The sky hung heavy with overcast gray, and a breeze brushed across the courtyard, carrying with it the tension between the two figures facing one another.
Tsukishiro exhaled and stepped forward. His hands clenched.
Across from him stood Rei Shinomiya, no longer smiling. His expression was unreadable.
Tsukishiro unsheathed his small blade and then dashed towards Rei.
"Just from that dash alone, I could tell already..." Rei said as he brought out something from his pocket.
And then, a huge clang between their weapons echoed all throughout. What Rei brought out was a bell, ringing intensely around.
"It's not an abyss. It's merely shallow." Rei added, before an invisible force suddenly threw Tsukishiro away.
"W-What is that?" He blurted out, trying to stand up. However, before he could even balance himself, another set of invisible forces hit him all around his body, causing him to stagger and almost fall down to the ground.
However, loyal and determined to his goal, he didn't give up. He mustered all the strength that he had and slowly stood up.
Rei looked at him. He was surprised that Tsukishiro didn't give up. He didn't just slump to the ground. He really is determined to win
Rei smiled again, before snapping his fingers multiple times. Then, the sound vibrations of those finger snaps turned into invisible shockwaves that launched themselves towards Tsukishiro, each marking a wound all over his body.
His legs fail to stand up, his body thrown backward like a leaf in a storm.
All those things happened in just less than fifteen seconds.
Just like that, Tsukishiro was unable to fight back anymore. He was on his knees, his arms against the ground, carrying his body as he breathed quickly.
Rei looked at him in disappointment, expecting something greater than what had just happened. He stood still, not even a crease on his clothes.
He turned around, his cloak slightly fluttering in the wind. Then, without looking back, he spoke.
"You're disappointing. You're unlike the person you're similar to. However, as a sign of my kind appreciation towards your effort, I'll tell you everything you know about Youko Shimizu—the light-hand God."
Tsukishiro, even though struggling, focused on listening to Rei's words, turning his head up, and looking at Rei's elegant figure.
"Revered, yet feared. She's a God... at least, that's what the students say. The considered "Strongest Magician" within the Academia, the Mighty Bearer of Light." Rei's tone was serious and straight.
"That's who Youko is." Rei turned around, his eyes locking in with Tsukishiro, penetrating deep into his soul.
He momentarily turned his head to the side before speaking, "Fate is the only way to meet her. She stays within a chamber, void of the cacophony of human voices. I do not desire to know your personal reason, whether it may be the chitter-chatter about her, nor mere rumors, instead, you have my encouragement in finding her." Rei said, his words light.
"May we see each other again, Young Abyss." Rei waved goodbye before leaving.
Tsukishiro's body was in pain, still on the ground. However, hearing that Youko was in this school, felt like a wave of relief over his painful body.
Strongest of the Academy? Surely, she has already surpassed me. She's so far off.
However, what does he mean by "Stays in a chamber, void from the cacophony of human voices?
While pondering, albeit staggering, he pushed himself up onto his feet. Each movement felt like a heavy load being put on his shoulders.
"How brave of you to go against one of the strongest in the school."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke from behind him. It was Yukari, with her usual stoic face, walking up to him.
"Y-You're here," Tsukishiro blurted out, surprised.
"I'm curious as to what that S-ranker can do. He isn't just a strong magician, he's beyond strong. And you almost managed to get yourself killed."
"W-Well... I-I'm just curious about Youko..." He replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"That's more than just curiosity. Normal people wouldn't be fine being killed for mere information."
Then, just like before, through just her mere gaze, Tsukishiro's wound, bruises, and tiredness from the body all disappeared, just like what happened in the forest.
But this time, he's awake to witness it happen. It felt unreal, yet warm. In just a matter of seconds, his aching wounds all disappeared.
"I-I'm healed. W-What just happened?!" He blurted out as he looked around his body, flabbergasted.
"I healed you, no big deal." She replied nonchalantly. When she got near Tsukishiro, she lent a hand.
"Come on now, stand up."
"O-Oh, thanks."
He grabbed on and stood up, wiping the dust off his clothes.
"So, If I may ask, why would you allow humiliation and pain, just to know the mystery behind the "God"?"
"Oh, Youko. I'll tell you about it. Let's go back inside first."
Both of them walked back inside the lunch area. From there, with the little remaining time for lunch, he told Yukari his story with Youko.
"Basically, we both swore to be magicians one day, and it seems like she's really out there fulfilling the dream. I'm really proud of her." Tsukishiro told, his voice reminiscing over their past. Yukari looked at him with curious eyes.
"Do you intend to be a 'God' yourself?" Yukari asked,
"That's too much... Just to be able to stand even just behind her, that's fine with me. Even if she is much better, and stronger, and smarter, as long as we achieve our dream, that's all that matters." He replied,
Yukari's gaze was sharp, yet gentle.
A person's words mask their true heart. I can see the magic capacity of people, however, I can also see fluctuations and changes within that magic.
His magic fluctuated as he uttered those words, as if his emotions resonated with his magic.
Deep down, he desires to keep with the "God".
However, it's not any of my business to know why.
"That's good, you have a path you seek to pave in your journey," Yukari replied, still keeping her face straight.
Suddenly, the sound of the huge, old bell, ringing all through the Academia, broke their conversation.
"Let's continue the conversation some other time. Thank you for sharing your story." Yukari said, standing up as she did.
"Yeah, thank you for listening."
...
The Academia was big, enormous, even. Doors led to many hallways, many rooms, filled with mystery.
And in one of those rooms, there was a girl, glued to a fantasy book. It tells a tale about two witches, who fought waves, and waves of a dark entity, only to end up killing one another. A brutal tale of both friendship and betrayal.
Her eyes travelled to the last pages of the book, her heart pounding in anticipation. And then,
*Creak*
A creaking noise interrupted her moment of solace, as a familiar male voice further shattered it.
With a sharp, annoyed gaze, her brilliant, golden eyes looked over to her side, over the direction of the door. And there standing, with a smile plastered on his face, was Rei Shinomiya.
"What are you doing here, Rei?" She asked, her voice unkind and cold. "I locked the door, and here you are, entering without my permission whatsoever."
"Just checking on a friend, Youko. I didn't know that Youko Shimizu is this indifferent and cold." He replied, putting on a fake, joking, crying motion.
Youko Shimizu wore a white robe with a white veil over her head. Her black hair was long and flowing, while her eyes were cold, and indifferent, yet shining in great, golden brilliance.
"Yes, Youko Shimizu is as cold as ever. If you please, just state your business and leave. My solace crumbled because of your vexatious shinnanegans." Youko added, her voice clearly exasperated, yet still composed.
"Someone speaks of your name, looking for you."
Youko turned her head back to her book, "Curiosity gets the better of people. They are curious as to who this "God" is. Your story today isn't so different." She said, as she ran her hand through the pages of her book, flipping it.
"But this time, your abyss isn't lonely anymore," Rei replied, a smirk forming on his face.
Youko stopped in her tracks and slowly looked over to Rei's direction.
"What do you mean... by that?"
"The person who asked for you is also a person, with a magic so vast, so mysterious, just like yours."
And with that word, a memory struck her like a blade unsheathed.
...
She wasn't always a prisoner within a lonely chamber of brick walls.
When she first entered Saintellia Academy as a child, as an outsider from the far lands, students discriminated against her. All the students around her held political power within the Saintellia city, full of riches, and more.
Many whispered behind her back, a curse, a weirdo, but most especially, a demon.
Light is a magic that is linked to both the divinity and the underworld. No one, except Youko, was able to wield light magic, and as such, people fear what they couldn't perceive. Some trashed her for jealousy, but most for fear of her power.
This wasn't the innocent, fun journey she expected.
She tried to endure it. She said nothing, kept her head down, her hands still.
Until one student stood up for her.
A friend.
She saw Youko as a person and approached her with warmth. Someone who accepted her, helped her, taught her everything about Saintellia, and made the whole adventure fun. She was her first-ever friend at the school.
However, the whispers never ceased.
They grew, and grew, until she snapped.
Not being able to take things anymore, she struck them. Not with the intent to kill, but as a warning of what they are doing.
However, her power was beyond her own understanding. Not having stable control, her power overflowed, causing chaos around.
A part of the academy was destroyed, and numerous people were injured. Not just injured, but her only friend, was severely damaged.
Not just her physical body, but also her magic.
She collapsed, unmoving.
Fortunately, she survived. But her magic was forever lost. And she never returned to school, and neither did Youko.
Saintellia granted her a special withdrawal, with the reason being "Uncontrolled Magic Stability."
Yoruha Soutume, an instructor, mainly in charge of holding unstable magicians, kept Youko with her, training her underground, and allowing her to grasp the full power of her magic.
Years passed, and she had learned to keep herself under control. However, the whispers never disappeared. Students know that she exists. Why? Her presence left its tracks on the halls. It was rumored that once night fell, she would rise from her chamber.
And then, last year, she enrolled again at the Academy, as a private student. It was almost a new year, with new faces in the academy, of course, having heard of the "God". Her aura left a mark on the hallways, and all gazes would be attracted to her.
"She is... the God... right?"
"They say that she killed students."
"Yeah,"
Rumors were still sharp; however, she had already coped with what had happened. Her previously friendly facade faded, replaced by an aura of a cold princess, striking anyone who dares stand against her with a sharp gaze and sharp words.
However, the truth was different. Despite her cold aura, she wasn't unkind. In fact, she would do things around the school, often in the yard, gazing at the flowers, helping them grow. Sometimes, even lecturing a whole class as part of her training, learning to socialize again with people.
However, aside from those appearances, she could never be seen.
The rumors were split in half.
"Was she really the demon they spoke of?"
"Did she really kill students?"
"She looks kind, I don't think she's that evil."
Since then, she was called "God, The Light Hand Of Magic.", a student possessing a primordial strength, and at the same time, an overseer, constantly watching over the Academy, day and night.
She was even called a prodigy at the entrance exam by those who hadn't heard of her story yet, revering her talent.
Admiration. Uncertainty. Fear. Fascination, it all swirled together.
But for Youko, it meant nothing. Her heart was already closed, filled with unspoken guilt, but open to a few exceptions. Now, this year, as an official student, she has her chamber, full of the things she loves. She is content here, unable to go out of control, and not hurt anyone precious to her anymore.
...
"Then, if that person were to go through the same demise as me, guide that person." She replied to Rei, her tone heavy. "Now, if that's all there is, I hope that you can fulfill that request."
Then, before Rei could speak further, a hand, made of light, gigantic and enormous, appeared in front of him, and in a single push, he was pushed from the room, and the door closed, slowly disintegrating into thin air, as if in never existed.
"Same demise as you, huh? I doubt that."
Rei reflected on the battle earlier. Certainly, their "mysterious" magic aren't the same.
...