In the midst of Runebelle's despair she heard something cheerfully resonating within her mind.

  "Project Rune, Project Project Rune” it sang.

  Runebelle whispered, "Who... who are you?"

  The Singing one replied, "I am your System, your companion on this journey, Project Rune~"

  Runebelle felt a sense of awe. "System? Wait…"

  The voice hummed again. "Project Rune, Project Rune~ That's you! And me! We're two, but also one!"

  "This… this doesn't make sense,"Runebelle murmured. "Why are you just speaking to me now?"

  The system giggled. "Because you’re ready~! Well… not really ready, but close enough! Besides, you needed me, didn’t you?"

  Runebelle clenched her fists. "I... don't understand."

  "Then let’s fix that! Synchronization—begin!"

  A sharp pulse shot through her mind. A flood of data, symbols and unfamiliar words flashed behind her eyes.

  Runebelle’s vision blurred. Her reality was replaced by a vast, endless void.

  Then, in the middle of the nothingness, something appeared—a giant, glowing smiley face.

  "Ta-da~! Welcome to the realm of your mind, Project Rune!"

  Runebelle took a step back. "What… is this place?"

  The smiley face bobbed up and down. "Your personal mind space! A safe little pocket where we can talk, plan, and—" it giggled, "—have fun!"

  Runebelle frowned.

  The face suddenly tilted slightly as if pouting. "Aww, don’t look so suspicious! I’m here to help! Buuut…"

  It spun in place before stopping with a dramatic pause.

  "This is the only form I can take right now. It’s a little limiting, y’know? So, how about you give me a proper body? Something a little more… you know, expressive!"

  Runebelle blinked. "You want me to make you a body?"

  "Yup! Otherwise, you're stuck talking to a giant floating emoji forever~"

  Runebelle stared at the glowing face. This was surreal but then again… so was everything else in her life.

  She hesitated for a moment before muttering, "What kind of body would even suit you?"

  The smile widened. "Ooooh, now that is the right question~!"

  "You know..." Runebelle trailed off as something stirred deep in her mind. It wasn’t a memory she recognized, but it surfaced nonetheless.

  Images flickered before her. A group of girls dressed in matching uniforms—short skirts, pom-poms and bright smiles. They cheered with synchronized movements.

  ‘Cheerleaders?’

  Why that of all things?

  The smiley face’s glow pulsed with excitement. "Ooooh! Pick that one! Pick that one!"

  Runebelle blinked. "Wait, really?"

  "Yes, yes, yes! It’s cute, lively and full of pep! Just like me~"

  Runebelle frowned. She wasn’t sure if this was exactly what she wanted, but… the system sure seemed to like it.

  "Alright…" she said hesitantly. “I guess… this will do."

  The void rippled as golden light swirled around the smiley face. A burst of glittering energy flashed—when it cleared, a girl stood before Runebelle with hands proudly resting on her hips.

  She had Runebelle’s blue-and-pink hair, though it was tied up into two high pigtails with perky curls bouncing at the ends. A bright cheerleader outfit adorned her frame—a short pleated skirt and a matching top decorated with stylized letters reading ‘Project Rune!’ A sleek visor sat tilted atop her head.

  The system clapped her hands together. "Tadaaa~! What do you think? Cute, right?"

  Runebelle’s lips parted, but words didn’t come out. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but this? This was… a lot.

  Before she could respond, the system twirled in place and pulled out a pair of red pom-poms from nowhere.

  "Alright, time to get pumped!"

  She leaped into the air with a dramatic pose.

  "Ready, set—!"

  Her pom-poms glowed as she chanted,

  "R-U-N-E! That’s me!

  Time to set my power free!

  Project Rune, let’s ignite!

  Brace yourself—activate for the fight!"

  A rush of energy surged through the void.

  Runebelle staggered. "W-Wait!" she stammered. "Activate what?!"

  The system winked while bouncing on her toes. "Project Rune transformation, duh!"

  Runebelle’s breath hitched. "I’ve never heard of that before…"

  The system giggled while twirling a pom-pom. "That’s because you’ve never unlocked it before~ But don’t worry! That’s what I’m here for!"

  The system froze mid-cheer with her pom-poms still raised.

  "Wait a second… I feel like I’m forgetting something…"

  Runebelle blinked. "You can forget things?"

  The system shrugged. "Eh, if it’s important, I’ll remember it eventually." She twirled her pom-poms once more and beamed. "Oh well! Moving on!"

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  The system then pointed a finger at her and spoke in a more serious manner. "So, listen up! Your data collection is at 50%. That’s how it was when you first woke up, but it’s still only halfway there."

  Runebelle raised an eyebrow. "Data collection?"

  "Yep! You see, you and your sisters—Project Mage and Project Zab—were designed to learn and adapt over time. The more you fight, experience and grow, the more data you collect! Buuuut—" The system spun in place. "Unlike them, you don’t run the risk of Magical Rupture when activating your transformation."

  Runebelle’s eyes widened. "Magical Rupture…?"

  The system nodded. "Mmhmm~ If Mage or Zab try to use their transformation without enough data, their bodies might break down from the sheer magical overload. Even if they manage to recover, they won’t be entirely fixed unless they get proper rest. And by proper rest, I mean at least 24 hours without combat! No fighting, no spell-casting, just pure, uninterrupted recovery!"

  Runebelle processed this carefully. "So… I don’t have that problem?"

  "Nope! You got lucky! Your system was built more stable!" The system gave her a playful wink. "That means you can access your transformation without your body imploding! Neat, huh?"

  Runebelle wasn’t sure if ‘lucky’ was the right word, but… this was valuable information.

  Still, if her sisters had such a serious weakness…

  She glanced at the system. "What happens if someone doesn’t get the full 24 hours to recover?"

  The system’s cheerful face faltered ever so slightly. She twirled a pom-pom absentmindedly.

  "Then they’ll start breaking down… little by little."

  Runebelle’s breath hitched as something surfaced from the depths of her mind—a conversation with Roselle.

  It had been on their way to the final mana extractor. Roselle had been talking with her usual chatter filling the quiet space between them. She had been explaining how she and Risebelle had defeated Abner.

  "It was tough, but we managed. Risebelle was amazing, and me? Heh, well… I used something called ‘Project Mage.’"

  Runebelle had tilted her head at the time, confused.

  "Project Mage?"

  "Mhm!" Roselle had nodded quickly, but her words had slowed just a little.

  "I don’t remember much of it, honestly… All I do remember is how I felt when you went down."

  That part had stood out.

  Roselle had said it with an odd tension in her voice. And back then, Runebelle had assumed it was just guilt.

  But now—

  The way Roselle had turned her head slightly, the way her hands had fidgeted ever so subtly.

  Runebelle had realized that Roselle holding something back and now, she knew exactly what it was.

  Roselle hadn't wanted to tell her about the Magical Rupture. She had used Project Mage without enough data.

  Runebelle’s hands trembled slightly.

  “Ah-ha! You’re making that face,” the system chirped, bringing her out of her thoughts.

  Runebelle looked up. "What face?"

  The system giggled. "The face of someone who just realized something very important."

  Runebelle exhaled slowly. "Yeah." Her fingers curled into fists.

  The system twirled her pom-poms, tilting her head with a teasing grin. "Ooooh, no need to worry about all that right now! While we’re here, time outside doesn’t really matter. Soooo, no stress!"

  Runebelle frowned. "That’s not exactly comforting..."

  "Well, it should be~" The system clapped her hands together, then suddenly pointed ahead.

  A soft light emerged in the void. It stretched and shifted, slowly solidifying into a massive crystal—easily twice their combined size. Its translucent surface pulsed faintly, flickering with glimpses of what was within.

  Runebelle took a slow step forward. "What… is this?"

  The system bounced in place. "Ooooh, this is something special! It’s a fragment of your memories! Entering it will boost your Project Rune Data Collection—think of it as leveling up before you even use the form!"

  Flickering inside the crystal—so brief that Runebelle almost thought she imagined it—was her.

  The red-haired girl.

  And with it, a sharp, familiar ache.

  Runebelle flinched with a lump forming in her throat.

  "No," she whispered. "I… I can’t do it."

  The system tilted her head. "Aww, why not?"

  "It’s—It’s too sad." Runebelle’s eyes went downwards. "I remember that girl. I remember… heartbreak."

  The system giggled. "Pffft, silly! You don’t even know what to expect!"

  Runebelle clenched her teeth. “That’s what I’m afraid of…”

  The system crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks. "Runebelle, yes you can."

  Runebelle shook her head while looking away. "No, I—"

  "Uh-uh!" The system leaned forward with her hands on her hips. "You want to help your sisters, right?"

  Runebelle turned back with her eyes wide.

  The system smiled, but this time it was softer. "Because I do too."

  Runebelle blinked.

  The system tapped her own chest. "Your sisters… they’re my sisters too. Sooo, that means we’re in this together!"

  Runebelle’s fingers trembled. She clutched them to her chest.

  The thought of stepping into that memory—it terrified her. But the thought of being powerless to protect Roselle and Risebelle? That was even worse.

  She inhaled shakily.

  And then, finally, she took a step forward.

  The crystal reacted instantly. It’s glow intensified as tendrils of light wrapped around her arms and legs pulling her forward with a strange sensation.

  Then—

  The world shattered.

  Runebelle felt herself falling through endless light and sound.

  Then the light faded.

  She blinked and found herself standing in front of a wooden door. The scent of green tea filled her nose.

  Familiar voices drifted from inside.

  "I just don’t know what to do anymore, Lorraine," her mother sighed. The name of her mother came to her mind, which was coincidently: Rune.

  "Runebelle’s grades are suffering because of the way people treat her at school. I can't bear to see her so unhappy."

  A bitter lump formed in Runebelle’s throat.

  Slowly, she crept closer, pressing her back against the wall beside the door. The soft-spoken voice of Ms. Lorraine answered.

  "Rune… have you considered transferring her to another school?"

  Runebelle’s eyes widened. ‘Transfer?’

  Ms. Lorraine continued, "You know, my daughter, Milaca, she's been having a hard time too, but she's in a different school. Maybe…"

  Runebelle's ears perked up.

  Rune let out a weary sigh. “I can’t afford to do it, Lorraine. Even if I wanted to transfer her, I just… I can’t.”

  Ms. Lorraine’s brows furrowed with concern. “But why? What’s stopping you?”

  Rune hesitated before exhaling sharply. “My job gave me a one-year notice before they terminate me.” The words were bitter on her tongue. “I don’t even know if I’ll have an income after this.”

  Ms. Lorraine’s eyes widened. “What? But you’ve been there for years! Why are they doing this to you?”

  Rune let out a humorless chuckle. “New management.” Her face darkened. “My old boss was fair, but the new guy? He picks on me. Always looking for some excuse to make my life harder.”

  Ms. Lorraine frowned. “That doesn’t make sense… why target you specifically?”

  Rune hesitated. But then, she exhaled and muttered, “Because it’s Gemine’s company.”

  Runebelle stiffened. That name…Her father…. She just knew.

  Run spoke bitter. “Ever since the divorce, he’s been making my life harder in ways I can’t even prove. Always indirect, always just enough to push me down without leaving a trail. Now it’s my job. He’s reached that too.”

  Runebelle clutched her chest. She had never known about any of this.

  Her mother had never let it show.

  No, that wasn’t true.

  Just once. Just one day.

  The day Runebelle had reached her breaking point—when she had come home and was unable to hold back her sobs—her mother had broken too.

  Just that one time, Rune had let the weight of it all crash down.

  But since then?

  Nothing.

  Runebelle was transported to the following day in her past and found herself in the familiar surroundings of her high school. At lunchtime, she sat alone on a bench outside.

  On this particular day, a girl with yellow hair tied in a bun approached Runebelle on the bench. The girl wore a friendly smile on her face and had a pleasant flower-like scent. “HI, I'm Sarah. What's your name?"

  Runebelle stared at the girl in disbelief. ‘A girl is talking to me?” She gripped the hem of her skirt and ducked her head down. She then tried to say her name but it came out extremely soft.

  Sarah tilted her head and studied Runebelle before she gave a small chuckle. “Too quiet for me to hear, huh?” Instead of pressing, she plopped down beside Runebelle with a sigh. “That’s okay. I’m actually here to escape some crazy people, so this is my new secret spot!”

  Runebelle blinked as Sarah glanced around and hid behind the bench’s backrest. She put a finger to her lips. “Shhh. If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me.”

  Runebelle just stared. Sarah peeked at her. “No? Not funny?” She let out a big sigh. “Man, tough crowd….Alright, how about this?” She leaned in slightly and whispered, “There’s a group in there trying to recruit me for some weird after-school club. They said, ‘Sarah, you’d be perfect for our cause!’” She put on a deep voice before shuddering. “I barely escaped with my life.”

  She clutched her chest for effect and casted Runebelle a hopeful glance.

  Still nothing.

  Sarah pouted. “Okay, okay, last try. What if you are my secret accomplice in hiding? If anyone comes looking for me, you have to say, ‘Sarah? Never heard of her.’”

  "Sarah, what the FUCK are you doing here with that weirdo girl?"

  A pair of girls stomped toward the bench with faces twisted in irritation.

  Sarah’s eyes widened, and so did Runebelle’s.

  Project Mage