“I… I feel like we’re being followed,” Star whispered to Friedrich.

“WHAT?!” Friedrich shouted, startled. “Are you sure, Star?”

“Is something wrong?” Siegfried asked, raising a brow.

“There’s something in those bushes,” Star said, pointing toward the dense shrubbery just a few feet away.

Without hesitation, Siegfried took the lead, moving slowly toward the bushes Star had indicated. Star and Friedrich followed close behind, cautious but curious. And then—suddenly—a young girl with rosy pink hair, matching eyes, golden-yellow skin, and a bluish dress sprang out of the shrubs directly toward Friedrich.

“BOOO!!” she shouted playfully, her voice echoing through the woods.

“K-KLARA?!” Friedrich gasped.

Indeed, it was Klara—Star’s longtime friend and one of their core party members. After gleefully scaring her companions, she walked over to Star, her eyes catching the glint of something unfamiliar hanging around Star’s neck.

“Wait a second… Star?!” Klara exclaimed, pointing to the golden necklace. “You… you’ve obtained a Gnosis?! Since when?!”

“Umm… a few months ago,” Star replied bashfully.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Klara asked, her wide eyes full of mock outrage.

“I… I’m sorry, Klara,” Star said. “I meant to, but I’ve been training with Siegfried at his house all this time.”

“Oh, I see…” Klara nodded slowly in understanding. “So then, what element can you use?”

“I haven’t tried it yet,” Star admitted, “but Siegfried thinks I might be able to use the Light element.”

“The Light element?!” Klara gasped. “Star, are you serious?”

“No human has ever wielded the element of Light,” Klara explained gravely. “Only the Aeons can use it.”

“…Is that a bad thing?” Star asked, blinking in confusion.

“No, it’s not bad,” Klara said, shaking her head. “But it means… you’re not just an ordinary human.”

Star’s eyes widened in disbelief. Not human? That had to be a joke, right?

Friedrich looked at Klara, alarmed. “You don’t mean that, do you?”

“There’s a possibility…” Klara replied with a serious nod. “Star might be… a demigod.”

Star stood frozen. Her thoughts raced. A demigod? That couldn’t be true. Her parents were just ordinary people—palace servants and soldiers in the capital of Valhalla. It didn’t make sense.

Then Klara spoke again, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Star, come on! Let’s test your power! I want to see if you can really use the Light element. Don’t worry—if you’re not ready yet, I’ll protect you and help you learn during battle!”

“That’s a great idea, Klara!” Siegfried chimed in enthusiastically. “You’ve been training for months, Star. What’s the point of all that if you don’t put it into practice?”

“Besides,” Friedrich added with a grin, “you’ve got us by your side. No need to be afraid.”

Star let out a quiet sigh. “Alright,” she said at last, nodding.

Klara led them to the foothills of Mount Hringhorn—known as the lair of the mountain trolls. The group moved swiftly, eager to see what Star could do.

Along the way, Klara and Friedrich explained how to channel her Gnosis and infuse her weapon with her element. They talked about how imagination was key. Star needed to visualize the power within her—to feel it and shape it in her mind.

After some time, they arrived at the outskirts of the troll den, hiding behind thick trees. From their vantage point, they spotted four large mountain trolls sleeping soundly, alongside several smaller Bergtrolls dozing near them.

“There they are,” Klara whispered, eyes gleaming. “Star, you’ll take on two mountain trolls. Friedrich and Siegfried will handle the other two. I’ll lure the Bergtrolls away from the big ones.”

“Are you sure about this?” Siegfried asked, concerned. “Star hasn’t even used her powers yet.”

“I believe in her,” Klara said firmly. “She has to learn to use her Gnosis somehow. And this… this is the perfect moment.”

“You know as well as I do that a person’s Gnosis manifests strongest when they’re under pressure,” she continued.

“She’s right,” Friedrich added. “The best trigger for Star’s power… is battle.”

“I know you’re worried, Siegfried,” Klara said, giving him a quick wink. “But don’t worry. I’ll keep her safe.”

“Then I’ll do my part too,” Siegfried said, stepping forward. He knelt before Star and looked her in the eyes.

“Star, remember everything my father taught you. Don’t push yourself too hard. And if you’re in danger—just call our names, and we’ll be there.”

"Okay, I’m sure I can do it. I’ll leave the rest to the three of you," said Star as she looked at her friends.

But as they crept toward the lair of giants, none of them, least of all Star, were ready for what her powers would awaken.