The Quiet Blade, The Loud Heart

The scene shimmers like a half-remembered dream, the edges of everything soft and blurry. A lush field stretches before the eyes, neat hedges framing paths of smooth stone tiles, winding through the greenery. The air smells faintly of freshly mowed grass, the soft hum of distant voices blending with the breeze. A feeling of warmth, like a sun-dappled day, settles over the scene.

The ground is cool beneath bare feet, the world slightly tilted in a way that feels unfamiliar, but still comforting. Tall figures move in and out of the edges of vision—maids, their movements graceful but distant. Their soft chatter floats through the air, blending with the peaceful atmosphere. The scene remains hazy, but as it clears, one figure stands out—an elegant woman with long yellow hair, sitting in a white dress at a round tea table. She sips from a delicate cup, her smile gentle and inviting.

The view shifts, tilting sideways and then downwards, almost tripping over a small doll lying in the grass.

"Claire, watch your step. You wouldn't want to fall down, would you?" the woman says in a soft, teasing voice.

A small figure, shorter and filled with youthful energy, stands nearby, glaring up at the woman, the edges of her vision still fuzzy as her voice, high-pitched and childlike, responds. "Mom, you don't have to baby me all the time..."

The woman chuckles warmly. "Honey, I'd stop if you weren't so clumsy."

The view bounces as the small figure stomps her foot, pouting, her face flushed with grumpy innocence. Her eyes narrow, and she huffs, tilting her head back and forth, the sense of defiance in her little movements building.

The view shifts again, more clear this time, as the small figure—Claire—hurries towards the woman. Her small white dress flows behind her in the wind, her straw hat clutched in one hand as she runs, feet kicking up grass as she moves. Her cheeks puff up in annoyance, arms stretched below her, slightly tiptoeing as she looks up at the woman.

The woman smiles down at her, eyes closing in warmth as her hands reach down, pinching Claire's cheeks and rubbing her palm gently through Claire's yellow hair.

"Ow, Mom, stop, ihhhh..." Claire squeals, her voice a mixture of irritation and affection.

Her mother chuckles, her voice gentle and comforting. "I'm just making sure you're okay, sweetheart. You're my baby, you know?"

And though the warmth lingers, there is something flickering in the air—a shadow, faint and unnoticed, creeping at the edge of the scene. But for now, everything remains untouched, like a fleeting moment in time.

Claire pushed her mom's hands away, stepping back with a pout, her face flushed brighter than before, cheeks still puffed up in playful annoyance. She glared at her mother, arms crossed, eyes narrowing in an adorable display of defiance. Her gaze softened, though, when she looked at her mother's smile, warm and unshakable, like it had always been there.

The memory felt distant, disjointed, as if the edges were beginning to blur. Claire could still see the sweet smile her mother gave her, but the more she tried to focus, the more the clarity of the scene seemed to slip away, leaving only fragments. The memory started to fracture, like a glass window with cracks spreading across its surface, distorting the world she once knew.

Claire's gaze shifted to the corner of the scene, and there—behind a hedge—was Rose. The girl peeked shyly from behind the leaves, her little hands clutching them as if trying to shield herself from view. Her clothes were identical to Claire's and her mother's, but her expression was not one of confidence.

"One day, Mom, I'll be just like you, kicking bad guy butt with a sword!" Claire proudly proclaimed, striking a fierce pose. The words came out loud and confident, and Claire picked up a wooden sword from the nearby toy box, swinging it with wild abandon. She slashed at the air aimlessly, no real form or focus to her strikes, and paused to catch her breath. Her small body felt tired, but she smiled with pride at her actions.

Her eyes caught Rose's gaze again. The shy girl had taken a step forward, hesitant, her small hands gripping the hedge tightly. Claire waved excitedly, signaling her to join her despite Rose's reluctance. Her mother stood by her side, smiling warmly.

Rose slowly moved from behind the hedge, her posture slouched and nervous, her little feet stumbling slightly as she made her way towards Claire. She passed the maids, who were tidying up the scattered toys, their long skirts swishing as they moved. A gust of wind swept across the yard, making Claire's yellow hair and white dress flutter. She held her straw hat tightly, as the wind tugged at it, while Rose almost stumbled, her tiny body not quite ready for the strength of the breeze. Rose caught herself just in time, her balance regained but still unsteady.

Claire's mother approached her, stroking her yellow hair gently, causing Claire to turn in surprise. Her mother smiled softly, the warmth of her touch comforting.

"Claire," she said softly, her words carrying warmth and reassurance, "strength and speed will only get you so far. What truly matters is knowing when to act and when to hold back." She reached out, adjusting Claire's straw hat with a tender touch. "Take a moment, breathe, and trust yourself. Sometimes, waiting is the most important move you can make."

Claire blinked up at her mother, her expression filled with innocence, unable to grasp the full meaning of her words. "What do you mean?" she asked, voice high with curiosity.

"You'll understand soon," her mother replied with a knowing smile, her tone mysterious yet kind.

The scene shifted again, blurring, as Rose finally joined Claire. The two of them stood together, a stark contrast in personalities. Claire chattered enthusiastically, while Rose barely spoke, offering shy glances and faint smiles. Even though their personalities were different, their bond was clear—one built on shared understanding, even without words. Rose's shy smile was enough to show that she felt the same.

Claire's mom, sitting back in her chair, watched them with a twinkle in her yellow eyes. She took another sip of her tea, her expression filled with pride as she looked at the two girls, her thoughts known only to her.

The warmth of the memory was fleeting, however, as it slowly faded back into the present. The scene shifted again, pulling Claire back to the present, where she was sprinting through the dense forest, her bow gripped tightly in her hands. The trees towered around her, the thick bushes and underbrush making her path difficult to navigate. The Akumo, a massive black eagle-like creature, soared above, its shadow casting over her as she sprinted with determination.

She couldn't see Liene or Takumi, but she felt a weight in her chest, the looming danger never far behind. Her heart beat loudly in her chest, and she found herself whispering under her breath, as if speaking to the memory of her mother.

"Mom, I think I understand what you meant now... At least a little bit, I think..." Her voice was sincere, soft, but filled with the same resolve she had felt back in her childhood.

Meanwhile, Isaac sat quietly atop the elevated hill, observing Claire's frantic movements through the forest on his transparent tablet. His fingers idly traced the rim of his tea cup as the screen flickered with images of students scattered throughout the starfield. Some were struggling to face the Akumos, while others dispatched them with ease, whether through flashy attacks or simple tactics. Isaac leaned back, sipping his tea as Ann stood silently behind him, watching the same screen. 

Claire, in the forest below, was struggling. As the Akumo swooped down towards her, Claire's heart raced. She flinched and flipped sideways, her landing awkward and unbalanced, as she crashed into the tree trunk on her left. She quickly launched herself toward another tree, narrowly avoiding the creature's attack. Her breath was shallow and quick.

"Close..." she mumbled to herself, her voice barely audible. 

She was clearly out of her depth, fumbling with each move. In mid-air, Claire awkwardly pulled an arrow from her quiver, quickly notching it and letting it fly at the tree ahead. Her hands shook, the movement slightly off, but it worked—she stepped on the arrow, using it to propel herself higher. She barely had time to recover before the Akumo dove at her again. Desperation filled her eyes as she grabbed another branch, swinging herself upward to narrowly avoid its next strike.

"Okay, come on, focus..." Claire whispered under her breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Her body trembled as she reached for another arrow, but her aim was slightly off—when she released it at the Akumo, the arrow snapped upon hitting its target. Claire's heart sank. The creature circled overhead, its red eyes glinting with malice. 

"Great, just great..." she muttered, glancing nervously at the falling shards of the broken arrow. 

She quickly scanned her surroundings, her panic rising, before noticing Liene. Liene was a picture of grace, leaping from tree to tree, her kyoketsu-shoge swirling in the air. She glanced back at Claire briefly, offering a confident smirk. Claire forced a small, shaky smile in return.

"Right... on..." Claire muttered, barely holding onto her composure. 

Suddenly, her eyes widened as the Akumo dove again. It was coming for her, fast. There was no escape. Her chest tightened as the creature's gaze locked onto her. But then—just as Claire thought she was doomed—she saw her chance.

She pulled out the small mechanical device Takumi had given her, its tip sparking with golden flashes. She held it out, her hand shaking slightly as the device caught the creature's attention. The Akumo immediately zoomed towards her, fixated on the bright sparks.

"Oh no..." Claire's voice faltered as she realized the creature's focus was entirely on her device. 

Her heart raced even faster as she hesitated. Her mind scrambled. She stumbled slightly, tripping as she tried to regain her footing, forcing herself to put on a nervous, shaky smile.

"Oh, um, here goes nothing..." Claire whispered, barely audible, as she turned to run.

The Akumo's screech echoed through the trees, and Claire felt the gusts of wind as its wings sliced through the air, sending leaves and branches flying. The weight of the moment seemed to drag her down, but with a panicked burst of energy, Claire bolted forward.

Then, she smirked and suddenly rolled forward, abandoning the sparkler device on the ground. The device's golden sparks distracted the Akumo, and it dove straight for it, leaving Claire in its wake. 

"Gotcha!" Claire shouted, her voice shaky but triumphant. 

Her legs wobbled beneath her, but for that brief moment, Claire felt a flicker of pride, despite the overwhelming fear in her chest.

Claire sat at a distance, her heart pounding as she rolled away, a confident smirk tugging at her lips. The sparkler had done its job, leaving the area revealed to be tangled with Liene's long string. The aerial Akumo, caught in the web of threads, hovered in confusion. Its wings, feathers, and beak were all ensnared in the intricate trap.

"Do it!" Claire called out, her voice a mixture of determination and anticipation.

From her hidden perch on a nearby tree branch, Liene pulled hard on her blade, the string tightening around the Akumo. The creature struggled, flapping its wings in futile desperation, its red eyes locking with Claire's. Claire smirked, meeting the creature's gaze with an almost teasing confidence.

"Go!" Takumi yelled, stepping forward from behind the creature. He and Claire drew their blades simultaneously. Takumi's scythe transformed with a mechanical whir, while Claire unsheathed her sword with precision.

The two thrust their blades beneath the creature, and Claire's movements were swift, fluid, and practiced. She unleashed her Stellar Skill—Storm—launching a barrage of rapid slashes around the trapped Akumo. The creature screeched in pain as Claire's attack sent whirlwinds of energy swirling around it, its attempt to escape fruitless. Memories of her training with her mother flooded Claire's mind—each movement mirroring the lessons she had learned as a child. The flashes of her past, training in the garden with her mother and Rose, spurred her on. With a graceful leap, Claire delivered a final slash above the Akumo, then retreated, mimicking the precise attack her mother had once demonstrated.

Takumi, not to be outdone, executed his Stellar Skill, "Heaven's Descent." He leapt into the air, spinning his scythe to build momentum before plunging it forcefully through the creature's back. The Akumo screeched louder, flapping its wings in an effort to resist. But Takumi wasn't finished. He produced another device from his belt, affixing it to the creature's back before flipping away and pressing a button mid-air. A fiery explosion erupted from the device, engulfing the Akumo in flames, leaving it seemingly defeated. Takumi landed with a triumphant smirk.

"Show off..." Liene teased from her perch, still effortlessly juggling her blade in one hand. Her other palm rested casually against the tree trunk, a playful smile on her lips.

Takumi just shrugged, his grin never faltering. "Well, that's just me."

But just as they thought the battle was over, the creature emerged from the flames, its dark silhouette cutting through the inferno. Its impenetrable feathers shielded it from the flames, and it flew straight upwards, spreading its black wings wide. The Akumo screeched louder than ever, the sound echoing across the starfield. The force of its cry froze the surrounding battles, students pausing to glance toward the source of the noise. Even Isaac, observing from his device, heard the faint screech, fueling the grin on his face. Ann, behind him, hesitated, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Darn it..." Claire exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.

The creature built up its strength from above, preparing to strike once again. Claire stood frozen in fear, her knees shaking, eyes wide with terror. She wanted to move, to do something, but her body was locked in place. The Akumo hovered above them, its shadowy aura thickening, its piercing red eyes focused on them. 

Takumi quickly assessed the situation, his hand tight on the scythe's handle, sweat beading on his forehead. He didn't have time to hesitate. He needed to act now. 

"Damn it... I can't keep hesitating like this..." Takumi grumbled to himself, his grip tightening. His eyes shot a quick glance toward Claire and Liene before leaping into action. He gathered all his strength, lifting his scythe, which morphed into a large broadsword as he swung upward. 

"Hahhh!!!" Takumi yelled, striking the creature's head with a violent blow. 

Claire's eyes widened, her heart racing in her chest, while Liene flinched. Takumi's attack pushed the creature back, but the recoil sent him crashing to the ground. Claire rushed forward, her voice frantic.

"Takumi! W-wait, are you okay?" Claire stammered, her hands shaking as she tried to help him up.

"Geez, idiot, do us a favor and don't do that again," Liene said softly, her tone uncharacteristically gentle as she looked down at him with concern. 

Takumi's smug grin returned, even as he coughed up blood. "But hey, it worked, didn't it?" he shot back with a snarky laugh.

Claire bit her lip, glancing between the two of them. She felt her face flush with worry, her arms trembling as she looked around. 

Takumi's grin faltered when he noticed the Akumo rising from the flames, its glowing red eye full of fury. The creature's feathers were singed, but it was angrier than ever. 

Liene's teasing smile faded into a look of concern as she followed Takumi's gaze. "Great, just what we needed," she muttered under her breath. 

Claire's voice trembled as she looked up, fear creeping into her chest. "I-I... I don't think we can take it down this time..." she whispered, her words barely audible.

"Run..." Claire managed to say, her voice low and strained, as she felt a chill run down her spine. She took a step back, but the creature's glowing eyes still locked onto them, its ominous screech filling the air.

Liene and Takumi immediately turned to Claire, their eyes widening at the terror painted across her face. The creature above them swooped in, its dark wings blocking the sky, and Claire's realization sent a shock of panic through her.

"We need to run!" Claire screamed, her voice trembling with fear.

Liene didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, she pulled Takumi up by his left arm, supporting him as he struggled to find his footing after the recoil from his attack. He transformed his weapon back into its compact shape and attached it to his belt, still shaking slightly. Claire, on the other side of him, grabbed his right arm, urging him forward with frantic desperation.

"Move, we need to move!" Claire yelled, almost pleading.

Takumi's body felt like dead weight against them, his steps slow and unsteady as the pain from his injuries started to catch up. But Claire and Liene wouldn't leave him behind, despite his quiet protests. Together, they dashed through the forest, the screeching of the Akumo growing louder with every passing second.

"Leave me..." Takumi whispered weakly, his voice cracking with exhaustion.

"No, don't you dare sound all heroic and mighty now, boy," Liene said firmly, her voice gentle but unyielding.

Takumi managed a faint grin, even though his breath was ragged. "Heh, that actually sounds cool though," he mumbled, trying to mask the pain with his usual sarcasm.

Claire shot him a quick, worried glance, but her focus never left their escape route. Isaac watched them from his perch, his eyes glued to the screen, not showing the slightest intention of intervening. Ann, however, had finally had enough of his detachment. Frustrated, she stomped down the hill, deciding to take action on her own.

As they neared a plateau, Claire's heart began to race even faster. They had nowhere to go. The trees were too thick to maneuver, and Takumi's condition was slowing them down. All they could do now was drop to the ground, barely able to catch their breath as the shadow of the Akumo loomed closer.

"Leave me," Takumi muttered, his grip on Liene's arm tightening briefly. "You're faster without me. Go."

Liene exhaled sharply, kneeling beside him. "You think I'd just leave you here, boy? Don't be stupid."

"Stupid's my specialty," he rasped, forcing a faint smirk. "Figured you'd want to save yourself the headache."

"Too late for that," she replied softly, her voice steady despite the worry flickering in her eyes. "I'm already stuck with you."

Claire watched them both, her hands fidgeting at her sides, her breaths uneven as panic bubbled in her chest. This wasn't training. This was real. The Akumo circled above them like a predator, its glowing red eye daring them to try again—to fail again. Her heart pounded in her ears as she looked at Takumi, pale and wounded, and Liene, kneeling beside him with worry etched on her face.

Her hand moved on its own, shaky and uncertain, reaching for an arrow in her quiver. The cool touch of the shaft steadied her breathing, though her fingers trembled as she nocked it to her bowstring.

Liene's gaze snapped to her, her teasing tone softened by concern. "Claire... What are you doing? You're not seriously thinking—"

Claire's throat tightened, but she didn't look at her. She fixed her wide eyes on the Akumo, gripping her bow so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her voice came out small, almost apologetic. "I... I don't know. I just..." She paused, her shoulders hunching slightly as if trying to make herself smaller. Then, with a shaky inhale, she straightened, drawing the bowstring taut. Her voice, suddenly firm, cut through the air: "I just know I have to try."

Claire's breath hitched, but her feet stayed planted. Her trembling fingers drew the bowstring tighter, the faint hum of the Stellar Art stirring to life at her fingertips. She could feel its energy building, like a constellation unfolding in her hands. Her voice, soft and quivering, broke the tense silence, "I... I have to do this, capisce?"

The Akumo's piercing red eyes locked onto her, its massive wings cutting through the air with an ominous whistle. Its descent was rapid, deadly.

"Claire, no!" Takumi rasped, coughing through the pain. "This isn't some hero shit you see in movies! You're not invincible! Do not be stupid!"

His words struck her, but instead of faltering, her grip tightened. The fear gripping her chest was overpowered by a sudden surge of clarity.

"Takumi, shut it," Liene said, her usual teasing tone softer, edged with a hint of worry. She took a cautious step forward, her gaze fixed on Claire, who stood trembling but resolute. "I don't know her much—barely met her—but I can tell, sunshine's still gonna do it. She's timid until she's not. So... let her."

Claire's focus was fixed on the looming creature, the trembling arrow in her hand the only thing that felt real. Just as she was about to release it, a gust of wind swept through, and a shadow descended from above.

Kazuki.

Her breath caught in her throat as she froze, her arrow slipping from her fingers. She blinked, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The world seemed to pause around her. Takumi and Liene shared the same stunned silence, but Kazuki remained unfazed. His eyes locked on the Akumo, unwavering.

Without a single word, Kazuki began to build up energy, his movements deliberate and calculated. He didn't rush. He simply observed. Then, in an instant, his form blurred, a streak of motion too fast for Claire to follow. His sword cut through the air with perfect precision, slashing through the Akumo's defenses with ease.

Kazuki was a storm, the calm before a flash of devastation. His strikes were seamless, almost effortless—each one a pinpoint of calculated destruction. Slash after slash, his sword moved like a celestial being weaving through constellations, no hesitation, no emotion.

The Akumo screeched in pain, but Kazuki's movements remained controlled, fluid. He leaped into the air, his blade finding its mark one final time. The creature crumpled, unable to keep fighting.

As Kazuki landed, the silence was deafening. His sword slid back into its scabbard with a quiet, practiced motion. There was no fanfare, no reaction from him—just the stillness of his presence. 

The Akumo, once ferocious and untouchable, lay in ruins, its body crumpled on the ground. The silence that followed felt suffocating. Claire, Takumi, and Liene stared at Kazuki, wide-eyed, their minds struggling to process what had just unfolded. What had seemed like an overwhelming threat had been vanquished in the blink of an eye.

Takumi winced as he shifted, letting out a faint, strained chuckle. "Yeah... definitely saw that coming," he muttered under his breath, his usual sarcasm lacking its usual bite, worn down by pain.

Liene gave him a sideways glance, her lips curling into a teasing smile, though her eyes softened with concern. "Right, you're the one always talking about saving the day, boy. Guess the real hero's got to pick up your slack," she said lightly, though there was a hint of worry in her tone.

Takumi shot her a glare, though his attempt at a comeback faltered under the pain. "Yeah, yeah, I'll save the next one. Don't worry about me."

Claire's legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. The weight of the situation crashed down on her all at once. Kazuki, the silent and seemingly emotionless figure, had just done what they couldn't. He had made the impossible look so easy. She stared at him, wide-eyed, as if trying to comprehend the vastness of the gap between them.

Her hands trembled as she clutched at the ground, her voice barely a whisper. She couldn't even find the words. Her heart raced, and her chest felt tight. It wasn't just disbelief—it was the stark realization that this was only the beginning. She could barely process what had just happened, let alone what was to come.

At that same time, in a different section of the Starfield, a flash of pink pierced through the dark green leaves as a hand pushed through the dense foliage.

"Trees, trees... Ow!" Rose exclaimed, pushing away the branch that had smacked her directly in the face. 

Despite the tall trees, a smaller evergreen tree had managed to hit her. She sighed in disappointment, whether from getting hit by the branch or from having to press forward without a teammate to back her up.

"Geez, now I regret wishing for a handsome roommate... I want to room with Claire!" her thoughts echoed loudly in her head.

With no other choice, she pressed forward. As her footsteps rustled the leaves beneath her, she suddenly stopped, her movements frozen. She heard a distant explosion followed by maniacal laughter.

"What was that?" Rose muttered to herself.

Slowly, she walked toward the sound, feeling a bad premonition about the situation. With each step, she pushed through dense taiga bushes that obstructed her view and path. A blend of concern and curiosity propelled her forward. She briefly thought of Claire but immediately shook her head, focusing on the task at hand. As she closed in on the disturbance, the maniacal laughter intensified, sending shivers down her spine and making her heart pound.

Soon, she crouched, sensing she was near the source of the maniacal laughter. Slowly, she caught a glimpse of a figure in front of her. Although she couldn't see clearly who it was or any distinguishable characteristics, she saw a shadowy outline. She carefully hid behind some bushes, trying not to make a sound. She got a closer look: it was a student, his head covered by a hood customized for the academy uniform, facing away from her. He callously unleashed beams of magic upon unconscious and wounded classmates piled around him. Rose could identify the figure as male due to his maniacal laugh.

"What the heck..." Rose muttered to herself, clearly confused and shocked by the situation.

She glanced above her and saw no drones. Then she noticed several crashed and broken drones in the trees, seemingly destroyed by this male student. She recalled Miss Ann prohibiting fatal magic due to its devastating effects. Rose contemplated intervening, but the pile of bodies surrounding the deranged student left her paralyzed, realizing that confronting him directly might prove futile.

"I have to stop him..." Rose muttered to herself, conflicted.

Hidden behind the bush, Rose cautiously took a few steps back. An inadvertent snap of a twig beneath her foot caught the attention of the deranged student mage, making him momentarily stop his maniacal laugh and his continuous firing of spells.

"Well, no point in being indecisive now..." Rose mumbled to herself.

Sensing her vulnerability, Rose leaped from her concealment. In an attempt to stop the deranged student, she unleashed a relentless barrage of water magic. To her dismay, the spells had no effect on him, leaving him unaffected and his head not even turning toward her.

Undeterred, the deranged student retaliated by pointing his arms toward her. Without a second thought, he unleashed a large beam of blinding light, sending her flying toward a tree. She reeled in excruciating pain, helpless and writhing in agony, struggling to stand up.

"Hah!" Rose screamed, pain coursing through her.

In a final, devastating blow, the male assailant unleashed a massive ball of light toward the defenseless Rose. The impact was brutal, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious, as the maniacal laughter gradually faded. The ominous figure walked away, leaving behind a pile of bodies. As Rose lay there, she could only watch helplessly as the mysterious assailant's hand twisted with a dark aura surrounding it, casting another spell. Her vision blurred and darkened, she slowly fainted.

As Ann navigated forward, worried for the safety of her students—both Claire, Takumi, and Liene, as well as, unknowingly to her, Rose, lying unconscious on the ground—she had no idea of the immediate peril.