"They couldn’t kill me, so in the end, this is just another trial."

That was something Cecilia often said.

"A trial that doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger. So, I guess you could say I’m stronger than before."

"I’m glad you think that way."

Cecilia, frail as she was, was probably the student at the academy closest to death. Her unique way of speaking seemed to be a means to reassure others.

As I took another sip of my tea, I thought back to what Cecilia had said.

"So, to summarize, a gate suddenly opened at the academy, and …