"His name is Akarashi Orien. He's in the same class as Erlik Storm... you must know Erlik," said Leith, looking ahead.
Liyn nodded slowly.
"My brother has talked to him a few times. He's very quiet, doesn't socialize much, and is rarely noticed. Many people underestimate him because his Veyra level is only 4… it's really at the minimum requirement to become a Syntara, plus he's in the medical division," Leith continued, now turning to look at Liyn.
"He has a weak body, and his wounds—for some reason—are extremely difficult to heal. Even the Medical Division rarely manages to heal him completely. Ironically, isn't it? A healer who can't heal himself."
Liyn listened intently, until finally she asked, interrupting Leith's explanation, "What kind of person is he?"
Leith nodded slowly, as if trying to recall more clearly.
"He has bright blue hair, very pale skin… almost sickly pale. His body is thin, appearing fragile. His parents died when he was still a child—no one knows exactly when. Since then, he's lived alone in a luxurious house that now looks abandoned. But if you ask about his character… I can say with certainty, he's a good person."
Liyn looked deeply impressed, her eyes sparkling despite the wounds from the previous battle.
"Where is he now?" she asked, full of curiosity.
Leith smiled slightly. "I don't know for sure. But he's become a Syntara. I've seen him on the battlefield. He's Erlik's best partner."
Leith looked deeply into Liyn's eyes and continued in a calm voice, "He also once felt he wasn't strong enough… too weak for this harsh world. But he didn't give up. Every day he fought—not to defeat others, but to become the best version of himself."
He then turned to look at Liyn, who could only remain silent.
"And I see a little of him… in you."
Liyn bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Those words pierced her heart—not because of pain, but because of the hope that was just beginning to grow.
"Thank you, Senpai…" she whispered softly, barely audible.
Leith took a brief breath, then said, "Oh, one more thing… about Viola."
Liyn turned, slightly confused.
"She is indeed a strong and talented girl. Maybe she seems arrogant to you now… but believe me, she is the hardest worker in this class. She even defeated her older brother to become the heir to the Hesra clan. All the special treatment she received made her who she is today. But deep down inside… she is not evil."
Leith looked at Liyn with genuine sincerity. "She's not a bully. She's just afraid… afraid that one day someone else might become stronger than her."
Liyn nodded slowly, then spoke with a trembling voice, "I… I won't hate her. And I trust you, Senpai. Please… help me to endure…"
Leith nodded, then stood up slowly. He gently patted Liyn's shoulder, offering warmth in the midst of the coldness of failure.
"You haven't lost yet, Liyn. As long as you don't give up… you're still in the fight."
After that, Leith went back to teaching. Liyn could only remain silent, pondering the words she had just heard—words that, for some reason, felt so enlightening. Before she knew it, it was time to go home. The students of Class A began changing clothes and returning to the classroom to prepare to leave.
"Are you still feeling sick?" Myra asked worriedly as she approached Liyn.
"I'm feeling better now. Just a little sore," Liyn replied while packing her bag.
"Do you want to go straight to the dorm?" Myra asked again.
"Yes, I just want to sleep. I'm very tired," Liyn answered, glancing at the wall clock showing 4:00 PM.
"Alright, do you want me to take you? I still have a few minutes before extracurricular activities start," Myra offered sincerely.
However, Liyn gently shook her head and declined.
"Thank you for worrying. I'm really happy. But don't worry, I'm much better now and can still go to the dormitory on my own," she said with a smile.
"Alright, be careful. Rest right away. I'll come to your dorm tomorrow morning, okay?" Myra said with concern.
Liyn nodded slowly, then stepped out of the classroom. The calm evening atmosphere enveloped her steps, accompanying the fatigue that slowly turned into new energy.
—
Upon arriving at the dormitory, Liyn immediately tidied up her bag and school clothes.
Without much thought, she lay down on the bed, hoping the accumulated fatigue would lull her to sleep and immerse her in dreams. The dormitory where she lived was supposed to be occupied by two
up to three people, but because Liyn joined mid-semester and many rooms were still vacant, she got a large room to herself.
At first glance, it sounded pleasant—a spacious room, complete privacy. But not for Liyn.
The silence felt suffocating. Lonely. Sometimes even frightening.
Without having time to clean herself up, still wearing her school uniform, Liyn fell asleep.
Several hours passed. Exactly at three in the morning, she woke up with labored breathing and a tight chest. No nightmares. No dreams at all. Only emptiness had awakened her. Her head felt heavy, her vision blurry as she glanced at the clock. She was startled—it was already three in the morning. There were many things left undone, including today's learning goals and Syntara practice.
Her face hardened. Her mood worsened.
Liyn looked very upset, as if she had just missed something extremely important.
Since childhood, she had always been strict with herself. Rest was a luxury she considered a form of laziness. She set strict rules, created study schedules, and established daily goals that cut into her sleep and leisure time. She did all of this for one reason—to never regret it in the future.
Since her mother's passing three years ago, Liyn had become even stricter.
For her, nothing mattered except her dream… and her mother's final wish.
She didn't care about friends, love, family—or even her own health.
All of that was seen as a distraction. The only thing that mattered was one thing: achieving her dream.
Liyn hurriedly grabbed clean clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Without hesitation, she stripped off all her clothes, stood in front of the mirror for a moment before finally lowering her head and submerging it in the cold water.
One minute. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Only then did she lift her face, gasping for breath.
But that wasn't enough.
With trembling hands, Liyn turned on the faucet. She ignored the cold. She clenched her fists and slammed her hands against the wall. Once. Twice. Three times. Repeatedly until blood began to stain the wall and mark the palms of her hands.
And as the pain peaked… Liyn smiled.
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Only then did she feel better—her mood slowly improved.
For her, pain was a form of punishment.
Punishment for having fallen asleep.
Punishment for failing.
Or perhaps… a reminder.
"Alright, this foolish Liyn doesn't care about today's failure. All efforts will be rewarded… with success and proof."
"Fight, Liyn. Hold on. You can get through this."
"One day, you'll enjoy the results…"
She finished her shower humming softly without lyrics—just following the instrumental melody of 'Isabella's Lullaby' that kept playing in her head.
Still wrapped in a towel, Liyn opened the medical kit. She took some bandages and carefully wrapped her injured fingers, as if the wound were part of her daily routine. After dressing and tidying herself up, she looked at the clock.
Exactly four in the morning.
Liyn stood tall and ready for Syntara training.
"According to the book I read," she muttered as she packed a small bag containing a bottle of water and a piece of bread, 'the more physical training you do, the more Veyra production increases in the body. Though it doesn't raise the level, a high Veyra count strengthens magical power.'
She took a deep breath.
"Alright… I'll start by running around the Academy."
With calm steps, he opened the door to his room, making sure nothing was left behind, then locked it again. But his steps halted.
Liyn narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm… I feel like I didn't lock it just now."
He stared at the doorknob for a moment, thinking.
"Maybe… I did lock it, but I just forgot about it."
And with that, he stepped into the darkness of the morning, ready to challenge the world that hadn't yet awakened.