in the Land of Dawn, Manzhushahua Academy.
Inside the world of the memory crystal.
Hiyakura gripped the large sword tightly, sweat trickling down her forehead.
Her breathing was slightly hurried, but her gaze remained steadfast.
At this moment, the sight before her was chilling.
Waves of Disaster Beasts surged forward like a tide.
Their ferocious faces and sharp claws glimmered with a cold light under the sun.
Hiyakura adjusted her grip on the sword and took a deep breath.
She knew this was just another wave in the endless battle.
As she swung the large sword, a sharp sound of slicing through the air echoed.
The blade cut through the bodies of the Disaster Beasts, leaving gaping wounds that exposed bone.
Blood splattered, staining the ground around her.
Despite being utterly exhausted, Hiyakura remained highly alert.
Her movements were fluid and precise; each strike could take the life of at least one Disaster Beast.
However, as time passed, the number of Disaster Beasts seemed to show no sign of diminishing; instead, they became even more ferocious.
Hiyakura didn't know how long she had been trapped in this world of memory crystals.
Time seemed to lose its meaning here, as if she were caught in an eternal cycle.
"Little Principal, when on earth can I get out of here?"
She recalled the accident that happened the last time she entered, and a hint of bitterness rose in her heart.
Little White Lotus had told her that she could exit this world as long as she silently recited it in her heart.
However, when Hiyakura tried this method, it had no effect.
She felt a sense of powerlessness and frustration.
She was trapped in this illusory world, completely unaware of how to escape...
Despite this, Hiyakura did not give up hope.
In this virtual world created by the memory crystals, she met Tao Yao.
"Tao Yao?! How could she be here!!"
That was Hiyakura's reaction at the time.
And after that.
Under Tao Yao's guidance, Hiyakura began exploring this wonderful world.
They experienced many adventures together.
Each exploration deepened Hiyakura's understanding of this world and of Tao Yao.
Hiyakura found herself increasingly enjoying this process.
Through these adventures, she heard many stories about Tao Yao—stories from the past that she never knew.
Gradually, the image of the "bad woman" in her eyes began to take on more depth.
Tao Yao recounted her past.
It was from that moment that Hiyakura realized perhaps only in this special world would Tao Yao share her thoughts so openly.
As their explorations continued.
Hiyakura continuously collected scattered petals from various places.
Each time she gathered enough petals.
Tao Yao would recall more memories and share them with her.
This process made Hiyakura feel incredibly cherished; she gradually fell in love with this unique way of interacting.
"I want to understand her more!"
This was Hiyakura's heartfelt thought at the time.
However.
When Tao Yao mentioned the little fox she had once adopted.
Hiyakura's curiosity was completely ignited.
She longed to see the adorable little fox Tao Yao described with her own eyes, wanting to understand what kind of creature could make Tao Yao care so much.
Yet fate always loved to play tricks.
Hiyakura never expected Tao Yao would suddenly ask her to help free the little fox.
This request felt like a heavy stone weighing down on Hiyakura's heart.
From that moment on, her emotions became complicated.
She realized that the world inside the memory crystal was actually a reflection of events that happened during the pre-civilization era.
If Tao Yao belonged to the previous civilization, then that little fox...
Perhaps it was long gone from this world.
"The little fox is already gone... What I do is merely reenacting the scene from back then..."
This realization filled Hiyakura with deep sadness.
She suddenly understood that everything she had experienced after arriving in the memory crystal, everything she encountered.
Was merely retracing Tao Yao's footsteps,
Rewatching her past.
This feeling was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Though her heart was filled with contradictions and reluctance, Hiyakura still couldn't refuse Tao Yao's request.
She couldn't bear to shatter that expectation and hope in Tao Yao's eyes.
So she decided to follow Tao Yao's method and began summoning the little fox.
As the last wave of beasts fell, the air was filled with the smell of blood and dust.
Hiyakura gasped for breath, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
At that moment, she felt the atmosphere around her suddenly grow heavier.
"It's coming..."
Hiyakura whispered in her heart, her gaze fixed on the figures slowly appearing before her.
A snow-white fox slowly manifested, just as Tao Yao had described.
However, the sight before Hiyakura made her heart race.
The fox's eyes exhibited an eerie crimson color, like two burning rubies.
Though its fur was as white as snow.
It radiated an unnatural sheen, as if tainted by some unknown force.
Most notably were the three long fox tails behind it, which swayed restlessly, each movement stirring an odd current of air.
The fox's limbs were long and powerful, its claws glimmering with sharp light.
But its size was much larger than that of an ordinary fox, giving a sense of oppression.
What was most unsettling was the faint layer of black mist that seemed to swirl around the fox, lingering close to it and becoming visible with each breath.
"Are you Little Snow?"
Hiyakura stepped forward, trying to communicate.
But the fox did not respond at all.
Hiyakura held her breath, cautiously observing this strange creature.
The fox was staring intently at her side.
Following the fox's line of sight, Hiyakura caught sight of the peach blossom lotus soup set aside.
It was the food she had prepared according to Tao Yao's instructions, specifically to attract the little fox.
However.
Just as the little fox caught sight of that bowl of peach blossom lotus soup, everything changed.
The little fox's eyes suddenly widened, its pupils sharply contracting.
The little fox seemed to be experiencing immense pain.
A piercing howl erupted from its throat, shaking the surrounding air.
In the next moment, the fox completely lost its sanity and began to wreak havoc, crashing into everything around, claws tearing through the air, tail sweeping in every direction.
The ground was gouged deep by the little fox's claws.
Surrounding plants and buildings were ruthlessly destroyed.
Hiyakura watched in terror, not understanding why such a change had occurred.
She remembered what Tao Yao had once said, her heart filled with unease and confusion.
Just then, the fox suddenly turned towards Hiyakura.
"Oh no!"
Hiyakura realized she had become the little fox's next target.
She gripped her large sword tightly, adopting a defensive stance.
Hiyakura clenched her large sword, her gaze sharp as she locked eyes with the snow-white fox.
A tense atmosphere filled the air, as if an intense battle would break out at any moment.
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Suddenly, the little fox moved.
Its speed was astonishing, and before Hiyakura had a chance to react, it was already charging in front of her.
The sharp claws sliced through the air, striking towards Hiyakura's cheek.
Instinctively, Hiyakura raised her large sword to block, the metal clashing against the claws and emitting a piercing sound.
She felt a powerful force surge through her, forcing her to stumble back a few steps to regain her balance.
At that moment, Hiyakura noticed the temperature around her plummet suddenly.
Her breath turned into white mist in the air, and frost began to form on the ground beneath her feet.
The little fox's three tails raised high.
Each sway brought a chill.
Hiyakura realized that this fox not only possessed immense strength but also had the power to manipulate ice and snow.
She had to respond carefully; otherwise, she would likely find herself in a dangerous situation.
The little fox attacked again, this time opening its mouth and unleashing a frosty breath.
Cold air crystallized into countless ice spikes, flying directly towards Hiyakura.
Hiyakura swiftly swung her large sword, shattering the incoming ice spikes one by one.
Even so.
Her movements were still a beat too slow.
An ice spike grazed her arm, leaving a blood mark.
Hiyakura gritted her teeth, knowing that she could no longer remain on the defensive.
She began to recall the combat techniques she had learned during her time in the memory crystal world, the skills Tao Yao had taught her during her leisure.
Taking a deep breath, Hiyakura summoned the power within her, feeling that fiery energy flowing through her veins.
Her large sword began to emit a faint red light, flame entwining around the blade.
Hiyakura knew this was said to be the power belonging to the Fire Fairy within her.
Though she couldn't fully control it yet,
At least she could make slight use of it now.
Hiyakura swung her large sword, a fiery sword aura slicing through the air, aimed at the little fox.
The little fox deftly dodged.
But it still brushed against the flames with its tail, letting out a painful howl.
The battle intensified, ice and fire intertwining in the air.
The little fox's attacks grew increasingly frenzied, its claws leaving deep frost marks on the ground; each leap was filled with destructive power.
Hiyakura continuously wielded her burning sword.
Flames carved graceful arcs through the air, fending off the fox's assaults.
Though Hiyakura was much stronger now than she had been at the beginning,
Facing this irrational fox, she still felt outmatched.
Her breathing grew more rapid.
Her movements began to slow.
Just as Hiyakura contemplated whether to unleash all her strength without reservation.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred.
...
A gentle breeze swept through the battlefield of ice and fire, bringing with it a faint scent of flowers.
Following the direction of the floral aroma, Hiyakura was astonished to see countless pink petals suddenly appearing in the air, like a beautiful rain of blossoms.
At the center of these petals, a familiar figure slowly materialized.
—It was Tao Yao.
Her appearance seemed to slow down time itself.
Her pink hair danced in the wind, her eyes sparkling with gentle yet resolute light.
The petals swirled around her, seemingly dancing in accompaniment.
This scene was breathtakingly beautiful, even the rampaging little fox seemed momentarily stunned.
Tao Yao gently waved her hand.
The scattered petals suddenly changed direction.
They rushed towards the little fox like soldiers heeding commands.
Soon, the petals formed a massive vortex, trapping the snow-white fox within.
Hiyakura stood dazed, a complex swirl of emotions rising within her.
She had not expected Tao Yao to appear at that moment, nor had she imagined she would intervene in the battle in such a way.
"Tao Yao..."
Hiyakura softly called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Tao Yao slowly turned around and walked towards Hiyakura.
Each step she took was light and graceful, as if she were walking on clouds.
When she reached Hiyakura's side, a smile filled with apology appeared on her face.
"Hiyakura, I am sorry for my previous request."
Tao Yao's voice was soft and sincere:
"This is my past with the little fox; I should not have involved you."
Hiyakura opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But in the end, she chose to remain silent.
She could feel the pain and determination in Tao Yao's words.
Tao Yao continued, "To end Little Snow's current suffering, it is essential to be stained with blood. The sins caused by this blood must be borne by me."
At that moment, the little fox trapped in the petal vortex let out a heart-wrenching howl.
The sound was filled with pain and despair, breaking hearts.
Hiyakura turned to see that the little fox's gaze seemed to regain some clarity.
The little fox no longer attacked furiously.
Instead, it whimpered, looking at Tao Yao with those crimson eyes.
That gaze contained so many complicated emotions:
Pain, sorrow, longing, and a tinge of the desire for liberation.
As Hiyakura looked at the little fox at that moment, a strong resonance surged within her.
She could feel the little fox's sadness, the suffering caused by some unknown power.
The yearning in the little fox's eyes made Hiyakura vaguely sense the creature's thoughts.
The little fox, too, yearned for release and death.
Tao Yao seemed to also sense the little fox's emotional shift.
She slowly moved towards the trapped little fox, the petal vortex beginning to disperse as she drew near.
Tao Yao extended her hand, gently stroking the little fox's forehead.
"Little one, it will be over soon, soon..."
Tao Yao's voice was as delicate as a whisper but carried boundless determination.
What happened next would be forever etched in Hiyakura's memory.
Tao Yao's hand suddenly transformed.
That originally white and gentle palm.
At this moment, became like the sharpest blade.
Before Hiyakura could react, Tao Yao's hand had already pierced through the little fox's body.
Blood splattered to the ground, staining the surrounding petals.
The little fox's body trembled slightly and then slowly calmed down.
At that moment, her eyes changed from crimson back to blue.
That was her original color.
The little fox gazed quietly at Tao Yao, filled with gratitude and relief.
Then, she slowly closed her eyes, as if falling into a peaceful sleep.
Tao Yao carefully cradled the now motionless little fox, gently stroking its fur.
The sky was filled with swirling petals around them.
Creating a scene that was heartbreakingly beautiful.
Hiyakura stood beside, watching all of this, feeling a strong ache in her heart.
She recalled the stories Tao Yao had once told, memories of her and that little fox.
At this moment.
All the fragments seemed to piece together, forming a complete yet sorrowful story.
"Tao Yao..."