"I can't help but puke on my faults. I know I am no perfect girl, but I should at least try not to fumble on things that'll be caught by others..." Claire's familiar feminine voice echoed in her head, sending shivers down her spine as she recalled previous events that terrified her, especially upon seeing him.
Claire remembered it vividly, as if it had just happened yesterday. It was September 2nd, 958 S.E., strolling along the pavement of Luminucia, the bustling city just hours away from the Celestial Sword Academy, where she had recently passed their entrance exam along with Rose. To celebrate, she and Rose had devised a plan to enjoy the remaining days before entering the academy. It marked nine days before their anticipated journey to the academy—a day like any other, yet a lingering sense of foreboding gnawed at the edges of her consciousness.
She hummed softly as she strolled along the breezy sidewalk, her long blonde hair fluttering in the early autumn air. Though her voice was barely audible amidst the crowd of pedestrians passing by, she didn't mind. Carrying her black kitten, Maomao, in her arms, she passed buildings of various shapes and sizes, all while wearing a brown cloak and a hood over her head, a detail that shielded her shyness but went largely unmentioned.
"Hmm... Hmm... Can you believe it, Maomao? I still can't believe I actually passed the academy's entrance exam!" Claire said to Maomao, who meowed softly in response, snuggling closer to her. The kitten, named after the soft sound she often made, was as elegant as the Celestials, which had yet to be proven real or not. Claire continued to hum, her mood light and carefree. "It's truly unbelievable, capisce?"
As she walked, she couldn't help but notice the diverse crowd bustling around her—elves, humans, dwarves, and more. Above, dragons and gryphons soared, their presence attracting attention to the pedestrians below as they glided through the sky. Despite her hair occasionally obstructing her view, Claire couldn't help but continue strolling around the city, searching for the meeting place she and Rose had planned. She wore casual clothes: an oversized sky blue shirt, baggy beige pants, and brown shoes.
"I wonder where Rose meant to meet... She did say it was somewhere on this street, but knowing her, her being her after all, she might've gotten lost herself..." Claire thought as she scanned the city before spotting a nearby street bench.
She sat on the bench, intending to wait for Rose, hoping she might stumble across her. Meanwhile, Maomao meowed gently, her black fur gleaming in the sunlight as she curled up on Claire's lap. Claire brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes, the breezy wind continually pushing it, clearing her vision to take in the sights around them. The bustling diversity of the city and the simplicity of the day filled her with a warmth that surrounded her on that seemingly ordinary, yet somehow extraordinary, day.
Suddenly, Claire found herself drawn across the road, her attention captured by a group of people—a mix of elves and humans—displaying their magical prowess. With boastful expressions and enthusiastic gestures, they conjured flames from their palms, each trying to outdo the other while yelling battle cries. Claire couldn't help but notice the underlying tension between humans and elves, a longstanding rivalry that often simmered beneath the surface. Despite finding their displays unnecessary, especially for such rudimentary spells, she couldn't deny a twinge of interest that stirred within her, or perhaps it was just annoyance, as they stood right in front of her and Maomao.
"You know, I can't help but feel as if they're imitating that one show with those ridiculously large abs and all those corny lines and whatnot..." Claire remarked to Maomao, observing the same spectacle she was forced to watch. The kitten, however, maintained her composure, her elegant demeanor contrasting with the chaotic scene before them.
Just then, Claire observed with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as an officer reprimanded the group for their reckless behavior. The stark contrast between their initial excitement and the subsequent scolding emphasized the disparity regarding the magic they wielded. Suppressing a chuckle, Claire discreetly covered her mouth with the side of her fist, hiding her amusement beneath the guise of a cough. The potential danger of shooting fire in a public setting, especially on a crowded sidewalk, wasn't lost on her. As she watched the group's expressions morph from pride to remorse, bowing their heads and apologizing to the officer, Claire couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself, finding humor in the situation from her side of the sidewalk.
"Geez, serves them right," Claire mused before giggling softly. Slowly, she turned her gaze away from the scene, showing little concern for the repercussions of their irresponsible actions.
Distracted, Claire accidentally loosened her grip on Maomao, and to her shock, the kitten leaped from her arms, gracefully darting through the crowded sidewalk. Panicked, Claire immediately stood up, running as she cried out for her to come back, pushing through the throng of people despite receiving distasteful looks from some passersby.
"Um, hey! Come on! Maomao! Come back!" Claire called out, her voice tinged with urgency. The agile kitten effortlessly weaved through the tight spaces of the crowded sidewalk, her movements as smooth as water. Finally catching sight of Maomao, Claire felt a wave of relief wash over her. The black kitten sat obediently near the crosswalk, seemingly waiting for the green light to cross the road.
As Claire pushed through the crowd to reach Maomao, she flashed a smile at her beloved black kitten, who seemed to think this was all just a game, meowing softly in response. The green light above flashed, signaling it was safe to cross. Without hesitation, Maomao leaped forward with elegant grace, darting through the crosswalk, giving Claire a brief moment of relief.
However, as Claire's relieved smile softened her pursuit of Maomao, she suddenly heard the sound of a vehicle behind her, its maneuvers reckless and fast. She turned her head just in time to see the approaching danger, her eyes widening in fear for Maomao. With a desperate yell, Claire chased after the kitten, determined to keep her safe.
"Maomao! Wait! Get out of there!" Claire's voice cracked with desperation, tears welling in her eyes as the oblivious kitten continued across the crosswalk, momentarily stopping at the sight of a small bug in the road, directly in the path of the fast-moving vehicle, which seemed to be charging forward with the determination of a heist in progress.
While most only witness such scenes in movies or shows, for Claire, it was all too real. People on both sides of the sidewalk watched in shock, but Claire's focus was solely on reaching Maomao. She rushed toward her, oblivious to the approaching danger.
"Maomao!" Claire's voice rang out, her own safety forgotten in her desperation to protect her furry companion.
Then, Claire saw it: a bright flash of light from a sleek black car, distinguished by the small statue-like ornament atop its front and its freshly coated black paint. But none of that mattered as Claire leaped as far as she could, reaching out her hand toward Maomao. As she saw Maomao stop in front of the car, finally realizing the gravity of the situation, Claire hugged her tight, gripping her with both arms, attempting to shield her from the oncoming car. She pressed her chest against Maomao, closing her eyes tightly, hoping it was all just a bad dream, and if not, at least praying that Maomao would be safe from the speeding car.
"Darn it... I can't lose her, not again," Claire's thoughts raced as she surrendered her own well-being and Maomao's fate to faith.
As everything turned black, Claire's mind plunged into a pitch-black void, a dense, swirling mass of dark, inky blackness. Within this abyss, she recalled vague memories of a woman standing before her, cradling her in her arms. Claire gazed into the darkness that shrouded the woman's eyes, yet her smile remained a beacon of comfort as she sang a familiar melody. The sound of her voice wrapped around Claire like a protective blanket, soothing her troubled thoughts.
Despite her efforts to stay awake, exhaustion overwhelmed Claire, and her eyes surrendered to the weight of sleep. They fluttered closed, plunging her further into the depths of unconsciousness.
"No..." Claire's voice was barely a whisper, tinged with longing and a hint of sadness.
Suddenly, the darkness deepened once more. The faint strains of the woman's singing faded into the void, leaving only the blackness behind. It resembled layers of black static, akin to the interference on an old television screen, or the graininess of aged paper. Within this abyss, Claire was adrift, enveloped by the impenetrable darkness of her subconscious.
As Claire expected death, she was instead jolted by the sensation of being rolled across the crosswalk, still tightly clutching Maomao. Despite feeling the slight ruggedness of the road, she was astonished to find herself alive. Opening her eyes as the rolling stopped, Claire couldn't believe what she saw: she and Maomao had narrowly survived being struck by the black vehicle, which now lay crashed against a nearby pole, smoking and horribly damaged.
Maomao meowed loudly at what appeared to be a person slowly standing up nearby, holding a gray and silver one-handed blade. Claire sensed resilience in this individual, who didn't even flinch as they walked forward towards the wrecked vehicle. Still in shock, Claire sat at a safe distance as the mysterious person, their back turned to her, approached without hesitation and despite the act of saving her, the person's focus was solely on the vehicle and its passengers.
The person had slightly long but neat black hair, and from behind, Claire couldn't determine their gender. Then, the door of the crashed vehicle swung open, revealing four figures cloaked in black and gray, with one man standing out, his gray, disheveled hair and black coat with gray sleeves catching Claire's attention. He held a cane and revolver, exuding an air of authority as the group's apparent leader.
"You again? Haven't your interference with our plans already bored you?" The gray-haired man spoke with tremendous pride, while the black-haired mysterious person stood motionless, unwavering. As the man cocked his revolver, he declared, "Well, today's the day I'd say, death will come your way by my own hands, or should I say the bullets from my gun..."
"Hey, watch out!" Claire yelled in fear for the person who had saved her and Maomao, her eyes widening in horror. She attempted to reach out to help, but before she could, the figure effortlessly used his blade to slice the bullet in half. In that moment, Claire caught a glimpse of the person's face: dark gray eyes devoid of emotion.
As Claire dropped to the ground in shock, the figure approached the cloaked figures and the gray-haired man, blade in hand, no hesitation in his footsteps.
"Claire? Claire!" Rose's voice rang out, each repetition of her name growing louder and more urgent.
A gentle pat on Claire's shoulder snapped her back to reality, her mind reluctantly releasing its grip and shifting away on the memories that had consumed her as she immediately turned her gaze shifting from the passing green mountain outside the airship's large window to Rose's concerned face.
"Claire, what's up? You alright?" Rose's voice was gentle, but there was an undercurrent of worry that tugged at Claire's emotions.
Claire's attempt at a casual response fell flat, the words feeling hollow on her tongue. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" she replied, her voice lacking its usual conviction.
Rose's concern only seemed to deepen at Claire's feeble attempt to brush off her worries. "Are you sure? You've been staring out that window for like 20 minutes after I called your name multiple times," Rose pointed out, her brow furrowing with genuine concern.
Claire offered a weak smile, her facade beginning to crumble under Rose's unwavering scrutiny. "I guess I must've zoned out for a bit, capisce?" she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
"Well, it is an interesting window, I'll give you that," Rose remarked lightly, attempting to lighten the mood. "But seriously, are you still thinking about that day?"
Claire stopped abruptly, her voice caught in her throat as if her mouth refused to cooperate. Rose glanced over with concern as Claire's hands shook moderately, the weight of her memories bearing down on her. She struggled to suppress the turmoil bubbling beneath the surface, her attempt at a smile feeling hollow as her vision blurred, morphing into a field of black static, reminiscent of rugged paper or an old television screen on the verge of collapse.
Noticing Claire's distress, Rose quickly sought to divert the conversation, her words carrying a touch of levity to ease the tension. "Well, you know... I bet your father is proud that you've been accepted into Celestial Sword Academy. Wow, that is a mouthful..." Rose's attempt at humor was accompanied by a reassuring smile. "I mean, look at that view. Don't you think this would be a great moment for a selfie?"
In a moment of desperation to pull Claire back from the brink, Rose reached for her phone, her actions swift and decisive. She grabbed Claire and snapped a selfie behind the large window of the airship, capturing Claire's stunned expression in contrast to her own radiant smile.
"Ow, what the heck, you could've warned me!" Claire exclaimed, her voice tinged with surprise as she recoiled from Rose's sudden movement.
"And I did, but I guess staring into nothingness was more of a priority!" Rose joked, her playful smirk a welcome distraction from the heaviness that lingered in the air.
Claire stood in stunned realization, a moment of clarity washing over her before erupting into giggles, with Rose soon joining in. Their laughter echoed through the airship's cabin, a welcome release of tension after the emotional rollercoaster they had just experienced.
As they wiped away tears of laughter, Claire and Rose turned their attention back to the large window, joining the other students in marveling at the breathtaking sight before them. Situated just before an impressive cliff's edge, the Celestial Sword Academy sprawled out majestically, commanding attention with its several gray towers and blue roofs of varying sizes.
Amidst the various buildings, the towering structure known as the Tower of Celestials stood proudly at the center, while a large dome in front, named the blade of heavens, served as the venue for duels and training. Surrounding the entire academy were formidable walls, with a grand main doorway as well as smaller entrances on the sides, providing access to the bustling grounds within.
At the top edge of the cliffside, several large, circular aerial docking bays awaited, ready to accommodate airships and other aerial vehicles. Below, a docking bay nestled beneath the cliff's edge catered to ships and boats, completing the academy's accessibility from both land and air.
From a distance, the Celestial Sword Academy resembled a grand fortress or a castle, its imposing presence evoking a sense of awe and excitement in all who beheld it.
Claire and Rose stood in awe inside the airship, their eyes fixed on the breathtaking view outside the windows. As they pressed their palms against the glass, marveling at the sight, their reverie was interrupted by the presence of an orange-haired male student.
"Oww, I think I'm gonna puke..." he groaned, his words tinged with discomfort as he searched for a place to relieve his airsickness. Dizzy and pale, the student staggered around the airship, his vision swimming with nausea.
Claire and Rose exchanged amused glances before erupting into giggles, watching as the unfortunate student was forced to endure his ordeal in front of the other passengers. With a mixture of sympathy and amusement, they couldn't help but laugh at the spectacle unfolding before them.
As the male student collapsed to the ground, overcome by airsickness and the aftermath of his vomit, Rose hurried to his side. "Hey, you good? Looks like you puked your insides out..." she joked, her concern masked by a playful tone as she knelt beside him. Turning to the other passengers, she called out for assistance, urging them to summon personnel to help the ailing student.
Meanwhile, Claire took out her journal, eager and excited to document her experiences on the airship and her anticipation before arriving at Celestial Sword Academy. As she retrieved her pen, which was tucked inside the diary, she carefully wrote in her flower-filled journal, all the while narrating her thoughts silently in her head.
"Mom, hi again. It's September 11, 958 S.E., about six in the morning, I think. Still excited, yet I must have patience. After all, it's been years of waiting for this chance to be a student, and now I finally have it. I'll just call it The Academy, because Celestial Sword Academy is a mouthful, like Rose said. Oh, wait a minute, I just realized that I still wrote the whole name even after talking about how long it is. I should just scribble it out, but hey, no one's gonna read this, so what the hell... But anyway, it's exciting! We're landing soon, a student puked, and Rose and I are excited. That's all for now!"
Claire carefully tucked her pen inside the diary and closed it, a smile gracing her lips as she noticed the airship beginning its descent towards the academy. It was a moment she had eagerly awaited, the anticipation bubbling within her.
Gathering both her and Rose's baggage with her carrying a bow and arrow on her back as well as what seems to be a violin safely tucked on it's case, strapped to her shoulder, Claire made her way towards the opening doorway of the airship alongside the other students. Rose, brimming with excitement, bounded around like an enthusiastic bunny, her energy infectious. As the large gray and red door of the airship slowly opened, revealing a clearer and closer view of the academy, Claire couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
With the door now open, students around them began to exit the airship, each taking their first steps towards the academy in their own way. Some dashed forward eagerly, while others strolled leisurely, taking in the surroundings. Meanwhile, the orange-haired student rushed towards a nearby bush to empty his uneasy stomach.
"Oh gosh... Ugh... Damn it... Finally..." he muttered, his voice filled with relief after his bout of sickness.
Claire and Rose, however, continued on their path, their gazes filled with awe as they took in the magnificent architecture surrounding them. Statues of mythical celestials adorned the grounds, each one holding a different weapon with a sense of grandeur. The perfectly cut hedges and impressive buildings, including classrooms, hallways, and dormitories, surpassed anything they had seen before.
"Well then, I guess we're finally here!" Rose exclaimed with excitement, skipping a few steps forward, taking her baggage Claire before turning to face her, her hands behind her back.
"I suppose we are. But it seems like you're overly exaggerating, though who can blame you?" Claire responded with a rhetorical question, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at Rose.
"Right?! I mean, this could also be a chance for you to make more friends!" Rose stated enthusiastically before turning around, taking a few more steps forward with her arms stretched out on each side.
"W-What do you mean? Wait, I mean I-I already have you. I don't need new friends, capisce?!" Claire nervously responded, her voice slightly stuttering and filled with confusion at Rose's statement.
Claire's fingers twirled a strand of hair nervously as she lowered her gaze, feeling shy and unsure. Rose noticed her sudden silence and turned her head to glance back at Claire, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes as she fully turned her body around.
"Look, I know you don't really like to make new friends... But I'm worried. You're often alone when I'm not around, and I don't like seeing you like this..." Rose spoke with genuine concern, walking closer to Claire.
"I don't know... I-I don't..." Claire stuttered, her voice trailing off before she could finish her sentence.
"Just for me, Claire... Please..." Rose pleaded, cutting her off, her tone filled with sincerity as she reached out to Claire.
Claire stood silent for a few moments, hesitating. She knew deep down that she wasn't naturally inclined to make friends, but she reluctantly nodded in agreement to Rose's plea. A bright smile spread across Rose's face at Claire's acceptance, and she rushed off towards the academy, waving at Claire as she went.
"I'll meet you at the academy! Don't be late!" Rose called out to Claire, pausing briefly before continuing on her way, leaving Claire amidst the passing crowd of students, feeling isolated among the bustling throng.
Alone, she looked around, her gaze darting nervously as she walked forward with the other students. Then, something familiar caught her eye, stirring up a whirlwind of guilt and self-doubt within her. Her thoughts were consumed by a murky darkness, her hands trembling as if the weight of her past actions bore down upon her.
There he was, the black-haired male, striding ahead with a mysterious presence among the rowdy students. Though not concealed, his face remained obscured from Claire's line of sight as she walked from a distance behind him. He never looked around, not giving Claire a chance to catch a glimpse of him. With only the view of his back, Claire could see the sword that saved her, stuck in a scabbard behind him. His steps were devoid of excitement and there was nothing particularly striking about him.
Claire couldn't bring herself to speak. The weight of her guilt threatened to overwhelm her, suffocating her with each step she took. She felt as if a spotlight had been cast upon her among the bustling crowd, exposing her inner turmoil for all to see.
"I just wished I never made that mistake..." Claire whispered to herself, her mind plagued by regret as she blinked back tears, yearning for the black-haired male to fade from her sight, if only to ease the burden of her guilt.