The wind was gentle on the academy grounds, brushing across the training field like a silent witness to the daily chaos. The sky was painted in warm amber tones as the sun began its slow descent behind the walls. Most students had returned to their dormitories, their laughter and footsteps echoing in the distance.
Sayaka stood alone.
Her footsteps had led her near the back of the training arena, where some old equipment was stacked. She had just wanted to look around... maybe breathe. But that simple act of solitude became her mistake.
"Heh. Look who's wandering alone again."
She turned just in time to see three senior students—each draped in their academy uniforms, looking like wolves who'd found their cornered prey.
"Thought you were special just because you passed the trials, huh?"
The tallest one, a guy with silver-dyed hair and a scar under his left eye, stepped closer. "Tch. I bet Elara bribed the principal to let a manaless freak like you in."
Sayaka's hand instinctively went to her waist, touching the handle of her sword.
No... don't react. If I just stay calm, maybe they'll go away.
"Oi, don't give us that glare, princess." The second bully sneered, eyes glinting with amusement. "What do you even carry that sword for, huh? You can't even use it!"
The third one moved to snatch it.
As soon as his fingers brushed the hilt, a sharp shock pulsed from the blade. A burst of force flung him backward, and a sickening crack echoed as his wrist bent unnaturally.
"A-AAARGH!! MY ARM!!"
The other two froze.
"What the hell…?!"
The Dragon's Breath sword remained silent, motionless, and yet emanated a faint red shimmer as if it had been watching everything quietly.
Sayaka gasped, her own eyes wide.
It protected itself… without me doing anything.
"You little freak!" the silver-haired one growled. "Think you're better than us?!" In an instant, his fist slammed into her stomach.
Sayaka crumpled to her knees.
Another kick. Then another. A fist to her cheek.
They didn't hold back. She tried covering herself, curling up like a wounded animal, but it didn't stop them.
"You'll regret ever setting foot in this academy!"
With that, the two remaining boys grabbed their injured friend and ran, swearing under their breath. The echoes of their boots faded into the silence.
Sayaka lay still.
Her whole body throbbed. Her cheek was swollen. Her arm burned with every breath.
She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, trying not to cry—but the tears betrayed her.
They slid down her face silently as she sat there in the dirt, hugging herself.
Why… why did I even come here?
Why did Elara believe in me?
I'm not strong. I'm not even normal. I'm just... nothing.
As her thoughts spiraled, her vision began to blur—not from tears, but from something else. Something… unnatural.
A faint hum echoed in her ears. Then—
[ACTIVATION SEQUENCE DETECTED]
[SYSTEM LINK AVAILABLE]
[DEPLOY TRAUMA RESPONSE INTERFACE?]
YES / NO
Sayaka gasped.
In front of her, suspended in the air like a translucent screen, a purple-hued display hovered, its text glowing softly. The letters shimmered, as if they existed somewhere between reality and illusion.
Her eyes widened. Her breathing stilled.
What... is this?
She reached a trembling finger toward it—but pulled back.
Am I hallucinating? Is this what happens when you're broken?
The display didn't fade.
[YES]
[NO]
Two glowing options. Floating. Waiting.
Her hands shook.
I… I don't understand. But… if this can help me…
Her finger moved again.
Closer…
The pain in her body was still real. The humiliation, the despair—they clung to her skin like oil.
If there's something—anything—that can change this…
She touched YES.
The screen flashed.
Then… nothing.
The glow disappeared in an instant, and silence returned.
Sayaka blinked. Her heart raced.
"What… what did I just do?"
No answer came.
But somewhere deep inside her—past the bruises and pain—something stirred.
A whisper, distant yet powerful.
Something ancient had awoken.
And it had chosen her.