Roy woke slowly, rubbing his eyes as he dragged himself toward the door, stumbling more than once along the way.
"Y-Yes… who is it?"
Gene stood outside, a lantern glowing softly in his hand. Without a word, he gestured for Roy to follow-and to stay quiet.
They walked for a long time, passing through the students' dormitories and down endless, silent hallways. Outside, the moon shone brightly-it looked like a full moon. Stars filled the sky, watching silently as the two shadowy figures slipped toward a secluded room at the far back of the academy.
Gene didn't speak once.
The lantern's light was faint, barely illuminating the path. At one point, Gene quietly told Roy to hold onto his clothes so they wouldn't get separated in the darkness. Together, they entered the room.
Roy glanced at Gene's face-and froze.
Gone was his usual relaxed smile. Gene's expression was sharp, serious… almost grim.
"Ah… you're here," a quiet voice said from the darkness.
Roy turned toward the sound. An old man stood somewhere in the shadows, his face completely hidden. The atmosphere felt heavy-oppressive-so Roy remained silent.
Gene spoke instead.
"You know what to do."
From the darkness, the mysterious man pushed a chair forward.
"Sit."
Roy hesitated. His heart pounded violently, his thoughts spiraling out of control. But after a moment, he swallowed his fear and sat down.
"Listen, kid," the old man said calmly. "It's going to hurt… a lot. But don't break. Alright?"
Roy nodded. Outwardly calm-but inside, chaos.
Then he felt a hand press against his back.
Instantly, everything went quiet.
His thoughts vanished. Fear disappeared. His mind slipped into a strange, empty stillness-something beyond peace, beyond understanding.
…
The room fell silent.
After a while, the old man pressed a cup into Roy's hands. Roy couldn't see what was inside. He hesitated-then drank.
Pain exploded through his body.
It felt as if blades were tearing him apart from the inside. His vision blurred as the old man pressed both hands firmly against his back.
Roy screamed.
"AHHH!!"
It felt like his eyes were being ripped out, his body shredded piece by piece. Time lost all meaning. The pain didn't fade-it only changed.
Then came another sensation.
Worse.
It felt like his body was being forcibly rebuilt-his eyes, his heart, his bones-everything torn apart and reattached incorrectly. Roy tried to scream again, but no sound came out. It was as if his voice no longer existed.
The agony was unbearable. His mind felt like it was slipping away.
Then-
"Hang in there, kid," a calm voice said.
Gene.
"Just a little longer."
Those words anchored him.
Roy endured.
After what felt like eternity, the pain finally began to fade.
When Roy opened his eyes, the world looked… different. Sharper. Deeper. He felt something unfamiliar coursing through him. The room itself felt altered-filled with lingering pain and agony, as if emotions had stained the air.
Can I… see emotions?
"What… is this…?" he whispered.
Gene stood near the door, his familiar smile back—but something had changed. A sword rested in his hand.
Roy tried to stand but he collapsed.
His body didn't respond the way it used to. Every movement felt foreign, as if he were relearning how to exist. He forced himself up again, legs trembling, eyes heavy.
"I-Is it… over?" His voice was soft. Calm.
Gene stepped forward and supported him.
"Yeah, kid," Gene said gently. "You did great."
Roy's strength finally gave out.
"You can rest now."
The mysterious man spoke quietly.
"Looks like the kid survived… didn't turn, huh?"
Gene smiled faintly. "I knew he had it in him."
The man exhaled slowly.
"Good. Then I won't have to kill another child tonight."
Gene studied him for a moment before lifting Roy and carrying him back to his room, laying him gently on the bed.
---
"Oh?" a soft, melodic voice spoke.
"What a fascinating little creature you are."
Roy opened his eyes.
His body felt perfect-whole. He stood in a vast field of grass stretching endlessly beneath a pale sky.
He turned toward the voice-and froze.
Before him stood a tall young woman. Her silver hair flowed so long it brushed the ground, and her gray eyes were breathtaking.
No-she wasn't an angel.
She felt like a goddess.
"Tell me," she said gently, "what brings you here?"
"Who… are y-?"
Before he could finish-
Roy jolted awake.
"Huff… huff…"
He looked around wildly.
His body was drenched in sweat, his head pounding. Slowly, unsteadily, he stood and moved toward the mirror, stumbling along the way.
He examined himself carefully. No visible change.
Yet he could feel it.
Something was different.
The world felt sharper. Clearer. His spirits were more visible than ever before-and emotions… emotions felt tangible, almost visible.
Unusual,Unsettling And undeniably real.
"So you're awake. How are you feeling?"
Roy turned toward the familiar voice-and flinched.
Behind Gene stood three lions, flames wrapping around their bodies, forming beautiful, shifting patterns.
"Don't worry," Gene said. "It's your first time seeing them. Wait until you reach school-you'll have a severe headache." He chuckled softly.
"But… It's good to see you, kid."
Roy looked closer. Something was off.
A soft golden glow radiated from Gene, filling the room with warmth. It felt as if he was happy.
"What… is… up with me today?" Roy muttered, clutching his head.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it," Gene said cheerfully.
"But before that-you're late!"
"Class starts at nine. It's already nine-fifteen! Get your ass ready, you idiot!"
Gene left the room.
Roy stood there for a moment, still confused-about the dream, about the woman, about everything.
He let out a quiet sigh and began getting ready, knowing one thing for certain.
Today was going to be painful....