A Promise Under the Stars

The warm glow of a single lamp lit the modest living room. On the small table Aunt Cassie, Uncle Roger, Colin, and Eratz sat together.

Dinner was simple: a couple of dishes Cassie had managed to cook after a long day, with Roger's help, and it was nothing fancy, but the atmosphere was filled with warmth.

The clinking of plates and the occasional quiet hum of conversation were the only sounds for a while.

"I swear, if I have to scrub one more floor this week…" Cassie chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair. "You know how many people keep walking on the floor even after you tell them you're sweeping? I almost broke my broom on a stupid cougar."

Roger grinned, though his eyes were tired.

"Tell me about it. Had a job interview today, but the guy couldn't stop pointing out how I've got no professional experience. I mean, do I need a degree to swing a hammer?"

He shook his head, trying to make light of it, though the frustration was clear.

Colin, meanwhile, was full of energy, barely able to stay seated as she spoke, her words bubbling out like a fast-flowing river.

"My first day at school was amazing! Everyone's so nice, and I managed to make a friend thanks to my fire spirit, it didn't even misbehave, see?!" She gestured excitedly as the little fire spirit flitted around her head, obedient and glowing faintly.

Eratz smiled at her enthusiasm, his heart feeling a little lighter watching Colin's joy. Her control showed that she had already a deep connection with beasts.

"Maybe she's cut to be a beast master too..." He thought to himself.

He wanted to let her discover her path, but since it seemed linked to his, he felt a little excitation at the idea of training her, but tonight, there was something he had to share, something big.

"Actually… something happened today," Eratz started, trying to sound casual.

Roger raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of water.

"Oh? You gonna tell us, or leave us hanging?"

Eratz wait for just a second, looking at their eager faces. Then he couldn't hold it back anymore.

"I got scouted."

There was a stunned silence for a moment before Cassie nearly jumped out of her chair.

"What?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. "You got scouted?! By who?! For what???"

Roger's spoon dropped on his plate. staring at him, with big eyes.

"Eratz, what are you saying? Scouted like by an agency? The dream you wanted??"

"Yeah," Eratz said, showing Zara's card. "Zara Quinn, she's a beast master trainer from Neon Clash Arena. It's a small arena in the town near the bridge. She saw me in the matches today and she wants me to join her selection process for new talents in a three days."

Cassie's eyes sparkled with pride, her voice thick with emotion.

"Eratz… this is exactly what you've been waiting for. You have to go for it."

"Absolutely," Roger added with enthusiasm. "That's a chance in a million, and if she wants to recruit you it's because you're special. Go for it!"

"I will," Eratz replied, his voice steady now. "This could change everything for all of us."

Colin clapped her hands together, practically bouncing in her seat.

"I knew you could do it, Eratz! You're going to be amazing! The best beast master ever!"

Cassie reached over and gently squeezed Eratz's hand.

"We're so proud of you, sweetheart. You've worked so hard for this, and we'll support you every step of the way."

Roger nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, don't hold back. If you've got a shot at something this big, you have to go all in."

The warmth of their support washed over Eratz, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a surge of a new emotion.

They were rooting for him, not just as a beast master, but as family. And that meant more than anything he had achieved till now.

His mind was locked on a single objective: succeed, for them.

Later that night, after the dishes were cleared and everyone had gone to bed, Eratz was lying in the dark beside Colin, who shared his room.

The soft rustling of the covers was the only sound in the silent night, but his mind was wide awake, racing through the events of the day.

For the first time, he forgot to go to train, Zara's words still ringing in his head, with the weight of the opportunity she'd laid before him.

His thoughts drifted back to the director's office at Genova Academy. He remembered how he'd felt sitting there, crushed under the weight of the accusations, the betrayal.

The walls had felt so small, trapping him in a space where no one believed him, where everything was falling apart. But now… Now it felt like those walls had crumbled away, and above him, the stars were visible again, there was hope.

"Eratz?" Colin's small voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned his head, surprised she was still awake.

"Yeah?"

"I'm really proud of youm.You're always there for me, helping me, and now. I'm so glad you got what you wanted."

Eratz felt a little taken aback. He hadn't realized how much Colin had been paying attention to everything surrounding him.

She was twelve now, and He'd always tried to be strong for her, but hearing her say it like that made him realize that she wasn't the same little girl he used to know.

"Thanks, Colin," he said quietly. "But you know, it's not just me. You're going to do great things too. You've already come so far with your fire spirit, and you've got so much potential."

Colin shifted, turning towards him, her eyes wide in the moonlight.

"You really think so?"

"I know so, the way you adapted to your fire spirit, the control you have, it's rare to see that at your age. If you keep going like this... Ah, well, for now focus on what you like, on my side, I promise you, things are going to change for us. Your mom and dad, they did their best for us, but now it's our turn to help them. We're going to make their lives better, Colin, I'll make sure of it."

Colin smiled, a small, sleepy grin, and held up her pinky finger.

"Promise?"

Eratz smiled back as he linked his pinky with hers. "Promise."

With that, Colin finally closed her eyes, her breathing slowing down as she drifted off to sleep.

Eratz lay awake a little longer, staring up at the ceiling. It was a chance in a lifetime, a miracle rewarding his efforts, and adding weight to his responsibility, but instead of fear or uncertainty, all he felt was determination. This was his chance, not to change everything, but to start.