Fleeting Dream (1)

Yasuna POV

From what I can remember...

Yasuna was hurt...

And I'm the reason.

That's all that stays in my mind... And, I felt blood... Yukime appeared, and she told me to sleep.

...

I slowly opened my eyes, revealing the endless void.

Clouds, surround me. The sky was clear.

I slowly stood up.

My body was... Not in pain.

It isn't hard to breathe, and it isn't hard to open my eyes.

I... Am fine...

Am I... Inside Yasuna's dreamscape?

So this is... The feeling, of being inside a dream.

It's peaceful and quiet. I could stay here forever.

What happened exactly... Before those things?

Right... I haven't been to school for many days now...

And out of nowhere...

Them...

I could remember their black-cloaked appearance, however, I can't remember what happened after.

All I could remember is, seeing the council room, and... Stella unconscious on the ground.

I wanted to help, however, my body moved on its own, and that's where things happened.

...

What has fallen to Seiei Academy?

Last year, this happened, and I was one of the people who fended off those pests, thus granting me the council title.

...

They kept... Calling out to me... Yukime, especially. She calls me, every day and night.

They need me...

But, I can't help now.

I'm forever trapped within this realm.

Yasuna is such an extraordinary magician. To think that she is able to confine people in this realm of hers.

How fascinating.

I wonder, what I'll do here to pass the time.

Perhaps think about my life? Oh, I could train my phoenix here.

I'll summon it now,

Oh,

Magic is nullified here.

This truly is a fascinating plane.

Though I hope, this is just a fleeting dream.

...

The police immediately treated Yasuna through high-quality magic healing techniques.

On the other hand, Suzune, who suffered an alteration in magic energy, and was much worse wounded, was sent to the hospital.

The council was questioned about what had happened.

And outside the building,

"I see, that will be all." The police officer closed his notes and placed them back in his pockets. "Too many cases of these incidents have been happening simultaneously within the area, so it is really hard to distribute the number of officers around. Moreover, these happen spontaneously, so It's hard even for the National Security to mitigate."

"These incidents occurring are really escalating," Yukime replied.

"Yes. We'll monitor things in the meantime. Thank you."

The police officer left.

Yukime let out a sigh of relief, as she turned around, and saw her fellow council members, looking worried.

"How's Yasuna?" She asked,

"Yasuna-Senpai is stable." Kyouko replied, "Though, both she and Stella-Senpai haven't woken up yet."

"I see. How are the affected areas? The students? Are they okay?" Yukime's voice is filled with worry.

"They're fine. All of them have been healed. Most of them fought against the enemies, and they held out quite well." Ryujin replied, his voice unusually serious.

"We'll have a formal announcement about this incident. Stay on guard, and for now, go to every area, and check again for casualties, especially the first-year area."

They all affirmed, and the council dispersed.

...

The first-year, especially class-A students, were staying outside, with police surrounding them.

Ryo sat on the ground, away from others, with his eyes closed, trying to take a nap. He had already answered the police questions and was now resting against a wall.

Not until, someone sat behind her, Reina.

"Tired so much?" She asked as she sat beside Ryo.

"Yeah, don't bother." He shrugged away, before putting some distance between them.

"What do you think is the root cause of these incidents?" Reina asked.

"..."

"Could it be, some maniac, rumbling around, interested in conquering the world?"

"..."

"You're not fun, " she uttered disappointedly before deciding to leave him alone and standing up.

She walked towards the first-year building. However, on her way there, she was stopped by a police officer.

"Stop right there, where are you going?" The police asked,

"I-I'm going to the bathroom," she replied, her voice a little scared, a clear contrast to her usual voice.

"Alright."

She immediately entered, like a timid, little girl. Then once inside, and out of their sight, she returned to her usual self.

The building was empty and silent.

She walked through the eerie silence, with a sinister, yet calm smile on her face.

She didn't plan to go to the bathroom, she planned something else.

She walked through the long, windowed hallways, oblivious that someone was on her tail all along.

That was until,

"What are you doing here?"

A voice spoke, from behind her—a deep, sharp, male voice.

Reina's eyes widened. She stopped in her tracks, and slowly turned around, and to her surprise.

"It's you, again." She uttered in disdain.

"You don't like seeing me, do you?" Behind Reina, was Silas, leaning against the window, the shining moonlight vividly illuminating him.

"I hate you, you know that," Reina uttered.

"Are you a prophet of these incidents?" Silas said, moving forward and facing Reina, his eyes staring intently at her.

"You fool, you know I am against this very incident. My life... Or rather, our lives, was destroyed by this." Reina replied fiercely,

"Is that so? I was worried that you've gone soft. The dreaming incident seems to be much more rampant and much worse than before. What do you plan to do?"

"Do you plan to resolve this issue, Silas?" Reina replied, dodging and returning the question.

"That's the reason I am here. That's the reason for my enrollment here. What about you? What's with the interest in Kyosuke Ryo?"

"We have no business with each other." Reina shrugged,

"Is it because Ryo, is "one" of us?"

"He is not."

"I see."

Planning to end the conversation, Reina was about to leave when suddenly, Silas spoke again.

"Your plan to take control will not work, Reina. While I support your desire to find the perpetrators of these incidents, your natural greed for power will eat you alive along the way."

She stopped in her tracks again and looked at Silas with disdainful eyes. "You talk as if you know me,"

"I know you, Aoki Reina. We are from the same place." Silas glares at her sharply. "I know, about your ability,"

Reina sighed, and turned to the side, looking out to the window. Then, her voice turned confident, and taunting,

"Then what?" She smiled, "I still can kill you if I want to."

"Oh?" Unsurprised and serious, Silas replied. "I'd like to see you try."

Tension surfaces between them, as their aura slipped.

"But, that time will come. For now, you should watch yourself out. "He" might be watching." Silas continued,

"I know,". Reina shrugged off, before walking out.

"I won't let you eat yourself with greed," Silas whispered as he looked outside, specifically at Kyosuke Ryo, the boy lying on the grass, sleeping.

...

After the investigation and all of them were cleared, the students were allowed to go back to their dormitory. The police decided to stay over the school grounds for a period of time to monitor the events that would happen.

As such, it was announced that the school will have stricter rules as of today.

Curfews, monitorings, not all was in favor. However, it must be done.

...

...

...

Ryo POV,

The whole school grounds are barricaded with officers around.

I quickly threw myself in bed, exhausted at what just happened.

I looked at the ceiling.

Those enemies are at least as strong as Kyouko. I've only seen a portion of her power, but not at all what she can do.

And those possessed guards, are so much stronger than her. Way, stronger.

Magic will be the medium for transgressions.

This is only the beginning, and yet, things like these are already happening. I can't be weak.

One of the students was able to sweep and stand his ground against at least five of those things.

Not to mention, other students, like Agatha, have no sweat taking down one.

I thought it was enough that I passed that test, and the standard wouldn't be much higher.

That was wrong. I need to further improve myself to keep up, with class A.

I extended my hand upward and summoned my sword. I slowly unsheathed it and threw the casing on the ground. I stare at the sharp, blade, my reflection gazing back at me. 

I wonder what peaks I could reach.

How far could I take my strength? 

And, what are my limits? 

Everything I know relies on what my Father taught me years ago. Techniques, and such, all be it.

Honestly, I'm facing a wall, on what I should do. Improve, yes, but how? 

I could train my physical body, and increase my stamina, and my speed. But, what about my magic aptitude? 

I need something, to take notes from.

As I was pondering, staring at my blade, I noticed something. 

I haven't been analyzing my blade, but on the bottom of the blade, was a Japanese mark that was worn off, and almost gone. 

I squinted my eyes and pulled my sword closer. 

The almost-gone mark read "Flame".

Was this mark embedded here all along? 

I didn't notice it... 

But... looking at it closely, it is... familiar. 

Suddenly, like a gushing wave, a memory suddenly flashed in my mind...

There... was him, father.

...

"Keep your stance focused!! "

My father's voice yelled out, as he smacked me on the head.

"The enemy won't give you time to breathe. You'll need to pick yourself up." 

He once again, gave me a heavy sword, that my small, physique couldn't even lift up. However, I mustered my strength, groaning in my cute, small voice, as I pushed hard to lift the sword up. And just like what my father taught, I entered the stance.

The assignment was to hold it in for at least 1 minute and to at least use fire magic a single time. For someone my age, it's harder said than done.

My Father was a strict, yet gentle person. As he said, he wants to build strong children, that could defend themselves. 

I was told, that fusing magic with a weapon and having both physical and magical prowess would be much more useful than just focusing on a single skill.

With all my strength, and with continuous perseverance, I managed to do it. But when it came to the part where I was supposed to use my aptitude, I failed.

And again, I failed,

Again, and again.

Frustrated, I threw the sword on the ground. The sword, that I was using was... the sword, with the same sword.

...

Does that mean, that this is Dad's sword? 

I began getting the feeling of nervousness and shock, as unconsciously, tears slid down my cheeks.

Why am I... crying?

I hurriedly wiped my tears and looked at the sword once again.

I thought... this was just a simple hand-made sword my mother bought for me. But, it was something more.

Just the thought makes my eyes teary once again.

I calmed myself down, taking deep breaths. 

I guess, I can't fail now, not with Dad's sword.

I need to train.

...

A smile, unconsciously curled into Ryo's lips, as he remembered a memory from the past. His resolve was much sharper than before, he stood up, in his mind to train.

However, as he was about to pick up his jacket, he suddenly remembered that the school grounds were on the ground with numerous police officers.

This time is probably not the best time. 

He quickly threw his jacket away again and laid back on the bed.

Clueless about what to do in the meantime, he looks around the room. And one point, he saw a book lying on his computer table. 

A book, specifically about improving the magic of fire.

He quickly stood up, and grabbed the book, before sitting on the bed.

...