Planet Diamond was exactly what its name suggested.
The moment the spaceship pierced through the planet's atmosphere, a sea of glittering lights stretched endlessly beneath them.
Towering buildings made from crystal-like materials reflected sunlight across the horizon. Streets shimmered as though rivers of diamonds flowed through the city. Bridges of transparent glass connected floating structures suspended high in the sky.
It was beautiful.
Too beautiful.
For a moment, Nora wondered if she was still dreaming.
Outside the window, countless people filled the streets below.
Some were ordinary humans who had never been chosen by the System.
Others were Initiates and Awakened displaying their abilities for entertainment.
A man created dancing flames that shaped themselves into dragons.
A woman manipulated water into beautiful flowers.
Children laughed while chasing floating balls of light.
The entire city felt alive.
Like a paradise built from dreams.
Finally, Sophia stretched her arms and smiled.
"We're here."
John immediately jumped to his feet.
"Planet Diamond!"
His eyes sparkled brighter than the city itself.
Meanwhile, Mark remained seated.
"You people have fun. I'll stay in the ship."
John looked shocked.
"You're seriously skipping a chance to meet a Transcendent?"
Mark shrugged.
"Exactly why I'm staying here."
The spaceship eventually landed.
With a gentle vibration, the massive vessel settled onto the docking platform.
The doors opened.
Warm air entered.
Nora stepped out first.
Sophia followed beside her.
John nearly ran out before everyone else.
The city looked even more incredible up close.
Everything sparkled.
Everything shined.
Even the roads beneath their feet looked like polished gemstones.
After leaving the docking area, they followed Sophia through a luxurious district.
Eventually, they arrived before a magnificent mansion.
The mansion itself looked less like a home and more like a palace.
Its walls were made from crystal-white stone.
Elegant gardens surrounded it.
Golden flowers bloomed along the pathways.
Water fountains floated several meters above the ground without any visible support.
John stared with his mouth open.
"People actually live here?"
Sophia rolled her eyes.
"It's just a house."
"It's just a house?"
John nearly fainted.
Sophia walked to the entrance and knocked.
A few moments passed.
The doors opened.
A maid greeted them with a respectful bow.
"Young Miss Sophia. Welcome home."
Before Sophia could answer, two small figures rushed forward.
A young boy and a young girl.
The boy had silver hair.
The girl had long dark hair tied into twin tails.
"Big Sister!"
Both children attacked Sophia with a hug.
Sophia laughed.
"Leon. Lina."
She rubbed their heads affectionately.
Lina smiled brightly.
"Mom is waiting in the hall."
Leon nodded.
"She said you would arrive today."
Sophia looked toward Nora.
"Come on."
The group entered.
The interior was somehow even more impressive.
Massive crystal chandeliers floated overhead.
Ancient paintings decorated the walls.
Servants moved quietly throughout the mansion.
As they walked deeper inside, Nora suddenly felt something.
Pressure.
Not hostile.
Not dangerous.
Just...
Overwhelming.
It was like standing beneath the sky itself.
Then the pressure disappeared.
Someone had withdrawn it.
Nora already knew who it was.
At the far end of the grand hall sat a woman.
Her appearance was ordinary.
Yet impossible to ignore.
Her silver hair flowed down her shoulders.
Her eyes seemed to contain countless stars.
She looked young.
Far too young.
Yet the wisdom hidden behind those eyes felt ancient.
This was Lady Aria.
The Transcendent of Outcome.
One of humanity's most powerful Fate wielders.
The woman smiled.
"Oh?"
Her eyes landed on Nora.
"Nora."
Nora smiled.
"Nice to see you again, Lady Aria."
The woman immediately frowned.
"Stop acting formal."
Then she opened her arms.
"Come give me a hug."
Nora laughed.
For a moment, she forgot the woman before her was a Transcendent.
She simply walked forward.
Lady Aria embraced her warmly.
It felt...
Comforting.
Like being hugged by family.
Then Lady Aria glanced toward Sophia.
"Aren't you going to hug your mother?"
Sophia folded her arms.
"I'm not falling for that."
Lady Aria sighed dramatically.
"Oh no."
"My daughter doesn't love me anymore."
Sophia lasted exactly three seconds.
Then she rushed forward and hugged her mother tightly.
"Mom!"
Lady Aria laughed softly and hugged her back.
"There she is."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere became strangely emotional.
Sophia rarely had time to visit.
Training.
Academy life.
Missions.
The System.
Everything kept pulling people apart.
So moments like this were precious.
Very precious.
John awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Good day, Lady Aria."
The woman looked toward him.
"And who might you be?"
John immediately straightened his posture.
"My name is John, ma'am."
"I'm Sophia's teammate."
Lady Aria studied him briefly.
Then a small smile appeared.
"Oh."
John blinked.
Lady Aria extended her hand.
"Give me your phone."
John froze.
"Ma'am?"
"Your phone."
John immediately handed it over.
She looked at him knowingly.
"You wanted a selfie, didn't you?"
John's eyes widened.
"How did you—"
Then he stopped.
Of course.
She was a Transcendent.
Reading intentions wasn't exactly impossible.
Sophia covered her face.
"This is embarrassing."
Lady Aria stood beside John.
"Go ahead."
John took the picture.
Click.
He immediately checked the result.
Then blinked.
His face appeared perfectly normal.
Lady Aria, however...
Looked like a radiant silhouette.
A beautiful figure wrapped in light.
The camera simply couldn't capture her true appearance.
John stared.
Then smiled anyway.
"It's perfect."
Lady Aria laughed softly.
"Good answer."
John bowed gratefully.
"Thank you, ma'am."
A few minutes later, he practically sprinted back toward the spaceship to show Mark.
Sophia watched him leave.
Then shook her head.
"He's never changing."
Meanwhile, Lady Aria's attention returned to Nora.
A knowing smile appeared on her face.
"So."
"How is your little rebellion against Fate progressing?"
Nora sighed.
"Slowly."
"Very slowly."
Lady Aria chuckled.
"That sounds about right."
Sophia immediately groaned.
"Not this conversation again."
Nora smirked.
"You know your mother and I have similar affinities."
"Unfortunately."
Sophia sat down dramatically.
"I've lost my mother to Fate discussions."
Lady Aria laughed.
Then her gaze softened.
"You've grown stronger, Nora."
"So have your convictions."
Nora nodded.
She had.
Every mission.
Every vision.
Every difficult choice.
Had slowly changed her.
Lady Aria studied her for a moment.
Then quietly said,
"Just remember."
"The more you learn about Fate..."
"The more Fate learns about you."
The hall became silent.
Nora understood exactly what she meant.
Knowledge was never free.
Especially knowledge related to Fate.
A faint chill passed through her.
Yet she smiled.
"I know."
Lady Aria smiled back.
The conversation continued as sunlight poured through the crystal windows.
Outside, Planet Diamond sparkled beneath the afternoon sky.
For a brief moment, there were no monsters.
No battles.
No trials.
No blood.
Only friends.
Family.
And a rare moment of peace.
A moment that none of them realized would become precious in the future.