The morning after her struggle with Arthianos, Mila sat on a bench near the academy gardens.
Her golden eyes were half-lidded with exhaustion.
Birds chirped softly above, but their song only deepened the silence in her chest.
She pressed a hand against her temple.
That same dull ache still there, still pulsing from last night's failed attempt.
"Miss Mila?" a student asked quietly, approaching with a basket of fruit. "You didn't come to breakfast."
She forced a small smile. "I wasn't hungry. Thank you though set it down there, please."
As the student left, Mila let out a slow exhale and leaned back.
For a fleeting moment, she felt peace.
But that peace didn't last.
A familiar, deep voice broke the stillness.
"You've been restless lately, Miss Mila."
She turned, startled.
Standing behind her was the Sage the first among the Seven. His cloak shimmered faintly with golden runes, and his eyes, sharp yet calm, studied her like a puzzle he'd almost solved.
"Sir Sage," she greeted softly, lowering her gaze. "Forgive me. I didn't hear you coming."
"You rarely do." He stepped closer, his tone carrying an edge. "I've been observing you since the forest incident."
Mila froze, her heartbeat spiking. "You mean… the corrupted chimera?"
He shook his head slightly. "No. I mean everything that's happened since then. The sky tearing open, that roar echoing through the night. Tell me…"
He leaned in. "Who are you, really?"
Mila's lips parted, but no words came.
Her thoughts twisted into knots memories flashing like fragments of glass: Basei, Luma, Simni… flames, voices, her old self.
"I'm-"
The Sage's hand suddenly rose.
A soft pulse of blue energy spread from his palm, sinking into the air like ripples in water.
"Mind's Veil," he muttered. "Reveal what you hide."
Mila's pupils widened. Her mind burned, her breath caught in her throat.
"S-Stop…" she whispered, clutching her head as the energy wrapped around her consciousness like cold chains.
"You've been lying since you set foot in this academy," the Sage said, voice low but unwavering. "I can feel power inside you something old, something not human. I warned the headmistress. She chose to trust you. I won't make that mistake."
Mila dropped to her knees. Her body trembled, but her glare flickered defiantly. "You… don't understand… I'm not your enemy…"
"Then prove it," he said.
The energy intensified, threads of light piercing deeper into her thoughts.
Pain flooded her mind like her memories were being torn apart again.
"No… no, please…" she gasped.
But the Sage's face remained stoic. "If you carry darkness, I'll cleanse it."
Her hands clawed at the ground, golden eyes fading into maroon for a brief instant. The air shimmered forgotten energy threatening to surface.
Suddenly, the Sage stopped. His eyes widened as he saw a flicker of a dragon's silhouette ripple behind her a brief, terrifying image before it vanished.
He pulled his hand back instantly, stepping away. "What was that…?"
Mila collapsed forward, breathing heavily.
Sweat clung to her skin, her silver hair sticking to her face.
"…You shouldn't have done that…" she whispered weakly.
The Sage stood there in silence, his hand still faintly glowing. "You're dangerous, Miss Mila," he said softly, though there was something almost regretful in his tone. "But I sense sorrow in you too. I'll keep this between us… for now."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving Mila trembling on the grass alone, barely conscious, tears slipping down her cheeks.
As his figure disappeared down the path, Mila whispered faintly, "Why… does everyone keep trying to control me…"