The moon hung high — silver and silent — like a quiet eye watching the garden below.
The academy was asleep.
Almost.
Sayaka sat alone on a stone bench, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees. The soft rustle of wind played through the garden leaves, brushing gently against her tangled hair.
The sky was clear. The air was cold.
Her thoughts, though…
Cluttered.
They were all staring today.
Some didn't even eat, just whispered.
"Is she his girlfriend?" "She's got Dev backing her now." "Maybe she's hiding a power."
She exhaled softly.
I'm not. I'm not anyone's anything.
I barely even know him… and yet—
His voice still echoes in my head.
She closed her eyes.
Don't ever touch this girl again…
Her hands gripped tighter around her legs.
Why did he say that… like I mattered?
The silence stretched — like a blanket wrapped around her discomfort.
But then—
A shift in the air.
A presence.
Powerful.
Controlled. Refined. Cold.
But not hostile.
She didn't turn.
Not right away.
A voice followed.
Low.
Calm.
Soft… but sharp — like the edge of a blade just before it cuts.
"Hey."
Sayaka's eyes opened.
"Aren't you… Sayaka?"
She turned her head slowly.
There he was.
Standing under the lantern-lit arch near the roses.
Black coat. White inner shirt. Spiky crimson hair.
His crimson eyes shimmered faintly in the dark like twin embers.
"I'm Dev."
A beat.
"…I hope you know me."
She blinked. "You're… the one who—"
"Yeah. The canteen thing," he said quietly, looking off to the side. "That."
Sayaka felt her throat dry. He wasn't smiling. He wasn't cold either. Just… quiet. Like someone used to being alone.
He stepped closer but kept distance — just a few feet away.
"I heard your final exam's tomorrow."
His words weren't curious.
They were a statement. Not a question.
Sayaka nodded slowly. "…Yes."
"I also heard you're weak in almost everything."
...Ouch.
"No mana. No affinity. Not even beginner magic."
Double ouch.
She looked away, heat crawling up her neck. "…That's true."
"Mm."
His gaze moved to the stars.
"I don't have exams. I already completed them elsewhere."
Of course he did.
He turned back to her.
"I came from a faraway place."
His voice dropped quieter.
"A place where we don't… waste time on weaklings."
Sayaka flinched slightly.
"But."
He finally took one step forward.
"I also heard you're good with weapons."
She nodded slowly. "…Just barely. I… had help. Greff taught me."
"The old shopkeeper?"
Sayaka nodded again.
Dev crossed his arms.
"He's not bad."
There was a pause.
Then he said something she didn't expect.
"Want to be friends?"
Sayaka's eyes widened.
…Eh?
"Maybe help you out."
He looked down at his boots.
"Can't teach you magic. No point. You don't have mana."
Harsh.
But honest.
"But I can give you some tricks. Weapon stuff. Movements. Things they don't teach inside fancy classrooms."
Sayaka opened her mouth—
Then closed it.
Her heart beat faster than it should.
Why is he talking to me like this? I don't get it. Is this some trick? Or… is he actually being serious?
Friend…?
Her lips parted slightly. "Why… me?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Just stared at the moon for a long moment.
Then—
"Because you look like someone who still wants to fight."
Sayaka froze.
His words hit deeper than she expected.
And he didn't say anything else.
He turned, walking toward the path out of the garden.
But as he passed under the moonlight—
"Come by tomorrow morning. Before the exam. I'll be at the west field."
"Or don't."
"Up to you."
And then he was gone.
Sayaka sat frozen on the bench.
A single leaf drifted down beside her.
The silence returned.
But it felt… different now.