It was only the second day of the new school term, yet a heavy fatigue already weighed on me, seeping into my bones. My mind felt clouded, sluggish from the constant barrage of lectures. To make matters worse, Estelle had suddenly barged into my life, bringing with her a whirlwind of trouble that I hadn't anticipated.
Dragging myself out of bed each morning had become a grueling ordeal. It felt as though invisible chains were anchoring me down, resisting every effort I made to rise. My limbs were heavy, my head groggy, and even my vision felt dim, like a veil of mist clouded my eyes. Perhaps it was because I was now the bearer of Ayuru. The Cursed Sword had been feeding off my mana, draining me slowly but steadily.
I didn't expect anything from today. In my mind, it was just another day to be endured—another cycle of monotony, peppered with the occasional mishap. But nothing could have prepared me for what was about to unfold.
***
The first shock came early that morning.
