The Ceremony and the Dagger

Morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting golden and blue reflections on the polished stone walls. Arata slowly opened his eyes, wrapped in the fresh scent of wood and parchment. It took him a few seconds to remember where he was. The room wasn't large, but it had everything he needed: a carved wooden bed, a chest at its foot, a desk with quill and ink, and a full-length mirror framed in wrought iron.

His new home.

He sat up slowly, his head still foggy with sleep. Outside, he could hear songs —some from birds, others less so— and youthful voices crisscrossing the gardens. Laughter, hurried footsteps, commands echoing down the stone corridors.

It was his first official day as a student at the Belgrán Academy of Harmonists.

Draped over the back of the chair was his uniform. This time, it wasn't the borrowed clothes he had worn when he first arrived. It was his. A dark blue linen tunic with silver-threaded trim. Beneath it, a white shirt buttoned at the neck, riding trousers, and tall leather boots. A belt held a badge with the emblem of his class: a tree whose roots embraced a crystal.

It took him a while to get dressed—he still wasn't used to such formal attire—but when he looked in the mirror, for the first time, he felt as if maybe… he belonged.

A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Arata? May I come in?"

"…Go ahead," he answered, slightly unsure.

The door opened gently. A young woman with short, moon-silver hair peeked in. She wore round glasses, a short traveling cloak over her shoulders, and sturdy boots. Her presence was calm—almost maternal.

"Good morning. I'm Elinne, Captain Akiharu's assistant. He asked me to accompany you today. He was urgently called to a meeting with the royal council."

Arata nodded, relieved to see a kind face.

"Did you sleep well? Are you ready?"

"Y-yeah… I think so."

She smiled.

"Good. Today's a special day, so we'll have a quick breakfast and then head to your classroom. From there, you'll be going to the Grand Garden. The fourth-year students will be holding their Pledge Ceremony."

"…Pledge Ceremony?"

"You'll understand soon enough," she replied, already turning to walk. "But if I may offer some advice—don't miss it. It's something that only happens once a year, and it marks the true beginning for every Harmonist."

Arata followed her in silence, nervous curiosity pulsing in his chest.

Elinne walked with steady steps through the academy's curved hallways. Her boots echoed softly on the marble floor, and her short cape fluttered slightly with every turn. Arata trailed behind, still adjusting the gloves of his uniform. He tried to stay calm, but everything felt so much bigger than he was ready for. The tall, stained-glass-lined walls felt like they were watching him.

"Is it always this loud?" he asked, watching students run past with books tucked under their arms.

"Especially today," she answered with a smile over her shoulder. "The Pledge Ceremony is the most anticipated event of the year. Everyone wants to find the best spot in the Grand Garden."

She turned into a quieter gallery, where the shadows deepened and the noise began to fade. Rather than follow the carved signs leading to the garden, she veered toward a side staircase descending into the depths. Arata didn't question her—he trusted she knew a faster way.

"A shortcut?" he asked, with a nervous smile.

"Exactly. We'll avoid the chaos." Her tone was gentle.

They descended into an older corridor. The walls had no stained glass here—just moss-covered pillars aged by time. The torches along the way burned with a blue-green flame that gave no warmth. Arata felt a chill crawl down his spine.

"Is this part still used for classes?"

"Not anymore. It's part of the old east wing. Closed off years ago, although…" She paused, as if choosing her words. "Some use it as a passageway—if they have the proper permissions."

Arata swallowed hard. The corridor seemed to narrow, the ceiling lower. Damp air brushed against his neck. He picked up his pace to avoid falling behind. Finally, Elinne stopped before a half-rusted iron door.

"Here?" he asked, frowning.

She turned slowly. For the first time… she wasn't smiling.

"Yes."

She opened the door with a key taken from a small box on her belt. The creak of the hinges shattered the silence. Inside, the room was circular, windowless, with a single opening at the top where pale light streamed down. At the center, an ancient rune was carved into the floor. It reminded Arata of something. He didn't know what—just… something.

"Are you sure this is the way to the garden?"

"No."

Elinne's voice was no longer kind. No longer maternal.

Not even human.

Arata stepped back. Elinne stepped forward.

"Wha…?"

Then he saw it.

In her right hand, where a notebook had been moments ago, a curved dagger now shimmered. Its surface was pitch black, covered in spiraling symbols that writhed as if alive. It reflected no light.

"The garden was never the destination," she whispered, stepping closer. "You were never meant to make it this far."

Arata didn't understand. To him, she was a friend of the man who saved his life.

And then—

Elinne blurred. She vanished from where she stood and reappeared beside him.

The pain was instant.

The dagger slipped beneath his left rib. He didn't scream. Only a strangled gasp left his throat, his eyes wide. His breath left him. The world lost its sharpness.

He collapsed to his knees. Warm blood soaked through his white shirt.

"You don't understand, do you?" she murmured, crouching in front of him, her gaze filled with a strange blend of pity and contempt. "You don't even remember who you were. What you did. How deeply you betrayed him."

Arata trembled. His vision blurred. His lips barely moved.

"W-who…?"

Elinne cupped his face with a gentle hand. The other still gripped the bloodied dagger.

"Nivhan doesn't forget. He doesn't forgive. And you… ungrateful creature… turned your back on him. You defied him. You chose freedom… when you were born to serve."

She stood.

"This life was a mercy. A second chance… one I'll now take away."

From the ground, shadows spread. A formless figure emerged—slender, faceless, black as night. A Familiar of the Shadow element. It rose like a living curtain behind Elinne.

"We'll take you far from here. Somewhere no one can find you. Not even him," she said, glancing toward the ceiling as if evoking Akiharu. "Saving you was a mistake. One that won't be repeated."

The rune on the floor began to spin. The symbols glowed red and violet. The Shadow Familiar extended its arms, and Arata's barely conscious body was drawn into the growing darkness.

Elinne turned her back, never looking again.

The room fell silent.

And then…

There was nothing.