Sylvia hailed from a small rural town in Europe.
The town had a population of merely a few hundred, where people lived self-sufficient lives—rising with the sun and resting at dusk. The corporate conglomerates showed no interest in such a worthless little town, allowing its inhabitants to enjoy a peace unlike anywhere else in the world.
Sylvia was the only Genestellar in town. Though the townsfolk harbored no prejudice against her and never mistreated her, the precocious Sylvia had long recognized the hardships of being a Genestellar in this world. She often wrestled with anxiety and fear in secret, uncertain of how she would survive in this world when she grew up.
It was then that a traveler named Ursula arrived. Her songs, brimming with peace and freedom, captivated Sylvia. The miraculous melodies seized her heart and mind, not only soothing her inner turmoil but also igniting an inextinguishable passion for singing within her.
Ursula stayed in the town, teaching Sylvia how to sing, how to harness her witch abilities, and how to survive as a Genestellar. She even passed on her combat skills to the girl.
Two months later, Ursula set off again to continue her journey.
Before parting, Sylvia made a promise to her—that they would meet again someday.
In truth, this was a one-sided promise. To Ursula, it was merely an interesting episode in her life. But for Sylvia, it became the driving force behind her relentless self-improvement—strengthening her mind, body, voice, and abilities. She constantly sought to surpass her limits, hoping one day to venture into this dangerous world.
When she grew up and gained the power to protect herself, Sylvia left her hometown and embarked on a journey to find Ursula.
Using her versatile abilities, she detected Ursula's presence in Asterisk—specifically in the redevelopment zone. She came to Asterisk, but after years of searching every corner of the redevelopment zone and even scouring the six academies, she found no trace of Ursula.
If she couldn't find Ursula, then she would make Ursula come to her.
With this thought, Sylvia stepped into the world of idols. She skyrocketed to fame upon her debut, and within just a few years, her popularity soared, rapidly establishing her as a world-class diva.
Yet Ursula still didn't appear.
Even if Ursula didn't like her, surely she would at least show herself upon seeing her former pupil become a world-renowned singer.
Could Ursula have forgotten about her?
Or had something happened to her?
Sylvia didn't know.
"That has to be Ursula, without a doubt!"
Holding onto this belief and hope, Sylvia paid no heed to the stage or the audience's reaction. Without hesitation, she dashed off the stage, chasing after that woman.
She never expected Ursula to appear in such a place. There was so much she wanted to say, so many emotions to pour out, so much joy to convey.
"Ursula, wait!"
In the deserted corridor, Sylvia caught up with the woman ahead.
The woman turned around, her icy gaze sending a slight shiver down Sylvia's spine.
"Who are you?"
"Who am I... It's me, Sylvia Lyyneheym. We met during your travels in the past..."
For a moment, Sylvia was flustered, completely unprepared for the fact that Ursula had entirely forgotten her.
But she quickly regained her composure. It had been a long time since she last saw Ursula, and back then, she was just a child under ten years old—quite different from how she looked now. It was only natural that Ursula wouldn't recognize her. Realizing this, Sylvia hurriedly began explaining, hoping to jog the woman's memory.
"I see. That memory does exist."
The woman opposite her frowned slightly, covering her head with a look of distaste, as if something had suddenly sprung to mind.
"So, you're an acquaintance of this body?"
"...What?"
"This is troublesome. I chose this body precisely because she knew no one in Asterisk, making it easier for me to act. I didn't expect to run into an acquaintance like you."
The woman raised her head, her eyes devoid of warmth, filled only with a coldness as harsh as winter.
"Unfortunately, you'll have to forget that memory and return to your own life. To be precise, I won't allow you to interfere!"
The woman stood motionless, but the massive pendant on her chest suddenly emitted a pitch-black flash, as if trying to absorb all light.
Immediately after, the radiance emanating from the pendant transformed into a dark magical mist, surging forth like a tide to envelop Sylvia.
"Ursula... No, who are you...?!"
Sylvia's expression turned grim.
There was no doubt—this was Ursula, at least in body. But for some reason, it was as if her spirit had been replaced by someone else.
A pang of pain struck Sylvia's heart. Facing the oncoming black mist, she drew her exclusive gun-sword hybrid Orga Lux—Folkvangr. Yet neither the light bullets fired from the barrel nor the slashes of the luminous blade could touch the mist in the slightest, as if it weren't a physical entity at all.
Moreover, since it was Ursula's body before her, Sylvia dared not use her full strength, fearing she might hurt her. A moment of hesitation, and the black mist engulfed her.
The instant the mist covered her, Sylvia felt an external force invading her mind.
Something was slipping away from her memories.
Those were precious fragments of the past.
Realizing this, Sylvia couldn't suppress the intense anger and bitter despair rising within her.
"No... Someone, please..."
At that moment.
As if answering the call in her heart, a figure dashed into the mist like lightning, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her free.
"Souji...?"
Only after escaping the mist did Sylvia regain her senses, her foggy mind quickly clearing.
Standing beside her was her best friend, Okita Souji, clad in Queenvail's uniform, gripping a cold blade in her hand, her eyes calmly fixed on the woman shrouded in the black mist across from them.
In that instant, Okita seemed like a valkyrie descending from the heavens, making Sylvia's heart race uncontrollably.
"How is this possible?"
The woman opposite gathered the black mist around herself, forming a hazy silhouette around her figure.
"You actually ignored my ability... No, you're—could it be?"
She looked over in shock and suspicion, as if she had uncovered some great secret.
Then a strange, cold smile appeared on her face.
"So that's it, playing tricks in front of me—fall!"
The black gem embedded in the necklace at her chest suddenly erupted with a dark flash.
As the light flared—
Okita's vision blurred, and she was plunged into darkness, her body stiffening as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Souji?!"
Seeing Okita collapse so abruptly, Sylvia was startled and immediately rushed to her side.
But the moment she touched her body, Sylvia couldn't help but shiver.
"Her body temperature is dropping rapidly... and her breathing—it's gone?"
She checked for Okita's breath, but no air escaped from her nostrils.
The way she lay there was like a corpse.
"Dead...?"
Sylvia was instantly thrown into disarray.
Okita was so strong—how could she have died just like that?
***
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