A week has passed since hana "blessed soup" incident happened, and suddenly Hime entered the royal chamber clutching something. Hana knew something was wrong the moment Hime entered her chamber with a scroll. She had seen this before. Too many times. It was the same deadly expression Hime always had when delivering news that would ruin Hana’s life.

  Hime stood before her, perfectly composed as always, and unrolled the parchment. Then, in the calmest voice imaginable, she announced:

  “Princess Hana, you have officially been bestowed the title of ‘The Divine Healer of Eternal Benevolence and Supreme Grace.’”

  Silence. Hana blinked. Twice.

  Then, in a very measured tone, she responded: “…What.”

  Haruka, who had been lounging on the couch, burst out laughing. “OH, THAT’S FANTASTIC.”

  Hime ignored her and continued, her expression dead serious. “This title was formally declared by King Aldric himself. Vintergard’s nobility has already begun spreading word of your miracle. It is now recognized across the eastern continent.”

  Hana gripped her own robes in horror. “They’re seriously calling me THAT?!”

  Hime nodded. “It has also been shortened in various regions to ‘The Divine Healer of Eternal Grace’ or simply ‘The Saint of the Blessed Soup.’”

  Haruka fell off the couch. Hana looked to the ceiling as if pleading to the gods. “WHY CAN’T I HAVE A NORMAL LIFE?!”

  Hime, ever the bringer of fate’s cruelest truths, continued as if nothing was wrong.

  “With this title, many of our allied nations have requested your presence to perform more blessings and miracles. Aikyo has received over thirty formal invitations for you to visit temples, aid in healing the sick, and—”

  Hana grabbed the scroll and skimmed through the ridiculous list.

  "End droughts, bless the harvest, expel spirits from cursed ruins, restore divine balance..."

  Hana threw the scroll into the fire. Hime handed her a second copy. Hana let out a primal scream.

  Despite her many protests, Hana had no choice but to embark on a journey to the allied nations. The demands for her miraculous presence had grown too large to ignore, and as much as she wanted to deny everything, she knew that maintaining diplomatic ties was important.

  Hime had already arranged a formal pilgrimage tour, scheduling visits to several temples, noble courts, and historic sites. Each nation had specific "miracles" they wanted her to perform.

  Haruka found this entire situation hilarious. “So, when’s your first stop, oh Divine One?”

  Hime flipped through the itinerary. “The Kingdom of Solmaria has requested her first.”

  Hana, face-down on the table, muttered, “And what do they want?”

  Hime adjusted her sleeves. “They have a sacred site known as The Trial of Balance. They believe it holds ancient divine energy, but over the years, it has become unstable. They wish for you to restore the balance.”

  Hana slowly lifted her head. “What happens if the balance is not restored?”

  Hime paused. “…They believe catastrophe will follow.”

  Haruka grinned. “Oh, that sounds fun.”

  Hana slammed her head back down. “I hate everything.”

  —

  The Trial of Balance Begins

  The journey to Solmaria was a long one. Unlike Vintergard, which was dominated by icy mountains, Solmaria was a land of golden plains, rolling hills, and sunlit rivers. It was warm—almost too warm—and Hana immediately regretted wearing three layers of ceremonial robes.

  She was not in a good mood.

  The royal entourage arrived at Solmaria’s capital, where a massive temple stood at the heart of the city. The architecture was ancient yet grand, with towering marble columns and intricate gold-lined carvings. The people had gathered in crowds along the streets, eager to witness the arrival of the Divine Healer of Eternal Benevolence and Supreme Grace.

  Hana sank further into her seat inside the royal carriage. “I am going to throw myself into the river.”

  Haruka, lounging beside her, smirked. “You wouldn’t make it five steps before someone catches you and builds a shrine in your honor.”

  Hime, ever composed, adjusted her ceremonial gloves. “You should mentally prepare yourself. The High Priests of Solmaria will be expecting a proper demonstration of your divine power.”

  Hana groaned. “I don’t have divine power! My abilities don’t work like that!”

  Haruka snorted. “Tell that to the guy you accidentally healed with banana soup.”

  Before Hana could strangle her, the carriage came to a halt.

  The doors were opened by a line of robed temple priests, who immediately bowed.

  “Welcome, Divine One.”

  Hana gritted her teeth. “I swear I will set this temple on fire.”

  Hime calmly stepped out first, offering a polite nod. “We appreciate your hospitality.”

  Haruka hopped out next, stretching like she’d just woken from a nap. “Man, this place is fancy.”

  Then came Hana—unwillingly, as two attendants practically escorted her out. The crowd erupted into cheers and praises. She barely resisted the urge to run back into the carriage.

  She was immediately led through the temple gates, where she was greeted by the High Priest, an elderly man draped in flowing gold-and-white robes. His eyes, however, held piercing sharpness, as if he saw through every soul in the room.

  “Princess Hana,” he said with a bow. “It is an honor to welcome you.”

  Hana, still overheating in her heavy robes, forced a smile. “The honor is… mine.”

  The High Priest gestured toward the inner sanctum. “The Trial of Balance awaits you.”

  Hana’s fake smile immediately dropped. “Oh. Right.”

  Hime placed a hand on her shoulder, murmuring quietly. “Try not to complain. Too much.”

  Hana inhaled deeply.

  She was absolutely going to complain.

  —

  The True Test of Balance

  The temple’s inner sanctum was massive—a circular chamber lined with ancient carvings and glowing sigils. At the center of the room, embedded into the polished stone floor, was a massive golden ring.

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  Hana frowned. “What am I supposed to do?”

  The High Priest motioned toward the ring. “Step inside. The Trial will begin when you do.”

  Haruka crossed her arms. “You’re sure this thing isn’t gonna, I don’t know… kill her?”

  The High Priest smiled slightly. “If she is truly the Divine Healer, then she will pass without harm.”

  Hana immediately turned to leave. “Alright. That settles it. I’m not divine—”

  Hime grabbed the back of her robe. “Hana.”

  Hana groaned. “I hate you.” And with that, she stepped into the ring.

  The moment Hana’s feet touched the center of the ring, the entire chamber trembled. The carvings along the walls lit up, golden light pulsing like a heartbeat. The air grew heavier, thick with magic.

  Then—a voice echoed through the chamber. "Balance has been lost. The Keeper must return it."

  Hana visibly flinched. “WHAT? WHO SAID THAT?”

  Haruka leaned over to Hime. “I think she broke it.”

  Before anyone could react, the floor beneath Hana’s feet vanished.

  She fell.

  Hana plummeted into darkness.

  The stone floor that had been beneath her vanished in an instant, leaving nothing but an endless void stretching in all directions. There was no sensation of wind, no weight pulling her—just pure emptiness.

  Then— Light bloomed beneath her. A soft golden glow blossomed in the abyss, forming into a solid surface just before she could panic. Hana landed lightly, the magic beneath her feet rippling like water.

  She immediately crouched down, gripping the glowing surface. “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!”

  A voice resonated from all around. "You have entered the Trial of Balance. To move forward, you must restore harmony."

  Hana, still recovering from her near-death experience, scowled. “What does that even mean?!”

  A second later, the space shifted. The golden platform beneath her extended outward, forming a bridge. At the far end, a tall stone altar appeared, floating in the void. Upon it lay an ancient staff—ornate, glowing faintly, pulsing with power.

  Haruka’s voice echoed from above. “HEY, YOU OKAY DOWN THERE?!”

  Hana squinted up. She could barely make out the outlines of her sister and the priests, watching her from the trial chamber above.

  “I DON’T KNOW,” she shouted back. “I THINK I’M IN A MAGICAL NIGHTMARE DIMENSION.”

  Haruka laughed. “Oh, cool!”

  Hime’s voice cut through the noise. “Focus, Hana. The sooner you pass, the sooner we leave.”

  Hana groaned. “Right. Okay. Just restore balance. Whatever that means.”

  As Hana cautiously stepped forward, the bridge beneath her shook. The moment she placed her foot on it—

  A heavy force slammed into her. Not physically, but mentally. It felt like an invisible pressure crushing down on her chest, weighing her down with a force she couldn't understand.

  The voice spoke again.

  "Balance is not simply order. It is the weight of all things—the burdens of the past, the chaos of the present, and the unknown of the future. Only those who can withstand its weight may proceed."

  Hana staggered. The force around her intensified.

  A sensation—a flood of emotions—suddenly surged through her. It was as if she was feeling everything at once.

  Sadness. Regret. Hope. Fear.

  Memories of people who had failed this trial before her. Memories of history, of nations that crumbled under the weight of their own actions. The weight of leadership. Responsibility. The knowledge that every decision she made would ripple across time. Hana gritted her teeth.

  “I already deal with enough of this,” she muttered.

  The force pushed harder. Her knees buckled. The bridge beneath her shook violently, as if rejecting her. Above, Haruka tensed. “Something’s wrong. She doesn’t look good.”

  Hime, watching carefully, remained calm. “She’ll manage.”

  Haruka side-eyed her. “You’re not worried?”

  Hime, after a long pause, sighed. “Of course I am.”

  Hana’s breath came in short gasps. She was drowning in the weight of it all. Her failures. Her mistakes. The curse she still bore. The expectations placed on her. The fear of losing her sisters. The bridge beneath her started to crack.

  Then, suddenly— A warm presence curled around her mind.

  "Breathe, Master."

  Hana’s eyes widened. “…Kuro?”

  The dragon’s calm, steady voice echoed through her thoughts.

  "You bear too much alone. Balance is not about carrying the weight—it is about understanding it."

  Hana stilled. Then, slowly, she inhaled. The pressure around her did not vanish, but it stopped crushing her. Instead, she allowed it to exist.

  The burdens of the past. The uncertainty of the future.

  She had always been afraid of making mistakes. Afraid of failing her sisters, her people, her kingdom. But fear was part of balance too. And she was not alone. The cracks in the bridge stopped spreading. The crushing weight eased. And with one final breath, Hana took a step forward.

  As she reached the altar, the glowing staff flared with light. The moment she touched it, the void around her shattered. She was back in the chamber. The golden ring beneath her glowed brilliantly, and then dimmed, leaving behind only a faint hum of energy. The air was calm again.

  Hana stumbled slightly. Hime was there immediately, steadying her.

  Haruka grinned. “Not bad, sis.”

  The High Priest, watching with quiet approval, bowed deeply. “The Trial recognizes you, Divine One.”

  Hana, still dazed, looked at the staff in her hands. It was beautiful—white and gold, infused with divine energy, ancient yet warm. Then, the magic around it shifted. And before Hana could question anything, the staff transformed. Where the ornate weapon once stood, a white-furred wolf now sat before her, its golden eyes locking onto hers.

  The room fell into stunned silence. Hana, in absolute disbelief, whispered, “…Oh no. Not again.”

  Haruka, already grinning wildly, leaned forward. “OH HELL YES, YOU GOT ANOTHER PET.”

  The wolf, graceful and regal, tilted its head slightly. Then, in a voice both gentle and commanding, it spoke.

  "I am Uriel, the Guardian of Balance. I shall walk this path with you, Divine One."

  Hana buried her face in her hands. “Why do these things keep happening to me?!”

  Kuro-chan, perched nearby, huffed in amusement. "Perhaps you should stop resisting fate, Master."

  Haruka, laughing hysterically, clapped her hands. “Hana, you’re a legendary beast collector at this point.”

  Hime, sipping her tea as always, simply said, “At least this one seems more dignified than Kuro.”

  The white wolf smiled. "I shall take that as a compliment, young lady."

  Hana groaned. “I don’t need another talking animal—”

  Uriel elegantly curled up at her feet. "And yet, here I am."

  The High Priest, eyes full of reverence, spoke again. “With this, the Trial of Balance is complete. You have proven yourself worthy of wielding the Divine Staff Uriel.”

  Hana stared blankly at the ceiling. “I didn’t ask for this.”

  Haruka slung an arm around her shoulders. “Doesn’t matter. You got a magic wolf now.”

  And with that, Hana’s divine reputation only grew stronger.

  —

  Hana’s Growing Legend

  Hana had made peace with many things in her life. She had accepted that her health was fragile, that her sisters were walking disasters, and that her mere existence attracted chaos like a divine magnet.

  But what she could not—would not—accept… Was the formal proclamation of her new title. Hime sat across from her, elegantly sipping tea as she delivered the news.

  “Following the successful completion of the Balance’s Trial,” she said smoothly, “Solmaria’s High Council has officially recognized you as—”

  She gracefully unrolled a scroll and read aloud:

  ‘The Divine Arbiter of Harmony, Supreme Guardian of Balance, and Saint of the Twin Divine Beasts.’

  Silence, Hana, sitting rigidly on the couch, stared into the void.

  Haruka, who had been snacking on dried fruit, nearly choked laughing. “Oh, that’s even better than the last one!”

  Hana’s fingers trembled. She whispered, “How. Many. Titles. Do I Have. Now?”

  Hime set the scroll down with a calm smile. “Officially? Thirty-six.”

  Haruka wheeze-laughed. Hana grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.

  —

  After the Trial’s completion, word spread fast. Hana had already been famous for the Blessed Banana Soup Incident, but now? Now she was a living legend. News of her divine beasts, her miracles, and her role as the Arbiter of Balance had swept across the eastern continent like wildfire.

  And with it, came trouble. Dozens of letters arrived daily. Priests sent formal invitations for her to bless temples. Scholars wanted interviews about her "divine wisdom." Merchants flocked to Aikyo to sell Hana-inspired charms and holy relics.

  The worst part?

  Someone had commissioned a grand statue of her in Solmaria’s capital.

  A giant golden statue Of her Holding Uriel in one arm and Kuro-chan in the other With a halo Hana physically collapsed.

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