/POP Jiono Sinato (Alice)/
But then Alice stopped what she was doing when she heard a sound from far away—very far from where they were. Her face darkened, and then she disappeared very quickly, while Sana breathed heavily from being affected by dark magic.
[That trash is going after what belongs to me again.]
…
Jiono Sinato appeared far from Ino Talaka to see what he was doing now.
Ino Talaka was now chatting with another girl, his face looking so happy. The girl was the strongest swordswoman in his class. She was very strong, with pale yellow eyes and short light-pink hair. She was beautiful.
[I will kill that girl and punish Ino Talaka after this day.]
…
/POP Sana/
His mind started to stabilize as he lay on the ground.
Then someone came again. It was Lila Nosara.
Her face showed worry as she used her light magic to heal Sana.
Sana's blurry eyes couldn't tell who was helping him. His voice trembled.
"Thanks…"
Then he fell asleep.
The blonde-haired girl was in shock because Natacy Lazota had never thanked her like this during all their years as childhood friends.
She was worried about Natacy Lazota because he was the only friend she had. Even though she had no talent in battle, wasn't good at fighting, and even… despite all that, he had accepted her.
Natacy Lazota had always acted cool and emotionless toward her, but she knew that was simply how he showed his friendship.
But from today, this was not the Natacy Lazota she knew.
His actions were not like him at all.
So she easily recognized it.
He was definitely not Natacy Lazota. One hundred percent.
While Lila took care of him, she found out that he had been cursed by an evil soul.
Her voice trembled.
"Dark magic?"
Then she became angry when she remembered Jiono—Alice.
But worse, the dark magic became even stronger and started to engulf Sana's body.
Her face turned terrified at the thought that she might lose her only friend.
Even if he was not the same person she once knew.
Then she hurried to call for help…
Sana sank into a deep, void-like world. He felt his entire body become small, like an ant in front of a dangerous red eye glowing in a hidden place.
Alice's inner voice whispered,
"You can't escape me, darling."
Sana fell into despair and lost all hope inside her domain.