Marina walked slowly through the park, her hands tucked into the pockets of her gray jacket, the standard color assigned to the children of Ien. Her blue eyes drifted absently from one flower to another, but her gaze seemed distant, as something deeper was tormenting her. Her blonde hair struggled to maintain the neat bob cut and swayed slightly in the wind, though she seemed not to notice.

The Lilies Park stretched out like an oasis of tranquility, surrounded by a frame of unparalleled nature and beauty. Its structure resembled a kind of campsite, but with a mystical aura that only the Blendbreeds could perceive. At the center of that almost sacred place, two plazas were bordered by twenty-four different houses arranged in a perfect double circle, forming a layout reminiscent of the infinity symbol.

The buildings, some simple and others elegant, varied greatly in size and style, yet they all blended harmoniously with the surrounding environment, as if nature itself had intended to integrate them into the landscape.

The natural garden that adorned every free space in the park was a spectacle of colors and fragrances. The white lilies, which gave the place its name, swayed gently under the light wind, their petals shimmering with a luminous glow, as if they themselves were releasing the mana particles that permeated the atmosphere.

Tall and majestic trees offered shelter from the October sun, their branches arching naturally over the pathways, creating shaded and peaceful trails. In the middle of the park, small gravel paths led to different locations: the beach, with its shimmering sand and waters that gently lapped at the shore; the arena, where the Blendbreeds could train their skills or challenge each other to improve; and finally, the temple promontory, a raised area overlooking the entire park, where the main administrative building and the temples dedicated to the gods stood.

Every breath of air was filled with mana, a pulsating energy that vibrated through the leaves of the trees, seeping into the skin and thoughts of anyone who stood there.

The Blendbreeds were brought to this place to learn about their true nature, to discover what made them special. For some, it was nothing more than a refuge, but at the same time, it served as a school, a temple, and a battlefield—both physical and mental—where the identities of the new generation were forged.

Marina crossed the central plaza, the beating heart of the park.

At its center, a monumental statue dominated the space: four heroic figures sculpted with solemn expressions and poses that suggested a great battle in progress. They were the lost heroes, legendary Blendbreeds from Daffodils Academy who had left an unfillable void only a few years prior.

I wonder what happened to them. The gods lost four valiant generals for their army.

Every time the girl looked at that statue, a sense of melancholy and mystery crept into her heart. She tried to recall their names, but for some unknown reason, her usually sharp memory decided to betray her.

Their names were… why can’t I remember them? They’re on the tip of my tongue.

She spent a few minutes reflecting before letting out a frustrated sigh. One of the most prominent traits of Ien’s children was their near-photographic memory, so she couldn’t understand why the information was slipping away from her.

She waited another moment before shaking her head in irritation and moving on. Her thoughts shifted to Shirei, the supposed Forbidden Heir she had met that morning.

Lyceum had asked her to keep an eye on him, but he had suddenly vanished at the end of the lesson, and she had no idea where to find him.

Marina stopped for a moment, her thoughts fixated on him. Where could he be? Her mind failed to provide an answer.

I need more information to form a valid hypothesis.

Ever since he had disappeared, the morning chatter around her had faded into background noise as she focused on solving an enigma that was consuming her from within. She couldn’t explain what she was feeling, but she sensed that she had met someone who had the potential to be truly intriguing.

And my curious nature only pushes me to seek more information about him.

There was something about him, beyond the latent memories, that drew her in.

His father’s influence, perhaps? That is, if he really is his divine parent.

Assuming Shirei was a son of Cragar, Marina wondered how he had managed to survive for so long without reaching the park—if he had been fleeing from monsters all that time or if he had been taken away to Daffodils Academy after his sudden memory loss.

The mystery of the violet-eyed Blendbreed had definitely captivated her.

There’s no point in thinking about it if I can’t find him first.

Marina acknowledged before resuming her walk. Her destination was the Seventh House, the home of Ien’s children.

As much as she hated to admit it, being a daughter of the goddess of wisdom came with responsibilities—not just toward others but also toward herself. After her early years at the park, she had even been deemed perfect for teaching lessons as a member of the staff.

Always being the guiding light for newcomers, the mentor everyone sought, was a burden that sometimes weighed heavily on her. And yet, despite it all, she deeply loved Lilies Park. For her, it was one of the few places where she could truly find peace—far from the chaos of family responsibilities and the expectations that had loomed over her since childhood.

Every time she walked along the park’s paths, she couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to that land. It was as if the mana flowing through the air spoke to her, whispering words of comfort and wisdom she had long sought from her mother.

There, among trees and lilies, she could allow herself to be truly herself. No masks, no need to pretend to impress the adults or her house.

There, the pressures of the outside world dissolved, and all that remained was Marina—pure and simple.

She resumed her walk home, and once again, her thoughts returned to Shirei. Her mind lingered on the boy’s face, on his calm violet eyes. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt that, somehow, their fates were intertwined—as if those purple irises concealed a truth long dormant in their souls.

A void that had once been filled with memories.

Am I really thinking about him? she asked herself, slowing her pace. Maybe the mana is getting to my head. I’m starting to overthink about a Blendbreed, as if I don’t see new ones every day.

At last, she stopped in front of the door to the Seventh House. The wind ruffled her hair slightly, and for an instant, she had the eerie sensation that an invisible presence was watching her. She turned around abruptly, but there was no one. Only the park, now growing livelier and noisier, was there to keep her company.

She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

She made her way to the room she shared with her half-siblings and closed the door behind her with a gentle motion, shutting out the wind and the sounds of Lilies Park.

I should grab some breakfast, I’m still starving, she thought, resting a hand on her stomach.