A gray day and Final Test: Letícia… are you here?

Akiko woke up to the sound of birds. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, changed clothes, washed her face, and looked out the window.
— *Yes… today is the day of the month to see her.*
A small smile appeared on her lips.
— *I was already missing you.*
The sky was dark. Cloudy. Quiet. Every month, when she went to the cemetery, the colors seemed to fade. On that day, her mind went blank — no formulas, no spells. It was how she endured grief.
She left the inn and stopped before a shop. She bought red roses. While walking, she thought:
*“Even the red roses look gray…”*
Her heart pounded as she neared the cemetery. Seeing Letícia again was like reliving the pain. Grief didn’t end. She knelt. Tears came without warning.
— *N-no… this isn’t like me…* she whispered, choking on sobs.
Then, in a low voice, she spoke to the gravestone:
— *I’m making it! I’ve passed several tests… I hope tomorrow is the last one. That mage… she really scares me.*
A sad little laugh escaped.
— *I met a really cute girl… her name is Lara. She reminds me of your cheerful way. I wish you were here… to help me.*
— *You know… when you left, my dreams went with you. All I wanted was to stay by your side… Now I don’t even know why I’m trying to become a mage. Everything I do reminds me of you.*
She closed her eyes.
— *Should I forget you? …I can’t. I don’t want to.*
— *After I became an assassin, I thought: “I don’t think Letícia would like this… she’d be worried.” I brought your favorite flowers. I hope you like them. Ah… I almost forgot: the song you liked. You didn’t even know the lyrics, but you insisted I keep singing it.*
Akiko wiped her face and began to sing in the **language of spirits**:אני פוקח את עיניי ורואה שלג, פשוט הלב שלי קופא אֲנִי אני שומע צרחה, זה פשוט הלב שלי מאבד שליטה. זה רק הלב שלי, ג'זה רק הלב, הלב, הלב שלי זועק לעזרה, קופא עכשיו. זה פשוט הלב, הלב, הלב שלי מאבד כל שליטה עכשיו. אני שומע את אהבתך, שהיא כמו אני שומע את אהבתך שהיא כמו שלג יפהפה, זורחת עכשיו, באמת שלג יפהפה.
— **Explanation (magic system):** To recite a spell, you use ordinary words or words from the language of spirits, together with formulas. Those words turn mana into magic and shape the spell. There are words already discovered that form the base of magic; however, the more words — or the rarer they are — the harder and stronger the spell becomes. If you use words in the language of spirits, you can shorten the incantation. Akiko, however, could use magic without speaking: for some reason, her mana was connected to the spirits, so she could cast just by thinking. She could also see spirits and other people’s mana without a spell for that — like demons, who were the union of an elf and an evil spirit. Spoken magic with many words in the language of spirits was so powerful it could even work miracles.
When she finished singing, she closed her eyes. A tear rolled down. And then… she opened them.
Snow. The whole sky was filled with bright white flakes.
Akiko’s eyes widened, enchanted. Every time it happened, it felt like the first time.
She hugged the gravestone tightly.
— *Goodbye… I love you, mom.*
She stood and began to jump, trying to catch the flakes in the air. Her chest still ached, but the memories were warm. Comforting.
She knew she could never forget Letícia.
Back at the inn, the dragons — now in kitten form — ran to her. They played together in the snow. Her black cloak turned white; her cheeks flushed from the cold.
Akiko laughed like a child.
After so much play, she fell asleep on the snow. The kittens turned back into humans and carried her inside.
That day wasn’t colorful. But it wasn’t gray, either. It shone. Full of spirits, flying and lighting up the sky.
---
Akiko woke up, yawned, and rubbed her eyes as she always did. She opened the window, took a deep breath, and suddenly remembered:
*Today is the test!*
She had completely forgotten. Panicked, she got ready in a rush and ran out without eating — there was no time. She took her kittens and headed to the test location.
Halfway there, she realized something that made her freeze.
— A-ah!!! — she exclaimed, almost crying. — I forgot my wand...
Akiko’s heart pounded. She knew this time she would probably have to face someone directly. The previous tests had never involved real combat, but this one felt different.
When she arrived, she noticed a magical barrier.
*It’s... stronger than before?* she thought, swallowing hard.
As she opened the door, dozens of eyes turned toward her. Seeing a child her age here was strange for everyone. A shiver ran down her spine.
In crowds, Akiko usually felt invisible. But with so few people… it was like every gaze was a blade pointing at her.
Frozen at the doorway, she couldn’t take a step. Then she remembered Letícia. She clenched her fists, lifted her head, and whispered to herself:
*— Yes... I can do this.*
Each step felt like time itself was slowing down. Nervous as she was, the feeling of Letícia being beside her calmed her. Finally, she reached a corner and curled up, waiting for the test to begin.
“How will... the test... be?” she murmured to herself.
The door opened again. The terrifying mage entered, accompanied by another mage whose face was hidden, too serious to ignore. Then the mage’s cold voice echoed:
— Congratulations on making it this far. This will be the final test. Each of you will face two opponents.
She raised her hand, showing the badges.
— You will receive numbers. This will determine your match-ups. For example, whoever draws six will face five. Four will remain for the semifinals, then the final.
The rules were explained next:
— Same as before. A participant may forfeit. If an opponent refuses to stop attacking, they will be disqualified. Killing or seriously injuring is forbidden. Illegal spells and witchcraft are banned until the semifinals.
A chill ran through the hall.
— Follow us to the arena.
Akiko kept her head down, trying to avoid all eyes.
“Here we are,” announced the mage.
When Akiko looked up, she gasped. The arena was enormous, big enough to fit the entire kingdom! But what truly terrified her were the four figures seated in golden chairs: the king… and his children.
— A-a-a-a... the king is watching?! — she whispered in panic, unintentionally.
Her body trembled. Shame and fear washed over her. She didn’t even like the king… and now he was watching. The weight of the moment hit her; only now did she realize how serious this test really was.
The mage raised her voice:
— Bow to His Majesty and the princes.
Everyone bowed. Even the mages. Akiko, in panic, bent so low she nearly touched her knees to the ground.
Then the calling began. Each participant went forward, received a number, and announced their codename. Until it was her turn.
— Number seven.
Akiko trembled. Speaking out loud in front of everyone was terrifying. She took the badge with shaky hands and whispered, nearly stammering:
— I-I... am Ka-guu...ya...
Her voice was so low that no one could hear. Only the mage beside her did. He looked at her with disdain and repeated loudly, so even the king could hear:
— Kaguya.
His disapproving gaze pierced her like an arrow. Akiko couldn’t take it and ran quickly back to her corner.
Soon after, the mage called the next participant.
— Number five.
A man around thirty-seven walked confidently. He raised his badge and declared:
— My codename is Takeru.
He glared at Akiko with pure hatred. She shrank back. She was always afraid of people, especially men.
But even with fear, Akiko could not give up.
*I… will watch every battle. I need to learn strategies. I need an advantage.*
She took a deep breath, trying to focus her eyes on the arena. The real test… had just begun.