Chapter 3

Right after the attack, I called Kaori over to my place. My parents were away on business all year, so they rarely came home. Because of that, we could talk things over in a calm environment. As soon as Kaori sat down on the couch, I questioned her strictly.

“Okay… Tell me what that was all about. What did that Fergus guy want from you?”

Kaori sat there confused, not sure what to say.

“I—I really don’t know…! I’ve never met him before!”

I thought about it. She was probably telling the truth. After hesitating a bit, I told her about the strange emotional pull I had felt toward her ever since I first saw her. She said she felt the same toward me. It was obvious something had influenced the both of us. And by now, it was undeniable that something in the world had changed as well. Fergus’s appearance only made things worse. Even the nature of my new ability was still a mystery. But those questions could wait. Kaori’s safety came first.

“I know you’re staying in a dorm now. But I want you to sleep here tonight. Fergus might come after you again. Tomorrow we’ll look into a few things together…”

Kaori lowered her gaze, embarrassed.

“You don’t have to. I don’t want to be a bother. You shouldn’t go that far for me.”

But I insisted, and eventually she gave in. We talked all evening about our lives, our families, and our hobbies. She liked cute, girly things, while I preferred reading. We stayed up long after dinner, and she was the first to fall asleep. When I returned to the living room with a tray of teacups, she was already lying on the couch, sleeping like a child. I sighed softly, smiled, and covered her with a blanket.

The next morning, Saturday, we headed to Kaori’s dorm first. She didn’t bring spare clothes and wanted to wash up. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that there actually was a dormitory there. I could’ve sworn there used to be a popular sports field in that spot. It made me think again. When we entered her room, it looked like it belonged to a ten-year-old girl: pink posters, plushies, and all kinds of cute items everywhere. Even the mug on her desk had a bear emblem. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of that style, but Kaori was hopeful.

“Your room was so boring… like an office. We could make it way more fun!”

“Keep dreaming.”

After she finished, we headed out again. She asked where we were going next, and I didn’t hide anything. I told her there was a big library downtown. Maybe we could find something about this “Magistras” group Fergus mentioned. I couldn’t find anything online last night. After a fifteen-minute bus ride, we arrived, and I was relieved to see the library was still a library. The interior looked a bit different — not like I remembered — but it was fine. Kaori started flipping through fantasy novels until I reminded her we weren’t here to have fun. After pouting a little, she helped me search. We looked for a long time, but it was all in vain. Nothing about the Magistras. After several hours, we gave up. From the library, we wandered to a nearby park, wondering what to do next.

I still couldn’t believe how beautiful and peaceful the city looked — futuristic high-rises, garden-like levels on some floors, countless parks downtown. Had it always been like this? Was this city originally called Bliss City as well?

My thoughts were interrupted by an ominous feeling. A few people suddenly froze in place. Then a purple fog appeared before us, and when it dispersed, a young woman in dark clothing emerged. I stepped protectively in front of Kaori and watched the newcomer.

The woman grinned mockingly.

“So that useless Fergus couldn’t even handle one little girl. Looks like I have to clean up his mess.”

I raised my voice.

“You’re with the Magistras too?!”

“That’s right. My name is Olivia Gauss. Now then, time to tie up loose ends.”

She pulled out a pendant-like clock, just like Fergus had, and chanted:

“In this upturned time, I carve a chaotic space! Come, Clockster!”

The clock glowed, followed by ominous ticking. A purple clock-shaped magic circle formed on the ground, and particles gathered above it. Another Clockster appeared — but instead of a drill, this one had a rocket launcher on its right arm.

As soon as the creature materialized, I didn’t waste a second. My heart glowed deep blue, and I recited:

“Creation of Time Link! Transfiguration!”

Sea-blue light wrapped around my body. White stars appeared, and silver rays illuminated me. An idol-like uniform in night-sky colors formed on my body. Long gloves and elegant boots appeared as well. My hair rearranged slightly and turned dark blue, while my eyes became ocean-blue. A golden crescent moon adorned the hem of my skirt.

I struck a dignified pose.

“I am the mysterious mist that blankets the night. The Seraph of Night — Nightmist!”

Kaori backed away, while Olivia seemed intrigued.

“So this is what Fergus meant. A girl with mysterious powers… Let’s see what you can do. Go, Clockster!”

The creature fired a barrage of rockets, and dodging them was extremely difficult. I had to keep running and leap acrobatically before each impact. Explosions set parts of the park ablaze, and one rocket hit me directly. With a pained cry, I crashed into a tree, snapping it in half. Holding my waist, I stood up. The creature aimed again. Instinctively, I cast a new technique.

“Hide me — Shadow Mist!”

Black mist rose around me, confusing the Clockster. It fired blindly, seeing only explosions behind the fog. More rockets followed. Then one missile bounced off the crescent-shaped shield within the mist. The explosion staggered the creature. I dispersed the mist — this was my chance.

I traced a circle in the air.

“Silent night, erase this corrupt existence. Take form, Moon Seal!”

A hand of dark mist rose from the ground, grabbed the creature, and sealed it into a silver crescent. The smoldering Clockster disintegrated.

The damaged park restored itself.

Olivia stared, furious.

“Why are you protecting that girl so much?! Do you even know how dangerous she is?!”

I raised an eyebrow.

“How would she be dangerous?”

Olivia hesitated, then spoke.

“She’s a temporal anomaly! She shouldn’t even exist… Because of her, the world is going to be destroyed!”

I didn’t understand what she meant — but Kaori’s eyes widened as if lightning had struck her.