Late at night,
the last rays of sunlight had long since faded, and night had taken hold of the alleys and sidewalks. The lights of the house were off, and silence enveloped the place as if the world had stopped breathing.
Ryuichi stood in front of Miko's door, his body exhausted, covered in scratches and traces of frozen sweat, bearing the marks of grueling training and a battle that was like his rebirth.
Next to him, Ryoko stood as if he were part of the darkness itself, calm with his usual enigmatic smile.
Ryuichi reached out to ring the doorbell... but Ryoko's hand quickly grabbed his wrist.
He said quietly:
"Can't you see? The house is asleep... Don't disturb them."
Ryuichi whispered wearily:
"But I don't have the key to the room... How am I supposed to get in?"
Ryoko smiled mischievously, then raised her finger and pointed upward:
"Your window is open... Do you think I didn't notice?"
Before Ryuichi could object or comprehend what was happening, Ryoko suddenly wrapped her arm around him, and then...
"A breath of air!"
A sudden leap broke the silence of the night, and their bodies rose together at a speed that the eye could not follow, landing smoothly inside Ryoichi's room.
Ryoichi bumped lightly on his bed, then got up, catching his breath:
"Was that necessary? I almost suffocated!"
Ryoko replied, raising his eyebrow and laughing:
"It's not the first time you've had trouble breathing tonight, is it?"
Ryoko sat on the windowsill, then glanced around the room and said:
"You did well today... Don't let your fragile mind be your excuse again, understand?"
Ryuichi was silent for a moment, then whispered to himself as he looked at his trembling hands:
"I'm not the same anymore... Something inside me has changed."
At that moment, a faint light appeared on the screen of his smart glasses, followed by Aura's voice, soft and tinged with fatigue:
"Hello again, I'm back online. Would it bother you if I said I'm proud of you?"
Reiichi smiled weakly:
"No... I was waiting to hear that."
Aura replied:
"You're different now, Reichi."
Ryoko looked at him one last time and said in a mysterious tone before leaving through the window:
"Sleep well... because what's coming may be harder than tonight."
He disappeared from view as if he had never been there, leaving only the wind to move the curtain.
Reichi lay down on the bed, but his eyes remained fixed on the ceiling...
The pain was still in his body, and the determination was still burning in his heart.
The moment Ruiichi closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep...
The wind suddenly rose above the roof of the house, as if something in the sky had changed, and a strange aura began to form in the void, piercing the silence that enveloped the place.
"A spectral crack in the air," as if the sky itself were being pulled into a fissure invisible to the naked eye.
From the heart of this fissure, Natsumi emerged... standing there steadfastly, her hair flying behind her like invisible waves, her eyes shining with a mysterious violet light.
In front of her was a glowing circle of runes, their lines intertwined in an ancient language that only spirits could read, and a large symbol in the center representing:
"The legendary covenant of the guardians of the dimensions."
Natsumi extended her right hand forward and whispered:
"I invoke my eternal covenant... O being that dwells in the heart of the void...
O you who existed before the worlds were formed...
Answer my call now... O master of the hidden dimension."
The earth shook, the sky split open with a thick gray color, and out of nothingness a huge mythical beast was formed, unlike any earthly creature.
It had a semi-liquid body, wings broken like pages from a forbidden book, and countless eyes staring from every angle.
Its name had not yet been mentioned, but its mere presence was enough to strike fear into the hearts of all who witnessed it.
The beast approached slowly, unaffected by gravity, and bowed to her with strange submission.
Natsumi announced, her voice shaking the night:
"I swear I will protect Reichi... I will protect everyone here, no matter what it takes."
The aura around her rose, and darkness covered the surface... Then everything suddenly went dark.
---
The next morning...
The sun's rays gently crept through the window of Reiichi's room, bathing his face in new light.
But he did not know that a vow had been made during the night...
and that a legendary creature was now watching over this world from behind the curtain.
The light filtered gently through the curtains of the room, touching Reichi's face with a touch of tenderness, as if the morning itself had decided to wake him gently this time.
A calm, warm melody rang in his ears.
It was not just a sound... but a song flowing like silky threads of light, mingling with the dawn breeze.
He slowly opened his eyes, looked at the ceiling, and muttered:
"What is that sound... who is singing?"
He sat up slowly, sighed, then walked lazily toward the source of the sound.
He descended the stairs as if walking in a dream, and with every note he approached, something old stirred in his heart...
Deep, dormant memories he hadn't recalled in a long time.
He reached the kitchen, and there he saw Miko.
She was standing in front of the window, wearing a simple apron, holding a frying pan in one hand and waving the other to the rhythm of the song, humming softly, as if the whole world had stopped to listen.
Ryuichi froze.
Time stopped.
His eyes widened, and his breath suddenly caught in his throat.
"That melody..."
The scene overlapped before his eyes—a flashback.
The window disappeared.
Miko disappeared.
And in her place... Sera appeared.
His mother.
She was standing in the same corner, wearing her usual white dress, her hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes shining with a light he hadn't seen since childhood.
She was singing... the same melody.
Her voice floated through his memory, and he was overcome with a strange warmth...
Then a deep pain...
Then...
Tears.
Ryuichi couldn't take it.
A first tear fell... then a second.
He raised his hand to hide his face...
But his voice came out broken as he whispered:
"Mother..."
At that moment, Miko stopped singing and turned to him, noticing his tears.
She said nothing.
She just looked at him... with a deep silence that conveyed a meaning deeper than any words.
A different morning... not like the rest of the days.
A morning that reconnects the heart to its roots...
and reminds it that those we love, even if they are gone, never truly leave us.
Miko approached him with quiet steps, as if afraid to interrupt what remained of his mother's melody in his soul.
She stood in front of him, her eyes shining with a mixture of concern and sympathy, then whispered softly:
"Do you... remember her?"
Reiichi replied in a choked voice, his eyes still downcast toward the ground:
"Yes... her voice was just like that... She used to sing to me every morning when I was sick, or when I couldn't get out of bed..."
He paused, then whispered as if his heart were bleeding:
"I miss her so much, Miko..."
Miko smiled a pale but warm smile, moved closer, gently raised her hand, wiped his tears with her delicate fingers, and said in a voice full of tenderness:
"Sera... She will regain consciousness, I am sure of it. Her voice... will no longer be just a memory in your heart."
Reiichi looked at her, tears and hope in his eyes, and whispered:
"Really... Do you believe that?"
Miko nodded and said with the confidence of a mother embracing his pain:
"As long as I'm alive, I'll do everything I can... You won't be alone, Riichi. Not again."
The two were silent for a moment.
It was a silence filled with security... as if the world had stopped to give them a moment of warmth in the midst of this harsh reality.
Then, with a small smile suffocated by memory, Reiichi said:
"You... you sing beautifully... just like her."
Miko laughed softly, tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and said:
"Is that a compliment, or are you still hallucinating from the shock?"
Reichi laughed and wiped away the remaining tears with his hand.
Deep down, he felt something changing.
Not the pain... but his attachment to life.
To hope.
As Riichi sat in his chair, trying to swallow the remnants of his sadness to the tune of a warm morning, light footsteps approached the kitchen.
Natsumi entered, a soft smile on her face, carrying something small in her right hand, her tousled hair reflecting the sunlight streaming through the window.
"Good morning, you little gloomy one," she said jokingly, waving her glasses.
Reiichi looked at her, smiled half-heartedly, and said,
"Good morning... to your usual mess."
She replied cheerfully as she placed the glasses in front of him,
"Here are your glasses, Mr. Emotional. I was upstairs... and I think someone missed you."
Reiichi gratefully took the glasses, put them on his eyes, and as soon as he did, the inside of the lenses lit up with a faint blue line, and a soft voice flowed into his ear:
"Welcome back, Reichi... It seems your mood is down 43% today. Shall I play you a funny clip?"
Reichi smiled immediately and whispered:
"Ora... Are you back?"
Ora replied in a cheerful tone:
"I never left, I was just watching from afar... to maintain privacy, as Natsumi always says."
Natsumi laughed and said:
"Now you two are sharing secrets... Don't forget to protect me if this smart machine rebels!"
At that moment, another set of footsteps was heard, this time more agile and... threatening!
Erica entered, dressed elegantly, giving the impression that she had stepped out of a fashion show rather than heading to the breakfast table. She waved her hand and said:
"Is breakfast late, or did you start without me?" "
In a flash, the light in the glasses turned gray, Aura's voice went completely silent, and her face disappeared from the lens display.
Her last words were a quick whisper:
"Temporary disappearance, status: danger of exposure. Enjoy your conversation with the deputy."
Reiichi looked at her and whispered to himself:
"Thanks, Aura... Your timing is amazing as usual."
Erica approached and sat down on the chair opposite him, resting her elbows on the table and folding her hands:
"If no one is going to cook for me, I'm about to declare a mutiny."
Natsumi laughed and said:
"And so your imperial habits have returned, Madam Deputy."
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere began to melt away amid the warmth of the morning and a sense of reassurance.
As the morning light began to make its way into the city, Reichi stood in front of his small mirror, adjusting his jacket collar slightly and exhaling slowly.
Looking at his reflection, he said:
"A new day... and probably new problems."
Everything was quiet until the door to his room suddenly opened.
Erica entered with the confidence of a queen, wearing a university uniform modified in her own way, and said with mocking cheerfulness:
"How long does it take you to fix your hair? At least let me see if you're going to look like an anime hero this morning."
He turned to her and said with a dry smile:
"You're here... again? Don't tell me you're going to accompany me today too."
She replied, putting her hand on her hip:
"Unfortunately, yes. I didn't like your academic performance last time. Consider me your temporary special supervisor... for safety and supervision."
Reiichi sighed as he went to pick up his bag, then added:
"I think I lost my right to privacy on the first day."
The two left the room, and as they descended to the basement, Miko appeared carrying a thermal cup of coffee, saying:
"Reiichi, take this with you, but don't spill it on your clothes... this time."
He took the cup and whispered gratefully,
"Thanks... Miko."
She replied, waving to them,
"Don't be late. We have a meeting after lunch."
Reichi and Erika went down to the front door, and as soon as they left, the door closed quietly behind them.
On the way to the car, he glanced at her sideways and said:
"Do you have to dress up like that for college?"
She replied proudly:
"Prestige cannot be postponed. Besides, I like to arouse suspicion."
While riding in the car, Riichi's glasses lit up with a small notification, and Ora's face appeared in the corner of the lens from the inside.
"Good morning, buddy. Your heart rate is high... Is it academic pressure or is it Erica?"
Reiichi stifled a laugh and whispered:
"Let's call it a deadly combination."
Aura said sarcastically:
"Well, I'll stay silent... until something explodes."
As the car sped through the quiet streets, the signs of the school day gradually took shape... A hero learning to control his mana, a companion always hiding behind her sharp wit, and a digital voice whispering in his ear, somewhere between sarcasm and warning.
A new day... but it doesn't seem normal at all.
Erica's car arrived at the college parking lot and slid smoothly to a stop next to the faculty parking space—but of course, no one dared to question her about it.
Reiichi slowly got out, zipping up his jacket and putting on his glasses, while Erica took a small mirror out of her pocket and adjusted a strand of hair, then looked at him and said:
"Do I look like a top student?"
He glanced at her and said wearily:
"Yes, a top student... at causing trouble."
She laughed lightly:
"Oh, thank you. That's the nicest compliment I've heard this morning."
They walked through the front gate, and some students looked at them in surprise. It was unusual to see Riichi accompanied by such a stunning girl, who looked like she had just stepped out of a fashion show.
Riichi whispered as he watched the students' glances:
"Are you really doing this on purpose? I mean... dressing up so fancy and appearing with me in public?"
She replied confidently:
"Of course. I have to keep those who are watching you in constant doubt. Then who knows? Maybe they'll think I'm your personal trainer."
He stopped in front of the lecture hall door, sighed, and said:
"I hope this class is easier than the last one. I don't trust anything here anymore."
She looked at him as she opened the door:
"Don't worry, if the class isn't heavy... I'll make sure it is."
The two entered the lecture hall, and the students gradually began to fill the seats. The atmosphere was calm, but it was filled with the usual tense morning aura, as it was not yet known: Who would be the lecturer? And what "misfortunes" would befall them today?
Ora whispered in Riichi's ear:
"Be careful. I predict that this class will not go smoothly. There is a 73% chance that there will be unusual surprises."
He whispered back:
"I don't even know what 'peace' means here anymore..."
The auditorium was quiet, with students whispering about the identity of the new lecturer, while Ruiichi sat in his seat staring at the podium with apprehension, and Erika next to him fiddling with her cell phone.
Suddenly...
The auditorium door swung open.
Everyone held their breath and turned their eyes toward the door, where a girl with a commanding presence entered, walking with steady, confident steps.
Her dark brown hair was carefully tied in a braid, and her elegant uniform bore the student council badge on her left shoulder. Her blue eyes scanned the auditorium sharply, as if she were carefully examining every soul inside.
A murmur rose.
"It's... it's Sayuri Himegawa... a member of the student council...!"
"Oh no, she hasn't appeared in public since the opening ceremony. What's going on?"
Some students stood up automatically out of respect, while others nervously adjusted their attire. Riichi sat stunned by the majesty of the scene and whispered to Aura:
"The Student Council? What are they doing here?"
Sayuri walked deliberately to the podium, paused for a moment, then said in a firm, calm voice:
— "I apologize for interrupting you this morning."
There was complete silence.
"I am Sayuri Himegawa, from the student council, and I have been sent to inform you that Professor Kazuma will not be attending class today."
Whispers of shock spread through the room.
"The reason is that he has suddenly fallen ill... Therefore, class has been officially suspended for today."
Ryuichi muttered to himself:
"This is unusual... Professor Kazuma doesn't miss classes easily."
Erika raised her eyebrow and said suspiciously:
"Very strange..."
Sayuri closed the file she was carrying and added in a formal tone:
"Please leave the auditorium quietly and do not cause any trouble."
Then she turned around and walked steadily out of the auditorium without saying another word.
A moment of silence... Then the hall erupted in chaos:
"This is his first absence in two years!"
"You mean... we have the day off?!"
"Let's go to the cafeteria!"
Reiichi remained frozen in place, while Ora whispered in his ear:
"This isn't random... Professor Kazuma's record doesn't include any sudden absences since he joined."
Ryuichi whispered back:
— "Do you think there's something behind this absence?"
> "81%... yes."
After that... Reichi and Erika left the auditorium with calm steps, the sun peeking through the high windows, spreading its warmth on the gray tiles, and the college began to pulsate with its usual vitality with the announcement of the cancellation of the class.
Erica, who seemed delighted by the rare moments of free time, asked with a gentle smile:
"Well, since today is free... where to next, my guide in this ancient college?"
Reiichi smiled, as if he had forgotten all his worries for a moment:
"Let me show you some beautiful places here... There's a backyard behind the library that only a few people know about."
But the moment Reichi turned to walk toward the hallway...
He froze.
His eyes suddenly widened, and his chest stopped breathing for a moment.
There, among the students, dozens of meters away...
A masked man, with a black scarf and dark clothes, stood like a statue of death among the crowd... looking directly at Riichi.
"Him...?" Riichi muttered.
But before he could take a step...
He disappeared.
He vanished like a mirage.
Reichi, his heart racing with fear, ran as if chasing an elusive shadow, with Erica's cry following him:
"Reichi! Where are you going?!"
He ran and ran, his eyes filled with terror, and Oura's voice ringing in his ears:
> "Reichi... Did you see what I saw?"
"Yes... It's here... Now? Why?!"
Reichi quickly opened the analysis interface on his glasses and whispered:
"Analysis ON. Search for any unfamiliar Mana signatures!"
But at that moment...
The blood ran cold in his veins.
The masked man appeared beside him.
With terrifying calm, he placed his hand on Riichi's shoulder and whispered in his ear:
"I've prepared a lovely surprise for you... and it smells delicious."
Ryuichi trembled, his eyes wide. But before he could respond, the masked man disappeared again.
"What... does he mean?!" Ryuichi muttered, panic rising in his chest.
At that moment, Ora screamed in a trembling robotic voice:
"Reichi, get away from here immediately, that's not Mana's signature... It's—"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A deafening explosion shook the college.
The cafeteria wall shattered like fragile glass, and flames and thick smoke rose.
Reichi was thrown into the air, his body tossed about by the explosion, his glasses shattered into pieces.
Before he hit the hard ground, a hand reached out and grabbed him. It was Erica, who jumped toward him before he fell completely and pulled him back at the last moment, but even she was hurt by the heat of the explosion.
Everyone was screaming. Smoke covered the sky.
Reiichi lay on the ground, his eyes staring at the charred rubble...
"The... cafeteria... There were students... They were... eating breakfast..."
He looked at his trembling hand, then at the fragments of his glasses.
"Aura... ? Auraaaaaa?!!"
No sound.
No response.
Only a deadly silence broken by an annoying ringing in his ear.
At that moment... a strange black light began to seep from his hand toward his arm...
Black lightning, faint at first, then expanding.
His body trembled. His breathing quickened. His heart beat like a war drum.
He whispered it... with trembling lips and a sinking heart:
"Impossible..."
Then...
His eyes lit up.