Lucian woke up, his body feeling lighter than before. Though soreness still lingered in his muscles, it was nothing compared to the pain he had endured the previous night. He slowly got up, stretching his limbs, and moved toward the balcony.
The Castle of Blue Night was eerily quiet, yet there was a strange sense of serenity in the air. The sky, painted in hues of pink and orange, shimmered as the sun and moon coexisted—an impossible sight, yet breathtakingly beautiful. The soft evening breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers, brushing against his skin as he stepped forward.
Lucian's eyes landed on Valentina, the guardian of the castle, sitting by the edge of the balcony, gazing at the horizon. The wind played with her long silver hair as she absentmindedly tucked a strand behind her ear, her crimson eyes reflecting the shifting light.
Taking a deep breath, Lucian stepped closer. "Miss Guardian," he called out hesitantly.
Valentina didn't turn her head but acknowledged his presence with a slight nod. "You're awake," she said, her voice as calm as the stillness of the castle.
Lucian cleared his throat. "I think I'm fully healed now. So… can I go home? My family will be worried sick about me." His tone carried both urgency and longing. He had been here long enough. No matter how grand the castle was, it wasn't his home.
A moment of silence passed before Valentina finally turned to face him. There was a hint of sadness in her expression. "I'm afraid you can't leave for a year."
Lucian's heart sank. "What?" His voice came out sharper than he intended. "A year? That's impossible! I can't just disappear for that long! My family… my friends… they're probably searching for me right now!"
Valentina sighed, leaning back against the stone railing. "It's not by choice. The way you arrived here wasn't normal. The teleportation magic of the Night Gate was disrupted… and in the process, the spirit protecting you was consumed. She used all of her mana to keep you alive."
Lucian's fists clenched. "You mean… she died?"
She gave a slow nod. "Yes. And until the mana in the Night Gate naturally restores itself, you won't be able to leave."
He took a step back, shaking his head. "That's ridiculous… There has to be another way. I can't stay here for a whole year!"
Valentina's gaze softened, but her voice remained firm. "I understand your frustration, but this is the reality. However… as an apology, I will teach you something valuable."
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I will teach you Kotoba magic," she said with a smirk. "You're aware of it, aren't you?"
Lucian's eyes widened. "Kotoba magic…? One of my friends uses it, but I don't know much about it."
Valentina nodded, standing up. "Good. Then this will be a worthwhile lesson. I'll also give you some knowledge and artifacts to aid you. Think of it as my way of making up for your situation."
Lucian crossed his arms. "Why are you going to such lengths?"
Valentina chuckled, placing her hands on her waist. "It's my way of apologizing. And besides…" She smirked. "I'm rich. Don't take me for a poor woman."
Lucian sighed in defeat. "Fine… I'll stay."
---
The First Lesson
The castle's front yard was vast, stretching far beyond what Lucian had initially seen. Marble pillars lined the courtyard, and a small training ground sat in the center, surrounded by ancient trees. The air was thick with mana, vibrating with untapped energy.
Valentina stood before him, arms crossed. "Kotoba magic is not just about speaking powerful words. It's about understanding them at their core. Every word carries meaning, history, and a connection to the world. When you speak, you must not only say the word but become it."
Lucian furrowed his brows. "Become it?"
She nodded. "First, you need to process over a thousand calculations per second in your mind. You must predict every possible outcome, every movement, every change in energy flow. Only then will your words manifest true power."
Lucian's thoughts raced. It's like a quantum computer… calculating every possible outcome at the same time… He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, I think I get it."
Valentina smiled. "Good. Now, try using a word that resonates with you."
Lucian inhaled deeply, focusing on the energy around him. He had knowledge from his previous world—words that held power, words with meaning. He steadied his stance, his hands tightening into fists.
"…Kamaitachi."
The moment he uttered the word, pain erupted in his chest. He coughed violently, blood dripping from his lips as he fell to one knee, gasping for air. His vision blurred.
Valentina was at his side in an instant, her expression serious. "I knew it," she murmured. "You forced it too soon."
Lucian struggled to breathe. "What… happened?"
"You couldn't withstand the weight of the word," she explained, placing a hand over his chest. A faint glow surrounded her palm as she infused a stabilizing spell into his body. "Your ring core is still cracked. The magic you tried to invoke clashed with your body's current state. It twisted your lungs for a brief moment."
Lucian wiped the blood from his lips, his body trembling. "So I can't use Kotoba magic yet?"
Valentina shook her head. "Not right now. You need to recover first. But don't worry… I'll provide you with artifacts and potions to help strengthen your core."
Lucian exhaled, exhaustion washing over him. "Alright… I'll wait."
Valentina smirked. "Good. Because once you're ready… I expect you to blow my expectations away."