In a room bathed in bright sunlight, Mikuami was hurriedly finishing getting ready. With care, she adjusted the blue and white uniform of the Academy, just as Kazuko burst through the door, radiating joy.

“Are you ready, Mikuami? We need to get going! And don’t forget to take Satan with you – we have to drop our companions off at the shelter!” 

Mikuami stepped out with her small violet creature perched on her shoulder and set off alongside Kazuko and Charkie through the corridors. They arrived at the shelter marked on the Academy’s map. “You’ll behave, won’t you, Charkie? I’ll come and pick you up after class!” said Kazuko, stroking her adorable little pig. A soft grunt was his only reply. Mikuami gently placed Satan down and gave him a brief cuddle, as though to say goodbye. “You behave as well, little demon.”

Once their farewells were over, they hurried towards their classroom. In the corridors, every student was dressed in uniform, and amid the bustling crowd, Mikuami and Kazuko rejoined the girls they had met the day before: Masami and Makiro.

“You’re just in time – the first lesson is about to begin,” said Makiro.

“We came as fast as we could. We had to drop our companions off at the shelter!”

“You too?!” Makiro exclaimed. “We went there as well to drop off Masami’s.”

Kazuko gave her a mischievous grin. “Let me guess – judging by your personality, I’d say something fierce from the mountains!”

“Thank you…” Masami replied with her usual detached expression. “But no… It’s actually a small fish. A goldfish.”

No one would have guessed that Masami had placed her devotion in such a tiny creature, and a sense of surprise swept through the group. Suddenly, a pair of hands clapped, and Miss Harina ushered the students into the classroom. Everyone rushed to grab what they believed were the best seats. Kazuko, eager to take in every word, dashed to the front rows, followed closely by Mikuami. They sat down without paying attention to their surroundings. Mikuami glanced ahead and saw Hiro sitting with his two friends, Eiko and Haru. Timidly, she turned to Kazuko: “Um… Kazuko, are you sure you want to sit here?”

“Of course! We’ve got the perfect spot! Why, do you want to move somewhe—”

Her eyes met Eiko’s just in front of them, and a chill ran down her spine, followed by a slight look of disgust. Much like Mikuami’s feelings towards Hiro, Kazuko would have liked to be as far from Eiko as possible. She was about to suggest moving back a few rows when Makiro and Masami filled the remaining seats in their row, leaving them no choice.

“These seats are perfect – great choice, girls!” Makiro beamed, oblivious to the discomfort on Kazuko and Mikuami’s faces, who both wore expressions of quiet despair. Miss Harina clapped her hands again, and the first lesson began.

“Good morning, everyone. Today marks the beginning of your magical training here at the Academy. In this first lesson, I’ll be giving you all the key information, so I ask for your utmost discipline.”
The entire class fell into a near-religious silence, attentive to her every word. “At the Academy Hatsu, we work to elevate our magical potential to its highest level. Regardless of its nature or source, each of you has the capacity to become a Guardian. I will be your main teacher and shall lead most of your courses, including the history of the Kingdom and magic, combat and self-defence, magical science, and a study of the stars and other celestial beings. This last one is optional and is among the many modules you’ll soon choose from to complete your timetable. You’ll have access to them shortly and will need to select two. These options are designed to help you specialise in areas that interest you, so choose carefully!”

Murmurs of excitement echoed through the class at this exciting announcement.

“As for the rest of your schedule, you’ll have sports with Miss Elisa Hyostel, followed by potions and enchantments with Miss Erica Mistale. I’ll now explain the goals for this term and hand out your provisional timetables.”
The first lesson passed quicker than expected, filled with information, and the students left the room one by one once it ended. They had been given a task: collect their textbooks. There was no need to leave the Academy grounds – they simply had to walk to the first gates of the third entrance, where a charming little bookshop stood beside a quaint coffee shop. As they walked, the girls eagerly discussed all they had learnt.

“I can’t wait to see the list of options! I really hope there’s one for weaponry or hand-to-hand combat! Since my family are blacksmiths and official weapon suppliers, I obviously want to study that!” exclaimed Kazuko.
Makiro shared her thoughts. 

“As for me, I’d love a module that strengthens my water-based abilities.”

They turned to Mikuami to ask her preference. “Um… I’m not really sure, but I’d like to take a class that teaches me the most.” She thought to herself, “With my memory loss, every bit of information about this world, anything that could help me understand who I am or why I have such magical power, is precious.”

Makiro chuckled softly. “In that case, you should go to the Academy’s grand library. There are loads of rare and unique books about our world!”

Mikuami pondered for a moment. “That’s not a bad idea… I might check it out.”

Shortly after, they arrived and agreed to get it over with quickly, already noticing the growing crowd of students. Each girl weaved between the shelves, searching for their books. Kazuko spotted one of the titles on her list and reached out to grab it, only for another hand to do the same. Both ended up holding the same copy. A haughty-looking girl with pink hair tied in a bun shot her a nasty glare.

“What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see I got it first?”

“What? Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?” Annoyed by her rudeness, Kazuko held onto the book firmly. Their voices gradually rose, drawing the attention of a few curious students nearby.

“What’s going on?”

Mikuami turned to see Hiro and Eiko behind her, both surprised by the commotion. “Oh no… That weird boy and that… detestable one.”
Eiko stepped forward and snatched the book from their hands. “Stop arguing over a single textbook, there are dozens just like it.”

“HEY! Are you serious?! Give it back!” the pink-haired girl snapped.

Eiko gave her a frosty look. “You’re not really going to make a scene over something so small, are you? You’d better pick another one and leave.”

She clenched her teeth, aware that she was dealing with a member of the royal family. Without another word, she grabbed another copy and stormed off. Eiko turned to Kazuko and handed her the book he still held. Kazuko stared at him in disbelief.

“I thought you were just strange… but you’re actually kind.”

“What?! K-kind?” Eiko instantly reverted to the shy boy who had blushed in front of her the day before. He walked off without replying, flustered, followed by his friends.

“Seems like you don’t hate him anymore?” Mikuami said with a smirk.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Mikuami. I thanked him for what he did, that’s all. He might have earned a little more respect, but he’s still strange.”

They both burst out laughing and continued their search through the shelves. Outside, two silhouettes watched them. The pink-haired girl now stood beside another girl with long blue and white hair, dressed in black. Two small, dark, tattered wings protruded from her back.

“That’s her, Elysa? The blonde who disrespected you in front of everyone?”

Elysa nodded darkly. “Yes.”

“I believe they’re from Class II, so you’ve nothing to worry about, haha!” She wore a smug, scornful smile, making no effort to hide it. “They’re just insects to crush. A few may look promising, but the rest… they seem so harmless. Unlike them, we have a way to rise above and become the best.”

“What do you mean? What are you talking about, Phyllis?”

“An Angel named Gabriel approached me this morning. He said that if I prove myself, the Angel from the Grand Temple of Light could grant us what we most desire. She could be a great help. And for me, someone who dreams of becoming a Guardian, this is an opportunity I can’t let slip.”

“Prove yourself…?” Elysa pondered for a moment. Her face, still marked by anger, slowly softened into a smile. “Could she really offer me what I desire? Because right now, getting revenge on those arrogant demons would do me a world of good… Ah! If there’s a fight to be had, I’m the one for the job.” 

Phyllis seemed satisfied.

“The time will come, don’t worry. Come. Let’s go find Gabriel. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”

-

Later that day, Class I was invited to gather in the inner courtyards of the Academy. Isolated on a small islet and surrounded by tall ramparts, the Academy was only accessible via a bridge, crossed daily by horse-drawn carriages. Yet hidden from the outside world lay many facilities dedicated to the magical and physical training of admitted students. Among them stood a wooden training arena, at the centre of tiered seating allowing spectators to observe the combatants. Engraved in its heart was a proud unicorn — the emblem of the Academy, found in numerous other locations. The students began to arrive and took their seats on the benches. Faced with such a setting, Mikuami felt pressure rising within her. She feared what was about to unfold. Harina arrived shortly afterwards.

“Right, let’s not waste time. Let’s begin at once, shall we?” She positioned herself at the edge of the arena. “Come now, the first one, step into the centre!”

Faced with hesitation and confusion, Hiro sighed and rose to his feet. Mikuami, not immediately understanding, began to suspect the moment she dreaded had finally arrived — and her fears were quickly confirmed.

“Thank you for your eagerness. As you’ve probably guessed, we’re beginning our second class together: combat and self-defence! One by one, you will step forward and show us the nature of your energy source. This will also help you become better acquainted with one another.” She turned to Hiro. “The honour is yours.”

Hiro slowly removed his jacket in a silence thick with anticipation, then rolled up his sleeves. Mikuami, more attentive and anxious than anyone, watched him closely, not missing a single detail.

“Show our energy source? But Mr Adler made it perfectly clear that I must hide my real power… What am I going to do…?!” 

Her stress intensified, but she kept her focus on Hiro. He inhaled, and with a simple gesture, summoned a dark and powerful aura around him, a glowing seal appearing beneath his feet. Judging by the intensity of his magic and the expression on his face, Mikuami sensed that his energy must be incredibly strong — or at least, that was the impression she had from her own... After a few seconds, he stopped and resumed his original stance. His magic gradually dispersed, until it vanished completely.

Harina smiled. “Very interesting. I’ve glanced through each of your files, but seeing your abilities in person is far more conclusive than words on a page. Your energy source is shadow, isn’t it?” He nodded. “It’s an exceptionally rare form of magic. You’ll need to work hard to reach its full potential. Good, next one!”

Mikuami winced at those words. “Shadow magic… That was precisely the one Mr Adler had advised her to imitate, due to its closeness to her own. Choosing a source that shared certain similarities had been the safer option, since her own — born from the origins of evil, drawn from the Great Goddess Hiraki — had in a way given rise to the very shadow magic Hiro now wielded.” She buried her face in her hands.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that this magic was meant to be my cover at the Academy… What do I do now?! Mr Adler didn’t anticipate that I’d end up in the same class as a demon who genuinely possesses it. It’s meant to be extremely rare, and yet… a demon in my very class has mastered it! Didn’t he research the other students enrolled at the Academy?!” She sat up slightly. “I can’t blame him. We had few options — we needed the magic closest to mine… but such bad luck… it’s hard to believe. I’ll have to deceive them all, but how?”

One by one, the students stepped forward to showcase their powers. Masami summoned columns of water that danced around her arms; Haru demonstrated his ability to take on animal traits; another student completely vanished from sight, blending in with the environment. Mikuami watched them, unable to enjoy any of it, drowning instead in a silent anxiety she hid remarkably well — until Miss Harina called her name:

“Mikuami, your turn!”

Mechanically, she stood and walked forward, unable to silence the thoughts tormenting her since the beginning.

“Mr Adler only had time to give me the briefest training in this… but what if I fail? And if they discover that my magic draws from the origins of evil… from a fallen Goddess? What will happen to me?!”

Her vision blurred under the pressure, and once she stood at the centre of the arena, Mikuami plunged into an even deeper terror. With trembling hands, she activated her magic, trying to concentrate and play the part — but the dark thoughts kept mounting. She slowly lost touch with reality, and her imagination began to turn against her; within the swirling black and violet mist, devouring, accusatory voices began to shriek.

“SO THIS IS WHAT YOU’VE BEEN HIDING?! YOU’RE DISGUSTING! THE POWER OF A FALLEN GODDESS… DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD HIDE IT FROM US?!”

Her magic grew stronger, seemingly fuelled by the emotions overwhelming her. Frightened, crushed beneath her own fear, she didn’t realise she was losing control.

“No… I didn’t want you to find out…” she murmured, her eyes blank.

“YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE HERE!!! YOU SHOULDN’T EXIST. YOU’RE THE RESULT OF A SIN!”

“No… NO!!”

Tears welled up at the corners of her stunned eyes. “This isn’t real!!!”

From the thickening mist, a menacing female figure emerged before her. “And yet… it could be. Go on, give in. Unleash your true magic. NOW! DO IT!”

As if possessed by the vision, Mikuami’s eyes began to glow red, as did the magic escaping from her — to her horror, she understood she was no longer in control. Panicked, terrified, she screamed: “LEAVE ME ALONE!!”

A powerful shockwave surged outward, shaking all the students around the arena. A sense of alarm spread instantly. From the outside, almost nothing could be seen; Mikuami was completely obscured. But Masami, quick-witted, understood something was wrong.

“KAZUKO! Go help her — something’s not right!”

At her words, and with suspicions of her own, Kazuko didn’t hesitate. She ran towards the arena, vaulted over the barrier, and entered the now-threatening purple haze. Inside, still overwhelmed by panic, Mikuami heard a voice — faint at first, then growing clearer… Kazuko’s voice. Moments later, Kazuko appeared, charging towards her with a look of unwavering resolve.

“MIKUAMI!!!”