Chapter 1: The Healer Who Saw the First Omen

Several days later, the white-haired girl from the ancient library—now grown—stood before her apartment mirror, fastening her bag for another day at the Magic Academy. Despite her lineage as a healer, she remained in Class C, for healers in this era were rarely valued.

Her name was Hoshizora Miyuki, direct descendant of the ancient Healer Hero, Seraphina Valeria.

Today, like any other morning, she hurried through central Tokyo, weaving through crowds moving in every direction.

Above them, a massive video tron displayed the morning news.

“The threat level of the ongoing spatial anomaly, known as THE GRAND FRACTURE, continues to rise. Security Authorities urge all civilians to report any signs of rifts immediately—”

Suddenly—

“Miyuki-chan! Good morning!”

A cheerful voice echoed behind her.
A purple-haired girl with bright blue eyes jogged up. This was Sumika Naoto, a mid-class warrior.

Miyuki smiled.

“Oh, Sumika. Good morning.”

Sumika leaned in, whispering dramatically.

“It’s really crowded today. Everyone’s panicking about the fractures. My dad told me to stay alert because—according to the prophecy—monsters might appear!”

Miyuki raised an eyebrow.

“Sumika, you’re exaggerating again. Warriors like us are trained for moments like this.”

“Okay, okay, sorry! But are you sure? I heard another report that the Terraclaw Beast—you know, the huge earth creature with stone claws—was spotted near the harbor!”

Miyuki stiffened slightly at that, but she forced a calm breath.

Surely the authorities would handle it.

Classes began like usual—
until the announcement came.

Students were dismissed early.

Whispers spread quickly:
A mid-rank warrior from the Sullivan family had been severely wounded during a Terraclaw sighting.

As Miyuki packed her things, Sumika approached again, her expression tense.

“Miyuki… do you have time?”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“I—I need your help. One of my attendants was slashed by the Terraclaw. I know you can heal them. I’ll give you anything you want—just please save them!”

Miyuki nodded gently.

“I’ll help. But I need seaweed first. It’s the only thing that eases Terraclaw wounds.”

“Alright! I’ll wait for you!”

Miyuki headed straight to Karasuba Beach, hoping to gather enough seaweed. Cold wind brushed her face as dark clouds rolled in.

“Looks like it’ll rain soon. I need to hurry,” she murmured.

Thunder cracked.
The sky dimmed.
She bent down to gather seaweed—until a strange shape caught her eye.

A person.
Lying motionless on the wet sand.

A boy with messy, water-soaked black hair and strange, unfamiliar clothes.

Miyuki ran toward him.

“Hey—are you alright?”

She checked his forehead.

Warm.
Alive.
Breathing.

But unconscious.

She hooked his arm over her shoulder and grunted.

“You’re heavier than you look… don’t make me regret doing a good deed,” she muttered—half serious, half comedic frustration.

Lightning split the sky.
Rain began pouring down.

A faint glow formed on the boy’s right hand—
but vanished before she could focus on it.

Miyuki grabbed the seaweed she dropped earlier and hurried him to her small, battered car. Rain swallowed the shore behind her.

The boy stirred under an old blanket in a cramped, dim room.

“Where am I…?”
His voice was weak, trembling.

He sat up suddenly.

“Where… am I?”

He looked around the empty room in confusion.

Miyuki entered with a towel.

“Oh, you’re awake?”

He stared at her, lost.

“Who are you? And… who am I?”

Miyuki froze when she saw his golden eyes.

Ancient.
Unmistakable.
The same eyes from the prophecy.

But she steadied her breath.

“My name is Hoshizora Miyuki. I found you unconscious and brought you to safety. You’ll be alright.”

He blinked.

“Name…? What is that?”

Miyuki’s heart tightened.
Amnesia?
A shipwreck victim?
Or something else entirely?

Regardless, she forced a small smile and handed him a warm meal.

“Here. Eat this. I’m sure you’re starving.”

He devoured the food immediately, almost desperately.

Miyuki chuckled quietly.

“Slow down. You’ll choke.”

A silent, forgotten alley trembled.

A pitch-black portal tore itself open—
its edges crackling like broken glass.

From the darkness, shapes crawled out.

Goblin.
Ogre.
Even more grotesque silhouettes followed.

As if responding to a summoning.
As if someone had called them forth.

Their yellow eyes glimmered with hunger.

The first fracture… had opened.

And the real beginning had finally arrived.