Yanma stands on his weak legs. Blood drips from the corners of his mouth. Her eyes are closed, lacking the shine they once had. Her hair no longer bounces.

William screams at the top of his lungs, a roar so ferocious it seems like it was released by a beast. At the same time, he activates his Dragon Magic and charges toward his teacher's killer.

Light is paralyzed. His eyebrows twitch, and his eyes widen. He grits his teeth and exhales heavily.

In the blink of an eye, William, with his strongest magic, reaches Marco, attacking with a dagger that glows a scorching red.

Marco is immediately surprised and jumps back, gaining distance.

William deactivates his magic and looks at his teacher, whose legs give way as her body collapses.

Before her body hits the ground, William, her only student, catches her to prevent the fall. He gently lays her down with extreme care.

The boy begins to tear up. He tries to grab her hand, but Yanma is completely unable to move.

"Ah... Argh..." William feels his chest tighten, and then, the tears fall like a storm.

William cries as he drowns in indescribable sadness. He places his hand on her wound, trying to stop the bleeding, but it’s useless—the armor prevents him from doing so. Yanma manages to look at the boy and sees something she hadn't seen before: the image of a child like any other, for, after all, William is still one.

"Hey..." Yanma whispers with the little strength she has left.

Her student, William, widens his eyes and looks at his teacher.

"I'm sorry..." Yanma mutters.

"What are you saying!" William's voice shakes. "I'll heal you, I promise!" As he speaks, Yanma coughs up blood, and a red droplet splashes on William's face, terrifying him.

"HEY LIGHT!" William screams for his brother, who is paralyzed, too tense and terrified to breathe.

At the sound of his brother's scream, Light looks at William with a desperate expression.

"YOU CAN HEAL HER, CAN'T YOU??" William's voice cracks as he seeks reassurance. "You can do it, right?" He asks with tear-filled eyes, his eyebrows furrowing in anguish.

"No, I can't..." Light stares at the ground as he speaks, his voice barely audible.

William feels something choke him, a sadness he can’t contain, which manifests as more sobbing.

Light had never felt so guilty or helpless, hearing his brother cry for the first time. Internally, he breaks down completely, unable to move.

"I... I spoke to her just today... She was alive..." Light tells himself. "And now... I... she..." Tears begin to flow from his eyes without him realizing.

When was the last time Light cried?

He doesn’t even remember, but the feeling is real and cruel.

Light is confused by his emotions. Never, not even in his previous life, had he felt anything like this.

Then, puffing out his chest and filling his lungs, Light lets out a desperate scream, much like William's. His sobbing continues, each gasp evidence of his suffering.

William leans over Yanma's chest, which rises and falls with difficulty.

"Ah, I almost forgot..." She struggles to speak. William lifts his head, looking at her intently. "I thought you'd already learned everything from me... So I wrote a letter to my old friend, asking him to come and train you..." she says.

"Don't talk, don't talk, don't strain yourself!" William pleads, his words tangled in tears.

Light approaches, head lowered, his eyes dark and empty. The youthful light once present is now gone, and with so much racing through his mind, it's impossible to know what he’s thinking.

Blood begins to pool beneath Yanma, soaking William’s hand, which supports her.

Light kneels next to William, entering Yanma’s narrow field of vision. The woman with violet hair gives a weak smile when she sees Light’s face.

"Hey... William..." she whispers. "Was I a good teacher?"

This question squeezes the brothers' hearts. Light tries to hold back his tears but struggles.

William tries to compose himself, but he can't.

"Mm-hmm... You’re the best..." William says, his voice quivering. Tears flow despite his efforts to stop them.

Yanma smiles, an innocent smile.

"I'm glad... I'm glad I didn't disappoint you..." she whispers.

"What are you talking about?" William asks, his voice trembling.

"Hey, William, you're special. You’ll definitely surpass me one day. But until that day comes, please keep remembering me. That’s all I ask..." Yanma’s eyes fill with tears, and one escapes, sliding down her cheek.

"On my neck..." Yanma says with difficulty. "Around my neck is the necklace my mother gave me when I was young. I want you to carry it, William, so you'll remember I’m always with you... no matter where you are..." Her voice fades as more tears flow.

William breaks down, but he tries to suppress his sobs.

"And Light..." Yanma continues. The boy with empty eyes raises his head and looks at her. "... Don’t sink into the darkness... Don’t stop being who you are..." Yanma smiles and takes a long, final sigh.

Light’s eyes fill with tears, a shine returning to them, as bright as a spring flower.

"Yanma..." William calls. "Teacher Yanma!" He shakes her, but she doesn't respond. "Don't leave me! Don't leave me, please!" William pleads... but she is no longer with them.

William stops and realizes she’s gone. Her eyes no longer carry the flame of life, her breath forever stilled. William can’t accept it, but deep down, he knows.

The two brothers try to maintain their composure, but tears flow as they cry over Yanma's body.

For William, she was his teacher; for Light, the strongest knight in the kingdom; but for both, a dear friend.