Chapter 7: "The Girl from the Black Hall"
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[Page 1 – Black Hall Shadows]
Dark stone corridors. Yui walks alone, clutching his Provisional Rank scroll.
> Narration: The Black Hall — where students too dangerous or unstable are sent to "retrain."
> Panel: A sign reads "Remedial Training Zone."
> Whisper (off-panel): "Here, power alone isn't enough."
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[Page 2 – Silent Arrival]
Yui enters a large chamber where several students train intensely. All eyes shift to him.
> Student 1 (whispering): "That's Yui. The janitor who stunned the arena."
> Student 2: "And the one who barely made rank zero."
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[Page 3 – Aera Voss]
From the shadows, a girl steps forward — Aera Voss, dark eyes cold, silver-white hair flowing.
> Narration: "The Silent Witch" — Rank 2, a fighter feared even by teachers.
> Aera (cold): "You're out of place here, janitor."
> Yui (flat): "I'm here to get stronger."
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[Page 4 – Clash of Wills]
Aera steps closer, eyes narrowing.
> Aera: "Don't get in my way."
> Yui (calm): "Power doesn't care about your warnings."
> Panel: Students watch the tension spike.
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[Page 5 – Training Begins]
Aera demonstrates a flurry of precise magic strikes. Yui dodges, absorbing every move.
> Narration: She fights to test him. He fights to learn.
> Panel: Yui's white flame pulses faintly as he blocks.
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[Page 6 – Trap Set]
Cut to Kael and the cloaked figure watching via a magical mirror.
> Kael (smirking): "They'll break him here."
> Cloaked Figure: "Or they'll break each other."
> Panel: A cursed beast prowls hidden in the shadows of the Black Hall.
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[Page 7 – Attack from Darkness]
Suddenly, the cursed beast lunges at Yui and Aera during training.
> Yui (shouting): "Watch out!"
> Aera (calm): "Stick close."
> Panel: They fight side-by-side, complementing each other's moves.
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[Page 8 – Power Ignites]
The cursed beast claws at Yui — his white flame bursts bright, pushing the creature back.
> Aera (impressed, quietly): "Your power… it's more than just struggle."
> Yui (focused): "I don't care what it is. I'll use it."
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[Page 9 – Aftermath]
The beast is defeated. Aera glances at Yui, eyes softer now.
> Aera (murmurs): "Maybe you're not just a janitor after all."
> Panel: Yui looks away, distant.
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[Page 10 – Aera's Admiration]
Later, Aera watches Yui train alone, her expression thoughtful.
> Narration: For the first time, someone looks at Yui not with fear — but with awe.
> Panel: Aera's eyes gleam subtly as she whispers:
"He's the strongest I've ever seen."
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[Page 11 – Final Panel]
Yui stands under a shaft of light, white flames flickering on his skin.
> Yui (thinking): "I don't need anyone's approval.
Only power. Only strength."
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— END OF CHAPTER 7