The morning sun pierced the shattered sky like a lie. The academy had returned to stillness, but not peace. The burned trees at the forest's edge smoldered, and the scent of scorched mana hung in the air like a ghost.
Students wandered the halls in silence. Some whispered. Some stared at their hands, still trembling. But all of them talked about only one thing.
Her.
"She's not human.""She used a spell no one's ever seen.""Did you see her eyes? They were glowing like a god's…""No… not a god. Something worse."
Airi walked the corridors alone. Her cloak was pulled high, and her hair was tied to cover her face, but it didn't matter. Everyone knew now. Her magic had revealed her.
She was no longer the quiet scholarship student with perfect grades and poor social skills.
She was the girl who chained a Wyrmshade with a single spell.
She was dangerous.
"Void Queen," someone muttered as she passed.
She paused. Her shoulders stiffened—but she didn't look back. She couldn't.
I did what I had to. I saved them. So why does it feel like I'm the enemy now?
In the Headmistress's office, the mood was tense.
Headmistress Yozora stood by the window, her long white hair glinting in the sunlight. Her expression was unreadable as she watched Airi sit across from her, hands folded in her lap.
The room was silent.
Finally, the Headmistress turned. "So. It's true, then. You've awakened your heritage."
Airi didn't flinch. "Yes."
"Do you know what kind of power you carry? What kind of history follows your blood?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what will happen if the Council finds out?"
Airi's voice was soft, but cold. "They'll kill me. Or worse — seal me like they did the others."
Headmistress Yozora sighed. "I should expel you. For using forbidden magic."
"But you won't," Airi said, her gaze steady.
A tense silence followed.
"No," Yozora finally admitted. "Because you saved this academy. You saved my students. But that doesn't mean you're free."
She walked over, placing a sealed envelope on the desk. The seal bore the Sigil of the High Circle — the magical government of the continent.
"They already know someone powerful appeared last night. They'll come soon."
Airi's stomach twisted.
"And when they do," Yozora added, "you must decide what you are. A weapon. Or a queen."
Ryouma waited outside.
When Airi stepped into the courtyard, he leaned against the stone pillar, watching her approach. His arm was bandaged, and a slight bruise bloomed on his jaw, but he grinned as if nothing had changed.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
Airi groaned. "Not you too."
"What? The way you floated down like a goddess and crushed a world-ending monster? Kind of hard to forget."
She stopped beside him. "They're afraid of me."
"They should be."
She turned to him sharply.
"I mean," he said quickly, "because they don't understand you. That kind of power? They think it corrupts. But you didn't let it. You controlled it."
Airi didn't answer. Her hands were clenched at her sides.
He reached out and gently touched her wrist. "You did the right thing. Don't let their fear twist that."
For a moment, their eyes met — and something warm sparked between them. But it was broken by a voice behind them.
"Well, well. The Queen and her knight."
Airi turned slowly.
It was Kael — the silver-haired top student of the Battle Division. He had watched the entire battle from the observation tower. And he hadn't helped.
Now he stood with arms crossed, eyes sharp, mouth twisted in a half-smile.
"I wonder," Kael said, stepping forward, "how many people have to die before you lose control, Airi?"
Ryouma stepped forward. "Watch your mouth—"
"No, let him speak," Airi said coolly. "He's voicing what everyone is thinking."
Kael's smile widened. "I'm not your enemy, Airi. I just want to know what you are. A protector? Or a ticking time bomb?"
She didn't respond.
Instead, she walked away, her footsteps echoing behind her.
That night, as the academy lights dimmed, a figure cloaked in gold and blue stepped through a magical gate far beyond the school.
She was tall, elegant, with a long staff carved from celestial bone. Her mask covered her eyes, but the magic around her radiated divine authority.
A voice spoke beside her in the wind:"She awakened."
The woman nodded once. "The Void Queen lives."
"And?"
"She must be contained."
Behind her, a dozen elite mages bowed.
And the hunt began.