"That won't work..."

«Again»?

"Too slow..."

How much «time» has it been?

"I need to get stronger..."

How many «loops»?

The residents of Mythag University came and went, the sun rose and then set, the sweat on their clothes dried, the birds' songs stopped; but Ramona continued training with her rapier without pausing to watch time pass before her.

When was the last time she paused for a moment to witness the beauty of the sunset? Or at least take a break to hang out with her loved ones? Ramona didn't know; she had stopped counting the days, the "loops," a long time ago.

"Thinking about that will only bring more despair, don't do it," she answered herself, trying to clear her mind so she could fully focus on her training. However, as if fate itself were asking her to rest, Ramona's arms stopped responding due to sheer exhaustion.

"..."

She said nothing, didn't wail or cry out, she just accepted; something her own mind knew how to do on its own.

Her grip weakened, and Ramona's rapier fell to the floor. It was then that her legs collapsed. Ramona's muscles were in constant pain, but all of that was nothing compared to the feeling of helplessness that overwhelmed the silver-haired girl... She was tired of always being insufficient, and this time was no exception.

Tears flowed without warning and moistened the black bandages covering Ramona's eyes, and that was when Ramona realized that she had failed her world again... that she would have to live through another depressing loop.

"Why...?"

A simple question was directed at the moon, Ramona's only close companion, knowing she wouldn't receive an answer. This was just a moment of weakness she allowed herself, but deep down, she could feel her existence losing value with each new loop she experienced.