"Andri, if you don't hurry, you're going to be late!"
My mom shouted from the kitchen.
"I know! I'm leaving now!"
I headed off to school as usual, greeted by a few of my friends as I passed them on the way.
"Good morning!"
"Morning!" I replied.
After placing my shoes in the locker, I walked into class. That's when I saw her—Sylvia Forte. One of the most popular girls in school. Her gleaming white hair and bright, narrow eyes made her a standout figure. With a well-proportioned body—probably around 169 cm tall, just like me—she was considered the school's idol.
But then I noticed something strange. A bandage on her neck. It wasn't very visible under the collar of her uniform, but I could still make it out. Was she sick? Either way, it wasn't any of my business.
"Oh, Andri! Good morning!"
"Morning! What's with all the noise this early?"
"Didn't you see the news this morning?"
"The news?"
"The forest in the west was completely destroyed! And there wasn't even a storm last night. What's even stranger—there were signs of fire, claw marks, and traces of blood left behind!"
"Could it be a wild animal?" I asked.
"That's what I thought at first. But what kind of animal could cause that much destruction?"
She showed me a picture of the forest area she was talking about. My eyes widened. It was devastated—leveled almost entirely, dry and lifeless.
A forest fire, maybe? No, it's not even summer. Then what could've caused such devastation?
"Alright everyone, take your seats. Class is about to begin."
Our teacher's voice pulled me back to reality.
During lunch break, I left the classroom and headed up to the school rooftop—my usual spot for eating alone. As I opened the door, a glimmering light flashed across my vision.
"What was that?"
I looked around, and on the far side of the rooftop, hidden behind some walls, I saw Sylvia. She seemed to be treating a wound—was that what she was doing? Our eyes met. I froze for a second, startled by the strange situation.
"What are you doing—?"
Before I could finish, she suddenly shoved me and pointed a large sword at my neck—barely missing me.
"Hey! What are you—"
"Silence!" she snapped, still aiming the blade at me.
"You saw it, didn't you!?"
"Saw what?"
"The mark!"
"The mark? I don't understand what you're talking about—let me go!"
"This mark on my neck!"
She yanked down her collar, revealing a strange symbol that looked like a shield etched into her skin. My face flushed red—despite myself, I couldn't avoid noticing the lines of her chest.
"W-What is that?" I stammered.
"It's nothing. But you saw it. And now I have to kill you."
She said it with a flat, emotionless tone. Kill me?! Why!? Is that mark... like a secret or something? Damn it—I need to run!
Just as I was about to make a break for it, a loud boom echoed from the city.
"What was that?!"
We both turned instinctively toward the sound. Sylvia stood up, still gripping her sword tightly.
"No way…"
"Hey, what was that sound!?"
"I have to go!"
"Huh? Wait—explain what's going on!"
Without answering, Sylvia leapt off the rooftop. I rushed to the edge in a panic—and what I saw stunned me. Her entire body was suddenly engulfed in blue flames. Her outfit transformed before my eyes—like a knight's armor. She landed effortlessly and sprinted toward the source of the explosion.
"Hey, wait! Dammit!"
I bolted down the stairs and out through the school gate, trying to catch up. Taking a shortcut, I quickly made it to the city center.
And what I saw left me speechless. The city was in total chaos. Buildings and homes were wrecked—destroyed completely. Where was Sylvia?
I ran through the mayhem, dodging panicked people running in all directions—some even colliding with one another. I stopped to help whoever I could. Then, I saw her.
Sylvia was flung through the air and slammed into a car—right in front of me.
"That's… Sylvia!?"
She looked up at me, eyes filled with disbelief.
"What are you doing here!? You need to run—now!"
She shouted while struggling to get to her feet.
"Huh?! What about you? And what's with that weird outfit!? Are you cosplaying or something!?"
"Tch…"
"Oh come on, Jeane. Weren't we having fun before? Why is it suddenly so boring now?"
My eyes shot upwards. A woman stood there—wearing a tight, revealing black outfit. One of her eyes was hidden beneath her hair. In her hands, she held a massive iron staff, with serrated edges on both ends.
The woman turned and looked directly at me, smiling—a wicked, terrifying grin.
Who the hell is this woman? Why is Sylvia fighting her?
What the hell is going on!?