Lena's Awakening: Whisper of the Creation Goddess

Outside the bustling heart of High Society, past the gilded halls and towering spires, lay the quiet frontier settlement of Kabunlawan.

Though the differences between the realms of power and the humble village remained stark, the contrast held a distinct air. Here, the homes were still wooden, standing firm in their simplicity, their walls weathered yet warm.

The market, though smaller and unadorned with grandeur, was brimming with the scent of fresh harvests and the hum of everyday life. The air was not as crisp as the high capitals, carrying instead the mingling fragrances of soil, food, and sweat—the scent of labor, of perseverance, of a people who had known struggle yet lived on. It was a breath far richer than the emptiness of the forsaken lands beyond.

Two weeks had passed since the youth of Kabunlawan had departed for their final year at Union Academy. The village had adjusted to their absence, but for those who remained, life carried its quiet weight.