December 19 4005 8:21 AM
Claire and Rose stroll through a bustling and noisy academy hallway, engaged in a pleasant conversation. Their day takes an unfortunate turn when they accidentally collide with three girls, who fixate their gaze on Claire with hostile glares.
Mockingly, one of the girls sneers, "Well, well, if it isn't Miss Nice Girl..."
Joining in the taunting, another girl adds, "She thinks she's so superior to everyone..."
The trio of girls continues their relentless laughter, subjecting Claire to hurtful insults. Claire, seemingly unaffected, looks back at them impassively before Rose takes hold of her and pulls her away. As they walk, Claire's gaze lowers to the ground, weighed down by the hurtful words she had just endured. Sensing her friend's sadness, Rose notices her downcast expression and provides solace.
"Ignore them... They're just jealous of you," Rose reassures Claire, sporting a warm smile.
"But... you heard what they said," Claire responds, her face filled with sadness.
"You're the nicest person I have ever met, Claire," Rose insists, attempting to comfort her.
"But..." Claire starts to say.
"Don't worry about it. Why don't you focus on Light?" Rose teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"What? No!!!" Claire exclaims, flustered. "We're not... no... um... I mean..."
Suddenly, Rose's eyes catch sight of Light walking by, lost in his music with headphones on. She smirks, redirecting her gaze towards Claire, teasing her further.
"Look, he's over there," Rose playfully points out.
Rose's finger points at Light, who initially fails to notice them as he continues walking. Meanwhile, Rose continues her teasing, while Claire looks at her with an embarrassed expression.
"ROSE! HUSH!" Claire screams in a hushed tone.
Claire grabs Rose by the shoulders and shakes her vigorously, catching the attention of Light, who gives them a perplexed look.
"Okay, okay... I'll shut up..." Rose concedes, laughing as she tries to ease the tension.
Claire releases her grip on Rose's shoulder, letting out a sigh of embarrassment. She turns her attention to Light, who still looks at them with a bewildered expression before shrugging it off and resuming his walk.
Rose glances at Light and then back at Claire, her smirk growing even wider.
"Light!!! Your girlfriend is sad!!!" Rose exclaims, teasingly raising her voice.
"HEY!!!" Claire protests, her face turning red with embarrassment.
In her mortification, Claire tightly grabs hold of Rose's hand and begins to walk away, dragging Rose along with her. Light continues on his way, oblivious to their exchange as he remains engrossed in his music, eventually disappearing from their sight. Claire continues to lead Rose, determined to find solace in a nearby room where they can escape the prying eyes and teasing remarks.
December 19 4005 12:12PM
At the Training Grounds of the Academy, Claire demonstrates her archery arts, shooting arrows at the provided shooting range, training logs, and a vast dueling ground. With precision and ease, she grabs another arrow from her quiver and aims it at a target. Focusing intently, she releases the arrow, hitting the center of the target with impeccable accuracy. Satisfied with her performance, Claire starts to make her way out of the training grounds.
However, to her dismay, she encounters the same three girls she recently bumped into at the academy hallway. These girls appear to be older than her by about two years, possibly her seniors, yet their behavior resembles that of childish individuals. Their menacing smiles send a shiver down Claire's spine, making her feel uneasy.
"Oh look, miss-good-at-everything is excelling again..." says one of the girls mockingly, followed by laughter.
The first girl, seemingly the leader or the most intimidating among them, stands out with her long purple hair tied up and an abundance of purple in her attire. She even wears purple lipstick to match her overall color scheme.
"Don't be so quick to judge. Maybe I can even outperform her. You can't label her as good at everything," retorts another girl, trying to downplay Claire's abilities.
The second girl, who is the shortest among them but still taller than Claire, sports orange ponytails and dresses similarly to the first girl.
The third girl falls somewhere in between in terms of intimidation, with short dark green hair and attire that also includes shades of purple, just like the other two girls.
Despite Claire's attempt to ignore the three girls and walk away, they persist in insulting her, laughing mockingly at her expense. Claire feels the urge to defend herself, her hand instinctively reaching for her bow, but she hesitates, realizing that resorting to violence won't solve the situation. Taking a deep breath, she decides to walk away from the confrontation.
However, the three girls wear devilish smiles, giving Claire an uneasy feeling as if they had recently done something wrong. As she tries to leave, they block her path one by one, their terrifying smiles widening.
"Hey, move out of my way," Claire demands, her voice laced with frustration.
Instead of complying, the girls burst into laughter, their devilish smiles growing even bigger.
"No...we can't do that, girl," says one of the girls.
Claire questions their intentions, suspecting that they might be provoking a fight.
"Why would we? Engaging in such debauchery wouldn't befit us noblewomen," responds the apparent leader with a twisted smirk.
As Claire remains suspicious and uneasy, the least intimidating girl among them approaches slowly, pulling something out of her pocket.
"Here...a gift for your efforts," the girl says, slipping something into Claire's pocket and lightly patting it.
"I'm sure it'll bring you great joy...hahaha," she adds before walking away with the other girls.
The three girls exit the training grounds, their diabolical laughter echoing in the air, sending shivers down Claire's spine. She looks at them with a mixture of suspicion and unease. When she reaches into her pocket, she finds something familiar—a hair clip belonging to Rose.
"Rose!!!" Claire exclaims, her voice filled with surprise and concern.
She realizes that the hair clip was a token from her best friend, and she wonders what Rose's involvement might be in this peculiar situation.
Claire's eyes widen in realization as she quickly understands the malicious act the girls had committed against Rose. She dashes out of the training grounds, passing the girls who maintain their devilish smiles as she goes.
"Rose! Rose! Where are you?!" Claire screams frantically as she rushes through the academy, desperately searching for her best friend.
In her haste, Claire accidentally bumps into Liene, causing both of them to fall to the ground from the impact.
"Ow..." Liene groans in pain.
"I'm so sorry, Liene," Claire apologizes, feeling guilty for the collision.
"Yeah, sure..." Liene replies, scratching her head.
Liene extends a helping hand, which Claire gratefully accepts, struggling to contain her anxiety. Liene notices Claire's distressed state and questions her about the reason for her frantic running.
Claire's eyes widen as she momentarily forgets about Rose due to the impact. She quickly recalls what happened and explains the situation to Liene.
"Uh huh, uh huh," Liene responds, trying to grasp the details.
"...so I think they did something to Rose," Claire explains, her voice filled with panic.
"Right, let me help you find her then," Liene offers.
"Thanks, but..." Claire hesitates.
"It's no big deal. After all, we're classmates," Liene reassures Claire with a smile.
"If you say so," Claire reluctantly agrees.
"We need to hurry, though. We've been talking for a while. We need to find your friend," Liene reminds Claire.
Together, they search the entire academy, checking the cafeteria, classrooms, and even the bathrooms. They ask fellow students and teachers for any information, but there is no trace of Rose. Their search leads them to the locker rooms, where they hear faint banging noises coming from inside Rose's locker. In a crowded and noisy environment, the sounds would have gone unnoticed, explaining why no one had found her. However, with the absence of students in the locker rooms at this time of day, the noises are distinctly audible.
"Help!" Rose's voice screams from inside the locker, accompanied by the sound of her banging on the doors.
Claire and Liene quickly open the locker, revealing Rose inside. Her eyes are filled with dried tears, a clear indication that she had been crying throughout the afternoon. She collapses to the ground, her body slightly trembling from exhaustion and hunger due to her confinement.
Claire looks at Rose with a mixture of concern and relief in her eyes. Tears stream down Claire's face as she embraces Rose tightly, unwilling to let go.
"Hehehe... You don't have to worry so much, Claire," Rose says, attempting to lighten the mood despite her weak voice.
The attempt at humor doesn't resonate with Claire, who holds onto Rose even tighter, her grip conveying her deep concern and affection.
A few feet away, Liene watches the emotional reunion with a sense of relief, covering her mouth and even tearing up slightly. Seeing Claire and Rose together, and recalling Light's selfless acts, Liene realizes the importance of friendship and the comfort it brings in times of distress.
"Thank you... for finding me," Rose says gratefully, her voice still weak.
"No problem... We're friends, aren't we?" Claire responds, her voice filled with sincerity.
The two girls remain huddled together near Rose's locker, sharing a bond that grows even stronger. Although Claire and Rose were already close, this experience deepens their connection. Liene, who initially was just an acquaintance, becomes an integral part of their friendship.
Finally, the three girls leave the locker room together, with Claire returning Rose's hair clip to her, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
December 19 4005 8:45 PM
Claire strolls through the academy grounds, her mind still clouded with the recent events and the haunting memories of the three bullies. Their mocking laughter echoes in her ears, sending shivers down her spine. As she walks, a strange sensation washes over her, causing her to halt in her tracks. She scans her surroundings, but unable to pinpoint the source, she shrugs it off when she spots Liene a few feet away.
"Hey there!!!" Claire exclaims, waving enthusiastically.
Liene's face lights up with a small smile as she returns the greeting. "Oh hey, Claire," she responds, her voice laced with warmth.
Claire's gratitude bubbles up, and she expresses her appreciation. "Thanks for... ya know..." she says, her voice trailing off.
Liene chuckles lightly, brushing off the gratitude. "Like I said, Claire, it was no big deal," she replies, laughter in her voice.
As Liene's words sink in, Claire realizes that it's the first time Liene has called her by her name. A genuine smile tugs at her lips, but she quickly dismisses it, not wanting to dwell on small details.
Changing the subject, Liene asks with curiosity, "Anyway, where's Rose?"
"Oh, she's in her room, fixing her hair and face. She spent the whole afternoon locked in a locker, you know how that can mess with a girl," Claire explains, concern evident in her voice.
Liene raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "I don't know, actually," she admits.
"Well, you can check on her if you want," Claire suggests, a warm smile gracing her face.
Liene nods, accepting the invitation. "Sure, why not?" she responds, ready to lend a helping hand.
Liene exudes a sense of tranquility and ease, seldom preoccupied with her outward appearance. She eschews the use of makeup or elaborate hairstyles, preferring a more natural and effortless aesthetic. Her voice carries a gentle tone, though it lacks the soft-spoken quality often associated with Light. Nevertheless, Liene remains unfazed by the stark contrast between her calm demeanor and Claire's cheerful nature, which is accompanied by a lively and high-pitched voice. She embraces the uniqueness of their friendship, finding value in the diversity that their personalities bring to their bond.
Liene keeps her elven heritage a secret from others, and only Light is aware of her true identity. She conceals this aspect of herself due to the fear of facing discrimination and prejudice from people who may perceive her differently. Society's biases often lead them to assume that elves are prone to mistakes, arrogance, or incompetence in warfare or other tasks. Humans, with their perceived strength and superiority, may underestimate or belittle those who are different from them. Hence, Liene chooses to keep her true nature hidden even to Claire and Rose, safeguarding herself from potential judgment and mistreatment.
They continue walking back to the dorms room together, with smiles on both Claire and Liene's faces, enjoying their camaraderie. However, their joy is abruptly interrupted as they are confronted by the three bullies, who wear sinister smiles. Claire's expression transforms into a piercing glare, a display of anger that even catches Liene off guard.
"Well, well, if it isn't miss crybaby again..." taunts one of the bullies.
"Oh, it's you lot again... Haven't you had your fill of bullying for today?" Claire retorts, her voice seething with anger.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Liene leans closer to Claire and asks in a hushed voice, "Who are these people?"
"They're the ones who locked Rose in her locker," Claire answers, her anger palpable.
Liene's eyes widen with realization, and she mutters, "Oh..."
"So, you think you'll make me cry again?" sneers one of the bullies.
"Oh, I wish it were the other way around," Claire replies, her anger intensifying, surprising Liene even further.
From a distance, Light walks and accidentally spots the encounter and becomes curious. He discreetly hides behind a nearby wall, observing the situation unfold.
"Well, well, aren't you feisty?" one of the bullies remarks.
"Yeah, maybe we should teach her a lesson," adds the least intimidating girl.
Filled with anger, Claire instinctively reaches for her bow and an arrow, ready to confront the bullies. However, Liene intervenes just in time.
"Let it go," Liene urges, concern evident in her voice.
"But... these people..." Claire protests.
Liene gazes at her with sincere eyes, and after a moment of hesitation, Claire relents. She releases her grip on the bow and returns the arrow to her quiver.
Together, Claire and Liene walk past the bullies, but not without Claire delivering a swift elbow to the leader's face.
"Ow... damn you!" the girl exclaims in pain.
Claire responds with a laughter that mimics the mocking tone of the bullies, clearly unbothered by their anger. As they walk away, leaving the bullies behind with infuriated expressions, they pass by Light, who watches with curiosity. He remains silent, his expression still devoid of emotion, before continuing on his way to his own dormitory.
Meanwhile, in the Control Room, a heavy silence hangs in the air until...
8:59... 9:00 PM
A group of menacing, white-clad bandits bursts through the window, shattering the glass and triggering a deafening sound of alarm.
"THIS IS NOT A DRILL, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!!!"
The blaring alarm sets off a wave of panic among the students inside the academy, causing them to scatter in fear.
In the midst of the chaos, the gray-haired man stands out, exuding an aura of authority and rage. He is the same man whom Claire had confronted at the convenience store, the one she had grabbed by the shoulder.
"Damn it..." growls the gray-haired leader.
Taking charge, the gray-haired man orders his bandits to infiltrate the computer systems, intent on hacking into them. Though the codes and buttons on the computers are complex, the bandits seem to be familiar with their work. However, their progress is about to be halted by an unexpected visitor.
Isaac Whiteheart silently enters the control room from a shadowy hallway, wearing a cryptic smile on his face. His arrival goes unnoticed by the bandits, who are too focused on their hacking attempts.
"So, Theseus, what's your plan after you've hacked into our computers?" Isaac calmly inquires.
"Damn it, Isaac..." Theseus seethes with frustration.
Drawing his sword from its scabbard, Theseus points it aggressively at Isaac.
"Oh?" Isaac chuckles in amusement.
Isaac momentarily gazes at the book he is holding before placing it down and tossing it to the ground. He then raises his cane, a tool typically used for support, assuming a battle stance. His expression transforms from calm to determined.
"Show me what you've got," Isaac challenges.
"WHY YOU!!!" Theseus bellows in a fit of rage.
Without hesitation, Theseus charges at Isaac with his sword, letting out a fierce scream. However, Isaac effortlessly blocks the attack with his cane, knocking the sword back with unshaken composure.
Meanwhile, in the dorm rooms, Claire and Liene hear the blaring alarm. Reluctant at first, they gather their courage and make their way through the chaotic crowd of panicking students, determined to reach the control room.
At the same time, Light also becomes aware of the emergency. Unfazed by the situation, he calmly steps outside, clutching his sword tightly. Fear seems foreign to him, and he stands still, ready for whatever may come.
Within the control room, Isaac effortlessly overpowers Theseus, a display of strength expected from the headmaster of the academy and one of the most formidable heroes in the world of Luminora
.
"Damn it!" Theseus yells out in pain, his defeat clear.
However, unbeknownst to Isaac, while he was engaged in combat with Theseus, the bandits successfully completed their hacking mission.
"Sir, we're done hacking into the computers," one of the bandits reports.
"We've got what we came for," another confirms.
"Go!" Theseus commands.
Isaac quickly realizes that Theseus's primary objective wasn't to defeat him, but to buy time. In a swift move, Theseus tosses a smoke bomb, enveloping the room in a dense cloud of white-colored smoke. The cover allows Theseus and the bandits to escape without detection.
"Theseus...!" Isaac exclaims, caught off guard.
By the time Claire and Liene reach the control room, it's too late. The bandits have vanished through the window, leaving behind only the lingering smoke that obscures their vision.
Outside, the bandits land with a thud after leaping through the shattered window. Before they can regain their footing, Light swiftly intercepts them, delivering a powerful kick to the head that renders one of the bandits unconscious upon impact.
"Oh, hey there, Blood Scar. It's been a while," Light remarks with a hint of sarcasm, his voice laced with confidence.
Brandishing his sword, Light raises it high above his head, preparing to unleash a devastating stellar art known as -Whirlwind-. In a swift and calculated motion, he swings his blade with unparalleled precision, swiftly incapacitating five bandits in a whirlwind of unstoppable force.
However, before Light can unleash another one of his arts, one of the bandits cries out a command, echoing with desperation.
"Retreat!" the bandit yells, panic evident in his voice.
"Go! Retreat!" Theseus orders, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and disappointment.
The remaining bandits promptly heed Theseus's call, their survival instincts overriding any further attempts at confrontation. They hastily retreat from the scene, disappearing into the shadows of the night. Light's gaze follows their retreat, his eyes burning with intensity and a smoldering determination.
Seizing the opportunity, the bandits leap over Light, utilizing their agility and nimbleness to their advantage. Despite his relentless pursuit, Light struggles to match their speed as they effortlessly navigate obstacles, leaping over trees and buildings, eventually disappearing from his sight.
"Shit!" Light exclaims in frustration, his voice carrying a mix of anger and disappointment. He clenches his fists tightly, gritting his teeth, the burning fire within him fueled by the sense of defeat.
Just as Light takes a moment to catch his breath and collect himself, Claire and Liene rush out of the academy, their eyes widening at the sight before them. Strewn across the ground lie the unconscious bandits, their defeated forms serving as a testament to Light's formidable prowess.
Amongst the sea of defeated foes, Light stands tall, his gaze fixed upon the building where Theseus and the rest of the bandits escaped. There is a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, an unspoken acknowledgement of his failure to apprehend Theseus and the Blood Scar.