A beam of light rose toward the sky.
Golden, radiant… as if it would never fade.
Koharu stood in the palace courtyard.
She narrowed her eyes at the spear.
Michael's Spear…
The sacred weapon that had been driven into the heart of the kingdom for thousands of years.
The light climbed from the spear into the heavens, then spread to envelop the entire land like a shield.
Because of that shield, demons could not draw near.
The soil was filled with abundance.
A seed would sprout and bear fruit within days,
livestock grew fat and multiplied in a short time.
Everyone called these lands a "paradise."
But Koharu's lips curved faintly.
> "Paradise? Perhaps for them…
But under this light, I was born with a curse."
---
In this land, everyone possessed the power named after the light that descended from the heavens—Aurora.
Those who embraced Aurora chose different paths.
Some summoned flames from their fingertips, weaving spells.
Some wrapped their blades in Aurora, cutting through shadows.
Others strengthened their bodies until they were harder than iron.
Everyone flaunted their power, proud to display it.
Aurora was the pride of the Angelic Kingdom.
But I…
Through Aurora, I could see into people's hearts.
Their intentions, the darkness they tried to hide.
Good hearts shone.
Bright colors, clear lights… like hope, like peace.
But those with ill intent bore hearts stained with black, like a spreading blot.
And the blackest hearts I had ever seen…
were those of my own family. The royal family.
While my siblings competed to display their strength,
I was forced to conceal mine.
Because I wanted them to believe I could not wield Aurora.
In their eyes, being weak, inadequate, flawed…
was easier than letting them see the truth of my curse.
And so I was always despised.
And I became… the unloved princess.
In the Land of Angels, there had been an unchanging tradition for thousands of years.
Every member of the royal family, upon turning eighteen, would step before Michael's Spear in a great ceremony.
This was not just a ritual.
It was a binding.
First, they would kneel before the spear, place their palms on the altar, and swear:
"My heart, my soul, and my entire being belong to Michael's light."
After that oath, an invisible bond would be forged between them and the spear.
And with the spear's blessing, the meridians in their bodies would expand.
Aurora would flow stronger, deeper, more boundless.
That was why the royal family was seen as the "chosen" in the eyes of the people.
They were the true bearers of Aurora, the sacred beings born under the shadow of the spear.
---
And today… is my eighteenth birthday.
In the afternoon, it will be my turn.
As I thought about it, someone passed by me.
My sister.
A proud smirk curved on her lips.
"You can't even use Aurora yet.
I came all this way for you, huh… tch, what a waste of time."
Koharu turned her head.
And she saw the pitch-black darkness in her sister's heart.
A wave of sorrow sank into her, and she lowered her gaze.
Her sister laughed and went on:
**"You can't even look us in the eyes!
After the ceremony, Michael's Spear won't bless you.
Everyone will see what a total failure you are.
Most likely, you don't even carry royal blood…
That whore of a mother of yours… who knows who really fathered you!"**
As her sister walked away laughing, Koharu's jaw tightened.
Her teeth clenched.
> "My curse… is that I see the darkness in your hearts."