Trigger warnings; This content can potentially harm the reader mentally, triggering stressful episodes, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety.

***

That day.

She was there before me, carrying my older sister's lifeless body. My mother's eyes directly glanced at mine, and she made a devastating smile. The soot was swaying around, together with her hair lurching in the background.

The reason?

I would probably never know.

Our household was in a pit of hellish fire, cries and begging were visible in my ears. Everything is burning, humans, furniture, together with our simple happy memories within. As for my mother who only stands there, doing nothing at all.

She whispered a cryptic word. At first, I couldn't hear them clearly.

"...Li.." It was unclear, noises from the burning house were louder than her voice. I just stared at her, unable to say any words.

To be honest, I want to ask her, 'why are you on the other side? And not here with me.' however, regarding how she smiles at me. My hesitation just grew stronger than my affection for her.

The heat of this hellish place began to sink into my skin. Even the smoke from it is already infiltrating my whole body. It'll result in passing out soon, but I haven't heard her words just yet. I want to know what it was but I will never be getting myself on the other side.

"Live!" and for the last minute of our parting. I heard her. Her final words made an unbelievable impact on my feelings.

My eyes were already wet when I checked on it. No matter how hot it was in this place, my eyes just won't dry. I want to hold her; I want her to be with me. I reached for her but she stepped away, fading in that blazing abyssal fire. My eyes widened, as I only now see the deadly abyss ahead.

Without her, or my sister...

My family, which was once cloaked with happiness, will forever be gone.

***

Present times; Euphemia's perspective.

"Now, if you were going to be attacked by a Schatten..."

My head was leaning down on my desk. The teacher is currently explaining the Schatten. In our current world, Schatten is a demonic creature plaguing human society. I haven't encountered most of them, but I will rely on the rumours I have heard. Those creatures are dangerous in any form angle you'll look at it.

One may be able to kill you without even noticing. One may possess you if you have a weak mind. But neither of those will be able to lay a single touch on me. I will dispose of them if they even dare.

This class is boring most of the time. The professor repeats the same topic forever, I'm actually surprised that he doesn't get tired of it. Ever since I have been brought here, and right until now. "Schatten here, Schatten there..." honestly, there's nothing new with it, which is totally frustrating.

"Yes. Schatten!" I got startled when someone raised a voice behind me, "Ms. Altair, you're daydreaming again, I see. See me after class." Our professor is picking on me again, I'm used to it, he only sees me no matter how I want to sink myself in this small space I have been given.

I turned to him, and furrowed my brows as I complain.

"Me again? You don't see another existing life here other than me?" but he glared at me, fixing his small eyeglass.

The intense atmosphere began to rise around him, I think it was time for me to shut my mouth. Talking back will only bring me to the detention room again.

"Ah. If you only listen to our lesson and be attentive like your classmates. I would probably never be going to notice you."

Who would even have their attention piqued on a topic that has been discussed a million times? In the same way, the same format, and the same goddamn time or probably days. I memorize nearly everything he says.

He is like a defective recorded radio if I were to ask.

"...I would be attentive if you're just discussing new things." I mumbled, "what?"

I heard the unpleasantness of his voice but it was not worth reacting to it.

Ding dong, the most awaited chime sound finally took place. "Finally," I muttered in relief. The silence in this room began to crack. Everyone packed their things back into the bags, and a few of them a slight glance toward me.

I can see their smiles, "Thank you." and a mouth gesture of gratitude. Sigh, they are actually thanking me for taking this clueless professor his precious time.

They are free for eight hours of boring and uninteresting topics at the most. While I will surely be punished for doing that.

I was speechless for almost three minutes, watching my classmates exit the classroom without any trouble. I need to go too, but... I slightly peek at the professor who's standing beside me.

My soul nearly jumps out of my body when I realize that he has the glare of the devil, sooner or later I might get hit by that glare.

"Geez. You never listen to me. Euphy. Our lesson is very important for you, don't you know that?"

The professor made his way to his desk. He was down cast like there was an extremely heavy rain pouring down at him.

Why is the dramatic again? Ah, I probably can guess, "It's because of the higher rankers...

...are telling you to keep an eye on me?"

"What? No!"

He suddenly got worked out by the words I have said. He said 'No' however, it didn't sound genuinely real.

Those higher ranks or the President of Chasseur Magia are after me ever since I possessed this Artes.

Artes are some sort of magic granted to the chosen individuals. Mostly, those who have Artes are from prestigious families, nobles, or royalties. In my case, I was like their dog. They are watching my every move, and they set a lot of limitations. I can't actually make any friends or contact the outside world. All this time, my whole world only revolves only in this place.

But it will soon end after I graduate. I've heard past seniors before, that the high rankers won't interfere with the students who finished their callings within these premises. Whatever they would like to be for themselves. It'll be all up to them.

Oh yeah, my Artes is Eis. Eis is symbolizing Ice. I can make various weapons from it, might be a sword, polearm, or knuckle, everything is based on my liking or what kind of opponent I'm against.

"Sigh. The exam will be deadly. I don't want to see you die before me, child. That's why I want you to keep every lesson we discussed remembered. It will help you survive." the professor stepped outside.

I'm impressed I have heard something I never heard from him before.

"Wait!" I stopped him though, "I thought you were going to punish me?"

He smiled at me. It was totally strange, "Pass." he replied shortly, "Even a determined teacher like me is also getting fed up seeing your very same face on my faculty every day. Let's take a break for a while."

I furrowed my eyes; I slightly didn't like how he delivered that. "But at least, no punishment today." I just sighed to myself, glancing at the other side of the window. This school is sure amazing, we're on the highest top of the clouds.

To get to the ground earth, we actually need to ride an airship. Only those who have an identification card can ride those though. Those identification cards are given after you graduate from this school.

Those cards are very important. I actually investigated a few things about that, "Those cards are basically your life!"

Let me tell you why those cards will give you privileges. Monthly, the empire gives out enough money for each and every candidate who successfully graduates. Not all that, the cards have their own ranks too.

If your card is Gold, which refers to a Class S card. You'll get the privilege to live in a luxurious hotel, have your own car on the ground earth, have a ride on airships anytime you want and your allowance will be high too.

If you get the Silver, that refers to Class A. There's a soft privilege on it, live in a decent hotel, you don't have a car but at least you'll get a motorcycle, and the money will be the same as A rank.

The third one is a Bronze, Class B-E, which is the most frustrating card of them all. No house, so you'll have to rent at least, no vehicles, no airships, and the money ugh, it's just a regular one so you'll have to get a job.

The bronze card is not pretty good for me. "Though I'm sure I'll get the Class S card!"

Never mind that I picked up a notebook in my bag. I lay it down on my desk with care and opened it slowly as I saw the written important memories of my past. There I would see my family's photograph, imagining that they would be happy if they saw me doing my best in this place.

My sister always sees me as a duck. Weak and easily get drowned, but actually, I'm more than a duck today. That girl always worries about how I end up hurting myself. Thus, I am very sure she'll be grateful to see me graduate without relying on anyone.

"You'll see soon, I'm capable of protecting myself. Sister..."