Crimson Heart

22

The Stellaron Hunters' ship landed gently on the surface of a serene, peaceful planet, the grassy fields stretching out endlessly before them. William stepped off the ship, feeling the soft breeze against his face as he scanned the open landscape. This was a place far removed from their recent battles—a moment of quiet.

Eager to test his newfound powers, William opened his spellbook, flipping through its ancient pages. His fingers traced the symbols of levitation and flight as he concentrated, channeling his telekinetic energy into his body. With a deep breath, he gathered chaos energy into both hands, and with a powerful thrust, the energy propelled him into the air, lifting him higher and higher above the grassy plains. He felt the surge of power under his control, soaring through the sky with exhilaration as the chaotic force from his hands pushed him onward, the energy leaving a faint red trail behind.

For a brief moment, he floated effortlessly, enjoying the freedom. Then, with a shift in his focus, he tried to control his descent. His telekinesis wrapped around him, slowing his fall, but it wasn't as graceful as he hoped. He landed with a soft thud, shaking his head with a wry smile.

William: "It's so much easier to lift others than to lift myself..."

He glanced back at his spellbook, feeling the familiar frustration. But he knew this was part of the learning process—just as controlling chaos energy had been, mastering flight would take time. He couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement, though, as he hovered again, ready to perfect this next step in his training.

As William hovered in the air, practicing his telekinetic control, Kafka emerged from the ship, her boots lightly crunching the grass beneath her. She crossed her arms, watching William's progress with a small, approving smirk. After a few moments, she called out to him.

Kafka: "Not bad, William. Getting the hang of it, I see."

William landed softly, glancing back at her with a smile.

William: "It's harder than it looks... but I'm getting there."

Kafka stepped closer, her usual confident air about her as she spoke.

Kafka: "While you're working on that, I wanted to talk to you about something. I've been hearing whispers—Beidou, the space pirate, is hiring temporary crews for a few jobs. I think it could be a great experience for you."

William raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious.

William: "A space pirate? How's that supposed to help?"

Kafka grinned, seeing his curiosity spark.

Kafka: "Beidou's no ordinary pirate. She's led a crew across the galaxy, through battles and storms, and survived it all. The way she navigates, leads, and fights—there's experience there that even we can't provide you. Think of it as some sort of internship."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

Kafka: "You've got raw power, William, but Beidou can teach you the kinds of things you can't learn in a spellbook. Practical stuff. Leadership, adaptability... and of course, a little unpredictability along the way."

William pondered her words, knowing Kafka always had a way of nudging him into opportunities that pushed his limits.

William: "Alright. I'm in. When do we leave?"

Kafka's grin widened.

Kafka: "That's the spirit. We'll make the arrangements soon. Get ready—life with Beidou is never boring."

With that, William returned to his training, anticipation brewing for what lay ahead.

The Stellaron Hunters stepped into the lively space port, surrounded by travelers and ships of all shapes and sizes docked along the platform. William looked around, taking in the sights with wide eyes, while the hum of engines and the distant chatter of spacefaring folk filled the air.