The lake lay still beneath the pale morning sky.
It stretched wide across the edge of the Kiryuu Clan, its surface smooth as glass, reflecting the mountains and drifting clouds above. Warriors gathered along its banks, their voices low, their attention fixed on the elders standing at the water's edge.
This was not a battlefield.
And yet, the tension in the air was sharper than steel.
"The second trial," the elder announced, his voice carrying across the water, "is not a test of strength."
The murmurs quieted.
"It is a test of endurance. Of discipline. Of control."
He gestured toward the lake.
"You will enter the water in groups. You will remain beneath the surface."
A pause.
"The last one to emerge… wins."
Silence followed.
Then a ripple of unease spread among the competitors.
Sayaka Kiryuu stood near the front, her expression unchanged.
Reina stood farther back, her white mask catching the faint light of the morning.
Neither of them spoke.
The competitors were divided into groups.
Sayaka stood among the first.
Reina… was placed in the last.
No one questioned it.
But many noticed.
As Sayaka stepped forward toward the water, a voice spoke beside her.
"You're Sayaka Kiryuu."
She turned slightly.
A man stood there, tall, composed, his gaze steady and curious.
"Kaito Ryuzen," he introduced himself calmly. "I've heard about you."
Sayaka gave a short nod.
"That makes one of us."
He smiled faintly.
"I'll be watching your round."
Sayaka didn't respond.
She stepped into the water.
The cold struck instantly.
It wrapped around her legs, her waist, her chest—until finally, she submerged completely.
Silence.
The world disappeared.
No voices.
No wind.
Only the slow rhythm of her own heartbeat.
Sayaka's body stilled beneath the surface.
Her breathing slowed.
Her thoughts emptied.
Time began to stretch.
Around her, shadows shifted.
One by one—
The other competitors rose.
Breaking the surface.
Gasping.
Falling back to the shore.
But Sayaka remained.
Still.
Unmoving.
Her lungs burned.
Her chest tightened.
But her body did not betray her.
Seconds turned into something longer.
Until finally—
She rose.
The last.
Water slid from her shoulders as she stepped onto the shore, calm as ever.
The crowd stirred.
Kaito watched her carefully.
"…Impressive," he murmured.
Sayaka didn't even look at him.
Time passed.
Then—
The final group was called.
Reina stepped forward.
The white mask gleamed faintly, the thin chains along its surface catching the light.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Everyone was watching now.
Reina stepped into the water.
And disappeared beneath it.
At first—
Nothing.
The surface remained still.
Then one competitor rose.
Then another.
And another.
Breathless.
Struggling.
The crowd watched closely.
But Reina did not appear.
Time passed.
Too much time.
Sayaka's gaze sharpened.
Something was wrong.
Then—
A faint ripple spread across the water.
And slowly—
A thin line of red.
Blood.
Someone gasped.
"She's bleeding—"
The surface broke.
Reina emerged.
Last.
Her breathing was uneven.
For a single second, she remained upright.
Then—
Her body gave out.
She collapsed back into the water.
Before anyone else could react—
Kaito moved.
He plunged into the lake without hesitation, pulling her up, dragging her toward the shore.
Water splashed violently around them.
He lifted her from the surface, one arm wrapped firmly around her.
Sayaka stood still.
Watching.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
Something twisted in her chest.
Sharp.
Unfamiliar.
She didn't move.
Reina was carried away quickly.
Her mask remained in place.
Blood stained the back of her clothes.
Sayaka followed at a distance.
Silent.
The room was quiet.
Lantern light flickered softly against the wooden walls as Reina lay on the low bed, her breathing slow but uneven.
Kaito stood nearby.
Sayaka stood farther back.
Watching.
The healers worked quickly, carefully treating the wound across Reina's back.
"She'll be fine," one of them said.
Kaito exhaled slightly.
Sayaka said nothing.
But she didn't leave.
Later that night—
The room had grown quiet.
Reina lay still, half-asleep.
Sayaka stepped closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Her hand reached toward the edge of the mask.
Then—
A hand caught her wrist.
Reina's eyes opened slightly.
"What are you doing?"
Sayaka didn't pull away.
"Checking your condition."
Reina's lips curved faintly.
"You're curious."
"I'm not."
Reina shifted slightly.
The movement pulled the fabric of her clothing loose—
Exposing her upper back.
Bare skin.
Bandages.
Sayaka froze.
Then turned her face away.
"…Cover yourself properly," she said coldly.
Reina smiled softly.
Days passed.
Sayaka searched.
Asked questions.
Checked records.
Nothing.
No name.
No origin.
No trace.
Reina Tsukihana did not exist.
"You should be resting."
Sayaka stood in the corridor.
Reina leaned lightly against the wall.
"I'm fine."
"You're injured."
"You're worried."
"I'm not."
Reina tilted her head.
"Then why are you still here?"
Sayaka didn't answer.
Instead—
She turned.
"Come with me."
The Kiryuu market was alive with color.
Lanterns glowed. Stalls lined the streets. Voices filled the air.
Reina walked beside Sayaka, her gaze moving slowly across everything.
"You brought me here?" she asked.
"You're new," Sayaka said. "You should know the place you're fighting for."
Reina smiled faintly.
But then—
Her gaze shifted.
Something felt wrong.
She slowed.
Someone was watching them.
Following.
Reina's expression didn't change.
But her steps did.
She turned into another path.
Then another.
Testing.
Confirming.
Yes.
They were being followed.
Suddenly—
Reina stepped into a crowded stall.
And disappeared.
Sayaka frowned.
"—Where—"
Too late.
Reina moved quickly across rooftops.
Silent.
Precise.
She reached the forest beyond the market.
And waited.
They came.
One by one.
Armed.
Royal soldiers.
Reina moved first.
A flash of steel.
A body fell.
Then another.
And another.
But she was injured.
Slower.
Weaker.
One strike slipped through.
She staggered.
Another blade came down—
Then—
Steel clashed.
Sayaka.
Her sword moved fast.
Fierce.
Not calm.
Not controlled.
Angry.
She cut through them.
One after another.
Until silence returned.
Reina sank slightly to the ground.
Half sitting.
Half standing.
Watching her.
Sayaka turned toward her.
"What is wrong with you?" she snapped.
"Do you always invite danger?"
Reina smiled faintly.
"You saved me again."
Sayaka froze.
Reina closed her eyes.
When Reina woke again—
The room was quiet.
Sayaka sat beside her.
Still.
Watching.
"You didn't leave," Reina murmured.
Sayaka didn't answer.
A healer entered.
"She stayed all night—"
"Enough," Sayaka cut in sharply.
She stood.
And left.
The results were announced the next day.
"Winner of the water trial—White Mask."
The crowd erupted.
Some protested.
"She collapsed!"
"She was saved!"
But the elder spoke firmly.
"She was the last to emerge."
The decision stood.
Far beyond the mountains—
A body lay in the forest.
Then another.
And another.
Prince Akihiro stood among them.
His expression darkened.
"These were my men."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"…She's here."
And for the first time—
He realized.
His sister had not been taken.
She had chosen this.