As the sun rose the next morning, Rene sat on a bench in the courtyard, flipping through an old history book while he reflected. The past few days had been eventful.
I get stabbed and then I encounter an angel? What is happening... he thought.
Across from him, a few students argued over combat theory, gesturing wildly as they debated whether speed or strength mattered more in a duel. Their voices faded into the background as Nihara casually approached and sat beside him, too close for comfort.
"You seem bored." she said, stretching her arms with a yawn.
"I'm tired." he replied.
She leaned in slightly, her tone quieter. "Wanna see something interesting?"
He frowned. "What?"
"There's a place beneath the academy. And I want you to see it."
"I'd rather not. Too much has happened recently—I don't need to potentially see a bunch of wizards trading... I don't know, illegal soul shards or something."
"Soul shards?"
"Yeah, you know. The kind of thing desperate mages try to sell when they run out of potions and good life choices."
Nihara laughed, and for a moment, Rene thought that was the end of it. Maybe, just maybe, she'd drop the subject.
But then she leaned in closer. Too close. Clearly she didn't know what personal space was. He shifted uncomfortably but didn't say anything.
"You really think I'd take you somewhere that boring?" she asked, her voice light with amusement.
"Yes." he said flatly.
"Come on, it's important."
"Look, I told you, I'm still comprehending everything. It's not like I fully trust you yet either. Maybe have a talk with me first and I'll consider it. I want to know who you are, okay?"
"Fine, ask away."
"Do you know anything about the raiders?"
"No, truly I do not. I'm not worried, either!"
"Why? I'm worried."
"Angels don't feel emotions the same way, you know that. It would take a while to get me to be able to worry about things."
"Well, it's something to worry about. I'll focus on other things for now though. Tell me this—what exactly do you want? I don't just mean right now. What's your goal?"
"Oh, that's easy. Power."
"Power for what?"
"To be strong."
"Wow. Very insightful."
"It's the truth. I was made from the void. Angels are meant to fight evil, but they don't always get stronger on their own. I need dark energy to fuel my strength. The more I consume, the greater I become."
"And you think I'll help you with that?"
"Yes."
Rene sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, then here's another one—what's the deal with you and personal space?"
Nihara blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You get way too close. People don't do that."
She tilted her head. "I like to be near the things I'm interested in."
"That's not how social boundaries work."
"Should I stop?" she asked, tilting forward ever so slightly.
Rene stared at her, not trusting the way her eyes sparkled like she was enjoying his discomfort. He exhaled sharply and looked away. "Forget it."
Nihara grinned, clearly satisfied. "Any more questions?"
Rene thought for a moment before fixing her with a serious look. "Yeah. What exactly is below the academy?"
"Something old." she said simply. "And something worth seeing."
"Fine. I'll go. Will it improve my trust of you?"
"Hopefully, but no promises."
The academy's underground chambers weren't exactly common knowledge. Most people didn't even know they existed, and those who did thought they were just old storage rooms or forgotten dungeons. But Nihara walked with purpose, weaving through the halls like she knew every hidden path.
They passed through a restricted wing of the academy, ducked into an unmarked corridor, and stopped at what looked like a solid stone wall.
"Here." She placed her palm against the surface. A pulse of energy rippled outward, and the stone groaned before splitting apart, revealing a dark stairway leading down. Nihara didn't wait. She stepped inside, her form swallowed by the darkness. Rene exhaled and followed.
The deeper they went, the colder it became. At the bottom of the stairs, the space opened into a vast underground chamber, dimly lit by eerie blue lanterns. Rene's gaze swept the room. dozens of tables were spread out, a few papers on each.
"I have been spying down here. There are intruders preparing to attack the academy tomorrow. Somehow they know I'm here, so we have to do some work tonight. If I could, I would kill them all in one attack, but I lack the energy to do so. That's why I prepared a little gift for you! Close your eyes!"
He closed his eyes and held his arms out. A warmth brushed against his fingertips. It wasn't like the searing presence of the Dusk Blade, which had always felt like carrying impending ruin. This was something different, something... alive.
"You can open them now." Nihara whispered.
René's eyes opened, and the first thing he saw was the faint glow of gold and silver. In his hands rested a blade unlike any other—its form elegant yet strong.
"The Dawn Blade." Nihara murmured, watching his reaction closely. "The sword that begins a new era."
René ran his fingers over the hilt,
"You could've let yourself fade into irrelevance, hidden away in a library until time made you nothing more than a forgotten scholar. But you still want something, even if you refuse to admit it. I'll say it now—it's inevitable that you want to accept my deal, isn't that right?"
He was silent, fingers tightening around the blade.
"It brings beginnings, change, renewal. Maybe... you should try holding a sword that doesn't remind you of everything you lost."
The words struck deeper than he wanted to admit. René lowered his gaze back to the blade, thoughts churning. A weapon that symbolized creation rather than endings—was he really worthy of something like that? Or was this just another way for the world to drag him back into conflict?
After a long pause, he exhaled. "And what if I refuse?"
Nihara shrugged, grinning. "Then I'll just annoy you until you take it. I'm very persistent."
"...You really are something else."
"I know," she said proudly. "And guess what? You and I are going to make the best team this world has ever seen."
"I won't let you down! Let's defeat those intruders!"