Character Quote: Sayo Hōtō
"What I shoot is not an arrow, but feelings I've never expressed."
[Midnight · Dongyun Academy · Archery Range]
The moonlight shimmers like silver, casting its glow over the empty archery training field. In the center of the target range stands a girl dressed in a white training outfit. She grips a longbow, her gaze as calm as ice. Hōdō Saya, the president of the archery club at Dongyun Academy and currently ranked third on the Dragon Tiger List, has already reached the pinnacle. Yet her bow remains unshot.
"Too slow. The hesitation lasted an extra 0.3 seconds," she mutters to herself, retracting the arrow and drawing it back on the bowstring once again. There are no spectators, no praise, and not even the sound of breathing, as she has suppressed it to the limit. She has been practicing for three hours straight, yet not once has she felt satisfied.
[Fragment of Memory · The Old Competition Field]
Two months ago, at the top tier of the Longya Arena. Yagami Ao, a member of the magic club, defeated Kazekiri Rin using the "Red-Black Phantom: Joker Technique," a battle that brought him deification. Saya was also present at that time, surveying the crowd of ten thousand from the stands. Her gaze landed on a solitary figure, and in that moment, her heartstrings snapped. She wanted to shoot that arrow, but not for victory or defeat. "Yagami Ao... just how far are you planning to go?"
Reality: Sayo's Dilemma
Recently, the archery department's training data showed "negative growth." Although she maintained a high hit rate, her accuracy fluctuated greatly, her reactions slowed down, and her heart rate was erratic. Sayo Hōdō was in turmoil. The department members did not dare speak much. Yet, Sayo knew that her internal conflict had reached its limit. "I cannot let my emotions interfere with my shooting anymore." She gritted her teeth and pulled the bowstring once more. With a clang, the arrow flew out like a meteor and hit the target with a deviation of 0.1 cm. She felt no joy. She simply muttered to herself, "I need a battle devoid of emotions." Back in the department room, there was a red envelope on the table. She raised her eyebrows when she opened it. The contents were brief: "My name is Banri Hiemuro. I am a second-year student in the Swordsmanship Department and am currently ranked 14th on the Tiger and Dragon List. I would like to invite Department Head Hōdō to an archery and sword duel in three days, an open confrontation." Hōdō Sayo gently closed the letter, a glimmer of dark light flashing in her eyes. "Banri Hiemuro...so you wish to test whether an arrow can outmatch the speed of a sword?" She slowly raised her head and looked out at the cold moon through the window. "Very well. Let me first use this battle to pierce through all the chaotic emotions within me."