After the duel that became her public trial, Serena's power was branded as "forbidden."Though she swore it was the legacy of House Alveir, none would listen.
Her only hope now—was to prove, through her own actions, that her power was not to be feared.
A City Shaken
Days later, rumors of "the girl who wielded forbidden power" swept through the capital.
The bustling marketplace fell to hushed whispers whenever her name was spoken.Some looked on with fear.Others, with contempt.
And then—disaster struck.
The northern gate of the city cracked and burst as a shadow beast crawled from a rift of dark sorcery.
Panic seized the streets.Citizens screamed. Visiting nobles fled in terror.
The city guard faltered, unable to form ranks—the monster's assault had come too swiftly.
The Girl Shut Out
Within the academy, the tolling of alarm bells reached Serena's ears.
She rushed to the gates, only to be blocked by students and teachers alike.
"Where do you think you're going?!""This is no time for a suspect to stir more chaos!"
Her eyes trembled—but her voice broke through with desperate conviction.
"I'm not here to destroy… I'm here to protect our people!"
Before anyone could stop her, she shoved past the crowd and sprinted toward the city gate.
The Devouring Shadow
The beast's massive limbs slammed into the wall, shaking the earth like an earthquake.
Soldiers were hurled aside, blood staining the ground.Screams echoed through the streets.Some nobles fainted at the sight of the horror.
Serena stepped forward, hand tight on her blade, heart hammering in her chest.
"I have to… do something."
Starlight Strikes
The beast lunged toward a group of children too slow to escape.
Serena cried out, throwing herself into its path.Her blade erupted in silver light, bursting into trails of starlight.
The wave of radiance carved through the shadow, scattering it like mist.
The children lived—and their wide, tear-filled eyes stared up at her in awe.
Panting, trembling, she straightened her stance.
"This… is power I'll use to protect, not to destroy."
Doubt Begins to Shift
Knights who had witnessed the moment faltered.
"That wasn't demonic… she saved them.""If not for her, those children would already be dead."
The whispers changed.Fear gave way to hesitation.
It was not yet faith—but for the first time, people had seen with their own eyes that she used her power to save lives, not to end them.
Confronting the Shadow
The beast roared and lunged again with crushing force.
Serena gripped her sword in both hands, raising it high.Constellation lines blazed across the blade.
She swung with all her strength—a torrent of silver burst forth, soaring skyward like a falling star.
The shadow beast split apart, light ripping darkness asunder, before dissolving into black smoke scattered on the wind.
Serena collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath.Yet a faint, victorious smile touched her lips.
Valkyria's Smile
Far away, upon a tower balcony, Irena Valkyria watched.
Her gaze lingered on the girl standing amidst the dust.A cold smile curved her lips behind her fan.
"Beautiful… But the brighter you shine, the greater the fear I will weave around your light."
She turned to her attendants.
"Spread word that her radiance draws the beasts to us… not that it banishes them."
A Shadow Who Protects
Amid the chaos, a lone figure leaned against the wall—Kyren Adelric.
His eyes fixed on the girl, pride and pain warring in his gaze.
"You've begun your path… but this world is still too cruel.""This time, I won't let you fall as you did before."
Closing Scene
The girl condemned as a demon's kin had proven with her own blade that her power could save lives.
Though accusations had not yet fallen silent, doubt had begun to pierce through fear.
Yet even as the first seeds of change were sown, shadows still moved in secret—bent on turning this newborn light into a herald of disaster.