š Scene 1 ā Three Years Later
Time passed like falling petals.
Three full years since Shinonome Vastaliya first arrived at the Montelo estate.
William was now eight.
Taller. Stronger. Quieter.
His sword moved like breathāfluid, focused. Yet behind every perfect motion lingered something deeper. Something hidden.
Alicia, too, had changed. Her eyes, once playful, now held clarity and calm. Her wind magic no longer scattered leaves. It split stone.
But between her and Williamā¦ something had also changed.
Distance. Respectful. Quiet. Yet present.
They trained together. Fought side by side. Ate at the same table.
But something between them had yet to be said.
> "Will," Alicia had once whispered under the moonlight. "You never look at me the same anymore."
He hadn't replied.
Because he didn't know how.
---
šļø Scene 2 ā A Noble's Garden
The late summer wind drifted through the wide gardens.
Gin Montelo lounged under a tree, straw in his mouth, watching maids walk by like a man studying constellations.
Iris passed by with a stack of books. "Pervert."
Gin raised a lazy hand. "Strategist."
Then, without warningā
A gust of air shot from the top of the tree.
A blade swung down at Gin's face.
He rolled sideways, grabbed a stick nearby, blocked the second strike with ease.
William landed in front of him. Eyes sharp. Breath steady.
Gin smirked.
"Not bad, little cousin. But you telegraph your footwork."
They exchanged three strikes. Four. Five. Fast.
Then Gin stopped and tossed his stick aside.
"You're good. But don't forgetā"
He raised two fingers. A flash of gold light formed around them like a ring.
> "āI'm not just comic relief."
And in a blink, he vanished.
Iris appeared beside William, arms folded.
"Don't let him fool you. He's one of the strongest among the minor noble heirs. Just acts dumb."
William wiped sweat from his brow. "Then I'll stop underestimating him."
---
āļø Scene 3 ā The Announcement
Later that evening, Shinonome stood before them in the estate's inner dojo.
Her voice echoed in the wooden chamber.
"Your training has reached its final phase. One last trial remains."
William and Alicia stood side by side, their postures steady but hearts racing.
"Three years ago, I promised you strength. Now I test whether you've earned it."
She drew a blade. Not her soul weaponābut a real one.
"I will summon a trial beast in a controlled field tomorrow. You'll face itātogether. With wooden blades infused with your mana."
Alicia asked, "And if we fail?"
Shinonome smiled faintly.
"You won't."
---
š Scene 4 ā Night Before the Storm
William sat under the training tree, sword resting against his shoulder.
The moonlight painted silver across the ground.
> "You're close."
The whisper returned. Faint. Gentle.
> "Soonā¦ you'll find me."
He looked at the blade. Nothing glowed. Nothing stirred.
Alicia approached, hesitated, then sat beside him.
She didn't speak.
But after a long silence, she finally said:
"If I get hurt tomorrow, will you protect me?"
William glanced at her. "Of course."
Her voice cracked a little.
"And not just because it's your dutyā¦ right?"
He looked forward. Eyes soft.
"ā¦No. Not just duty."
She smiled quietly. "Then I'll fight my best, too."
Behind a nearby window, Iris watched from the shadows. Her fingers held the Anima Blade scroll tighter.
> "Don't break, little brother."
> "Because if you doā¦ I'll fight whatever's inside you myself."
---
š Chapter End Quote:
"Before fire tests the soul, silence sharpens the blade."