As the crimson petals of a red rose unfold, they reveal a beauty both captivating and guarded, its elegance tempered by the thorns that protect its tender heart. This paradoxical allure mirrors the enigmatic presence of Hitomi Higashi, the striking young woman gliding down the hallway, her fiery mane cascading behind her like a wildfire's wake. Her sharp, yellow eyes shone with an inner radiance, illuminating her path as she navigated the corridor with her butler in tow, their footsteps echoing in synchronized harmony.
Hitomi's crimson locks danced in the gentle breeze, as if alive, and her eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity that seemed to pierce through the surroundings. Her butler, a pillar of discreet elegance, moved with measured steps, his eyes scanning the environment with a practiced air of vigilance.
Just as Hitomi's poised demeanor seemed about to carry her past the intersecting corridor unscathed, a figure clad in a gleaming golden and white combat suit emerged, his attire a masterful blend of functionality and opulence. The suit itself was a marvel of intricate design, with etched silver filigree tracing the contours of his toned physique, while a flowing grey cape billowed behind him like a storm cloud's shadow. The cape's clasp, shaped like a stylized winged motif, glinted with a subtle sheen, underscoring the wearer's status.
"Kaelith Sunshadow," Hitomi's gaze flickered towards the young man, her voice poised, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed the interruption.
The name Kaelith Sunshadow seemed to fit the man perfectly, his piercing gaze and chiseled features exuding an aura of confidence and power, his presence commanding attention like a storm on the horizon. As he stood before Hitomi, the air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, the promise of conflict or revelation hanging precariously in the balance.
"I'm sure you've heard of me, haven't you?" Kaelith's smile was smooth as silk, his tone dripping with practiced charm. "Everyone does, I suppose."
Hitomi's response was a dismissive "Tsk," her eyes flashing with annoyance. "How... thrilling. And what could the illustrious Sir Kaelith Sunshadow possibly want with a delicate flower like myself?" She asked, her tone curt, her gaze piercing as she awaited his response, as if the brevity of their conversation depended on the relevance of his response, her patience wearing thin with each passing moment.
"I'm here with the best of intentions, Lady Higashi," Kaelith said, his polite bow a stark contrast to the suggestive glint in his eye. "You might consider relaxing your guard; I'm not here to harm you."
Hitomi's glare softened slightly as she let out a measured sigh, her gaze still wary. "Proceed, Sunshadow. I'm listening."
"I've had the pleasure of noticing your... radiance," Kaelith continued, his voice dripping with insincerity. "As my father taught me, a gentleman never leaves a flower like yourself unplucked. I merely wished to ask you to court me."
The words sent a shiver of revulsion down Hitomi's spine, and her glare returned with renewed intensity. Memories of her past flooded back – the unwanted attention, the objectification, the shame. At the Islevale Garden of the Summoner's Scenario, she'd hoped to escape such entanglements, but it seemed some things followed her everywhere. The Summoner's Garden was supposed to be a sanctuary for growth and self-improvement, not a hunting ground for men like Kaelith. Her resolve hardened; she would not let him dictate her path or define her worth.
"I'll stop you right there, Sunshadow," Hitomi interrupted, her voice firm and confident. "I'm not looking for a partner, and I certainly don't need your admiration. You've successfully wasted my time; please allow me to carry on with my day." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The onlookers snickered, their murmurs weaving through the air as they watched the exchange unfold. Kaelith's face twisted in a mixture of embarrassment and determination, his smile faltering for a moment before he regained his composure.
"Ah, a difficult one, I see," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "No matter. As I said, I won't leave a flower such as yourself unplucked."
Hitomi let out a soft sigh, her expression unyielding. "Unfortunately, this flower has been plucked to its last petal," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "I'm not even a virgin. Save your attention for someone who needs it. I have no interest in men at the moment, and I doubt I ever will."
The air seemed to thicken with tension as Hitomi's words hung in the air, her blunt rejection a stark contrast to Kaelith's flowery language. The onlookers' snickers grew louder, their eyes fixed on Kaelith's reaction as he struggled to maintain his suave demeanor.
As Hitomi dismissed him and continued on her way, Kaelith's suave facade began to crack. His eyes narrowed, his teeth grating together in frustration as he demanded, "How... why? Why would you sully yourself like this? Do you possess no shame as a lady?"
Hitomi's smile grew, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she toyed with Kaelith's anger. "No, I don't," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "And I doubt I ever had." She paused, her gaze piercing. "Virgin."
The word hung in the air, a deliberate jab that hit its mark. Kaelith's face contorted further, his anger boiling over. Hitomi continued, her tone laced with sarcasm, "I mean, you're one to talk about plucking flowers, aren't you? Yet, it seems you're the one who's been prickly handled."
"You... how insolent—"
"Save it," Hitomi cut him off, her voice firm as she turned to leave. With a flick of her hair, she departed, leaving Kaelith seething in frustration. The onlookers watched the exchange with bated breath, their faces a mix of amusement and shock at Hitomi's unapologetic retort.
…
As Hitomi stepped into the vast, open room, the intricate markings on the floor seemed to shimmer in anticipation. The air was alive with the promise of magic, and the soft glow of luminescent orbs cast an ethereal light on the gathered students. With her intricately crafted short staff in hand, adorned with a glittering Aetherite crystal native to their world, Hitomi began to chant.
"Xi-aerikor, ri-zhilakai sha-lai! Ni-kalxor kor-sha, sorilai ri-lai! Aer-tha, zhil-tha, kor-tha, lai-tha! Phoenix, ni-zhilakai, ri-kor, sha-lai!" Her voice rose and fell in a hypnotic rhythm, channeling her kardia magia into the staff. The words seemed to take on a life of their own, weaving a spell of fire and light.
As she spoke, the air around her began to vibrate with intensity, and a blaze of warm, golden light erupted into being. The room held its breath as the flames coalesced into a majestic form, though Hitomi's focus remained fixed on a different goal. "Ryu," she called out softly, her eyes shining with affection.
From the heart of the golden light, a small, fiery bird emerged, its plumage a deep, burnished red. Ryu, Hitomi's familiar, spread its wings, and the room erupted into gasps and whispers. The bird's size was deceptively small at first, but as it fluttered onto Hitomi's shoulder, it began to grow, its wings expanding to fill the space around her. Within moments, Ryu's wingspan surpassed that of the average human, its fiery feathers glowing with an inner light.
The students, mostly newcomers like Hitomi, exchanged awestruck glances. Among them was Instructor Svensson, a seasoned mage with a discerning eye for talent. His expression was a mask of calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise and admiration.
Hitomi, however, was lost in the joy of the moment. She reached up to pet Ryu's soft, fiery feathers, and the bird nuzzled her gently, rubbing its face against her cheeks. The sound of her laughter filled the room, warm and infectious, as she basked in the companionship of her beloved familiar.
As the three-month mark flew by, the specter of the Labyrinth of Lethe's pageant loomed larger, casting a foreboding shadow over Hitomi's thoughts. She couldn't help but dread the upcoming trial, memories of a previous page still seared into her mind. Back then, luck had been their only solace, but it hadn't been enough to prevent the loss of two companions. The weight of that experience bore down on her, and she feared this next page might be even more daunting.
"Ryu, it looks like I'll be pushing you hard soon," Hitomi said, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and concern. "I won't have you croaking on me when it counts." Ryu, sensing her mood, nudged her gently with its beak, as if trying to offer what little comfort a small, fiery bird could.
Hitomi's gaze drifted away from Ryu, her thoughts momentarily escaping the darkness of the impending trial. "Enough of that gloomy talk," she said, forcing a brighter tone into her voice. "We'll be allowed to visit the city soon. I'm itching to leave the Isle for a bit, just for a change of scenery." The prospect of stepping into the bustling streets, of feeling the sun on her skin and the wind in her hair, was a tantalizing escape from the trials ahead.