"I can finish this myself, Shizuru!"

Akane lifted the Anti-Materializer from the ground in both hands with an angered determination in her voice. With her Robe's last ounces of energy, she lunged forward to finish Miyu. Although the mechanical opponent attempted to block the oncoming attack with a standing high kick, Akane was able to use her speed to evade to the side and return with a swirling slash that severed Miyu's ankle and head. Now with nothing controlling it, the decapitated steel frame of Miyu fell lifelessly to the canyon floor behind Akane.

Akane dropped the Anti-Materializer to the rocky ground and fell to one knee. Her Robe abruptly deactivated, revealing a large tear in her white and gray Meister uniform in the same place as her wound, and she clutched her injured side as she panted and winced. In a few more moments, she succumbed to exhaustion and slumped to the ground.

Garderobe's hospital staff were uncertain if their hardworking Column was going to survive. However, Akane's sleeping body soon stabilized, and the academy's doctors noticed a strange process was keeping her alive. The nanomachines that stored Shizuru's consciousness were sacrificing their energy to heal the frail girl, and all signs of the invading personality were beginning to fade. Shizuru briefly awoke in the hospital bed to weakly explain to the other Columns how she couldn't bring herself to further impede on Akane's freedom after everything the resting Otome had done. She was slowly erasing her presence from Akane's body so the nanomachines could solely support Akane's consciousness in place of the damage Shizuru had inflicted on her mind. After bidding a particularly tearful farewell to Column Natsuki, Shizuru allowed herself to pass on so Akane could regain her life. When Akane awoke a few hours later, she found a smiling Kazuya looking over her bed in relief, and she requested the medical attendants to trim her hair in the shorter bob cut style she preferred.

During the Pure Heart Malachite's rehabilitation, Garderobe's scientists extracted the Administar Protocol from Miyu's recovered cybernetic brain and began disabling the combat capabilities of Mashiro's forces. It wasn't long before the remaining countries of Earl realized their Meisters could no longer Materialize and began to pre-emptively surrender to the Columns. The world was soon unified under the Columns, and, with no sovereign kingdom to rule over, the former Emperor of Chaldea decided to become a citizen of Windbloom and situate himself in a house close to Garderobe's gates.

When she fully recovered, Akane retired as a Column and became Kazuya's wife. However, as per her earlier oath with Yukariko, she continued to work for Garderobe and soon took on Headmistress duties, training new Corals and Pearls on the etiquette of an Otome and loyalty to the current generation of Columns. Although she lost her qualification as an Otome after consummating her marriage with Kazuya and could no longer Materialize for training exercises, she was still able to play an important role in her students' written studies and taught them basic combat form. Headmistress Soir became a beloved teacher and brought a gentle dedication to her students' growth for the rest of her life, departing from them only during a few short episodes of maternity leave.

The War of the Five Columns ended with the Columns' victory, and the story of the Pure Heart Malachite ascended to mythical status as the new Column-controlled empire prospered.

Epilogue:

Akane observed the young Trias on opposite side of her desk through her reading glasses. The two women were sitting in the Principal's office, discussing the student's future. The Garderobe administrator spoke in a concerned, motherly voice.

"I know you said this was important, Hikari. What's bothering you?"

The normally calm and caring Otome looked downward as if she were hiding some unspoken shame. She replied in a weak tone.

"Well, Headmistress Krau-xeku, I'm graduating soon, and… and…"

Akane nodded carefully.

"Yes. Are you going to accept your contract in Zipang?"

Hikari turned her head to further hide her face.

"I… I don't know…"

Akane soon recognized what the girl's mannerisms must have meant. Her lips curled into a gentle smile as she was reminded of her younger self.

"There's a boy in your life, isn't there?"

Hikari suddenly gasped, then raised her head to look into Akane's eyes again. Her words were conveyed in an embarrassed tone.

"Headmistress, I'm sorry…"

The wiser female comforted her student with her usual gentle voice.

"Don't apologize, Hikari. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We're strict about letting men on campus, but that doesn't mean an Otome still isn't allowed to hold love in her heart. We're training you to become noble guardians, not ruthless killing machines."

Hikari's expression noticeably brightened.

"So, should I accept it?"

Akane's voice now flowed into a slightly more stern tone.

"That's something only you can answer, Hikari. All I can do is offer you some guidance."

Hikari thought for a moment before talking again.

"Okay. So, what do you recommend?"

The brown eyes behind Akane's spectacles gazed straight toward the young Otome, constantly making sure the girl was paying attention.

"This is very important, Hikari. You need to consider all of the perspectives involved. Your sponsor has paid for your education hoping you'll accomplish great things. Your people are expecting to have a committed Otome defending them."

Hikari nodded slowly and gave her full attention as Akane continued.

"I'm not telling you to completely forget the person you're in love with like he's nothing, though. If he truly cares for you, he'll wait for you. You don't have to think of your promotion as a Meister like it's a death sentence to your relationship. If you're strong enough to put your feelings on hold, then you should accept the contract, serve your country for a few years, and then go back to him. I'm sure he'll still be there if he's the right one for you."

The student's face now smiled with idealism. Akane went on to her next piece of advice.

"However, if you think about this, and you still have doubts, don't accept the contract. You'll be no good to your master if you can't pour every ounce of yourself into your job. You'd only be torturing yourself with second thoughts if you become a Meister with that boy still tugging at your heart."

Hikari now frowned slightly as she was brought back into reality.

"If that's what you choose to do, it's going to be rough for you, Hikari. You're going to have to tell everyone who's counting on you why you think one person is worth putting everything else aside. You're going to get some harsh reactions at first, but, in time, I think they'll come to understand you're only human."

Even in her wiser age, Akane couldn't help but blush softly as she spoke her next words.

"Whatever you choose, just don't repeat my solution."

Hikari blinked and spoke curiously.

"Headmistress?"

Akane closed her eyes as she thought back to her own experiences.

"It was a long time ago, but I was in the exact same position as you, Hikari. The King of Florince offered me a position when I was the lead Trias, and I was afraid I would never see my boyfriend again."

The student became more curious.

"What happened?"

Akane gave an amused smile as she responded.

"I thought I was strong enough to be Florince's Otome, but I was wrong. I went into my own coronation with regret on my mind. Then he showed up, we created a bit of a scene, and I ended up making an impulsive choice and running away with him in the middle of the ceremony."

Hikari couldn't help but giggle.

"But you didn't get in trouble, did you? You're one of the most famous Otome here."

Akane now answered with an unusual coldness in her voice.

"I barely avoided being executed for treason and stealing the Meister GEM I had been entrusted with."

The young girl's face clearly filled with sudden horror. Akane frowned in regret and returned to her gentler voice.

"I'm sorry, Hikari. I didn't mean to scare you. I just want you to understand how serious this is and what could happen if you act brashly."

Hikari sighed with relief. Her face now conveyed uncertainty as a new wave of mixed feelings slowly situated in her head.

"So, is that all you can tell me?"

The teacher nodded quietly. Hikari soon smiled as she began forming her decision.

"Okay, Lady Akane. I'm going to think about this for a while. Do you mind if I take a few days to go over it?"

Akane slowly shook her head.

"Not at all, Hikari. I want you to take your time with this."

Hikari nodded energetically as a playful grin formed on her face.

"Thank you, Headmistress Krau-xeku!"

She politely excused herself from the room so she could return to her private quarters. Akane smiled as Hikari quietly exited the office, knowing her student would make the right choice for herself.

THE END.