魔法
The pace of the training increased.
Kaito attacked without stopping.
Toma followed right behind, missing strikes… but still applying pressure.
Dagan controlled the distance with his spear.
And Aira…
Waited for the right moment.
Daichi blocked.
Dodged.
Responded.
But…
His body was starting to feel heavy.
His breathing grew rough.
— Haa… haa…
Liora watched from a distance.
— He hasn’t fully recovered yet…
Rin lightly clenched her hands.
Something wasn’t right.
Daichi stepped back again.
And then—
For a moment—
A very brief one—
The air around him seemed to waver.
Like a distortion.
Almost imperceptible.
Only Aira narrowed her eyes.
— …?
But in the next instant—
It disappeared.
Daichi placed a hand on his face.
Taking a deep breath.
— That’s enough…
His voice came out low.
Kaito was the first to stop.
— Already?
Toma complained.
— We barely even started!
Dagan relaxed his stance.
— He’s still injured.
Liora nodded.
— Forcing it now will only make things worse.
Aira kept staring.
Fixed.
But said nothing.
Rin stepped forward.
— Are you okay…?
Daichi gave a small nod.
— Yeah.
But he didn’t look fine.
From the back, Erza watched everything in silence.
Without fully understanding what she had felt.
Because for just a moment…
A very brief moment…
Something there…
Didn’t feel normal.
But it was already gone.
The wind blew.
Carrying that feeling away.
And no one said anything.
But two people noticed.
Aira…
And Rin.
And even without understanding…
They reached the same conclusion.
There was something inside Daichi…
That had not yet been revealed.
The training gradually came to an end.
The sound of weapons ceased.
The dust settled.
And silence returned to the field.
— That’s enough for today… — said Liora, fixing her hair.
Toma threw himself onto the ground.
— Finally…
Kaito rested his sword on his shoulder.
— That wasn’t even that hard.
— Say that after a real fight — Aira replied dryly.
Dagan simply crossed his arms.
Watching.
Daichi took a deep breath.
His body still felt the strain.
— Let’s take a walk — he said.
— Standing still now will only make it worse.
Rin looked at him.
And nodded slightly.
A short time later…
The group was already walking through the forest near the village.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves.
The wind was gentle.
After everything…
That place felt almost… peaceful.
— So… — Toma began — everyone here fights, right?
Kaito gave a small smile.
— More or less.
He spun his sword naturally.
— I rely on technique. Speed and precision.
— If I miss… it’s over.
— Kinda boring — Toma replied.
— I prefer crushing things.
He clenched his fist.
— Strength solves everything.
— Until you meet someone stronger — said Liora.
— That’s why you lose.
Toma made a face.
— Hey—
Dagan spoke for the first time.
— Reach decides battles.
Everyone looked at him.
He planted his spear on the ground.
— If the enemy can’t touch you…
— They’ve already lost.
Aira crossed her arms.
— Only if you don’t miss.
— Because if you do…
She stepped forward.
A fast movement.
Silent.
— You die.
Silence fell for a moment.
Kaito smiled.
— I like her.
Rin watched everything.
Attentive.
Absorbing.
— And you, Daichi? — Liora asked.
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
— I…
A pause.
— I’m still trying to understand.
Aira glanced at him.
But said nothing.
Then—
Everyone looked at Rin.
Toma pointed at her.
— And you?
— You haven’t even fought yet.
Rin was slightly startled.
— I…
She looked at her hands.
— I don’t know how to do anything.
Silence.
Daichi stepped forward.
— Yet.
She raised her gaze.
— In this world…
— Everyone has something.
The wind blew through the trees.
Rin took a deep breath.
— And how do I find it?
Liora answered:
— By trying.
Kaito pointed to a tree ahead.
— Try something.
— Anything.
Rin hesitated.
She took a few steps forward.
Stopped.
Closed her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Silence.
Nothing happened.
Toma scratched his head.
— I don’t think anything’s gonna—
Suddenly—
A faint glow appeared.
Weak.
Almost invisible.
In her hands.
Rin opened her eyes.
Surprised.
— Me…?
The light pulsed.
As if responding to her.
Aira narrowed her eyes.
— Energy…
Liora’s expression turned serious.
— That’s not common…
Daichi was watching.
Without saying a word.
But something inside him…
Reacted again.
The light disappeared.
Rin lowered her hands.
— Sorry…
— I couldn’t do it…
Daichi shook his head.
— You did.
He gave a small smile.
— That was the beginning.
Silence.
But now…
Something had changed.
Because for the first time—
Rin…
Had taken a step in that world.
And no one there…
Yet understood what it meant.
