Morning came.
I slowly opened my eyes, looking around.
— Mmm… what…? What happened…?
My entire body ached intensely, a burning sensation spreading through every muscle.
I tried to stand—
—but collapsed to the floor again.
I sighed softly.
— I want to die…
I closed my eyes again.
Footsteps.
Then suddenly, Alya leaned against the wall, watching me with a playful smile.
— You're a complete mess.
She said teasingly.
I let my head drop back to the floor.
— I can't help it…
She shook her head, still smiling, then glanced toward the doorframe.
— I know. Kim and the others were worried about you. Since they knew I always come have breakfast with you, they asked me to check if you were okay… and if nothing happened to you.
She paused, wrinkling her nose slightly.
— But now I see you're a disaster… and it smells like metal in here… and something else I can't even describe.
I looked at her.
— I'd really like to know how to clean all this…
She walked over and lightly flicked my forehead.
— Ouch.
She laughed.
— Sorry, not like that.
Then she placed her hand gently on my head, her touch easing the pain in my body.
— Come on, my scared little kitten. Let's clean this up.
I looked at her again.
— Speaking of cats… where's Moka?
She pointed toward my room.
— Sleeping in there.
Then she turned back toward the bathroom.
— And you and I are dealing with this.
She pulled me up by the hand and started searching for cleaning supplies. After finding powdered soap, she threw generous amounts across the floor and walls, then filled buckets with water in the kitchen.
She came back and handed me one, along with a broom.
— You and me versus… whatever the hell this is. And honestly, I don't think I want to know.
I sighed with my eyes closed.
— Trust me… you don't.
We both smiled.
We started with the ceiling.
I mixed soap into the bucket, dipped the broom, and began scrubbing hard. The dried black substance slowly came off.
For nearly thirty minutes, we scrubbed until the ceiling was clean.
Then we grabbed sponges and moved to the walls.
I paused for a moment… then smirked.
— Mmm…
With a mischievous grin, I splashed soap mixed with that black residue at Alya.
She froze.
— DARK!
She grabbed the bucket and threw it over me.
I burst out laughing and threw the other bucket back.
Soon we were both laughing, soaked, exhausted.
I grabbed a sponge and tossed it at her face.
She took the broom, hooked it behind my legs, and pulled—knocking me down as she laughed uncontrollably.
I crawled toward her, grabbed her foot, and pulled her down with me.
We both laughed.
I climbed on top of her, looking into her eyes.
— I'd kiss you… but you smell like blood.
She said, laughing.
— Too bad. I'm the one in control right now.
I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss.
She paused—
then kissed me back with intensity.
Longer.
Deeper.
Until I ran out of breath.
She pulled away, breathing softly.
— That's what you get for provoking me.
She said with a victorious smile.
I looked at her, still catching my breath.
— And I don't regret it.
We stood up and continued cleaning, occasionally splashing water at each other.
When we finished, we collapsed against the wall, exhausted.
— You should take a shower and go to school. You've got about half an hour.
I rested my head on her shoulder.
— Aren't you going to work today?
She rested her head against mine, holding my hand.
— Nope. Day off. I'll stay here, take care of Moka, and cook something. You go to school without worrying.
I nodded with a small smile.
I stood up to get ready—
but she pulled me back down.
— Shower first.
I rubbed my head.
— Right… good point.
I pushed her gently out of the bathroom and got ready.
After showering, I went to my room and changed into my school uniform.
When I went downstairs, Alya handed me a bag.
— Lunch. And breakfast so you don't arrive starving.
I hugged her.
— See you later, love.
She kissed me softly.
I smiled and left the house, heading toward school.
As I walked, I remembered something.
I took out my phone and checked my left eye.
Normal.
Not golden.
Just like always.
I kept walking until I reached school.
I entered and went straight to the classroom, sitting in my usual spot—the left corner.
First class was with the literature teacher.
Perfect time to sleep.
I fell into a deep sleep.
I don't know how long passed, but I woke up when someone nudged me.
It was Kim.
— Hey, Dark. The teacher didn't show up, so we've got a free period. Wanna come with me?
I looked up.
— Yeah, sure.
I stood up, stretching slightly.
— Let's go.
We walked together.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice.
— I want to explore a part of the school… it's abandoned. I think there might be something interesting there.
She looked around to make sure no one was listening, grabbed my hand—
—and started running.
We ran through hallways, turning left, right, straight, over and over again—
until we reached a sealed corridor.
— This is it.
I looked at her, confused.
She pressed against the wall and knocked three times.
Hollow.
She placed her palm against it.
A pulse—
Blue flames spread across the surface.
The paint and concrete crumbled away—
revealing an old, worn door.
— Let's go in.
She opened it without hesitation and pulled me inside.
The hallway beyond looked ancient.
Centuries old.
— This school must be really old…
Kim glanced at me.
— It is. It dates back to the Sixth Age of humanity… basically the medieval era.
I ran my hand across the wall.
— It's incredible this architecture is still standing.
She smiled, doing the same.
— Yeah… it's beautiful.
We walked forward using our phone flashlights.
At the end of the corridor—
another door.
We opened it.
— It's… beautiful.
An ancient library.
Shelves filled with old books, covered in dust and cobwebs.
I picked one up.
Yellowed pages.
Faded ink.
Perfect.
I blew off the dust—
right into Kim's face.
She coughed and sneezed.
— Watch where you're aiming!
— Sorry…
Embarrassed, I put the book back.
We browsed for a while until one caught my attention.
Black cover.
A golden ten-pointed star.
Inside, a note:
"Special record: This is an ancient bestiary."
— Kim, this looks promising.
She came closer.
We flipped through pages describing creatures of our world.
Then—
something strange.
Fallen angels.
Black wings.
Empty gazes.
Intertwined with…
witches.
Cosmic witches.
Faces drawn in black ink, only red eyes visible beneath their robes.
— Interesting…
Kim nodded.
— Look.
A page was missing.
"It's torn out…"
I flipped through, searching.
Then Kim pointed.
— Here it is.
She picked it up.
Written in red ink:
"My child will be born to close the cycle."
What does that mean…?
Before we could think further—
Someone appeared.
A girl.
Older than us.
Dark brown hair.
Deep blue eyes.
Athletic.
Tall.
We froze.
She took the page—
—and tore it apart.
— Some truths are not meant to be read.
Her voice was cold.
I grabbed her hand.
— Why not?
No answer.
Kim grabbed her other hand, her gaze sharp.
— Answer him. What are you hiding?
The girl sighed.
— You're not ready for that revelation.
Kim and I exchanged a look.
Kim made a small gesture like "she's crazy".
I almost laughed.
— At least tell us your name.
She closed her eyes briefly.
— Miriam. Miriam Mágisleia.
Kim blinked.
— That name… you're the student council candidate from Class 2-Y, right?
She nodded.
— Yes. And yes… I'm a Luminaria.
She looked directly at Kim.
— But unlike you, I have a mission: keep witches away.
Kim stiffened.
— So… you're a guardian.
Miriam continued calmly.
— Level 5.
Kim leaned forward.
— Then tell me—how do you level up?
Miriam opened her eyes.
— It's complicated. Different for everyone. My LC is "Thorns."
She paused, studying Kim.
— Wait… your hair… you're from the Aiory lineage, aren't you?
Kim looked down, embarrassed.
— My family never figured it out…
Miriam closed her eyes again.
— Then find your family's grimoire. Everything is written there. It must exist somewhere… hidden.
She turned.
— We should leave. A teacher might notice us.
We nodded—
But suddenly—
The library trembled.
Books fell.
Opened.
Spun.
A vortex formed around me.
Miriam grabbed my hand tightly.
— Move!
She pulled Kim too, dragging us out.
She slammed the door shut—
and restored the wall.
— Don't come back here.
She looked at me.
— Especially you… what was your name?
— Nighthos Dark. And she's Kimberly Aiory.
She nodded.
— Nice to meet you. Hopefully next time… under better circumstances.
She left.
Silence.
Kim grabbed my hand again.
— I'm hungry. Let's eat something.
— Stop eating so much, you'll get fat.
Smack.
— Don't ever say that.
— Fine. Then you're paying. I'm broke.
She sighed—
then smiled.
— Yeah… figures.
And we walked toward the cafeteria.