The sun was slowly descending on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson. Kayn, seated in the living room, watched through the window as the sunset marked the end of yet another day. Beyond the glass, he saw boys his age walking by with suitcases and backpacks slung over their shoulders. They moved in small groups, laughing and chatting alongside their guardians. Their voices filled the air with a joy that, to Kayn, felt almost painful. They were all heading to the academy, a place he could not aspire to. Though he tried to accept this reality, frustration lingered, burning inside him.

Unable to endure another minute within those four walls, he rose decisively from the armchair. He needed fresh air, something to clear his thoughts, even if just for a while. He walked toward the entrance, intending to head to the river.

"Are you going out?" His mother's gentle voice came from the kitchen, accompanied by the soft aroma of fresh herbs. Kayn nodded, not bothering to explain.

"Be sure to come back soon. Dinner is almost ready, but remember, we’ll head to the entrance later to see them off."

"I know. I'm just going for a walk," he replied, gripping the door handle. His fingers trembled slightly, as if sensing something unexpected.

When he opened the door, he found himself face-to-face with someone he wasn’t expecting. Burst stood there, hand raised as if about to knock. Upon seeing him, Burst displayed a mixture of surprise and unease. He seemed to want to speak, but the words caught in his throat.

Before Burst could say anything, Galen appeared behind Kayn, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder and offering Burst a warm smile.

"Hello, Leo. Nice to see you here. Are you all set to leave?"

"Yes, I just need to pack a few more things," Burst replied, averting his gaze to the ground.

Galen could clearly sense the discomfort in the air. Though Kayn hadn’t told him anything, it was obvious something had happened between them.

"Why don’t you take Leo to your room?" Galen suggested, looking at his son. "It’s clear you two have things to talk about."

Kayn nodded slowly, avoiding eye contact with his friend. Without a word, he started up the stairs, hearing Burst’s footsteps trailing behind him.

As they entered the room, silence became palpable. Kayn sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes fixed on the polished wooden floor. Burst, meanwhile, stood by the door with his hands buried in his pants pockets. His gaze wandered around the room, as if searching for something to focus on.

The tension was interrupted by knocks at the door before either could speak. Both exchanged confused glances. Kayn knew it couldn’t be his father. He never knocked before entering, and besides, those didn’t sound like hand knocks—they sounded more like… headbutts?

Burst turned the handle, and the door swung open. A small black bear burst into the room at great speed. Burst stepped back, startled by the sudden appearance, stumbling against the wardrobe. The animal leapt at Kayn with agility, knocking him onto the bed.

“Gork!” Burst exclaimed. “I was starting to worry about you. Where have you been?”

From the floor, laughing despite himself, Kayn tried to push the bear off him. He noticed a genuine smile appear on Burst’s face. The discomfort that had filled the room seemed to dissipate.

"Seems like he likes me," Kayn remarked, gently nudging the small guardian, who resisted moving away.

"Looks like it," Burst admitted, stepping closer to help.

"Though you should teach him not to jump on people like that. Look at my shirt—it’s covered in drool."

"If you saw what he did to my clothes..." Burst replied, stroking Gork's head affectionately. The cub climbed up to his shoulder and curled up there, closing his eyes in contentment.

"I bet he’d get along with Pong," Kayn commented. For a moment, the atmosphere felt lighter. “By the way, what are you doing here? I thought you were leaving already.”

“There’s still some time. Most people are taking their things ahead so they won’t have to carry them later. I figured you wouldn’t show up when we leave, so I came to say goodbye. After all, we won’t see each other for a while.”

Kayn glanced out the window, where the first stars were beginning to timidly shine.

“You’re not wrong. I was planning to stay here sleeping until the ceremony ended.”

“You’re really not going? I’m sure the others would like to see you there.”

“If I go, I’ll just make everyone uncomfortable. It’s better if I stay here, plain and simple. It’s not like I’ll never see you guys again.”

“If that’s the case…”

“Still, I’m glad you made a decision. I was really surprised when you said you weren’t going to the academy.”

A brief silence settled between them. Both knew there was more to say, but the words wouldn’t come. Burst took a deep breath before speaking.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Saying I wouldn’t go to the academy because you weren’t going was really selfish of me.”

“Don’t worry, I overreacted too. The truth is, I don’t want us to stop being friends now that you’re leaving.” Kayn admitted, relieving Burst. “But don’t think I’ll give up so easily.”

“What do you mean by that…?” Burst’s face paled for a few seconds, as if he’d guessed what his friend was planning. His eyes widened with concern. “Wait, you’re not planning to sneak into the academy, are you? Kayn, if you do that, you could get into serious trouble.”

The seriousness on Kayn’s face made it clear that his friend was scheming something. His expression darkened, and he crossed his hands, covering his mouth.

“It’s the only way,” Kayn replied, his tone so serious that it scared Burst. But his fear quickly turned into mild irritation. “Did you really think I’d say that? How would I even sneak into the academy, you idiot?”

“Then what did you mean earlier?”

“I’m going to become a linker too,” Kayn declared with conviction, confusing his friend.

“You’re really not going to do anything illegal?” Burst pressed, exasperating Kayn, who was barely holding back from hitting him.

“You’re dumber than before you got your guardian,” Kayn muttered, turning his gaze to the bear on Burst’s shoulder. “Could it be that your guardian’s stupidity rubbed off on you? When you bond with a guardian, your anima fuses, but maybe the stupidity does too…”

“Don’t insult him,” Burst shot back, turning to his guardian. “Come on, Gork. Attack!” The cub let out a loud yawn, making it clear he had no intention of moving. Burst looked at him in resignation as Kayn laughed heartily behind him. “Anyway, are you going to explain what you’re talking about or not?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll explain,” Kayn replied, regaining his composure while trying to summarize what his father had told him earlier. “The thing is, there are these dungeons called labyrinths where spirits dwell. If they deem you worthy after completing the dungeon, they’ll form a pact with you. They’re known as sacred guardians. Many people have tried to form a bond, but they either died trying or were rejected. My father told me about it.”

Burst was stunned by Kayn’s explanation. It was the same reaction he’d had when he first heard it. After a few seconds of thought, he finally spoke.

“Hey, no offense, but don’t you think your father might have made that up to keep your spirits up?”

“Well, at first I thought so too. I mean, I’d never heard of sacred guardians until today. Maybe it’s just a legend, but I’m going to try.”

“Even if it’s true, it doesn’t sound easy to achieve. If so many people have died, it sounds like suicide to enter one of those dungeons. Do you really think you can do it?”

“I have no idea. But I’m going to try. Even if one of those sacred guardians deems me unworthy, I’ll keep trying until one accepts me.”

“You sound like a stalker,” Burst laughed, breaking the tension entirely. He walked over to Kayn and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “I guess I’ll get going now. I’ll be waiting for you. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ll make it.”

“Count on it,” Kayn replied firmly.

They bumped fists, sealing a silent promise to become great linkers someday.

Just as Burst was about to leave, he paused at the door, glancing back at Kayn, who was already lying on the bed.

“By the way, hasn’t Lyra come to see you?”

“No, you’re the only one who’s come by today.”

“I see…” Burst murmured, turning his gaze toward the window. As he did, a sigh escaped his lips. Kayn noticed him muttering something but couldn’t make out what it was. “I guess I should go. I still need to pack the clothes I had to wash after Gork dirtied them. I promise I’ll write you.”

Kayn nodded, watching him leave through the door. Silence filled the room, wrapping everything in an uncomfortable stillness. Only their slow, heavy breaths could be heard as he lay on the bed, waiting to fall asleep. Waiting for the day to end at last. Before closing his eyes in exhaustion, he could hear his father’s voice talking to Burst.