šļø Scene 1 ā Recovery and Teasing
The infirmary inside Montelo estate was warm and quiet. Sunlight trickled through the tall windows, lighting the linen-draped beds where William and Alicia lay.
Alicia's head was bandaged. Her ribs were tightly wrapped. Her eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was William seated beside her bed, arms crossed.
"You're alive," he said flatly.
She blinked. "Disappointed?"
He looked away. "Relieved. Which is worse."
She grinned faintly.
"Heyā¦ you yelled pretty loud when I got hit," she whispered. "Didn't know I mattered that much."
William shrugged. "You still don't."
Alicia rolled her eyes. "Liar."
Across the room, Shinonome checked her vitals silently, lips tugging upward in a small, satisfied smile.
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š Scene 2 ā Gin Being Ginā¢
The infirmary doors burst open.
Gin Montelo entered with a bouquet of wildflowers, rose clenched between his teeth, cloak dramatically flaring like a stage actor.
"For the brave warrior maiden who faced the beast of flameāthese humble offerings!" he declared, kneeling beside Alicia's bed and placing a single flower on her pillow.
Alicia blinked. "Why is it wet?"
Gin winked. "Sweat of battle."
Then he turned to Shinonome.
"And for you, noble healerāyour hands may have mended wounds, but they've wounded my heart."
Shinonome didn't blink.
She just raised her hand. And slapped him across the room.
Gin crashed through the hallway doors, skidding across the polished floor before landing beside a group of watching maids.
He groaned. Then sat up with a grin.
"Ladies," he said weakly, "I'm broken. Only your kindness can save me."
From the balcony above, Iris tipped a pitcher.
Cold water drenched him.
"Shut up," she called.
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š§ Scene 3 ā Iris and the Truth
That evening, the halls were quieter.
William walked alone toward the training yard when Iris stepped from the shadows.
She held an old scroll.
He froze.
"I know what's happening," she said.
He looked away. "You don't."
She stepped closer. "This is an Anima Blade scroll. A weapon that has a soul. That chooses its wielder."
William said nothing.
"You don't have to admit it," she continued. "But you've changed. Your blade whispers. Moves differently. It's alive."
Still, silence.
Iris placed the scroll gently in his hand.
"I'm not here to stop you. I'm your sister. I just don't want to lose you."
She hesitated.
"When the time comesā¦ I'll fight with you. Not against you."
She walked away before he could reply.
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š Scene 4 ā The Decision
Three nights later, under the starlit sky, Shinonome stood with William and Alicia at the cliff's edge overlooking the Montelo valley.
A cool breeze drifted through the grass.
"You've passed," she said quietly. "Not just the trialābut everything. The discipline. The emotion. The fear."
She turned to face them.
"Now it's time. The Mana Volcano awaits. You will journey there and uncover your soul weaponāif it exists within you."
William's hand brushed the hilt of his sword. It hummed beneath his touch. Soft. Faint. Like a sleeping heartbeat.
Alicia stepped closer, her voice a whisper.
"Are you ready?"
William nodded. "Are you?"
She didn't answer. She just took his hand.
Shinonome looked toward the stars.
> "You leave in three days. Prepare your hearts."
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š Chapter End Quote:
"Some journeys begin with a sword. Others begin when you decideā¦ to draw it."