprouted above it. It showed a girl wearing a hood wandering through woodland. “Oh, and if you didn’t know, I’ve already chosen my champion.”

Verena’s grin widened as she noticed Aenar’s brief pause. She finally caught his interest. “Aren’t you a curious one, hahaha, my candidate for this time,” she glanced at the clear orb, “make sure to look forward to what she might accomplish. I can assure you that her tale will be unlike any other.” The orb disappeared.

“That’s all I had to say,” Verena said. “I have to leave now; I need to pester Lumiera with some cash because you refuse to give me anything. Ah! Also, if you haven’t heard, Celir selected his champion this time.”

“Hah?!” This finally cut it. Aenar lose his composure as he turned around, but Verena was no longer behind him. He couldn’t feel her presence too either. But then as he continued to glance around…

“Don’t be surprise Aenar,” a hearty laugh resounded. “What did I tell you, this round will surely be one of the most interesting ones,” Verena’s voice that was full of mischievousness echoed through his garden.

It only made Aenar’s already glum exquisite face became more distorted. The watering can he was holding vanished. He then reappeared in the giant tree in the heart of the garden. He stretched his right palm, and two green leaves fell within it. “Find Verena and Celir’s champions.” He stated sternly.

The two leaves that were on his palms started to morph into two tiny spiritual creatures. They were small light-colored green creatures, with one head and a pair of arms and feet, and they were sizes of his thumb. Small white wings flailed on their backs. And they were both dressed in clothes made of green leaves. 

The two little creatures bowed down towards Aenar and disappeared.

Aenar’s long robes swayed along as he turned around to gaze at the vast garden of Floresha. ‘Verena’s champions always don’t bring good news. And now even that guy chose someone? After so long of staying in silence in his realm, what is he planning this time?’

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Extra Scene:

“Don’t actively torment yourself by falling to sadness. Happiness promotes longevity and makes life worthwhile.”

Iris glanced up to the bald old man who suddenly spoke. Her almond eyes narrowed. “How could you say that I’m sad?”

“It’s been almost an hour now, young lady, and you were just staring at him with a sad and hurt expression on your face. Did you find this little monkey that hateful or was it the opposite perhaps?” The old said as he caressed his chin. He continued to observe the young lass in front of him. Then he returned his gaze to the little white monkey inside the cage that was continuously trembling at Iris’ intense stare.

“You’re scaring him that way.”

“I’m scaring him?” Iris stared back at the little white monkey. ‘What am I thinking, he couldn’t be Baru. Baru never looked at me with those fearful eyes.’

“Yes,” The old man nodded his head. “But if you want to buy him, he could be quite expensive. This one is a Snow monkey. They are extremely rare species and…”

“I’ll buy him!” Iris stretched out the coin pouch Rein gave her, cutting off the old man’s words.

The old man rose an eyebrow as he accepted the pouch. His eyes glowed as he saw the glittering golds inside the bag. “Wait! This is too much. I can’t…”

Before he could finish again, Iris was already walking away while carrying the cage of the small white monkey in her left hand. “You can have it all!” Iris waved the back of her hand.

“Then thank you for your patronage, generous customer,” but then something came inside the old man’s mind. “Wait! that monkey still doesn’t have an obedience collar! He could hurt you if…”

“No need.” Iris came to a halt but did not turn to face the old man. She stroked the cold metal around her neck, which was now wrapped in a thick grey scarf. “He doesn’t need to wear that cursed metal. Whether he follows me or not will be up to him.” 

The old man didn’t respond and simply gave a faraway glance at the back of the girl.

Iris then proceeded to walk away after saying that. Her thoughts were now wandering to other matters, such as where she may spend the night in this bustling country of Aravan. And seriously, with a scowl on her face, Iris raised the cage at her eye level. The small white monkey seeing her intense glare once again cowered. 

‘Why did I waste all my money on this?’

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