The cafeteria was crowded, voices overlapping in a constant hum, but one presence stood out—Horikita.
Of course she’s here. It’s a cafeteria… get a grip.
Her usual seat was empty. When I turned, she was suddenly behind me. I nearly dropped my tray.
“Did I startle you?” she asks, her tone sharp.
“No. Just didn’t expect you there,” I say. “What do you want?”
She studies me for a moment.“We have unfinished business. You interfered when you shouldn’t have.”
Unfortunate timing.
“I stepped in because you were going too far,” I reply. “The match was already over.”
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She scoffs.“And since when does a low-ranker get to decide that?”
She’s doing this on purpose.
Horikita takes a slow step closer, invading my space.
“I’m done standing around listening to this,” I mutter.
“Careful,” she says, grabbing my collar and pulling me forward just enough to make her point.“Cross the line again, and there will be consequences.”
She releases me and walks away as if nothing happened.
I straighten my collar, watching her disappear into the crowd.
So intimidation is her preferred language.
---
I leave the cafeteria and head outside. The air is cool, quiet—better.
No one around.
I stop near a training dummy set up along the path.
I should at least figure this out.
I raise my hand, focusing.
Nothing happens.
So it’s not that simple.
I flick my wrist upward.
Dark energy flares. The dummy is lifted violently into the air before crashing down, splintering on impact.
“…Underwhelming,” I mutter.
I concentrate again, this time holding the flow. The darkness settles around me—subtle, controlled. My body feels lighter, stronger.
So that’s it. The attribute responds to intent.
If I shape it properly, I could form weapons… constructs.
But I can feel the limit.
Nythera’s limit.
No matter what I imagine, I can’t cross it.
I exhale and let the energy fade.
“I need sleep,” I say quietly.
I turn back toward the dorms.
