🌌 Scene 1 – The Dream Begins
William floated in blackness.
Not cold. Not warm.
Just endless silence.
Then—soft ground beneath his feet. Grass. A field that stretched into nothing.
And in the center of that silence... she stood.
Back turned. Hair flowing. Barefoot. A silver glow around her frame.
William didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
> "Took you long enough," she said.
Her voice was calm. Confident. A little smug.
She turned slowly, her eyes glowing faint silver, her long hair swaying like smoke.
No armor. No blade. Just a long dark dress, half unbuttoned near the collar, teasing just enough to make William cough.
> "Wh—who are you?"
She smirked, tilting her head.
> "You're dense. It's honestly painful."
> "I'm Lyra. The sword you've been swinging like a wooden stick."
William blinked. "You're my… sword?"
She walked forward, barefoot, hands behind her back like a princess who knew too much.
> "I'm not a thing. I'm not your tool. I'm... the part of your soul you buried. I'm your rage, your guilt, your love. Your will."
> "Basically—everything you suck at expressing."
William opened his mouth. Closed it. Then—
> "Okay. Rude."
Lyra giggled. "There. That's the attitude I need."
> "You wanna get stronger? Then stop treating me like a tool. I'm your partner. Treat me like one."
William looked away, arms crossed. "You're kind of a brat."
> "And you're kind of easy to read."
She leaned in close, eyes locking with his.
> "Especially when you're looking at Alicia's thighs."
> "W-What?!"
She stepped back, laughing. "See? Easy."
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🌤️ Scene 2 – The Morning After
William woke up in a cold sweat, red-faced.
He sat up, clutching his chest.
> She's real…
Across the room, Alicia walked in holding a towel.
> "Good morning—wait, you okay? You look like you ran a marathon."
William shook his head fast. "Y-Yeah. Just… dream training."
She tilted her head. "Weird."
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👺 Scene 3 – Gin Montelo Appears
Out in the courtyard, training had started.
Shinonome stood with arms crossed.
Iris leaned against a pillar, sipping tea casually.
Then—
> "Wiiiiilliam! My sweet little cousin!~"
A shout echoed.
Gin Montelo arrived.
Red cloak, shirt half open, abs visible for absolutely no reason.
He winked at Alicia. "Morning, milady. Have you been practicing stamina training?"
Alicia blinked. "Stamina…?"
Gin nodded with a smirk. "Important for close combat, you see. Endurance. Speed. And rhythm—"
> THWACK!
Iris's sandal collided with his head.
> "Shut. Up."
Gin flew into the flower bed.
William sighed. "He's back…"
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💬 Scene 4 – Training & Tension
Shinonome resumed training drills.
William felt calmer than usual. Balanced.
Each swing, he focused not on technique… but on presence.
And in his head…
> "Relax your shoulders. I'm here."
Lyra's voice.
He followed her guidance — no resistance.
One strike.
> WHHHHHUM!
A silver line of energy shot out again, carving across the field.
Shinonome narrowed her eyes.
> That's not ordinary mana. That's resonance. His soul is… alive.
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💔 Scene 5 – Alicia Notices
Later, Alicia walked beside William through the garden.
"Will… you okay lately?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Why?"
She looked down. "You're… different. Not bad. Just… quieter. Distant."
He paused. "I'm just focused."
She forced a smile. "Okay. If you say so…"
Behind them, Gin was caught peeking at maids again.
> "I'm studying air currents. Wind magic needs curves."
> KICK — again, courtesy of Iris.
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📖 Scene 6 – Shinonome's Discovery
That night, alone in her chamber, Shinonome flipped through an ancient record.
Old names.
Old soul types.
Then she saw it:
> "Anima Blades — living soul weapons born from tragedy. Forbidden by the King's Law."
She stared at the illustration:
A sword… with a woman's silhouette inside it.
> William Montelo… who exactly are you?
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🕊️ Chapter End Quote:
> "Some weapons listen. Others whisper. But only one… speaks back."
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