The next round will begin shortly. Maya and Clare are watching Taika as she walk towards the center of the field.
Everyone was watching her every move.
Expectations now running on their minds.
The president of the student council, Sky Tudor, have prepared a rather difficult challenge than an easy one. This is so he can test and prove his theories about Taika's true abilities. Further more, Sky ,also prepared another final task if Taika managed to overcome his trial---and that is a rather secret information for now.
Taika: "I'll do anything I can to overcome this second round....i'll do whatever--to prove that I'm capable of becoming the genius they expect me to be."
She's now relying more on Someonelse's expectations rather than her own skill and knowledge. Her mind was clouded with unfamiliar words that never seem to have said to her before---words that keep saying negative encouragement like, "Become a tip studentt", or, " I hope you lived up to our expectations ".....
Taika shook her head erasing all that negative thoughts.
Taika (Thought): "No..... I won't loose--and I'll never be distracted by Someonelse's expectations---I--will do this on my own and lean on to my own knowledge...yes, that's right...i don't need anyone to help me... "
It became worse, she thinks she can do this alone, without any support from her friends and instructors.
Why is she thinking this way?
Something is wrong with her.
Turns out...
She just overthinked.
Non of the things she said was true and come from heart. It's father caused by stress and the pressure the president have gave her.
Taika stood at the center of the field.
The barrier rose slowly around her.
Runes ignited one by one, floating in the air like silent eyes.
The noise of the academy faded.
No cheers.
No whispers.
Only her breathing remained.
Instructor: [Solo challenger— Taika Zeit.]
A low hum filled the space.
Mana pressure descended.
Heavy.
Unnatural.
Taika's knees almost buckled.
Taika (thought):
So this is the trial…
The ground beneath her feet changed.
Stone cracked.
Elements stirred without her command.
Fire sparked near her fingertips—
then died.
Water formed—
then scattered.
Taika clenched her teeth.
Taika: […Calm down.]
Her mana responded late.
Sloppy.
Unstable.
From the outside, Maya gripped the railing.
Maya: […Sis…]
Clare narrowed her eyes.
Clare (thought):
Her flow is off.
Inside the barrier, a construct emerged.
Not a monster.
Not a person.
A mirror-shaped golem made of mana.
Instructor: [Your opponent is yourself.]
Taika froze.
The construct moved.
It copied her stance.
Her breathing.
Her hesitation.
Then it attacked.
A burst of wind—
Taika barely blocked it with earth.
She stumbled back.
Taika (thought):
Why can't I control it…?
She forced fire.
Too strong.
It backfired.
Pain shot through her arm.
Taika gasped and fell to one knee.
From above, Sky watched closely.
Sky (thought):
She's fighting wrong.
She's trying to prove something.
Taika's vision blurred.
Voices echoed again.
Don't fail.
Show them.
Become the genius.
Taika covered her ears.
Taika: [Stop…]
Her mana surged wildly.
The construct grew stronger.
The barrier shook.
Maya shouted.
Maya: [Taika! You don't have to do this alone!]
Taika's breath trembled.
Her hands shook.
Then---
She remembered.
Late nights.
Books.
Notes.
Maya's voice.
Clare's silence.
Not expectations.
Support.
Taika slowly stood up.
Taika (thought):
I was wrong…
I never did this alone.
Her mana settled.
Not powerful---
but clear.
She lowered her stance.
No force.
No rush.
Just intent.
The elements responded gently.
Fire warmed.
Wind steadied.
Earth supported.
Water flowed.
The construct hesitated.
Taika stepped forward.
Taika: […This is my way.]
The mirror cracked.
And for the first time--
The academy felt it.
The crack spread.
Thin at first----
then louder.
The mirror-like construct trembled, its surface fracturing with every step Taika took forward.
The pressure inside the barrier weakened.
Taika exhaled slowly.
Taika (thought):
I don't need to be perfect.
I just need to be honest.
She raised her hand---not to attack.
Mana gathered naturally.
Not forced.
Not compressed.
Balanced.
The elements moved together, overlapping softly like breathing.
The construct tried to mirror her again---
but failed.
Its movements lagged.
Its form distorted.
Sky's eyes widened slightly.
Sky (thought):
So that's it…
Her magic stabilizes when she stops competing with herself.
The construct rushed her one last time.
Taika stepped forward instead of back.
She placed her palm against its chest.
No explosion.
No flash.
Just a pulse.
A gentle surge of mana—
returning what was taken.
The construct froze.
Then dissolved into light.
Silence.
The barrier flickered.
Then fell.
The field erupted.
Gasps.
Shouts.
Disbelief.
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
Maya: [She did it…]
Clare exhaled slowly.
Clare: […That wasn't brute force.]
Sky closed his eyes briefly.
Sky (thought):
Theory confirmed.
He stepped forward.
Sky: [Solo challenge--cleared.]
The tablet at the fountain shimmered faintly in the distance.
For a moment—
A new line almost appeared.
Taika stood there, breathing hard.
Her body hurt.
Her arms trembled.
But her mind was clear.
Taika (thought):
I didn't win for them.
I won for myself.
She looked up.
And for the first time---
She smiled without doubt.
The field slowly returned to its original form.
Broken stone mended itself.
Runes faded back into silence.
Taika remained standing at the center, still catching her breath.
For a moment---
no one spoke.
Then the instructor stepped forward.
Instructor: [The solo trial has concluded.]
He looked at Taika, eyes sharp but respectful.
Instructor: [Result--- pass.]
The silence shattered.
Cheers erupted from the stands.
Some students clapped.
Others stared in disbelief.
Maya ran toward her the moment the barrier fully dropped.
Maya: [TAIKA!]
She wrapped her arms around her tightly.
Maya: [You scared me half to death!]
Taika laughed weakly.
Taika: […Sorry.]
Clare approached more slowly.
Clare: [You found your balance.]
Taika nodded.
Taika: [Thanks… I think.]
From above, Sky Tudor descended the stairs, his footsteps calm.
The crowd quieted again.
Sky stopped in front of Taika.
Sky: [Well done.]
Taika straightened instinctively.
Taika: [Thank you… President Sky.]
Sky shook his head.
Sky: [No.]
Sky: [Today, speak to me as a fellow student.]
Taika blinked.
Sky: [What you showed just now wasn't technique.]
Sky: [It was understanding.]
He turned slightly, addressing everyone.
Sky: [Taika Zeit has officially cleared the second round.]
Whispers surged again.
Sky looked back at her.
Sky: [As promised--- there is one more matter.]
Taika's heart skipped.
Sky: [But that will wait.]
A small pause.
Sky: [For now---- rest.]
He stepped aside.
As Taika walked away with Maya supporting her, she glanced back once more.
The tablet at the fountain shimmered again.
This time---
It held its glow a little longer.
And somewhere deep within the academy—
Something ancient had begun to pay attention.
Almena, the founder of the Galdur academy. The name is also written at the top of the tablet's list of legendary students. Decades ago, Almena died from an unknown reason. Almena was sealed under the academy's dungeon, an old place for hardcore trainings--have become a tomb for Almena.
Almena was a very special student--like Almena wasn't even a human---and that's the truth. Almena isn't a human....Almena was a half-demon and half-human race who was born by being summoned.
Almena---was a spirit, created by the academy's experts for summoning.
She [Almena] who's dream is to share to people about her knowledge of this world---died alone, not knowing she [Almena] made history.
************
Taika and Maya having a study together at the school library. This time, they like debating about any topic.
Taika: "... Absolutely not, I heard that demon race are really strong and if demon race are strong, why Almena died?... It doesn't make any sense.]
Maya: " Correction.... Demon races have overpowered abilities and strong spirit... However, since Almena was also half-human..."
She let's Taika realize.
Taika: "That abilities of immortality become nothing...nothing but useless."
Maya: "Now you see?..Every half-blooded race cancelled out each overpowered abilities and making the user having only the physical body and traits and not the abilities."
Taika: "So having half-blood is nothing else but having Devil-horns and human-ears.."
Maya nodded, closing the book softly.
Maya: "Exactly. That's why half-bloods are feared and pitied."
She leaned back against the shelf.
Maya: "They inherit the identity of both races… but rarely the blessings."
Taika stared at the open page in front of her.
The illustration of Almena was faded—
horns barely visible beneath long hair.
Taika: "…So Almena wasn't weak."
Maya shook her head.
Maya: "No. She was brilliant."
Maya: "But brilliance doesn't save a body that can break."
Taika's fingers traced the margin of the book.
Taika: "She wanted to share her knowledge…"
Taika: "But ended up sealed under the academy she built."
Her chest tightened.
Taika: "…That's cruel."
Maya went quiet.
Maya: "Some say she agreed to it."
Maya: "Others say the council back then feared her existence."
Taika looked up.
Taika: "Which one do you believe?"
Maya hesitated.
Maya: "…I think she trusted humans too much."
Silence settled between them.
Somewhere deep beneath the academy—
A faint pulse echoed.
Old.
Dormant.
The rune carved above an ancient dungeon door flickered once—
so briefly, no one noticed.
Taika suddenly felt a chill.
Taika: "…Maya."
Maya: "Hm?"
Taika pressed a hand to her chest.
Taika: "Do you ever feel like…"
Taika: "Some stories don't end when we think they do?"
Maya smiled weakly.
Maya: "In Galdur Academy?"
Maya: "That's basically a rule."
Taika looked back at Almena's name in the book.
At the founder.
The half-demon.
The spirit who died alone.
Taika (thought):
If she really wanted her knowledge to live on…
Then maybe… it already is.
The library lights flickered.
Just once.
Taika have to leave the library alone this time. Maya was "going to run some errands".Taika was walking alone in the hallways, she noticed something odd.She came back on the same spot she already get passed earlier. She ignores it and keep going. Then again---Then again---And again---she arrived at the same spot as before.
Taika dropped her books.
Then someone talk.
??? : "Are you confused?..."
The moment she [Taika] heard the voice, the room changed its place. The room shifted into a white void. Nothing but silence.
Taika tilted her head to the right.
She saw.....
Almena: "Welcome... And my name is Almena Deschamp....its a pleasure to finally meet the girl in the prophecy."
Almena: "Take a seat...lets have a chat."
Taika's breath caught.
Her books scattered across the floor—but the floor was gone.
Walls dissolved.
Ceiling vanished.
Only white remained.
Endless.
Silent.
Taika took a step back instinctively.
Taika: […A dream?]
The figure before her smiled gently.
Long hair.
Faintly glowing horns.
Eyes calm—yet impossibly old.
Almena Deschamp.
Not a statue.
Not a name on stone.
Alive.
Almena: "You're not dreaming."
Almena: "And you're not dead either, so relax."
Taika swallowed.
Taika: […You're—]
Almena raised a finger playfully.
Almena: "Ah. No titles."
Almena: "No 'Founder,' no 'Legend.'"
She gestured, and a simple table and two chairs appeared from the void.
Almena: "Just Almena."
Almena: "Sit."
Taika hesitated—then slowly sat down.
Her hands were trembling.
Taika: [You said… prophecy.]
Almena's smile softened.
Almena: "Of course that's what caught your attention."
She leaned back, folding her hands.
Almena: "Don't worry."
Almena: "It's not the kind that chains you to fate."
Taika frowned.
Taika: […Then why me?]
Almena looked at her carefully.
Not her mana.
Not her body.
Her heart.
Almena: "Because you doubt."
Taika blinked.
Almena: "Geniuses who never doubt become tyrants."
Almena: "Those who doubt—but still move forward—"
She tapped the table lightly.
Almena: "They change the world."
Taika's chest tightened.
Taika: […I'm not special.]
Almena laughed softly.
Almena: "Good."
Almena: "Neither was I."
Silence followed.
Then—
Almena's expression turned serious.
Almena: "Taika Zeit."
Almena: "Galdur Academy is built on knowledge."
Almena: "But it is rotting from truths it buried."
Taika's eyes widened.
Taika: [Buried…?]
Almena nodded.
Almena: "Including me."
The white void rippled slightly.
Almena: "You are not here to save the world."
Almena: "You are here to understand it."
She leaned forward.
Almena: "And one day—"
Almena: "You will have to choose what to do with that understanding."
Taika clenched her fists.
Taika: [Why are you telling me this?]
Almena smiled again.
Sad.
Hopeful.
Almena: "Because I couldn't."
A pause.
Almena: "And because you listen."
The white void began to fade.
Almena stood.
Almena: "This won't be our last conversation."
Almena: "But next time—"
She looked directly into Taika's eyes.
Almena: "You must come with your own questions."
Light swallowed everything.
Taika gasped.
She was back in the hallway.
Books on the floor.
Students passing by.
No one noticed her.
But her heart was racing.
In her hand— —
A faint symbol glowed briefly.
Then vanished.
Taika whispered.
Taika: […Almena.]
Far below the academy— —
Something ancient smiled.
At the training field, Maya and Clare having a one on one sword battle using thick wooden sticks.
Maya saw Taika walking down the stairs.
Maya: "Hey!, Taika, Over here!----"
Clare is approaching fast.
Clare: "Focus you airhead!"
Maya blocked using her stick.
Clare saw Taika approaching them.
Clare: ".. huh?, Oh it's you.."
They lower their sticks.
Maya: "Something that matter?"
Taika: "Can I speak to you...."
Maya: "Sure, can Clare hear it too?"
Clare tilted her head to Maya.
Taika: "Why not.. Sure, both of you come with me.."
After arriving at a hidden location, Taika tell Maya and Clare about what happened. She knows that keeping it a secret would bother her more than anything.
Maya: "YOU WHAT?!"
Ckare: "Shut up!-"
Taika: "Voices!"
Taika: "Ehem... As I was saying... Yeah, it's weird that a ghost communicated with me..."
Maya slapped both hands over her mouth—too late.
Clare grabbed her collar and yanked her down.
Clare: "Lower. Your. Voice."
Maya muffled: "Mmm—sorry—"
Taika sighed, rubbing her temple.
Taika: "She wasn't just a ghost."
Taika: "She knew my name… and things she shouldn't."
Maya slowly straightened, the joking tone gone.
Maya: "…Like what?"
Taika hesitated.
Then—
Taika: "About the academy."
Taika: "About expectations."
Taika: "About me."
Clare crossed her arms, eyes sharp.
Clare: "You're saying the founder herself talked to you?"
Taika nodded.
Clare clicked her tongue.
Clare: "That's bad."
Maya blinked.
Maya: "That's legendary—"
Clare shot her a glare.
Clare: "That's dangerous."
Silence fell.
The wind brushed through the tall grass around them.
Maya finally spoke, quieter now.
Maya: "Did she threaten you?"
Taika shook her head.
Taika: "No… it felt like the opposite."
Taika: "Like she was warning me."
Clare narrowed her eyes.
Clare: "About what?"
Taika looked down at her hands.
Taika: "That this academy isn't testing students anymore."
Taika: "It's… choosing something."
Maya swallowed.
Maya: "That's not comforting."
Clare stepped closer to Taika.
Clare: "Listen."
Clare: "If the student council finds out—especially the president—"
Taika flinched at Sky's title.
Clare: "....you'll be watched. Constantly."
Taika exhaled.
Taika: "That's why I told you."
Taika: "I don't want to carry this alone."
Maya smiled, placing a hand on Taika's shoulder.
Maya: "Too late for that."
Maya: "You're stuck with us."
Clare sighed—but nodded once.
Clare: "We'll keep quiet."
Clare: "But if anything strange happens again—"
She met Taika's eyes.
Clare: "You tell us immediately."
Taika nodded.
Taika: "…Thank you."
Far above them—
From the academy's highest balcony—
Sky Tudor watched the training field in silence.
A faint smile crossed his face.
Sky (Thought):
So the seal has begun to stir…
The rest of the week is normal. Normal lessons. Note taking. Practical exams, and quizes.
The whole class,
Taika and the others are just fine.
Currently, Taika, Maya and Clare having a lunch together. Clare is slowly becoming a part of their friendship.
The Grand Garden was lively at noon. Students gathered under trees and stone tables, laughter mixing with the sound of fountains.
Taika sat on the grass with her lunch box open in front of her.
Maya was already halfway through hers.
Clare sat a little apart—not distant, just… careful.
Maya: "I swear, if we get another surprise quiz tomorrow, I'm transferring schools."
Taika smiled.
Taika: "You said that last time."
Maya: "And I meant it emotionally."
Clare let out a short breath—almost a laugh.
Clare: "You two complain a lot for people who pass every test."
Maya gasped.
Maya: "Excuse me? Complaining is part of studying."
Taika nodded seriously.
Taika: "It helps with memory retention."
Clare raised an eyebrow.
Clare: "…That's not true."
Maya pointed her spoon at her.
Maya: "See? She's learning."
Clare shook her head, but the corner of her lips lifted.
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment.
Birds hopped near the fountain.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves above them.
Clare broke the quiet.
Clare: "So… after lunch."
Clare: "Training?"
Maya brightened instantly.
Maya: "Yes!"
Maya: "Taika, you're coming too."
Taika hesitated.
Taika: "I was thinking of reviewing notes—"
Maya leaned in close.
Maya: "You've been too serious lately."
Clare added, calmly—
Clare: "You fight better when you're relaxed."
Taika blinked… then smiled softly.
Taika: "…Alright."
Maya cheered under her breath.
Maya: "Look at that. We're officially a trio now."
Clare rolled her eyes.
Clare: "Don't make it weird."
But she didn't move away.
For now— —
It was just lunch.
Just friends.
Just another ordinary day at Galdur Academy.