The cheers of victory beneath the Genesis Tree flowed like a river, penetrating every corner of the Sanctuary. Each gust of wind carried the aroma of toasted bread and sweet pastries that tantalized the senses, while the rustling leaves added a cheerful rhythm to the crowd. After the announcement of the new King and Queen, the crowd transformed into a sea of colors—spiral ribbons, fabric flags, and paper lanterns were raised high into the air, dancing in the warm sunlight. The striking golden ornaments adorning the exterior of the Sanctuary showcased an architectural design that blended traditional art with symbols of Gaia's culture, featuring intricate carvings that reflected the beauty of nature.

  Food vendors wandered through the crowd with their baskets of bread, distributing warm loaves and sweet cakes without asking for payment that day. The sweet aroma of honey and spices tempted the sense of smell. “On a day like this, blessings should be shared, not counted!” exclaimed an elderly woman with a wrinkled face, as she offered a piece of spiral cake to the children gathered around. Her eyes sparkled with love, and her wide smile added warmth to the atmosphere.

  Children rushed to the front, eager to greet Rinoa. Some of them wore bright, patterned clothes, showcasing their youthful spirit. One child shyly tugged at the hem of the queen's dress, asking with wide eyes, Child: “Queen… will I be able to learn magic too?”

  Rinoa knelt down, looking into the child's eyes with a sincere smile that made her cheeks blush. She gently ruffled the child's hair with her fingers. Rinoa: “Of course. If you are willing to learn diligently and never give up, anyone can learn magic.”

  The child nodded, their face flushed with hope. Suddenly, bursting with uncontainable excitement, they hugged Rinoa's waist before running back to their friends, shouting proudly, “I hugged the queen! I hugged the queen!” Laughter filled the air, and Rinoa could be seen wiping away tears of joy that nearly spilled from her eyes, feeling this simple happiness.

  Meanwhile, a group of young villagers approached Fitran, some of whom had once been young soldiers on the front lines of war. The gentle aroma of smoke wafting from the tents around them enveloped the atmosphere with warmth, while the sounds of laughter and the joyful cries of children playing filled the air. Young man: “We don’t know what to say, Sir. But… thank you for coming back. For choosing to stay here, instead of going to the world of heroes like in the legends.”

  Fitran patted each of their shoulders, a warm smile gracing his weary yet happy face. He didn’t respond with grand words, just spoke softly while looking into their hopeful eyes, Fitran: “I’m here to be with you. And from today, there’s no more ‘Sir’. Just Fitran. Or… if that’s still hard, just call me friend.” He furrowed his brow and winked cheerfully, creating an intimate atmosphere that warmed their hearts.

  Laughter erupted, with some young men teasing, their chuckles flowing like refreshing water, Another young man: “Wow, our friend the king now, huh? Can we invite you for dinner at the palace after this?” Their hands trembled as they patted their knees excitedly.

  Fitran raised his hand, pretending to protest, lightly furrowing his brow while laughing, Fitran (jokingly): “If that’s the case, you have to bring food from the village! Our palace only has a small kitchen.”

  Laughter burst forth, the atmosphere lightened, as if all burdens were blown away by the cheerful wind. Around them, the colorful ornaments from the hanging lanterns glittered under the moonlight, creating a magical ambiance.

  In the midst of the crowd, mothers gathered under the tree, a gentle breeze carrying the enticing aroma of traditional dishes—rice porridge, grilled fish, and refreshing spices—as they excitedly discussed Rinoa’s dress, a rare sight after difficult times. Mothers: “Look at that spiral embroidery, it must have been handmade.” pointing with delicate fingers, their eyes shining with pride. “And that emerald color… it feels like bringing spring into the city.” Their voices were filled with longing, as if they missed the beautiful moments that were now beginning to return.

  One mother gently nudged her sleeping toddler on her back, then hesitated, swaying back and forth. The woven cloth wrapping her body caught the sunlight, radiating bright colors that contrasted with the green leaves around. Finally, she mustered the courage to approach Joanna, who stood at the edge. Her face was slightly wrinkled, but her eyes were full of hope. Young mother (hesitantly): “You… are Joanna, right? My… my child often hears your name in magic stories. May I leave a message? If the magic school opens later, can my child join? Even though… we are just weavers from the village.”

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  Joanna smiled gently, patting the mother’s shoulder with her warm hand. Her smile radiated calmness, as if all difficulties would be resolved. The fragrant aroma of traditional food cooked by the mothers around wafted softly, blending with the rustling leaves, creating a familiar and supportive atmosphere. Joanna: “Every child in Gaia has the right to dream. When the time comes, I will come to your village myself.”

  The mother beamed, her eyes glistening, sparkling like the stars beginning to appear in the evening sky. With a heart full of gratitude, she returned to her group, sharing the news with newfound hope. Joy spread quickly, contagious like a positive virus among those gathered under the great trees with sprawling branches full of leaves.

  In another corner, an elderly man with white hair stood with his grandchildren, teaching them old folk songs that had once only been sung in secret. He held a small drum, tapping it gently with joy, adding spirit to the beautiful melody that echoed among the majestic Sanctuary buildings, with intricate carvings telling the long history of the people of Gaia. Now, they sang loudly, belting out simple lines that seemed to come from nowhere: “Under the spiral, under the tree, A new name, a new hope…”

  Not only the common folk—young scientists, engineers, and even some old wizards in colorful robes arrived, bringing notebooks, sharing ideas about the future of the spiral laboratory and the magic school to be established. Their laughter was warm, filled with enthusiasm and optimism. Someone raised a worn-out book towards Oda with a face full of eager curiosity, Young scientist: “Miss Oda! When can we sign up to be boiler engineers? We want to build a train together!”

  Oda laughed heartily, her face shining with joy, her eyes sparkling like stars as she spoke, Oda: “Just come to the workshop tomorrow morning, but don’t bring thick books! Bring your spirit and hands ready to get dirty!”

  They nodded enthusiastically, their faces bright with excitement, immediately lining up to sign up spontaneously. The sounds of laughter and lively conversations filled the air, painting a picture of overflowing happiness. In the background, the enticing aroma of traditional foods like fried rice and satay wafted, tempting everyone present.

  Some old soldiers who had once fought alongside Fitran took a moment to shake his hand, gently patting his shoulder and saying, their eyes shining with nostalgia, Old soldier: “We once lost faith in the future. But today, we have a reason to believe again.”

  Fitran nodded, his smile blossoming, and this time there was no formality between the king and the people. There was only a large family finally able to celebrate a true victory: a victory over fear. Around them, everyone overflowed with warmth, the rustling leaves blown by the gentle wind adding to the beauty of the atmosphere. Various ornaments made of wood and clean stone on the Sanctuary's architecture sparkled in the afternoon sunlight, showcasing intricate carvings depicting symbols of rebirth and hope from Gaia's culture.

  Fitran took the hand of a child, feeling the softness of their skin, and for a moment, his heart was filled with warmth from that intimate moment. Around them, children ran joyfully, laughing and jumping, decorating the backdrop with the colorful, soft-textured clothes they wore. Their expressions showed pure hope. Confidently, Fitran felt a new spirit flowing within them, a feeling he had never experienced before.

  Throughout the Sanctuary, the atmosphere was lively yet intimate. The aroma of traditional foods like savory rice and spiced curry wafted lightly in the air, inviting appetites. Children played under the branches of the Genesis Tree, laughing cheerfully as they ran around, their innocent faces full of happiness. Mothers prepared simple picnics, their hands busy wrapping food in banana leaves, while the youth discussed future plans with bright faces, their eyes shining with hope, as the elders thanked the heavens for witnessing a new era without war. Some began to dance, forming small circles in the courtyard surrounded by the magnificent architecture of the Sanctuary filled with intricate stone ornaments, reflecting the beauty of Gaia's culture.

  The sound of plucked harp and bamboo flute filled the air, followed by rhythmic clapping synchronized with the heartbeat of the celebration. Suddenly, someone pulled Fitran and Rinoa to join; their faces were initially hesitant, but when they saw the joyful laughter on their people's faces, warm smiles slowly emerged, and they finally danced with their people—not as king and queen, but as part of the large family of Gaia. Rinoa bit her lower lip with happiness as her fingers brushed against Fitran's hand, both feeling the warmth of that moment—as if the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them.

  Cheers, laughter, and songs filled the air until the sun crept higher, its rays seeping into a rainbow palette enveloping everyone. That day, for the first time in a long while, the Sanctuary of Gaia truly felt like home. The leaves of the Genesis Tree swayed gently with the soft breeze, creating a soothing rustle amidst the crowd. Rinoa gazed at the clear blue sky, feeling the softness of her brightly patterned traditional dress move with the wind, her smile blossoming as she felt this irreplaceable warmth of happiness enveloping her heart.