A luminous cerulean moon cast its glow over jagged peaks piercing the gloom.

A carriage emerged from the mountain depths, winding along a cliffside path.

*Creak… rumble…*

The rugged wheels ground against the precipice edge, jolting violently. Pebbles tumbled into the Abyss below.

The path was narrow and treacherous, yet the carriage raced forward.

Dark and aged but radiating nobility, the carriage was pulled by two nightmare steeds—muscular beasts with unnerving, grotesque heads. Most unnerving of all: there was no driver.

Inside the spacious cabin sat Alandiye. Beyond the fluttering curtains, jagged mountains pierced the night like claws. It felt like rolling through where devils lurked.

She tugged the curtain tighter. The cabin quieted slightly.

Across from her on the dark red velvet seat sat only her large trunk—no other passenger. The cabin was elegant yet worn.

Alandiye exhaled slowly, lifting her left hand to examine the ring on her fourth finger.

*Legend says a demon lurks within every woman’s left side. Rings on this finger seal it away.*

"Why must it be this finger? I’m no woman. I have no inner demon to seal."

Yedi feared no demon—not even one like Selys. To escape her current plight, she must conquer her wavering heart and sinking spirit.

Steadfastness would keep her strong like a man.

Even… returning to her past in this contradictory form. Facing everything she’d lost. Facing *her*.

"*Nightshade Ring*…" Tiyi’s golden eyes fixed on the pitch-black gem. She recalled Xialda’s parting words.

*Wear the Nightshade Ring on your left ring finger at night to absorb nocturnal power. Indoors or out—it matters not, so long as night falls. One night’s absorption grants one day in your desired form. But before dusk, you must reach absolute safety. At sunset, you revert to your true shape—unstoppable, unchangeable.*

*Only a Witch may wield it.*

Becoming male drained more power. And monthly, during two brief cycles when her body grew too feminine—her menstrual cycle and her most fertile days—transformation was impossible.

These limitations posed risks for Tiyi’s return to the Holy Academy. Yet without the ring, hope would be lost. With it, she could reclaim her past. With it, she could do so much more.

"This ring will be my catalyst," she murmured, tracing the impossibly smooth, hard band. Irony twisted in her chest. So coveted by Witches. So undeniably feminine in design—save for its utter blackness. Yet it was her key back to manhood.

But the Nightshade Ring held strict rules.

Under Xialda’s guidance, Tiyi had already infused the gem with Yedi’s form through magic. It could only become *him*. Not just anyone. Not that she’d ever wished to be anyone else. This wasn’t for hiding.

It was for reclaiming her life.

"One more thing…"

Before boarding, Xialda had whispered a secret known only to her, Xialda, and Dilovei: a Witch lay hidden within the Imperial Sacred Academy. She would aid Tiyi.

When Tiyi asked who, Xialda only said the Witch would reveal herself when the time came. The signal…

Xialda never spoke it. That meant the signal was a shared secret—known only to Tiyi and the hidden Witch.

Alone in the swaying cabin, lamplight flickered across Tiyi’s face. Shadows danced like restless spirits.

She unrolled a map, checked her pocket watch. Calculating distance. Time until the Imperial Sacred Academy.

"Hours more. Dawn will break just as I arrive."

Her gaze hardened.

The Nightshade Ring held wondrous power—but not omnipotence. Like the Goddess of Night herself, the ancient nature deity revered by Witches. Among the Old Ones, She stood supreme—yet was neither all-knowing nor all-powerful.

Unlike the Holy Lord of the Holy Church.

The ring could reshape her body—even hair—but not clothes or carried objects.

Tiyi opened the trunk opposite her. Inside lay everything needed for her mission. Including Yedi’s male attire.

Dilovei had arranged its creation based on Tiyi’s precise descriptions.

As dawn neared, Tiyi glanced around the empty cabin. She refused to transform naked.

"Besides… those steeds. Are they stallions? What if the carriage jolts? Wind tears the curtains? What if the nightmares turn their heads…"

*Wait. What am I thinking? Stallions would be better. Why do I instinctively fear being seen by males? It’s just… propriety. Avoiding trouble. It can’t be that I’ve truly grown… feminine.*

Shaking her head at her own foolishness, Tiyi decided to change early. Better safe than caught unprepared—or perhaps she simply couldn’t wait.

After locking every door and window, she began undressing in the swaying carriage.

Sitting upright, she deftly unfastened the back clasps and laces of her dress. Then rose, letting the gown slide slowly down one side…

Her fingers trembled as they reached the delicate black garter straps clinging to her smooth waist. *Could I still call myself a man? Wearing… this before transforming?*

Shame made her lower belly and hips quiver faintly.

Finally, Yedi’s clothes were on. New, yet identical to the old design—her own flawless blueprint.

But…

"*Ugh.* Can’t… breathe. My chest…" Tiyi gasped, undoing every button. Even with her strength, the fabric threatened to tear.

The trousers were worse. Snug male-cut fabric stretched taut over her hips, outlining curves no boy should have.

She wasn’t a boy. Just a woman forcing herself into a boy’s silhouette.

*Yedi was always so slight. At least our heights match.*

Regret washed over her. One wrong move, and the trousers would split. Ruin.

"I thought becoming a man would fix everything. Instead, it brought new shame!" Her face burned crimson.

Changing back meant undressing again. Sitting naked in a carriage if bandits attacked? Unthinkable.

So she sat rigidly, forcing her body still, enduring the awkwardness until… dawn’s approach.

First light pierced the mountain ridges.

Tiyi could finally use the ring—brimming with nocturnal power—to become a boy again.

To reclaim her old life.

---

The Imperial Sacred Academy, ancient and majestic, nestled deep within the mountains.

Warm lavender-pink dawnlight filtered through towering pines, painting beams across the solemn, elegant gates halfway up the slope.

Tiyi—no, *Yedi* now—stood before them. A slender, sharp-featured youth with an easy grace. A large trunk rested at his feet.

He gazed up at the towering iron gates, draped with climbing roses.

"Imperial Sacred Academy," he whispered. "Where my dream began… and ended. No—where it died before it could truly start."

"Headmaster. Empire’s finest teachers and students. And *her*…"

"I’m back."