The courtroom was submerged in shadows, bustling with whispered voices and tense breaths. Dim candlelight glided across cold stone walls, casting playful shadows on the faces of those present. The judge, an elderly, tall man dressed in authoritative black robes, stood up and spoke with a deep voice filled with authority:

  "Mirai, you've crossed boundaries that should never have been crossed. What you've done cannot be forgiven, and you know this. Murder cannot be justified, regardless of your motives. We are here to maintain order, to protect the balance that governs our existence."

  He paused for a moment, examining the room with calm yet firm eyes, before returning his gaze to Mirai, who appeared completely indifferent.

  "We will not overlook what has happened. By my authority, you will be stripped of your powers and exiled from demon territory."

  The silence following the announcement was heavy, sharp as a blade. Whispers spread among the audience like wildfire. Amidst this gathering of wide-eyed stares and held breaths, Mirai stood unshaken, displaying no emotion. Her chin was slightly raised, her eyes devoid of fear, hesitation, or even anxiety. Instead, there was a chilling silence, the silence of someone who didn't care about the verdict. She remained motionless, her face expressionless—no fear, no regret, only a grim silence surrounding her. It was as if the world around her, with everything in it, meant nothing at all.

  Suddenly, a young woman stepped forward, wearing a black dress adorned with symbolic patterns, holding in her hand a crystal orb glowing mysteriously. Her steps were calm and balanced, radiating excessive confidence and practiced authority. She stood before Mirai with a cold, merciless expression, as if everything happening was merely routine.

  The girl slowly lifted the orb, its internal light becoming brighter. Dark energy began flowing out of Mirai's body, absorbed into the orb. Mirai felt something heavy creeping inside her—as if something deep was being torn away. Her powers were being drawn out agonizingly slowly, her limbs weakening and her head spinning. She stared at the girl with exhausted eyes, but the latter offered no opportunity for escape or resistance. The orb shone brighter each second, the girl watching Mirai with a wicked smile.

  Eventually, Mirai collapsed to the floor, utterly drained, while the girl continued holding the orb now filled with Mirai's power. Without uttering a single word, the girl turned and quietly left the hall, leaving Mirai behind in darkness.

  ***

  Mirai slowly opened her eyes. The air was cold, and the scent of damp earth filled her nostrils. She rose heavily, her body feeling unusually weighed down. Examining her surroundings, she realized she was in a dense forest, giant trees obscuring the dark sky. Night had already settled in, with stars barely visible behind thick, dark clouds.

  She stood and glanced at her left arm, then closed her eyes, trying to summon what remained of her energy. Concentrating all her remaining strength into her arm, she opened her eyes after a moment to see a gleaming metallic sheath affixed to her arm. Slowly drawing it out, she revealed a sharp sword inside. A faint smile of relief briefly touched her lips. She returned the sword to its sheath and concealed it again.

  Just before walking away, she spotted a golden, glowing bird perched upon a tree branch, apparently observing her from afar. The moment she noticed it, Mirai felt uneasy, a strange energy causing the surrounding air to thicken slightly. This was no ordinary bird; it had an invisible aura, unlike anything she'd felt before.

  Nevertheless, the bird took flight, disappearing before she could scrutinize it more closely. Mirai didn't pay it much heed directly, yet she couldn't shake the subtle sensation that something unnatural was present. Taking a deep breath, she started calmly walking among the trees, dried leaves crunching beneath her feet.

  The silence around her seemed peaceful, yet her eyes remained cautious, watching every movement in the darkness. Suddenly, the quietness shattered by a deep, frightening roar from a massive creature. She froze instantly, every sense on high alert, searching the darkness for the source.

  A massive beast emerged from between the trees, its body covered in dark fur, its sharp teeth gleaming faintly under moonlight. Its red eyes glowed with murderous intent. It lunged toward her swiftly. Without hesitation, Mirai drew her sword again from the sheath, executing a motion faster than the eye could follow, cutting the beast in half. Time stood still for a moment, before the beast's lifeless body collapsed to the ground.

  Mirai gazed indifferently at the corpse, sheathed her sword, and continued her way through the forest. The night was cold, stars faintly visible through the high branches. The ground beneath her feet was littered with leaves and branches, amplifying the sound of her steps.

  She continued walking until dawn's first light broke through the sky, announcing a new day's birth. Finally exiting the forest, a large city's outline appeared ahead on the horizon.

  Approaching the city gate, Mirai observed the guards meticulously inspecting all entrants and wagons. Everyone was subject to scrutiny, and there seemed no escape from the guards' vigilant eyes. Clearly, entering the city would take a long time and raise unwanted questions.

  She observed them briefly, then swiftly drew her sword. In that instant, her movements became incredibly fast—too quick for the human eye to follow. To any observer, she seemed to vanish into thin air.

  In truth, she hadn’t disappeared but had moved at incredible speed through the gate, slipping past the guards before they could even realize what happened. All that remained behind her was a faint breeze, like a passing wind.

  In the blink of an eye, she found herself inside the city, walking unnoticed among the crowds. The guards continued their duties as if nothing unusual had occurred.

  Upon entering, Mirai observed tall towers shining under the rising sun while streets bustled with life and activity. People of various kinds roamed about, merchants loudly promoting goods in crowded markets. The architecture was a mix of old and new, reflecting a long, culturally rich history.

  Mirai wandered, her eyes capturing every small detail—from artisans passionately working in their modest shops to musicians playing melodies in public squares. As she strolled aimlessly, a large wooden door bearing an emblem of crossed sword and shield drew her attention. It was the symbol of the Adventurers' Guild.

  Confidently approaching, she entered. Inside, the place was filled with activity, adventurers passionately recounting their exploits, and noticeboards full of new quests. But at the moment of her entry, silence descended. All eyes turned toward her; some stared curiously at her ragged clothing and unusual appearance. Ignoring them, Mirai calmly proceeded toward the reception desk.

  Standing at the desk was a young employee named Akane, whose bright face and gentle features didn't conceal her astonishment at Mirai's appearance. Trying to maintain composure, Akane smiled kindly and said:

  "Welcome! How may I assist you today? Are you looking to join the guild, or perhaps you have some questions?"

  Mirai looked at her and calmly replied, "I’d like to inquire about how things work here, and perhaps join your guild."

  "Certainly," said Akane in a reassuring tone, carefully observing the new visitor. "Here in the Adventurers' Guild, we provide a platform for adventurers to exchange quests and experiences. Members can choose from a wide array of missions, ranging from treasure hunts and monster battles to gathering medicinal herbs. The most important tasks involve exploring dungeons."

  Her hand slowly reached out to pull a rolled-up paper from the stack, silence enveloping the area. She continued while offering the paper: "Once you select a quest, you'll be registered, and all the information you need will be provided."

  The receptionist raised her gaze thoughtfully towards Mirai, as though attempting to read deeper into her personality, then said professionally, "To better assist you, could you tell us about your skills and what you're capable of?"

  "I'm a swordswoman. I have no magic," Mirai replied clearly.

  The receptionist paused briefly, nodding understandingly. A small smile formed on her lips, as if she'd encountered many people in Mirai's position. "I see. Swordsmanship is a valuable skill here, and strong fighters are always needed for missions requiring physical strength and combat proficiency. Even without magic, your skills could be decisive in many situations."

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  The receptionist cautiously began explaining the next steps, as if guiding someone into unknown territory: "You'll need to sign some documents to register with the guild, after which you'll be able to view available quests. But before all that, we'll evaluate your current level."

  Mirai looked at her seriously, waiting for further details. The receptionist gestured toward a door at the back and explained: "You'll engage in combat with one of our guild members to assess your skills and determine your rank. The goal isn't just measuring your strength, but also evaluating your readiness for handling various situations."

  "I don't mind," Mirai replied indifferently.

  The receptionist escorted her to the training ground, an open courtyard behind the guild, encircled by ancient stone pillars and decorated with shields and wooden swords. While Mirai awaited her opponent, she noticed a rack holding wooden swords. She calmly approached, picked one up, weighed it slightly in her hand, and examined it. "This will be enough..." she whispered to herself.

  Shortly after, the courtyard door opened, and a heavily-built man entered, muscles visible beneath simple leather armor. His gait was calm yet confident, like a seasoned warrior who had faced countless battles.

  "I'm Saito, the guild master," he spoke deeply, his eyes examining Mirai with curiosity and respect. "I'll be your opponent in this evaluation match."

  His face bore wrinkles, marking long years of experience. Mirai stood firm, observing his movements carefully. She thought to herself: "This is the person testing me… good. Let's see how strong I've become."

  Saito nodded, signaling her to prepare. "This fight will not only determine your level and guild rank but will also measure your determination and adaptability. Don't worry; the fight will be fair, following strict guidelines to ensure your safety."

  Mirai regarded him coldly, her voice calm but sharp: "It doesn't matter. Fight me with all your strength—I’ll fight you with killing intent."

  Surprised by her seriousness, Saito quickly formed a slight smile. Enthusiasm rose within him, and he responded with a wide grin: "It's rare to meet someone with such strong resolve. Very well, out of respect for your courage, I'll fight seriously."

  Mirai raised her wooden sword, awaiting the fight's beginning. Saito gestured with his hand, initiating the duel. He lunged with surprising speed, and for a brief moment, time felt as though it slowed down for Mirai. She whispered calmly to herself: "First, I'll gauge my speed."

  Saito's attacks were fast—far faster than anticipated—but Mirai parried them all effortlessly. Breathing deeply, she took several steps back, muttering quietly: "My speed has dropped to a third... But that doesn’t matter. Now I'll test my offensive strength."

  She swiftly advanced toward Saito, striking consecutively with precise, swift blows from her wooden sword. Each strike sliced audibly through the air, as though cutting more than mere emptiness.

  Saito, alert and focused, found himself forced backward step by step, furrowing his brows as he struggled to deflect every blow. Sweat dripped from his forehead as signs of fatigue began to show. After several moments, he raised a hand slightly in surrender, panting heavily: "Alright... let's stop here."

  Mirai immediately halted, lowering her sword slowly. Despite his exhaustion, Saito looked at her with appreciative admiration. He spoke calmly, though clearly tired: "You're not bad, young lady. Your speed and physical strength are remarkable."

  He paused briefly to catch his breath, then continued, wiping sweat from his forehead: "I'll assign you a rank of (B). It's suitable at this stage, especially since you don't use magic."

  Mirai showed no reaction or interest. Quietly gathering his things, Saito headed toward the exit, saying, "See you later." Once he left, Mirai returned the sword to its place.

  Exiting the training area, Mirai headed back to the receptionist to complete her registration as a new adventurer in the guild.

  After finishing registration, she left the guild, deeply contemplating her next step. Her eyes gazed thoughtfully toward the distant horizon. She whispered quietly as she walked: "Dungeons... I've heard about them. Located in human kingdoms, they're full of monsters lurking in darkness. It would be a good place to start... I need to know my current strength."

  ---

  Mirai arrived at the dungeon entrance. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt a chill permeating the air, instantly realizing that the place was older and deeper than she'd thought. Still, there was no time for reflection or hesitation.

  She moved swiftly, her feet barely touching the ground as she dashed through narrow corridors. Monsters emerged from the shadows—distorted creatures of various sizes, roaring deeply—but Mirai didn't even give them a chance to attack. Her movements were like fleeting shadows, nearly invisible to the eye. Each strike was precise and lethal. Monsters blocking her path fell one after another, like leaves scattered by the wind.

  "Weaker than a newborn... this is pathetic," Mirai murmured with disappointment, her eyes never leaving the path ahead. There was no time to pause or consider these trivial encounters.

  In less than two minutes, she stood before the entrance to the fifth floor. Monsters still tried pursuing her, but they were merely minor annoyances. Upon entering the fifth floor, she paused briefly, gazing into the darkness, preparing for whatever came next.

  Amid the darkness stood a massive ogre, bigger and fiercer than any creature she'd previously encountered. Mirai halted momentarily, readying herself for combat. Suddenly, in an unexpected instant, a strange feeling of exhaustion overtook her—as if an unseen force drained her strength. She staggered briefly, losing balance momentarily before regaining composure. But it was too late—the ogre lunged forward swiftly, aiming directly at her. At the last second, Mirai raised her right hand to block the attack. While successfully fending off the deadly blow, the ogre's claws grazed her hand, leaving a small wound.

  Mirai glanced indifferently at the wound, not retreating. Summoning her strength once more, she counterattacked decisively, delivering a finishing blow. The beast collapsed before her, vanishing and leaving behind a small diamond-like gem.

  Mirai stood, the sense of fatigue gradually intensifying. Deciding to exit for now, she paused, noticing the diamond shard, sensing an odd energy radiating from it. Holding it, she thought to herself:

  "I suppose this is what's called an Energy Diamond. I've read it sometimes appears after defeating dungeon monsters. It possesses unique magical energy, useful for enhancing weapons, armor, or crafting powerful spells."

  Taking the diamond, she began walking toward the exit.

  ---

  Mirai stepped calmly into the weapon shop. The store was modest in design, its walls adorned meticulously with various weapons: swords, spears, and neatly hung shields. Wooden tables were carefully arranged, displaying military gear and small gems showcased within glass cases. The lighting was sufficient to reveal the details clearly without overwhelming the ambiance.

  Behind the main counter stood an elderly man dressed plainly, with white hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes shone with the experience of someone who had worked many years in this trade. Mirai silently observed him before pulling the small diamond from her pocket and placing it on the table. She said succinctly, "I want to sell this."

  The man picked up the diamond, examining it briefly before looking back up at Mirai. "An Energy Diamond," he stated quietly. "I can buy it for forty silver coins."

  Mirai showed no interest in bargaining or lengthy conversation; she simply nodded in agreement.

  After taking the silver coins, she turned and exited the shop. Along the way, she stopped briefly at a nearby pharmacy to purchase medicine and bandages, then headed toward an inn she'd noticed earlier on her way to the guild.

  While walking through the narrow streets, her eyes were suddenly drawn to a storefront displaying beautiful clothes. She paused, glancing at her tattered clothing damaged from battles, then entered the shop.

  Inside, the store was decorated with luxurious fabrics, vivid colors reflecting beautifully against the walls, accompanied by a subtle aroma of antique perfumes. A stylish employee, elegantly dressed in traditional clothing, approached her with a warm smile:

  "Welcome. How may I assist you today?"

  Mirai scanned the shop thoughtfully, then responded simply: "I need a new dress."

  The employee assessed her critically, noting the tears in Mirai's old dress, and remarked admiringly: "Despite the damage, it looks like it belonged to a princess." Then she asked, "What kind of clothing do you prefer?"

  "I want clothes that fully cover my body," Mirai replied.

  Skillfully smiling, the employee gestured toward a selection of kimono hanging neatly from racks. In a soft tone, she suggested, "A kimono would suit you nicely. We have a wide variety, all reasonably priced."

  Amidst vibrant colors and soft textures, Mirai's eyes settled on a simple yet elegant black kimono adorned with delicate golden embroidery. She chose it, paid, changed into it, and left the shop.

  As the sun set, Mirai arrived at the inn. The receptionist greeted her warmly, his calm eyes reflecting genuine hospitality. "Welcome. How can I assist you?" he asked politely.

  She replied softly, as if the words were difficult, "I'd like a room."

  After completing the necessary formalities, she received her room key and swiftly ascended to the upper floor. Once inside, she closed the door firmly behind her and sat down on the bed. Silence enveloped the room, broken only by her uneven breathing.

  She glanced around the room—the walls painted a soft color, the bed neatly prepared—but felt no comfort. Pulling out the bandages and medicine, she began treating her wound.

  As she bandaged the injury, her mind drifted back to her recent encounter with the ogre:

  "Why did I feel so exhausted back then?" Her mind wouldn't stop churning.

  Finishing the bandage, she slowly lifted her gaze toward her left arm. Carefully drawing her sword from its sheath, the room seemed to grow heavier as she gripped it firmly. She closed her eyes momentarily, attempting to comprehend what had happened. Within minutes, fatigue again seeped into her body.

  "So that's it..." she whispered, breathing deeply. "My limit is just three minutes. I can't use it any longer than that... I must be cautious. Without magic, it consumes my spiritual energy too rapidly."

  She carefully sheathed the sword. Reaching over, she extinguished the candle by her side, plunging the room into serene darkness. She lay back on the bed, eyes still closed, struggling to banish the heavy thoughts crowding her mind. Sleep gradually overtook her.

  ***

  As dawn broke, Mirai slowly awoke. She lay quietly on the bed for a few moments before sitting upright. Suddenly, a sharp twinge from her wound made her realize something was wrong. Slowly, she looked at the bandage wrapped around the injury, noticing slight drops of blood seeping through. Feeling dampness on her skin, she cautiously removed the bandage. What she saw made her eyes widen in shock—the wound had not healed, and worse, the bleeding hadn’t stopped.

  She stared at the wound, trying to recall anything unusual that might've occurred. Thoughts slowly invaded her mind...

  "Impossible..." she murmured, recalling the wicked smile of that girl back at the court. "Did she cause this?" she whispered softly.

  Doubts arose, but she needed to confirm them. Quickly leaving the inn, she asked passersby for directions to a hospital and found a clinic renowned for treating adventurers.

  ***

  *This was only the beginning...*

  *Continued in Chapter 1.2*

  — *Hikari*