Morning arrived… late.
As if even the sun hesitated to illuminate a world that had just changed its course. Light descended slowly soft, yet inevitable covering the Aurelthia Empire and the surrounding kingdoms.
Far away, beyond the noise of the academy.
The Ninense empire welcomed the morning in silence.
A land of honor. A land of discipline. A land where every step carried meaning.
And there…
Three names that once shared hunger, fear, and laughter in a refugee camp.
Now stood on their own paths.
Yet were never truly apart.
Within the vast palace courtyard, smooth stones were arranged with precision, accompanied by a small garden where sakura trees had yet to bloom.
At its center stood a simple pavilion.
Two figures sat facing one another.
Alicia Hoshi and the Shogun of Ninense.
Meida Tokugawa.
Alicia sat upright. Her black hair was tied neatly, her gaze sharp yet controlled. There was nothing left of the refugee girl.
Only resolve.
"I want to become an onna-musha."
Her voice was calm. Firm.
Without hesitation.
Meida lifted her teacup, sipping leisurely.
"You didn't say 'I want to try.' You said 'I want to become.'"
Alicia did not avert her gaze.
"I don't have time to try."
A faint smile appeared on Meida's lips.
"You truly are my niece."
She set her cup down.
"But that path is not easy. The Tenno has placed too much responsibility on me… and in the coming years-"
"Three or five years," Alicia cut in.
Meida let out a small laugh.
"You've already calculated it."
"If I succeed, I want to become part of the Ōoku."
Silence followed.
The morning wind brushed past gently.
Meida studied her more deeply.
"What's the point? Strive harder and become a daimyo instead."
Alicia nodded.
"Thank you for the advice."
Meida leaned back slightly, her gaze softening.
"You remind me of myself."
Alicia raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I once had two friends as well."
Her tone shifted.
More distant.
More… alive.
"We fought together. Even through unexpected circumstances."
She looked directly into Alicia's eyes.
"Don't waste them."
Alicia smiled faintly.
"I won't."
"Widya and Aira… right?"
Alicia nodded.
Then, in a lighter tone.
"Did you also fight alongside the late Nobunaga and Toyotomi?"
Meida lifted her cup again.
Her smile… bitter.
"Yes."
Alicia looked at her.
Silent.
Then smiled slightly.
"…I see."
Far from the quiet palace.
[The port of Ninense]
Shouts of merchants. The roar of waves. Endless footsteps.
And in the middle of it—
A girl ran.
"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"
Widya Leiha.
Her hair flowed freely, her laughter unrestrained.
Children chased after her.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
"YOU RAN ONTO THE SHIP!"
"I'm using the environment!"
From the balcony of a large house overlooking the port
A man stood with his hands behind his back.
Widya's father.
He let out a long sigh.
"…That child…"
A servant beside him smiled faintly.
"The young lady seems… well accepted."
Her father glanced sideways.
"I was worried she wouldn't fit in."
The servant paused briefly.
"…Sir."
"Yes?"
"The young lady has been accepted into the Talent Academy."
Silence.
Her father froze.
"…What?"
The servant nodded.
"The letter arrived this morning."
He looked out toward Widya,
who was currently… about to fall off a small boat.
"…Her?"
"Yes."
He covered his face with one hand.
"…Finally…"
His tone was mixed.
Pride.
Fear.
"I just hope… she won't cause trouble like she did at Agasaki Academy."
The servant chuckled lightly.
"This academy is different, Sir."
He nodded slowly.
"Yes… I hope her charm and talent will shine."
He paused.
"…And if possible…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…she should learn a bit about business."
Below, widya jumped straight into the water.
"HAHAHA!"
The children cheered.
Her father stared blankly.
"…That seems unlikely."
Inside a large building filled with strange instruments, crystals, and scattered notes.
[A research laboratory]
The atmosphere was entirely different.
Silent & Focused.
Aira Kurumi stood before a long table, her hair slightly messy, her gaze sharp… but restrained.
In front of her,
An object.
An unfamiliar metal.
Something that had fallen from the sky weeks ago.
"This structure…"
she murmured,
"…doesn't follow conventional mana laws."
A professor beside her nodded.
"And it isn't man-made."
"Nor like ancient artifacts…"
Aira touched its surface.
It trembled faintly.
She pulled her hand away instantly.
"…It reacted."
Another scientist scribbled quickly.
"We need stabilization."
Aira shook her head.
"No. We need to understand it… not suppress it."
Her voice was quiet.
But sharp.
She took a breath.
Calm…
Yet her brows tightened slightly.
She was quick to anger.
And everyone in the room knew it.
The door opened.
Footsteps entered.
Some scientists turned.
"Ah, finally."
"She's here."
Aira didn't look.
She was too focused.
Until
"Long time no see."
That voice.
Calm.
Flat.
Aira froze.
Slowly turned.
A girl stood there.
Short hair.
Cold gaze.
Yet familiar.
"…Piona?"
Silence.
Piona stepped forward and hugged her casually.
"I missed you so much…"
Aira accepted it.
For a few seconds.
"Idiot."
Her voice trembled.
"Why did you show up now?"
Piona shrugged.
"I was busy saving the world."
"Bad excuse."
"But true, right?"
Silence.
Aira exhaled.
"…You haven't changed."
Piona glanced at the object on the table.
"So this is what fell from the sky?"
Aira nodded.
"Yes. We need help."
Piona smirked slightly.
"Do you really now…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Let's see how two geniuses handle this."
That morning
In different places
Three friends…
Took another step beyond their past.
Without realizing
The thread that connected them…
Was beginning to tighten once more.