AFTER A LONG, HARROWING NIGHT, DAWN ARRIVED WITH THE GENTLE TOUCH OF SUNLIGHT STREAMING THROUGH HER WINDOW. NOZOMI BLINKED AT THE CEILING ABOVE HER, HER VISION SLOWLY CLEARING AS REALITY SETTLED IN. SHE TURNED HER HEAD AND SAW SEIZA'S PEACEFUL FORM CURLED UP ON THE CARPET. HER HEART LIGHTENED, AND A SMALL SMILE CREPT ACROSS HER LIPS.
Huh, I guess it really wasn't a dream…
Yet, a gnawing unease tugged at her thoughts. Something important eluded her, like a whisper lost on the wind. As she tore her eyes from Seiza and glanced at her alarm clock, understanding hit her with a jolt. Her eyes widened in panic. Without a moment's hesitation, she sprang out of bed, any remnants of sleep swept away by urgency.
Seiza roused from his slumber, blinking drowsily as he observed Nozomi's frantic efforts to change out of her pajamas and into her school uniform. "What the—what's the hurry?"
"School!" was her single-worded, breathless reply as she slipped on her bronze pendant, grabbed her school bag, and dashed out of her room. Outside, with breakfast in one hand and her school bag in the other, Nozomi raced toward school, Seiza bounding alongside her. Urgh, just what I needed! With everything that happened yesterday, I completely forgot to set my alarm clock! Hopefully, I can make it in time... hopefully!
As she neared the school gate, Nozomi abruptly stopped. Seiza, a few steps ahead, turned back in confusion. "Huh, what's wrong?" he asked, concern edging his voice.
Nozomi hesitated, apprehension clear in her furrowed brow. "Umm, well…" She took a deep breath, steeling herself for honesty. "I... don't think the school would allow me to bring you, Seiza..."
Seiza blinked before letting out a lighthearted chuckle. "Pfft, oh, don't worry about that. For a moment, I thought it was something serious. Open your school bag, I'll show you a neat trick."
----------------------------------------
In an isolated chamber far from prying eyes, Kurai stood within a meticulously drawn ritual circle, her posture rigid with concentration. The air around her crackled with latent energy, the atmosphere almost palpably heavy as she chanted a summoning spell in a language that seemed to resonate with the very stones of the ancient structure. "Now come back, monster that serves the Great Master!"
Her command echoed through the vast, shadowed room, reverberating off the cold, damp walls. For a tense moment, silence lingered, holding its breath as if the very room awaited the response. Then, a blinding flash of dark light erupted from the center of the circle, forcing Kurai to shield her eyes. The brilliance was both beautiful and terrifying, an explosion of raw, untamed power that momentarily banished the surrounding darkness.
As the light dissipated, Kurai's vision slowly returned, revealing an oppressive cloud of dark smoke swirling ominously within the circle. The smoke was thick and suffocating, carrying a faint scent of brimstone and decay. She waited, expecting any presence to emerge, but none came.
Frustration bubbled within her, a scowl forming on her face as she muttered to herself. "Okay, this time I am 100% sure I didn't make a mistake with the ritual, so what's going on?!" Her voice echoed in the chamber, highlighting the eeriness of her isolation.
With a hand on her chin, she began to pace around the room in a circle, her mind racing through the possibilities. Each step was deliberate, her heels clicking sharply against the stone floor, a sound that contrasted with the lingering silence. "Did something happen to it? Unlikely. Even if they were ambushed, their innate abilities should make escape easy, or at least, that's what he said." She continued muttering to herself.
The ambiguity gnawed at her, each unanswered question an irritant. Her eyes narrowed as she continued to analyze the situation. Could it have been captured? No, its unique magic and agility make that highly improbable. Perhaps an adversary with the right skill set to counter it? She considered the variables, each thought a potential solution or complication.
Kurai's mind flashed to the moment a contract was formed between the two, the assurances of success in its task, the promise of unwavering loyalty from the summoned creature as it bowed to her. All these aspects were supposed to make failure nearly impossible. And yet, here she was, standing in a room thick with its lingering absence. Nervousness flared at the thought of wasted effort and a potential enemy.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
As the smoke cleared, confirming for good the emptiness of the summoning circle, a chill ran down her spine. She could feel the weight of their failure pressing against her, an invisible burden growing heavier with every minute lost to uncertainty. She needed answers, and she needed them quickly. The consequences of inaction, of not understanding this anomaly, were too dire to contemplate.
Her pacing was interrupted by a knock on the door. Annoyed, she barked, "Who's there?"
"It's me," came the reply, causing her frustration to deflate.
"Oh..." Kurai sighed, composing herself. "Come in."
A figure, wearing casual clothes, a black cap, a face mask, and black goggles entered. "I'm here to deliver the recipient," he said, lifting his left hand to reveal a darkly glowing cylindrical object wreathed in shadows.
Kurai stepped forward, her left eye glowing darkly as she examined the object. "Yes... this will do just fine." She nodded, feeling a measure of relief.
She shifted her gaze to the figure, who remained unnervingly silent. "Ah... you're still here... well… actually, I have a different assignment for you. My summon from yesterday hasn't returned. The recall ritual failed, despite being correctly performed."
After a pause, she looked up. "Find out what happened to it. If someone is responsible, bring them here alive. If it's beyond your control... you have permission to do whatever is necessary for your survival. Understand?"
The figure nodded and left without a word. Once alone, Kurai exhaled a weary sigh. Raising her hand, a dark spark erupted, summoning a bean bag from the shadows. She collapsed onto it, spreading her arms wide. Urrrgghh, talking to him for more than a few seconds feels like a heart attack waiting to happen!
She lifted the cylinder, its ominous glow reflecting her thoughts. Why is he so different? A century gap between him and the second youngest... but still... She lowered the object, staring at the cracked, cobwebbed ceiling. Please, let this be manageable. I might always be at my peak, but if this is beyond me...
After a few minutes, feeling somewhat restored, she rose. The bean bag vanished as if it had never been there. If push comes to shove, I guess I could call for their help...
She exited the room, the door creaking closed behind her.
----------------------------------------
At school, Nozomi fidgeted nervously at her desk, attempting to eat breakfast. "Hey, keep it together. No one will notice if you stop looking like you're hiding something," Seiza whispered from inside her magically-expanded school bag, which appeared ordinary from the outside.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus on her meal. Halfway through, she spotted Yoshino entering the classroom. Concern etched her face as she saw her friend's disheveled appearance and exhausted eyes.
Yoshino trudged to her seat, slumping over her desk without a word. Nozomi was about to wake her, fearing she'd get in trouble, but Seiza whispered, "She probably couldn't bring herself to sleep. After yesterday, I can't blame her. Better to let her rest."
Nozomi nodded reluctantly and returned to her breakfast, her worry for Yoshino mingling with thoughts of the day ahead.
----------------------------------------
When the school bell rang for the start of classes, Life entered the classroom in his teacher's disguise, carrying his backpack. "Alright class, everyone in your seats!"
A few seconds after he spoke, everyone settled into their seats with no further fuss. When Life was about to start class, he noticed Yoshino sleeping at her desk. Seriously?! I am the best teacher this school could possibly have, and you STILL decide to sleep in class?! He scowled at her, considering briefly whether to make an example out of her to deter any potential delinquents.
But before he reached a decision, Life realized he had seen this student before. Wait... isn't that the same girl I saw Nozomi carrying out of that shadow barrier? What was her name again? He tried to remember, retrieving the sheet of paper with the student's names.
One of the first names he saw was Kettei Yoshino. There we go, Kettei... right, if I remember correctly... she is a side character, on a similar level of importance as Ms. Manabu, so not that important in the grand scheme of things…
With that out of the way, he reconsidered her predicament as Nozomi traded nervous glances between Yoshino and him, sweating buckets. Life would have been amused if dehydration weren't a possible cause of death.
Life sighed internally. I suppose I can let this one pass. Considering what happened to her yesterday, I'm surprised she even came to my class. A regular person would need months, if not years, of psychological treatment after a near-death experience.
He raised a hand to his chin in thought. Hmm, could it be that people from this world have a lot of mental strength?
He shrugged and turned his back to the class to face the blackboard. It's probably for the best if I just continue class as normal. This is just a disguise for my real job anyway. If a problem arises, I'll deal with it... on my terms, of course.
After writing the day's lesson theme on the blackboard in English, he turned to address his students. "Alright everyone, open your books to page 8!"