Twenty-one years had passed, and still no sign of romance.
« So frustrating! »

In this world, the counting of years was different from my original world… well… from what remained of my memories.

Akame, twenty-one years old, was a student at the magic school of her region.
She was a beautiful young woman, with long black hair. Her eyes, red and intense, gave off a chilling impression.
Her childhood had been extremely difficult (we’ll talk about it later). She was cold and had no friends.
She spent all her time studying or fighting monsters in dungeons, as training.

She lived without her family, in a manor.
Born into a wealthy family, her parents had hired servants to raise and take care of her.
Frightened by her power, they had never truly cared for her and had never shown her any love.
Having never grown up in a loving environment, she had gradually withdrawn into herself, to the point of developing a terrifying aura.
Everyone was afraid of her. Yet she wasn’t doing anything wrong.

That day, classes had ended early.
Akame had gone to a dark dungeon located on the outskirts of the city where her school was situated.
As usual, I followed her.

She had an exceptional affinity for magic.
Extremely gifted and powerful, she fought the monsters present with impressive ease.

Then the dungeon boss appeared.
It was immense — a kind of gigantic, living slime, surrounded by a dark aura.

Its extendable arms shot toward Akame at full speed.

She easily dodged, then retaliated by restraining the monster’s movements with her dark power.
It only took her a few dozen seconds to defeat it.

After this victory, a strange glow briefly surrounded her body, then vanished.
An immense, dark aura spread throughout the cave, seeping into every corner and even coating the walls.

Surprised, I wondered if it was a new skill, or an evolution of an existing one.
I was lost in thought… and very proud of what she had just accomplished.

But without immediately realizing it, I noticed that Akame was no longer where she had been standing.

« Where is sh... »

I didn’t have time to finish my sentence.
A blade, formed from dark magic, suddenly pressed against my throat.

My body froze. I couldn’t move.
A dull panic rose within me, like an inner storm.

Then, right beside my ear, I heard a voice.

Cold. Suspicious. Sharp as the blade itself.

''Who the fuck are you?'' Akame asked.