Auren, Vivi, Dax, Nyra, and Nova sat around the table. Nova was quiet, his gaze fixed on the table as if the wood itself carried answers.

Dax waved his hand.— Hello? Say something, yeah? It's been a while, you're just sitting there, not saying a word.

Then his eyes widened with realization.— Wait… are you deaf??

Nyra tilted her head, and Vivi muttered suddenly, almost out of nowhere: Ahh… I see now, he's deaf. Sorry from us.

Nova's lips trembled, and then - I'm not deaf, he said softly.

The words slipped out before he could stop them. He quickly covered his mouth, as if regretting every syllable. Why did I speak? Why did I let it fall out?

But it was too late. Everyone around the table lit up with a smile, a smile of relief.

Auren leaned forward.— So… why were you acting deaf all this time?

He had always sensed that Nova was suffering something inside.

Vivi broke the silence with a bright tone.— Say something! You're so secretive, you know?

Auren's right hand was resting on his chin; he was just looking at Nova's face with charm. His voice came from the heart - "Say something… whatever it may be, please… we want to hear."

Tension within Nova rises, inside his mind - I can't talk to humans… even if I am one of them. It's scary.

Vivi's words touched his ear, a soft and warm voice - "Why are you feeling nervous? Are you fearing us? You're thinking like we might judge you… We might not see you as one of us…"

She flared her hair string, and pointed her finger - "We don't care how you are, we don't care how you talk. Just… show, just speak from your heart."

Those words tearing Nova's silence, inside his thought - Can I really speak?? Can I say something? I never spoke a single word to any human in my life… what will be the consequence of it??

Dax playfully said - "Hey boy, speak as your heart says, don't care about the world. Live the way you wanted."

Those words echoed in his mind, and his eyes widened in shock. If he wanted to leave this uncomfortable situation, he couldn't handle it. His heartbeat pounding, his palms sweating, the air around him feels heavy and close, yet… a strange pull keeps him rooted there.

Then a sudden voice fell into his head. It was his brother."It's normal, Nova… there are kids your age, go talk to them. I know you want to play, express yourself, Nova."

His brother lectured him near a tree. Meanwhile, Nova, smiling, poked him - "Luuuuu…" Then he ran, laughing. "Catch me!" Otaku ran chasing little Nova in the snow. That moment looked playful, joyous, pure.

Nova came back to reality, took a deep breath, and said straight - "I am Nova Makai. I live alone here."

As he said it, he was trembling inside. His brother's voice kept teaching him, echoing in his mind -"You are a lion, Nova. You fear nothing. Even if this world burns, you have nothing to lose. So why not hope, cheer, live, smile?"

The cold air stung his lungs, his heartbeat raced, but for the first time, a strange warmth spread inside him, mixing with the snow-white chill around.

Nyra - "Hii Nova, you seemed all hyped up… so why did it take so much time for you to speak out?"

Nova inside, his brother's voice echoing - Just say as you feel… The memory kept coming.

Nova - "I… I never talked to humans except my brother. This… this is my first time interacting with someone."

Everyone felt it, shocked, like he was living the life of a ghost.

Auren - "Why, Nova?"

Nova - "I… I don't know."

It was the first time Nova saw his own personality. The way he talked with his brother had changed him… just a little, but enough. He became something unknown, something he had never realized he was… this was his way, his voice, and he never knew it existed.

For Nova, there was still uneasiness in talking. Every question felt like a test of his personality, like the world was judging him. No one knew why he thought like this… what trauma he held… even he didn't know. It was still a mystery.

Yet the world around him felt good, warm, encouraging. He whispered to himself, Keep going… even with flaws…

Dax - "You've got some great ability! Want to join us in our adventure? We are Phantom Tideborn!"

Auren nodded, a small smile on his face."We want you in our journey. The art you have… It's just awesome, beyond normal. Mage-level… It's exciting, it's fun. Please… come with us. Please, please, please."

Nova felt their energy, their excitement, like sparks hitting his chest. The snow crunching under their feet, the cold wind brushing his hair… it all felt surreal, yet inviting. His heart beat fast, a mix of fear and something strange… hope.

"Well, well, well. I am Dax from Alabama City. My mage ability is Transfiguration!"

He changed his hand into a sword.

Vivi, shocked - "What?! Do you have the ability like this? Nyra, I'm gonna fall sick!" She acted like she blacked out, falling onto Nyra's shoulder.

Nyra pushed her gently."He stinks."

Vivi - "What?! Really??"

Nyra showed her tongue - "Ewww, kidding."

A smile erupted on Nova's face seeing their fun, though he was surprised too, seeing Dax's ability.

Dax - "Now, you guys, introduce yourselves to Nova!"

Nyra, in her sassy way, curling her hair - "I'm Nyra Vin, from Roma City. My ability is Summoning."

Vivi, flashing out loud - "Wowow, great!"

Auren - "I am Auren Ryuki, from Ryuki City, and I am a Hunter."

Auren is acting like he was a hunter from ages ago, and it's normal for him. but

He couldn't control his smile, like he'd waited ages to say that.

Dax, pointing his finger - "See? See? I caught ya! You can't hide it!"

Nyra giggled at seeing Auren blush while introducing his ability.

Auren acted weird - "Aayy, ayy, I didn't… You hip-eater!"

Vivi just sees Auren behaving in such a way, her eyes can tell he looks different..

Boom. That cracked Dax's heart.

Nova didn't notice he had unknowingly joined the party of laughter with Vivi and Nyra.

But Dax went into trauma mode. That word kept echoing in his head: Hip-eater… hip-eater… like someone shouted it in front of Echoing Mountain. The scene of him biting Nyra's hip flashed in his head.

"You villain!" His head shook. "You villain!" His eyes went red.

Auren - "Hey, calm down! I'm sorry!"

Instead of attacking, Dax burst out laughing - "Hahaha! You're so funny! Just hit the bull's eye… You should eat her hips too, they're soft!"

Bang! Brutally, Nyra's kick smashed into Dax's face.

"Mind your tone," she said, lifeless.

For Nova, their act was… alien. He couldn't indulge in it. He was just maintaining his calm.

Meanwhile, Dax, groggily, stood up."Where am I?? Does anyone know… oh wow, such a nice view! Toys all around, paintings… oh wow!"

He ran through the house, crazy, chasing a unicorn painting."My dream horse! My dream horse!"

Auren looked at Nova - "Are you okay? Seeing him do this in your house…"

Nova thought for a second. It's night, cold outside… they can stay here.

He said it slowly, taking a long pause with each word, each sentence strengthening his voice."For… you… can… stay… here."

With every word, he gained confidence. His calmness, his kindness… it shone through.

Nova Makai ...

Auren, Vivi, and Nyra clearly saw it. They bowed, respect in their eyes."Thank you… so much."

Vivi - "But… where do we sleep?? There's no big place here!"

Nova stood, calm, almost alien in his movements. His paintbrush appeared in his hand as if by itself. He closed his eyes, lips moving silently, murmuring something only he could hear.

He started drawing… each stroke cutting through the air like sparks of magic. Shapes appeared, floating and twisting. Lines collided, swirled, danced. Everyone stared, wide-eyed, not daring to breathe.

Rand claps. In a flash, a bed formed—massive, hovering mid-air.

Everyone froze. Stoned. Shocked.

It was enormous. Blue, icy-shaped, but warm. Steam rising softly from its surface. It glowed faintly, as if alive, like it knew they were coming.

Vivi's jaw dropped."Oh… my… what is this??"

Nyra stepped closer, reaching out, her fingers hovering above it."It's… beautiful… and… warm??"

Dax ran around it, jumping, inspecting, shouting, laughing."Whoa! My dream bed! My dream bed! Look at this! My painting… my magic… oh wow!"

Auren glanced at Nova, a small, impressed smile tugging at his lips."Nova… how—"

Nova just stood, calm, serene, hands at his sides, eyes closed, a small smile forming. His presence filled the room, quiet but commanding.

Everyone felt it—the magic, the kindness, the power… all coming from him.

They stayed there a moment, not moving, not speaking, just watching. The bed floated, warm, inviting… perfect.

Finally, Vivi whispered, almost reverently,"This… this is amazing…"

Nyra bowed slightly, smiling."Thank you… Nova…"

Even Dax paused, awestruck, for once silent, just staring at the blue, warm bed hovering in front of them.

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