Sky magic controls any concept of air, shaped by the user's training and abilities. It can summon winds, rain, and thunder—elements of the sky—but it holds even greater power. As a heavenly magic, sky magic carries the ability of purification. Somewhere deep in my memory, I recall using it differently from how I use it now.
My grandpa once told me that sky magic can connect people through their feelings. It bonds those who believe in you and those you believe in. The sky responds to the emotions of everyone, creating a clear blue sky charged with overwhelming magic power.
I feel that magic growing inside me now. Amane notices my eyes glowing, reflecting the hue of the sparkling blue sky.
"Connect... believe..." I mumble.
The breeze shifts, warm like the sky under a setting sun.
"This is… clear blue sky?" I say, almost in disbelief.
The sky grows brighter, despite the sun already dipping below the horizon. The area around us becomes filled with an intense surge of magic. This power flows into everyone, amplifying their magic capacity. It's not just any magic—it feels like it's coming from the world itself, fueled by the clear blue sky.
"Clear blue sky... during sunset? This isn't gale magic," Amane remarks in awe. "Gale magic only controls air. But altering the weather and daylight... that's something only sky magic can achieve!"
But I know that the clear blue sky can only stay active for as long as I have magic left. It will continuously run, for now.
"I knew it. That's why the atmosphere around you feels so different," Moritaka says, his voice filled with gratitude. "I appreciate this, Arisu!"
Moritaka resumed his assault, his attacks coming faster and more relentlessly now that his magic had been restored. With the boost from the clear blue sky, he could exceed his usual four techniques. Amane remained vigilant, staying close to me in case the demon turned his attention my way.
The demon, who had been toying with Moritaka earlier, now grew serious. He no longer brushed off the attacks but instead tried to dodge them, realizing that despite his Demon God rank, his body could still sustain damage. If Moritaka could keep up this continuous assault, he might actually stand a chance of winning—if the demon kept underestimating him.
In my subconscious, the reason I had managed to see the clear blue sky came to me. I recalled meeting a girl with sky-blue hair, though her face remained indistinct. Her voice, however, rang clear—a blend of seriousness and calm. She had told me she would lend her power and, by touching my head, helped me activate the sky magic. But she had warned me that, in my current state, I could only maintain the clear blue sky for about 15 minutes, even though it could normally last for hours with experienced users.
She had also explained the nature of my mana. I have four layers of mana: the first, blue, was the most common and the only one currently available to me. The second, yellow mana, also called esoteric mana, was rare and found in captains or high-ranking magic users. The third, red mana, was something even my grandpa didn't fully understand—an infernal essence of unknown origin. The final layer, green mana, or life mana, tapped into the magic force that originated from the heart itself, using life energy. This mana was more dangerous than ego techniques because prolonged use could drain one's life force.
Unsealing the other layers, as the girl had said, required experience, and they couldn't be accessed easily. For now, only the blue layer was active.
I turned to Amane and told her, "Clear blue sky will only last for 15 minutes. We need to push the demon within that time, or we'll have to retreat."
The enemy spread its massive wings, and swarms of giant butterflies spiraled around, blocking out the light that had been shining on Moritaka. But there was more to the butterflies than just casting shadows—anyone who looked directly at their wings would fall under a hypnotic spell. Moritaka succumbed to it, and so did Amane. Yet, for reasons I couldn't quite understand, I remained unaffected.
"This is as far as we can go," the voice of the girl in my head echoed. "If Moritaka is hypnotized, there's no way we can defeat the demon."
Frustration surged through me.
"But we can save one person," she added.
I asked her how, and she explained that we could escape, but only one person could be taken. The vision she had foreseen couldn't be changed—the outcome would remain the same, and saving Amane was the only option.
"Kill them, Moritaka," the demon commanded, controlling his body.
Moritaka's attacks would be unstoppable unless I used magic, but if I activated any now, the time remaining for clear blue sky would drastically shorten. I could deactivate it, but doing so would mean I might never activate it again. It became clear that the only way out was to escape.
But I couldn't just flee without doing something. I couldn't stand by while Moritaka was forced to attack.
I tried to grab Amane and take her away, but before I could, a portal-like gust of wind sucked her in, and she vanished.
"Damn it! These butterflies are draining my magic power…" Moritaka struggled against the demon's control.
"You're more persistent than I expected. Escaping my hypnosis—impressive."
Moritaka turned his gaze to me. His eyes told me everything. Despite the chaos, he grinned. He knew. He was prepared for what was to come. My instincts took over, and the spell the girl had mentioned in my head triggered. A brilliant light shot down from the sky, engulfing me, pulling me away.
"That's too sad, Moritaka. They've abandoned you," the demon sneered. "But don't worry. I'll kill them for you one day."
With a wicked grin, the demon plunged his hand into Moritaka's chest.
Moritaka chuckled weakly, his voice fading. "You'll regret this… He'll hunt you down someday…"
Then his heart stopped. His body collapsed, lifeless, with eyes that would never open again. Moritaka had died.
"He was an odd one," the demon remarked with a smirk. "I'll remember him."
As the demon left, he planted a strange device in the village. A portal opened, and demons and monsters began pouring through, spreading chaos in every direction. With one final glance, the demon took Moritaka's body and disappeared.
I slammed into the ground, fists digging into the earth as my forehead thudded against the cold dirt. My voice ripped through the air, filled with anger and frustration.
"Dammit! Dammit! DAMMIT!"
I felt Yuzuha and Tokiro by my side, their hands gripping my arms, pulling me back up. My head throbbed, blood trickling down my face, but I didn't care. For the first time, they saw me break. For the first time, I cried.
"What happened? Where is Moritaka-san?" Kaoru's voice cut through the haze.
"We're... in a hopeless situation," I choked out, the words catching in my throat. "My body— it moved on its own. I left him... I left Moritaka alone. I couldn't do anything! Dammit... it should have been me!"
Mori's eyes widened, tears spilling as she realized what had happened. She collapsed in front of me, her sobs mingling with my own. Amane stood silently, her expression rigid as she fought to keep her emotions in check. She was trying to stay strong— for all of us— even though I knew she wanted to cry, too.
She pulled us both close, our tears staining her shoulder as we let everything out, the weight of our failure pressing down on us like never before.
"I just got a message from my father," Cecilia said, her voice trembling slightly. "The main city is already destroyed, but they managed to evacuate as many people as possible. My father said they'd send an airship, and I gave them the location of Arisu's house. That's probably the safest place we can go. Our other classmates and the police have already moved ahead. We can't stay here—it's not safe. Let's find a better place to rest."
Her words echoed in my mind as the sky magic surrounding us began to fade. The mysterious girl who had been guiding me appeared one last time, her voice soft but clear. "The path ahead will lead you to find yourself. Thick walls will block your way, but it's up to you whether you face them now or later." Then, just as quickly as she'd appeared, she vanished, and my vision returned to normal.
We continued until we reached the river, deciding to head into the woods for some cover. The trees would give us warmth, but while water was no issue, food was another story. We were running low. Tokiro and Cecilia set off to the river to catch fish, while Kaoru gathered wood to start a fire. Yuzuha and Kaori tended to mine and Amane's wounds, patching us up as best they could. Meanwhile, Mori sat by the riverbank, staring at her reflection, lost in thought.
"What's going to happen to us?" Mori asked softly, her voice heavy with fear. "Founder Land is sinking…"
Amane looked up, her tone calm despite the tension. "We've been welcomed at the Land of Royal. It's the only place we can go now."
I glanced around at my companions, feeling the weight of the moment. This would likely be the last peaceful night we'd have for a long time. Starting tomorrow, we'd face whatever challenges awaited us, and there was no telling what we'd encounter.
When Kaoru and the others returned, they set up the fire and began grilling the fish they'd caught. The silence that followed was thick and oppressive. No one spoke, too lost in their own worries, too aware that our situation had become much worse than we could have imagined.
"Kaori and I will head to the Country of Valoria, to the main city of adventurers where the dungeon is located," Kaoru said, his tone confident. "Not only because we're going on an adventure, but we'll also be accompanying our father back to his homeland."
Mori remained uncertain, her voice hesitant. "As for me… I'm still not sure what I'll do."
Amane gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll take you to the Heavenly Sky. You said you wanted to become a Pillar, didn't you? We've been invited, so we can go wherever we want."
Mori seemed to relax a little. "I'll leave that to you, Amane-san. But what about the three of you? I doubt you'll part ways."
"Our parents told us to do what we want, so we can go anywhere," Yuzuha said.
"I'll let Arisu decide for me," Tokiro added casually.
I had been thinking about it since earlier—what should I do after all of this?
"I'm gonna stay," I finally said, my decision firm. Tokiro and the others froze, confused.
"You're staying?" Tokiro echoed, unsure if he had heard correctly.
"I said I'm going to stay," I repeated, more resolutely this time.
Kaoru looked shocked. "Don't be ridiculous! You'll die if you stay here!"
I met his gaze, unflinching. "Yuzuha, Tokiro, you don't have to follow me. I'll stay here and make my way to the Land of Royal on my own."
This was something I had to do for myself. I needed to know what I was capable of, to try my best without relying on others.
"Arisu, what's your reason?" Cecilia asked, concern in her voice.
I hesitated, then shrugged. "It's a ridiculous reason. If anyone asks where I am, tell them I went missing after the fight. Why the long face? I'll treat this as my adventure. If I'm lucky, we'll meet again at the Land of Royal."
Tokiro sighed, shaking his head. "You're a crazy one. If we die, I swear I'll beat you up in heaven, got that?"
Yuzuha chimed in, grinning. "Count me in, too!"
Kaori's eyes widened in disbelief. "You guys are seriously staying behind…"
Kaoru sighed, defeated. "You three really stick together. Well, we've got nothing against you."
Amane stepped forward. "If you're staying, you'll need horses. You can't travel across the Founder Land on foot alone. Horses can get you to the Harbor in a week. I can lend you, but I can't cover the boat or ship fare."
Cecilia nodded. "About the ship—there's a rescue every three days for those who haven't been evacuated. I can also request a personal rescue if you need it."
Kaoru grinned. "As expected from the princess of the Anastasia family!"
I cut in. "It's not like we're staying long. Since these two are coming with me, I'll take your offer, Cecilia. In 2 weeks, starting tomorrow, let them know we'll be at the harbor by morning. If not, the next morning. I'll make sure of it."
I wasn't worried about my little sister. No matter where she was, I could always sense if her life was in danger. That was all the assurance I needed to move forward.
After chatting, everyone starts to sleep. Told them that I'd take on watching but Tokiro and Kaoru said that they would do it instead of me and rest. I take them up on that. Honestly, I did not think that I'd be this tired so as soon as I lie down, as soon as I fall asleep.
Once again, I found myself dreaming of being someone else—this time, a girl named Nanashi. I could see everything she did: sleeping, fighting, eating, even bathing. It felt too vivid to be just a dream, and soon I began to realize it might actually be real. The dates she mentioned matched mine, as if I was viewing the world through her eyes whenever I slept. Though it didn't happen every night, it had occurred more than ten times by now.
At the moment, Nanashi was heading to the dungeon in the country of Valoria, the only dungeon in that place.
"Lily, I can feel it again—someone's watching over me," Nanashi said, her voice uneasy.
Lily, her companion, responded calmly. "After studying the signs, I think you're somehow connected to the person who's watching you. You see through someone's point of view when you sleep, right? Wasn't Arisu his name? He might be the one watching you now."
Nanashi paused, reflecting on the name. "I want to meet this person and find out what kind of person they are. Maybe that would stop all this and relieve the stress it's causing me."
Lily offered her a suggestion. "Why don't you write a message now? Make him memorize it. Here, take this pen and paper." She handed them over.
Nanashi began writing, explaining that we could meet anywhere, leaving the choice up to me. She described herself: long hair, red plum-colored eyes, pointy ears, around 15-16 years old with a decent height. She mentioned she had regular-sized arms and legs, and then—c-cup breast size. Oh, and she's always wearing a cape.
I couldn't help but react. Wait, why the breast size? I thought to myself, incredulous.
Still, the conversation between Nanashi and Lily intrigued me. Maybe we were connected in some way—or even blood-related.
Hours passed, and I awoke to switch shifts with Tokiro. Kaori also woke to switch with her brother. Yet in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the vision of Nanashi, the girl whose life I kept seeing through.
She was a monster, as always. Strong, like the shadow figure I had once fought. But her power was more refined and advanced. She manipulated blood effortlessly, controlling it with precision that only a vampire could master—except, she was far beyond any ordinary vampire. She felt more like a High Vampire. Vampires usually sustain themselves on human blood, but she didn't. Instead, she took blood pills, a substitute created from blood.
I recalled what I knew from history. Vampires, spirits, and humans were once allies. Vampires were taught to resist the temptation of drinking human blood by consuming monster magic cores instead. Humanity even created blood pills for them, just in case. Yet, despite this peace, the vampires were sealed away. The decision was made by their progenitor, though the full reasons were never made public—only that it was for humanity's safety.
The name of the vampire progenitor suddenly resurfaced in my mind—Nanashi.
I was stunned. Could it be that the girl I've been seeing, the one whose life I'd glimpsed through my dreams, was Nanashi, the progenitor herself? That would explain her immense power. Centuries of living, and experiencing countless adventures, had clearly made her the force she was now.
As I pondered this, lost in thought, I didn't notice Kaori calling my name. Her voice finally broke through my daze, and I was startled.
"Have you recovered? You were spacing out. I can take the watch alone if you need to sleep," Kaori offered.
"No, I'm fine. I was just thinking about what to do next. So much has happened in a single night. We had plans for our future, but now everything's changed—especially our graduation," I replied.
Kaori's expression softened. "Everyone will be parting ways once we reach the Land of Royal. Honestly, I'm scared of it. We've been given one week before graduation, and I was looking forward to it."
I shared the sentiment. This place where we had grown up, where we had met, meant everything to us. It wasn't just about where we were born; it was about the bonds we'd formed. As long as I had my friends, wherever we went, it would be enough. They were my most precious place.
"Kaori… Is it okay to hate?" I asked suddenly. It was a question that had lingered in my mind for years. My grandpa always told me never to give in to hate. Frustration, even anger, was acceptable—but hatred? He forbid it. My sister echoed the same.
Kaori didn't hesitate. "It's normal for us to hate. It's a part of life. We're born to love, feel happy, sad, angry—and, yes, to hate. Those emotions are proof that we're alive."
Her words resonated with me, though I still felt disconnected from my emotions. They were difficult to understand, to develop. No amount of time or practice could bring them out naturally—it had to come from a significant event. But now, I felt something inside me—a locked-up hatred and grudge, long suppressed. It was beginning to surface. I could feel the surging anger leaking out.
Sorry, Grandpa, looks like I can't keep that promise, I mumbled to myself.
Kaori's voice broke through again. "I'll get stronger and come back to this land someday. And we'll take it back, together!"
Her words motivated me. "That makes me sad, but you're right, Kaori. We'll take back what we lost. That will be our mission!"
And for the first time in a while, I felt the fire inside me reignite. We had a purpose again.
The sun had risen, casting a warm glow as everyone started packing their things. We stood by the road, saying our goodbyes. Mori would be heading to my house, where the rescue team was set to arrive, while the three of us—Tokiro, Yuzuha, and I—were taking a different route.
"Arisu, those who die are losers, got that?" Kaoru said firmly.
"Arisu, Yuzuha, and Tokiro, promise me you'll return, okay?" Mori added with concern.
"You must return. Your little sister is waiting for you. And don't forget our oath from earlier—we will take this land back someday," Kaori reminded me.
We all bumped fists, a silent vow, and then parted ways.
At the Founder Land's harbor, ships were filling to capacity and setting sail. Some had already departed before sunrise, including the ship carrying Chisaka Tosaki, my little sister. Thankfully, she was safe, though Sheila Virgor, her caretaker, had been badly injured protecting her during the academy's explosion. Chisaka, ever the caring one, had been looking after Sheila ever since.
In the room where the wounded were being treated, two girls entered. One had silver-blue hair, half of her bangs clipped up, and striking violet eyes. She looked around 15-17 years old, dressed in a sleeveless white polo with a black necktie, a blue mini skirt with a cloud pattern, and a violet fabric armor that extended to her knees. She carried a sword with an expensive scabbard, hinting at her strength and status. The other girl, the same height, wore identical clothing but in yellow and white, her attire and scabbard just as luxurious.
"Who among you has the family name of Tosaki? I'm looking for siblings," the bright-haired girl asked.
Chisaka, raising her hand, answered, "I'm a Tosaki, but my brother isn't on this ship." Though worried, she politely asked why they were looking for me.
The girls approached, asking where I might be. Chisaka explained that I had been at Sunrise Village in Founder Land before the invasion. She tried to stay optimistic, hoping I had escaped or been rescued.
"He must be with Cecilia..." the silver-blue-haired girl murmured.
"We'll inform the other rescue teams. We'll go there ourselves and wait for him. Make sure the whole rescue operation knows about this. This comes directly from the Princess," the girl with the yellow-white attire instructed.
Chisaka was left stunned, but also thrilled. She recognized these two girls—they had come to the main city of Founder Land a year ago to meet Princess Charlotte. Chisaka had admired them ever since, though she never learned their names. Now, with curious eyes, she saw her chance to ask.
The silver-haired girl with the pink hue was Yukiha Ayanami, and her sister, Yuna Ayanami, stood by her side. They were known as the strongest cops in the Land of Royal, with Yukiha as the Captain of the first division and Yuna as her vice-captain. Their reputation as protectors was legendary.
As they stood in the infirmary room, Yukiha, sensing Chisaka's admiration, offered a warm smile. "Since we have some time, how about you tell us more about your brother?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Chisaka couldn't help but feel excited. She admired these women, and now they wanted to know about me. She happily shared stories of my life, keeping the conversation light and fun. However, she was careful to avoid anything too personal or dangerous, knowing what could put me at risk.
An hour passed when a cop entered the room, delivering a letter to Yukiha. After glancing at its contents, she looked to Yuna and said, "It seems your brother is alive, Chisa-chan. But he's being reckless. Cecilia says he's chosen to stay behind, wanting to figure things out for himself."
Yuna sighed, frustration clear on her face. "Surviving is more important than proving yourself. What is he thinking?"
"Is your brother really this reckless?" Yukiha asked, turning her attention to Chisaka.
Chisaka, amazed but calm, replied with a soft smile. "Yes, he can be reckless, but I'm not worried. My brother always comes back, even if he's in pieces. He taught me to stay positive, no matter what. And as long as I do, he always finds his way back to me, even if he's late."
Yukiha nodded, clearly impressed by her faith. "You trust him that much? Alright, then. I believe he'll return within a week. Schedule our departure," she instructed the cop before leaving the room.
After their conversation, Yukiha turned her attention to treating the wounded. She knelt beside Sheila, Chisaka's caretaker, whose injuries were severe.
"Life Magic: Restoration!" Yukiha chanted, her hands glowing softly. In seconds, Sheila's fatal wounds vanished, healing completely. She slowly regained consciousness, and Chisaka immediately rushed to embrace her.
"W-What just happened?" Sheila murmured in confusion, still disoriented.
"I can heal and restore wounds, even broken limbs," Yukiha explained calmly. "Yours weren't too deep, so it was simple."
Sheila, now fully understanding, bowed deeply in gratitude, paying respect to both Yukiha and Yuna. "Thank you so much."
Yukiha, ever composed, got to the point. "Sheila, based on your injuries, I assume a powerful enemy attacked the city, correct?"
Sheila nodded solemnly. "Yes. I was protecting Chisaka, and during the final assault, I shielded her from the attack. Thankfully, the fourth division captain arrived just in time and urged us to flee. We nearly made it out of the city, but I passed out due to blood loss."
Yuna crossed her arms, her expression tense. "It's been years since the demons acted so aggressively. Founder Land… it's truly done for now."
A cop entered the room once again, carrying a letter—this time from Amane Shimizu. Amane, having ties to the Land of Royal, had grown close to Yukiha and Yuna. As Yukiha read the letter, her expression turned grave, and the air in the room shifted.
"Moritaka-san is dead…" Yukiha announced, her voice low and tense.
Yuna, stunned, stared at her sister. "What happened, Sister Yukiha? Moritaka-san wasn't someone who could be easily defeated."
With a heavy heart, Yukiha revealed, "He faced a Demon God."
The room fell silent as the weight of her words settled in. Even Sheila, recovering from her injuries, looked stricken. Yukiha, visibly shaken, excused herself and quickly left the room. She unleashed her Eagle, sending a message to the commander of the Land of Royal.
"This is the prophecy Princess Juliet warned us about," Yukiha muttered to herself as she moved. "Once the Founder Land falls, everything will fall apart. And now, the Demon Gods are involved."
Yuna's usually calm demeanor cracked, a cold fury brewing in her eyes. "The Demon Gods… the ones who took our brother," she whispered, her voice steady but filled with anger.
Yukiha returned, her face resolute. "Arisu Tosaki was involved in the battle, but he managed to escape with Amane-san's help. According to Juliet-sama, we need Arisu Tosaki to prevent the prophecy from coming true. Yuna, we'll need to run to another ship and find him. You must go immediately and locate Arisu."
Yuna nodded, already preparing herself to depart. She waited near the docks for the next ship, determined to carry out the mission.
The memories of their brother weighed heavily on both Yukiha and Yuna. Ten years ago, when they were just five, they had lost him. The Ayanami siblings had always been strong, joining the cops at the age of ten, but their brother had been exceptional even at his young age. However, fate had been cruel. He encountered Demon Gods, a battle he could not win. Yukiha and Yuna had been there, powerless as their brother, knowing the danger he faced, begged the demons to spare his sisters and take only him. The demons obliged, snatching him away, leaving the two young girls behind.
Since that day, Yukiha and Yuna vowed to become strong enough to find their brother. They joined the cops to track down demons, determined to one day face the Demon Gods again. But now, with the prophecy looming, they understood that finding Arisu Tosaki took precedence. The fate of the world, and perhaps their chance at avenging their brother, depended on it.
Back at Sunrise Village, Tokiro and Yuzuha reluctantly accompanied me because I insisted on going.
One… two… three…
I swung my sword swiftly, cutting through the air in every direction as fast as I could.
Swing, swing, faster, stronger… I pushed more anger into each strike, my thoughts consumed by the need to grow stronger.
With the final blow, I swung my sword with such force that three demons were sent flying, their bodies torn to pieces.
"I'm gonna get stronger…" I muttered, my voice low but filled with resolve.
Tokiro and Yuzuha stood nearby, watching in silence. It was unusual for them to see me so serious, and they could feel the raw anger in the way I wielded my sword. The tension in the air was different, the power behind my strikes far greater than before.