Chapter— The Joyfull Night of Lights
The base glowed warmly.
Soft yellow lights were strung across the small room, wrapping around pillars, doors, and even the ceiling fan. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, decorated with handmade ornaments, glowing stars, and tiny aura crystals that shimmered faintly.
"Okay, everyone—cheer up!" Marin said, clapping her hands. "It's a party!"
"Yaaaay!" Chika cheered, spinning in place.
Music filled the base—soft, festive, and warm.
They began with carols.
Luke found himself humming along quietly, watching his friends laugh and sing. Uno tried to sing loudly but kept missing the rhythm, earning playful complaints from Chika. Loid clapped along, relaxed and smiling, while Shuri stood slightly to the side, eyes shining as she took everything in.
So this is Aurafiest… Shuri thought.
It's small… but warm.
They played games next—simple ones. Card games. Guessing games. Even a silly challenge where Uno lost terribly and had to wear a reindeer headband.
"Why is it always me?" Uno groaned.
"Because destiny hates you," Loid replied calmly.
Laughter filled the room.
Food followed—snacks, sweets, warm drinks. The cold winter outside felt distant, almost forgotten.
Then Marin stood up again.
"Alright," she said, her voice calm but excited. "It's time."
Everyone knew what she meant.
"The dance," Chika whispered.
Shuri's heart skipped.
Marin clasped her hands together. "Before we start… we need to decide partners."
She glanced at Luke—just for a moment.
Maybe… Marin thought.
This time…
Uno opened his mouth to speak—
But Loid suddenly raised his hand.
"Wait," he said. "I have an idea."
Everyone turned toward him.
"We decide partners with a rope-break game."
Silence.
"…What?" Chika asked.
Luke blinked. "A rope-break game?"
Loid nodded seriously. "Yes. Everyone holds a rope. When the music stops, the rope breaks randomly. Whoever is paired at that moment dances together."
Everyone stared at him.
"That's… sudden," Marin said slowly.
Luke tilted his head. "But… it's fair."
Loid smiled faintly. "Exactly."
Luke nodded. "I think it's a good idea."
The room buzzed with mixed emotions.
What if I don't get paired with him…
What if I lose my chance…
Still—hope lingered.
It might still work out…
The game began.
Music played. The rope passed through hands. Laughter mixed with tension.
Then—
Snap.
The rope broke.
Everyone looked down.
Marin froze.
Uno froze.
Chika froze.
Shuri's breath caught.
The pairings were clear.
Marin… with Uno.
Chika… with Luke.
Shuri… with Loid.
Dreams shattered.
Uno stared at Marin. "…Oh."
Marin forced a smile. "…Looks like fate."
Chika blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Well… Luke."
Luke nodded. "Yeah."
But Shuri—
Her heart pounded violently.
I'm dancing with him…
Her hands trembled slightly.
Calm down… it's just a dance.
The music shifted—slow, gentle.
They began.
Shuri tried to focus on her steps.
Just dancing… just dancing…
But every time Loid moved closer, her thoughts scattered.
Luke noticed.
She's acting strange…
She wasn't like this before.
As they danced, something else stirred.
On the table—
Mie sat quietly.
Her small creature-like form rested near a glass, eyes sharp and glowing faintly. Her gaze was locked onto Luke.
Focused.
Unblinking.
Outside Luke's bag, on another table—
A faint glow flickered.
Auru peeked out carefully.
"So beautiful…" she whispered. "This party…"
Her eyes sparkled with longing.
"I wish… I could come out."
A calm voice replied—
"Why don't you?"
Auru froze.
"…Who said that?"
"Me."
Mie stepped closer.
Auru's eyes widened. "You… you can see me?"
"Of course," Mie replied. "I sensed you long ago."
Auru stiffened. "Since when?"
"The first time I met Luke," Mie said calmly. "I felt an overwhelming aura. At first, I thought I was mistaken. But after staying with Marin… I was certain."
Auru swallowed.
"You know… who he is?"
"Yes," Mie replied. "Luke is the Auramaster."
Auru tensed. "You won't tell anyone."
Mie shook her head. "We creatures cannot reveal the identity of our holder without permission. Even if we know."
Auru exhaled in relief. "That's… good."
"But," Mie continued, "why don't you come out and enjoy the party?"
"I can't," Auru said quickly. "If anyone sees me—"
"Tell your master to make you invisible," Mie replied. "No one here can expose you."
Auru hesitated. "I… can't call him."
"I can," Mie said.
She walked straight toward Luke.
Luke flinched when Mie suddenly spoke to him mid-dance.
"Mie?" he whispered. "Why you?"
"Come with me," she said. "I need you for something."
Luke felt uneasy.
Why is Marin's creature calling me…?
Marin noticed but said nothing.
Luke followed Mie to his bag.
"Invisible Auru," Mie said calmly.
Luke's heart skipped.
"…You know?" he whispered.
"Yes," Mie replied. "But Marin won't know unless you allow it."
Luem ask everything same as Auru ask to Mie.
Atlast Luke ask Mie to not reveal his identity to Marin.
Mie also tell that if she also want to do she cant.
Luke feel relaxed.
Luke took a breath.
"Invisible Auru."
A faint shimmer—
And Auru stepped out.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Wow…" she whispered.
Luke leaned down. "Be careful."
"I will!"
They returned to the party.
Luke still felt uneasy.
Someone else knows my identity now…
Chika tilted her head. "Is something wrong? Why did Mie call you?"
Luke hesitated. "My phone… rang in my bag."
Chika nodded. "Ah… okay."
The music continued.
Then—
Shuri stumbled.
"Oh—!"
Loid reacted instantly, holding her.
Again.
This time—
Shuri couldn't handle it.
This time hus heart race much faster
Her vision blurred.
Her knees gave out.
Darkness.
---
Shuri slowly opened her eyes.
"…Huh?"
It was night.
Quiet.
Luke sat beside her bed.
"Finally," he said. "You're awake."
Shuri panicked. "What happened?! The party—!"
"You fainted," Luke said calmly. "Probably exhausted."
Her memories rushed back.
Her face burned.
"I… I ruined everything…"
Luke raised an eyebrow. "You didn't."
She covered her face. "I embarrassed myself…"
Luke smirked. "You were talking in your sleep."
"…What?"
"You said something about a future prince."
Shuri exploded. "NOOOO!"
Luke laughed. "So… you like Loid?"
Shuri turned away. "No! I don't!"
Luke sighed. "Do you know who brought you here?"
"…No."
"Loid," Luke said.
Shuri's face turned crimson.
"HE DID?!"
"Yes."
She screamed into her pillow.
"Nooooooo...."
---
Elsewhere…
Kaizen Ryuga stood by the window.
"It was a hard day," his assistant said.
"Yes," Kaizen replied. "The aura leakage is increasing.Controling its was a difficult task"
"And the pattern?" the assistant asked.
Kaizen's eyes narrowed.
"…Yes. According to observations… the aura leakage from earth is increasing day by dayand as per observation the next location will be—"
He take a pause."We have to find Auramaster as soon as possibke"
The city lights flickered.
And destiny shifted once more.
---
End Of Chapter.