The garden was silent. Even the birds were still asleep.
William stood alone in the courtyard, sword in hand, the early dawn breeze brushing against his cheeks. His palms were rough from training. His arms ached. But he didn't stop.
He swung again.
And again.
And again.
> Thump.
Nothing.
Just like yesterday.
---
đ¤ď¸ Alicia's Wind
By the time Shinonome arrived, Alicia was already there too â stretching quietly.
"Morning, Will," she said, smiling.
William nodded. "You ready?"
"Always."
Shinonome stepped into the clearing, eyes calm. "Good. We continue mana integration today. Alicia, you're up."
Alicia stepped forward, raised her blade, and took a deep breath.
Thenâfwshhh â a clean arc of wind followed her swing.
The grass around the dummy rippled softly.
She blinked. "I⌠did that?"
Shinonome smirked. "Not bad."
William couldn't help but smile too. "Told you you'd improve."
Alicia looked down, cheeks pink. "You're next."
---
đ§ The Meditation Method
"Not yet," Shinonome said. "Today, we try something different."
She had them both sit on the grass. Eyes closed. Swords on their knees.
> "Feel your breathing. Then go deeper. Feel your heartbeat. And deeper still. Listen to what's beneath your breath."
Minutes passed.
Alicia felt a gentle wind around her shoulders. Like nature welcoming her.
But WilliamâŚ
He felt something else.
Heat.
Not burning â but heavy, warm, alive.
> thump... thump... thump...
His chest pulsed with each breath.
ThenâŚ
> "You hear me now?"
The voice.
Clearer this time. Calm. Feminine. Familiar.
William didn't move. His fingers clenched the sword.
> "Lyra�"
> "Stop trying to fight. Just feel me. Let me move with you."
---
âď¸ William's First Real Slash
Back on their feet, Shinonome gave the order.
"Alicia, show your last form."
She did. Clean wind arc. Sharp form.
Then she turned to William.
> "Your turn."
William stepped forward. Closed his eyes.
He didn't force it this time.
He just breathed.
Let the fire flow.
> Thump.
He raised his sword.
> Thump.
Lyra's warmth wrapped around his chest like a second skin.
> Swing.
BOOM.
A sudden silver-white flash erupted from the sword, exploding through the dummy, tearing clean through the back.
Wind scattered the grass. Alicia stumbled back. Even Shinonome took one step forward, surprised.
William stared at the dummy â now sliced completely in half.
> "âŚThat wasn't wind," Alicia whispered.
> "No," Shinonome said softly. "That wasn't wind⌠or fire."
She narrowed her eyes, watching the faint trail of silver light fade from William's blade.
> "That was⌠something else."
---
đ That Night
Shinonome stood alone in her room, her soul weapon Seiranka resting on the table.
She looked down at it, eyes narrowed.
> "That boyâŚ"
> "His mana isn't just awakening. It's⌠alive."
She touched the blade gently.
> "That wasn't ordinary soul resonance. That was a call. A consciousness."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
> "A sword⌠with a will of its own?"
---
𩷠Iris Returns
Later that night, Iris Montelo walked into William's room without knocking â as usual.
"Oi. Heard you blew up a dummy today," she teased.
William looked up from his bed, blinking.
"You spying on me now?"
She crossed her arms, grinning. "Tch. I don't need to spy. The maids won't shut up about it."
She paused, then ruffled his hair.
> "You're finally catching up, huh⌠little brother?"
He smiled faintly. "Trying."
Iris turned serious for a moment. "Just don't break yourself trying to be like Dad."
William looked down.
> "I'm not trying to be like him."
He gripped his blanket.
> "I'm trying to be me."
---
đď¸ Chapter End Quote:
> "The first spark is never loud. It's just real."
---