đ¤ď¸ Scene 1 â Morning Sparring Session
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dancing shadows across the Montelo training courtyard. Birds chirped in the distance. The air was cool and crisp, but the tension crackling between the three figures standing in the ring was anything but.
William. Alicia. Gin.
Shinonome stood at the edge of the arena, arms behind her back, her silver hair catching the light.
"Today," she said, "you spar."
William rotated his wrists, wooden sword in hand. Alicia gave a small nod, adjusting her gloves. Gin yawned dramatically, his red cloak fluttering.
"Ah, the elegance of youthful combat," Gin announced. "So thrilling. So poetic. Soâ"
THWACK!
A boot smacked him across the head.
"You're not up yet, idiot," Iris muttered, dragging him by the collar. "Try breathing before monologuing."
William chuckled. Alicia didn't.
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âď¸ Scene 2 â William vs. Alicia
Shinonome raised her hand.
"Begin."
Alicia moved fast â a low sweeping slash.
> "Duck. Don't block," Lyra's voice whispered in William's mind. "You're not made of stone."
He ducked. Clean.
"She'll pivot left. Counter right."
William followed the voice. His sword caught Alicia's swing mid-air â not hard, not cruel. Just perfect.
She blinked, surprised.
They moved again. William dodged too early. Parried too smoothly. He wasn't even looking at her anymore.
Alicia's breath quickened. Her grip tightened.
> "You're not even fighting me, are you?!"
Her shout echoed through the garden.
William froze.
> "Where are you right now, Will? With someone else?!"
He opened his mouth, unsure.
She stepped back, eyes hard. "Forget it."
Alicia dropped her sword and left the ring without a word.
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đ Scene 3 â Gin's Advice (Kind Of)
Later, Alicia sat at the edge of the training deck, hugging her knees.
Gin appeared behind her like a ghost with bad timing.
"Heartbreak in motion," he said solemnly. "Shall I be your emotional training partner?"
Alicia stared at him, deadpan. "What?"
"I mean, you can hit me until you feel better."
SMACK!
Iris landed a perfect broom strike across Gin's face.
"Why are you like this?" she muttered, dragging him by the ear.
"I'm the comic relief!" he wailed.
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đ Scene 4 â William Trains Alone
William stood alone in the garden later that evening, sword in hand.
He breathed. Closed his eyes.
> "That's better," Lyra said softly. "Now you're listening."
> "You're still holding back. You're scared of hurting her."
> "I'm notâ"
> "You are. And that's why she feels like you've left her behind."
He opened his eyes, swinging.
Fwoom! â a clean, glowing arc of silver energy danced from his blade.
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đď¸ Scene 5 â Shinonome Watches
Far above, Shinonome watched from the terrace.
> "He's syncing mid-combat. Instinct-level response."
She unfurled a hidden scroll from her sleeve â an old drawing: a sword⌠with a woman's silhouette inside it.
> "Anima-Class Weaponry... Soulbound. Forbidden."
> "His sword... it isn't just alive. It's becoming him."
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đ Scene 6 â Iris Investigates
In her room, Iris flipped through a dusty noble ledger by candlelight.
> "Only two Anima Blades ever existed," the entry read. "Both led to disaster."
She stared at the name written in ancient ink.
> "Lyra."
Her eyes narrowed.
> "What are you hiding from us, little brother?"
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đ Chapter End Quote:
"A sword that whispers is dangerous. A sword that listens⌠is alive."