Star jolted awake, her breathing ragged and her forehead slick with sweat. She clenched her left palm tightly and gasped at the sight of something gleaming within it.

Siegfried rushed over, his training sword clattering to the ground. “Star! What happened? Are you okay?”

Star opened her palm to reveal the necklace. Both of them stared in shock.

“A... Gnosis?” they exclaimed at once.

“Star… the gods are watching over you—they’ve given you a Gnosis!” Siegfried said with excitement.

But instead of joy, Star looked silent and somber. Siegfried furrowed his brow and asked gently, “Star... what’s wrong? This is what you’ve been waiting for—why do you look so sad?”

“I... I saw that nameless hero, Siegfried,” Star replied softly.

Siegfried’s eyes widened in disbelief. Star then began explaining the dream—how the nameless hero had appeared and spoken to her of what was to come for Atlantia.

Siegfried’s eyes shot open; he still couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Without wasting a second, he ran to his father and told him everything Star had said. Though his father remained calm, worry shadowed his face. He stepped outside at once and made his way to the town square.

Star, still puzzled, said nothing. Siegfried came back to her, inviting her inside for lunch. As they entered, Star saw a middle-aged woman with tied-back hair cooking at the hearth.

“Mom... I’ve finished training,” Siegfried said to her.

“Oh… you’re done already, my son? Sit down, I’ll be done with the food in just a minute,” the woman replied. “Star, come sit next to Siegfried—I’ll prepare some lunch for you too.”

“Oh—please, you don’t have to trouble yourself. I can help you, Auntie,” Star said as she approached her.

“No, no, don’t bother with that. You’re our guest, Star. Let me take care of everything—you just sit pretty,” the middle-aged woman smiled, taking Star’s hand and leading her to the table.

As she did, the woman caught sight of the Gnosis in Star’s palm and exclaimed, “Star! You received a Gnosis?! When did this happen?!”

“Just now, Auntie, while I was watching Siegfried train with Uncle. It suddenly appeared in my hand,” Star explained.

“We have to celebrate this!” the woman declared, lighting up with joy. “Auntie will cook a feast for you, Star!”

Star tried to decline the idea, but Siegfried’s mother was already brimming with enthusiasm. Siegfried, seeing this, simply laughed and let his mother celebrate the day Star received her Gnosis—it was, after all, an age-old tradition in Atlantia.

Star quickly sat beside Siegfried and sighed deeply. He turned to her with a faint smile.

Thirty minutes passed. Star rose and went to help Siegfried’s mother, who had just finished cooking. Together, they brought the dishes to the table.

Once the food was laid out, Star and the woman sat side by side and began to eat. The table was filled with dishes: roasted turkey, greens, grilled beef, and wine. There was also a medium-sized loaf of bread, fresh out of the oven. They ate heartily, enjoying every bite.

“You probably shouldn’t drink the wine, Star,” Siegfried remarked, moving the bottle away from her.

“Don’t worry—I won’t,” Star said, patting his shoulder. “Besides, I’m not even eighteen yet. If Grandpa found out, I’d get a beating.”

“That’s not the reason, Star,” Siegfried replied. “I just don’t want you getting drunk.”

“Oh, come on, Siegfried—let Star have her first taste of wine,” the woman said, pouring a small glass for Star.

“Mom... Star’s underage, you know that,” Siegfried said, snatching the bottle from her hand.

“Oh, no one has to know. Right, Star?” the woman teased, nudging her playfully.

Star just smiled, letting out an awkward laugh. Siegfried and his mother continued to bicker over whether or not Star should be allowed to drink wine. But Siegfried held firm, refusing to let her have even a sip. Eventually, the woman gave in and returned to her food. The three of them chatted and laughed over their meal.

As Star, Siegfried, and his mother enjoyed lunch at the simple wooden table, the front door creaked open. Siegfried’s father had returned, accompanied by a crowd of villagers and soldiers.

The clamor of footsteps and excited voices filled the small house as they entered with energy, eyes wide with curiosity.

The villagers—mostly older women and strong men—quickly gathered around Star, faces lit with excitement and awe.

“Star, is it true?” one elderly woman asked, her voice trembling.

“Did you truly meet the Nameless Hero?” another asked, stepping closer.

“What did he look like? Did he say something important?” a younger man chimed in.

Star blinked, stunned by the barrage of questions. Her thoughts whirled as she tried to make sense of their excitement. She opened her mouth to answer but hesitated, overwhelmed.

Suddenly—

SLAM!

The front door burst open with a crash that shook the walls.

A tall, muscular young man with flaming red hair and blazing eyes stepped inside, shirtless and soaked in sweat. A roguish grin spread across his face as he scanned the room and made a beeline for Star. The villagers, startled by his entrance, quickly parted to let him through.

“Star! Star!” the young man shouted, pushing through the crowd eagerly.

“Did you really meet the Blonde Hero? What did he look like? Was he as tall and strong as me?!” He flexed his biceps dramatically, striking an exaggerated pose.

Star blinked, frozen in place, unsure how to respond.

“Uhh…” she stammered, glancing nervously at Siegfried.

“Friedrich…” Siegfried groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Could you at least put on a shirt? You’re sweating all over the place!”

“Oh, come on, Siegfried!” Friedrich said with a booming laugh. “You know I hate wearing shirts after training. How else am I supposed to show off this perfect body?” He struck another silly pose, his muscles gleaming in the light.

Star and Siegfried exchanged glances, both trying not to burst out laughing. Siegfried’s mother, however, smiled warmly, softening the mood.

“Friedrich, sit down,” she said, pointing to an empty chair at the table. “Join us for lunch.”

Friedrich’s eyes lit up as he eagerly plopped into the seat, his broad frame making it creak.

“Really, Auntie? That’s great! I’m starving!” he said, grabbing the nearest plate.

“Dear,” Siegfried’s mother turned to her husband, “why don’t you eat with us too?” Then, to the villagers, she added, “And everyone else, please wait outside for a while. Once we’re done eating, Star will share her story.”

A collective sigh of disappointment rose from the crowd, but they obeyed, shuffling out and murmuring to one another. The house fell quiet again, save for the clinking of plates as Friedrich dug into his food.

As the meal continued, Siegfried’s father turned to Star, his expression suddenly serious.

“Star, is it true? Did you really meet that hero?”

Star hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, Uncle,” she said softly. “I met him… and he gave me this.”

She opened her palm, revealing the golden Gnosis gleaming beneath the sunlight pouring through the window.

Siegfried’s father leaned in, eyes narrowing in thought. “That Gnosis…” he murmured. “It’s different.”

The golden Gnosis pulsed softly in Star’s palm—warm, radiant, unlike any she had ever seen. Siegfried’s father leaned in, eyes narrowing as he studied the glowing fragment.
“Different…” he murmured, voice low and heavy with meaning. “No one in all of Atlantia has ever had a golden Gnosis.”