CHAPTER — Search for Guilde Member in an Unordinary World.
The holiday ended quietly.
After a week of confusion, excitement, and endless discussion, schools reopened as if trying to prove that normal life still existed. There were no mass demonstrations of power, no glowing corridors, no students flying across classrooms. The rules were strict—no aura usage inside school premises—and for now, everyone obeyed.
Luke returned to school as a seventeen-year-old high school student once again.
The bell rang. Classes resumed. Teachers taught, though their voices occasionally drifted toward the topic of aura before quickly pulling back. Students whispered more than they studied, but exams, rankings, and homework still existed.
Life continued.
At break time, Luke sat with Loid and Uno under the familiar shade near the school building.
"We still need three members," Uno said, counting on his fingers. "Another Aura Blaster, one Creator or Destroyer, and… someone reliable."
Luke nodded. "And someone who won't leave."
That was the hardest part.
Since Luke and Loid were both Average, their guild would naturally be considered weak—unless they balanced it carefully. Strength mattered, but trust mattered more.
Uno leaned back. "There's one obvious choice."
Luke already knew who he meant.
Marin.
She was well-known throughout the school. A top-ranking student, calm, intelligent, and always competing with Luke for the highest academic positions. Their rivalry was quiet but intense—scores, ranks, debates in class. Luke had always admired her focus and discipline.
She was also beautiful, though Luke never allowed himself to think too deeply about that.
And now, she was an Aura Creator — 4 Star.
Strong. Rare. Perfect.
They found her near the library, reading as usual. When Luke explained the idea of forming a guild, she listened without interrupting, her expression thoughtful.
"You're serious," she said finally.
"Yes," Luke replied.
Marin closed her book.
"I'll join."
Luke blinked. "That was… fast."
She smiled slightly. "I trust you. And I like the idea of building something stable instead of chasing attention."
Luke nodded, unaware of the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him.
To him, Marin was a friend. A rival. Someone he respected deeply.
He didn't notice anything more.
With Marin joining, the guild suddenly felt real.
Their next member came unexpectedly.
Chika.
She wasn't particularly close to Luke, but she often spent time around Uno. Confident, sharp-tongued, and observant, she approached them during lunch.
"I heard you're forming a guild," she said. "I'm Aura Blaster — 2 Star."
Uno stiffened slightly.
Chika continued, pretending not to notice. "You need one more Blaster anyway. And… I think it could be fun."
Luke hesitated briefly, then nodded. "We'd be glad to have you."
Uno avoided eye contact.
Neither of them said it out loud, but everyone could feel it—Chika liked Uno. And though Uno would never admit it, he liked her too.
For now, those feelings stayed hidden, buried under awkward glances and unfinished sentences.
With five members secured, the guild was complete.
Luke felt something settle inside him.
Despite everything—the system, the power, the fear—his friendships hadn't broken. They laughed, argued, and walked home together just like before.
That mattered more than any rank.
They decided to officially register the guild the following Sunday.
The week passed quietly for Luke.
He attended classes. Studied. Walked home. Laughed with friends. On the surface, nothing had changed.
But the world beyond his school was transforming rapidly.
Across cities and nations, powerful individuals were forming guilds at an astonishing pace. Some sought adventure. Some sought influence. Some sought control. Governments watched carefully, approving registrations, monitoring growth.
Aura Masters became legends almost overnight.
Those who revealed themselves voluntarily were celebrated—interviewed, protected, placed into the global government guild. Others tried to hide, just like Luke.
Most failed.
Their aura was simply too strong.
Even when suppressed, it leaked. Manifested. Revealed itself during testing, stress, or combat. One by one, Aura Masters were identified.
Nearly all of them.
Luke was an exception.
He didn't use his aura.
He didn't test it.
He didn't display it.
And because he understood responsibility before power, his control was absolute.
No one noticed him.
Yet.
As Sunday approached, Luke stood on his balcony again, watching the city lights flicker below. Guilds were forming. The world was preparing.
For something no one was ready to name.
Luke tightened his grip on the railing.
I just want to stay normal, he thought.
But somewhere deep within him, the Aura Master watched silently—aware that normal might not last forever.
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End of Chapter.