Meanwhile in Erika's and Esmarie's dorm.
Esmarie: "So Erika, how was your first day of classes?" She asks sitting on her bed with her legs crossed.
Erika: "It was so much fun. I already know I'm going to have a great time here."
Esmarie: "Haha. I should've known you were gonna say that."
Erika: "What about you?"
Esmarie: "Can't complain. I'm used to the intense curriculum. Same can't be said for most of my first 2 years here."
Erika: "Was it hard?"
Esmarie: "For me, heck yeah. I barely passed my freshman year with passing marks. Also, you probably wondered why you were able to room in with me. That's because my original roommate got expelled. She didn't make the cut."
Erika: "I'm so sorry."
Esmarie: "Heh. We became good friends. I was able to keep going because of her. But in our sophomore year, she couldn't keep up anymore. As a result, the Academy cut her loose halfway through the year. I promised I wouldn't fall behind when she left."
Erika: "Do you two still talk?"
Esmarie: "Not as much as I'd like. Just occasionally. But still, I'll never forget her."
Erika jumps off of her bed and onto Esmarie's: "You're strong, Esmarie." She grabs onto her shoulders. "Having motivation that keeps on pushing you is great. I have one too."
Esmarie: "Oh yeah? Let's hear it."
Erika: "I have someone I want to catch up to no matter what. He's receiving special training under the strongest Hunter. I can't really tell you all the circumstances yet, but I decided to become a Hunter alongside him. He's special to me."
Esmarie's eyes light up, she puts her hands over her mouth as she gasps, her face turning light red from blushing: "Oh my god. That's beautiful, Erika. You go girl!"
Erika: "Hehe."
Esmarie: "You're absolutely telling me everything soon."
Erika: "You got it."
***
A few days had passed. The sound of wooden swords clashing still lingered in the air, even though the afternoon practice had already ended. Sylvie stayed behind to do her cool-down stretches. The routine was calming.
Today had been different for Sylvie, though.
Because of her.
Erika Tohsaka.
She's a transfer student, and yet she's in a league of her own. She moved like sunlight, not blinding, but warm. Every step she took during the drills had this light rhythm to it, a blend of grace and certainty that didn't belong to someone new.
When she had been paired with Sylvie for sparring, she had expected her to hesitate. Instead, she had smiled.
Erika: "Please take care of me!"
That voice. Honest, clear, and unwavering.
And then she'd disarmed her in thirty seconds.
Even now, she can still feel the memory of that wooden blade twisting hers away in one fluid motion.
There was power. But it was something cleaner. Flow, precision, and rhythm.
Sylvie sighed as she adjusted her hair, still tied back from training. The other students had left, their voices can still be heard as they walk away.
And then, soft footsteps approached.
Erika: "Stretching after training, huh? You're so diligent. I should start doing that too."
Erika stood right in front of her, her uniform sleeves rolled up, her wooden sword slung over her shoulder. Her hair was tied loosely, a few strands sticking to her forehead. She looked like she'd ran a marathon and enjoyed every second of it.
Sylvie tried to sound composed: "You stayed behind too?"
Erika nodded: Mhm. Dakota when on ahead of me. I've been meaning to talk to you."
Sylvie: 'I have as well.' "You spar like someone who's been training for years."
Erika scratched her cheek, laughing softly: I've just been working hard. I still have a lot to learn."
The words didn't match her composure earlier. During class, she had moved like someone utterly at home here.
Sylvie: "You're very humble. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Erika: "I don't know."
Sylvie takes a second before blinking a couple of times: "Eh?"
Erika: "I just want to be your friend." Her eyes lit with sparkles. "We can find things to talk about after."
Sylvie: "Pff.." She lets out a giggle being caught off guard.
Erika: "Did I say something funny?"
Sylvie: "No, sorry. You just caught me by surprise." She says still trying to stop herself from laughing. "I'll be your friend, I'd love to."
Erika's face lights up even more as she cheers.
Sylvie: "I have a favor to ask."
Erika: "Anything for a friend."
Sylvie: "Would you show me your form?"
Erika understands why she's asking, so she promptly agrees: "Okay."
The moment she assumed her pose, the air shifted.
Her stance wasn't perfect, her front foot turned slightly too far, her back knee bent just a little too much. But, there was rhythm in her breathing. She wasn't forcing herself into the stance, she was letting it settle naturally.
Her first swing sliced through the air, sharp and precise, yet her grip was light.
The sound of the hiss of air, the thud it stopping, it was like a master at work. Sylvie was speechless.
Erika: "What'd you think?"
Sylvie blinked: "What?"
Erika: "My form. You were watching, right?"
Sylvie: "Right, yes. Even with the tiny flaws in your form, the swing was perfect."
Erika: "Hehe. Thanks. Now it's your turn to show me your form."
Sylvie set her handkerchief aside and stood up: "Alright. Watch closely."
Sylvie took her stance beside Erika and assumed her pose, cutting through the air with a clean, practiced rhythm.
Sylvie: "See? Keep your shoulders loose here. You're too tense at the start."
Erika: "Like this?"
Erika mimicked Sylvie, adjusting her foot placement. Their movements almost matched, the swing, the breath, the landing. The only difference was the faint sound of Erika's exhale, just a little faster than Sylvie's.
She guided Erika's hand gently. Barely a touch, and she felt the subtle shift in her muscles. All while doing this, Erika had a bright smile.
Sylvie stepped back, trying not to seem flustered by how earnestly she smiled. There was something disarming about her countenance, it wasn't polite or forced, just pure.
Like the way she swung her sword.
Shadows stretched across the ground as the sun dipped lower, painting the field in long streaks of orange.
They kept practicing, and Sylvie couldn't take her eyes off Erika. Each swing had a rhythm strong, consistent, and alive.
Erika: "We can go now if you'd like."
Sylvie: "I don't mind. I like watching good swordsmanship."
By the time they stopped, twilight had deepened. They set their swords down and sighed in satisfaction.
Erika: "That was fun."She sat beside Sylvie, legs folded neatly, and leaned back to look at the dusky sky. "You're amazing, Sylvie."
Sylvie: "Me?"
Erika: "Who else. Everyone here respects you, even Emelio Sensei. You move like you've already figured everything out."
That wasn't true. But hearing it from her made Sylvie hesitate to correct her: "Same as you, I just practiced a lot," she said softly. "I had to. I'm not naturally talented."
Erika tilted her head: "Really? You don't seem like someone who doubts herself."
Sylvie: "You'd be surprised."
The words were simple, but the tone made them linger.
Sylvie looked at Erika, at the way the fading light traced the outline of her hair, at the quiet confidence in her expression. There was something about her presence that filled the empty space around them, like she carried her own sunlight wherever she went. It wasn't just her skill, or her energy, or even her kindness. It was something more than words.
They stayed there until the last light faded. The night breeze kicked in, yet they still felt warm.
Erika stretched her arms and legs with a satisfied sigh: "I think we missed dinner."
Sylvie chuckled: "We sure did. Let's head back before we miss curfew too."
Erika: "Hehe."
Erike hummed the whole way on the walk back. As they reached the dorm, the postlights beamed over Erika's face. She looked back at Sylvie, still smiling, and for a brief moment, she saw it again, that same brilliance she carried when she wielded her sword.
The kind that draws you in before you even realize it.
Erika: "Good night, Sylvie."
Sylvie: "Good night, Erika."
Erika waved once before disappearing into the dorm hall. Sylvie stood there for a while longer, listening to the quiet rustle of the wind, feeling something calm and new settle in her chest.
Maybe it was admiration. Maybe it was gratitude.
Or maybe it was simply the joy of finding someone who reminds her why she's able to continue walking down this path.