The mountain village of Hikarigakure never slept. It thrived in the shadow of stone cliffs and the shimmer of crystal rivers that carved glowing veins through the valley. Today, however, the village buzzed louder than usual.
It was the Ceremony of Teams.
Children of the Academy—graduates of the Shikari rank—were being promoted into Kenshi and placed into their official summoner teams. For many, it was the day they had waited their whole lives for.
For one boy, it was the day he had waited to finally matter.
---
Eron Yamigami – The Nobody
"WAHHH—!"
A crash echoed as a boy tumbled down a small hill into the gathering square. Eron Yamigami rolled twice before skidding to a stop at the foot of the ceremonial stage. His messy black-and-silver hair stuck out in spikes, his tunic was dusted with dirt, and his grin was unshaken.
He leapt up with arms wide. "Ta-da! I meant to do that!"
A ripple of laughter spread across the students. Some shook their heads. Others muttered, "Hopeless."
Eron bowed dramatically. "Thank you, thank you. Please hold your applause. Save it for when I'm the greatest summoner in history."
"Greatest clown, maybe," someone snickered.
Eron winked. "Hey, every story needs a funny guy. Might as well be me!"
But inside, his chest tightened. He hated being the punchline… but if they laughed, at least they noticed him.
---
The Ceremony Begins
The stage filled with Masters, their cloaks rippling in the mountain wind. At the center stood Kazuro, the Dragon Drakes' Master. His scarred face and steel-gray eyes commanded silence.
"Today, you enter a new path," Kazuro announced. "From Shikari to Kenshi. From students… to warriors."
Eron pumped a fist. "Yeah! Warriors! Totally ready! …sort of!"
Kazuro's gaze cut through him like a blade. Eron coughed and stood straighter.
"Your teams will define your growth. Learn together, or fall apart."
The Masters began calling names.
---
Team Red – Dragon Drakes
Kazuro's voice was deep and steady.
"Team Red… Dragon Drakes. Under me, Master Kazuro. Members: Kaen Hoshizora. Rina Kurohana. Eron Yamigami."
A murmur spread.
Kaen stepped forward, tall and sharp-eyed, his crimson hair catching the sun. He crossed his arms and scowled at Eron.
"Seriously? Him?"
Rina followed gracefully, her violet eyes calm, her dark hair tied neatly. She glanced between Kaen and Eron, then spoke softly:
"We'll only succeed if we cooperate."
Eron raised both arms like a hero. "Dragon Drakes! Has a nice ring, doesn't it? Sounds legendary already. We're basically the main characters!"
Kaen groaned. Rina sighed. Kazuro closed his eyes briefly, already regretting everything.
---
Other Teams
The Masters called more names.
Team Blue – T-Rex
Master Osamu, a wiry man with quick eyes.
Members: Lyra Hoshikawa (calm strategist), Riven Takahashi (loud, competitive), Kairo Shiranvi (technique-focused, cool-headed).
Riven smirked at Kaen. "Looks like you got stuck babysitting the village idiot."
Eron waved. "Hey! Rude! At least call me 'legendary idiot.'"
---
Team Yellow – Eagle
Master Byakuya, quiet and mysterious.
Members: Mira Kurogane (observant, sharp), Aria Mizuki (kind, dreamy), Yuna Aokihana (serious, disciplined).
Mira studied Eron curiously. "That one… doesn't seem ordinary."
Aria giggled. "Ordinary? He just fell into the square!"
Yuna frowned. "Even fools can hide strength."
---
Team Green – Lion
Master Raiken, gruff, scarred.
Members: Soren Honabira (stern, disciplined), Dax Kurayami (brooding, edgy), Arion Fujimari (friendly, cheerful).
Soren eyed Eron. "If you're truly Kenshi now, prove you can stand. Or fall aside."
Eron saluted dramatically. "Yes, Captain Serious!"
Arion laughed. Dax muttered darkly.
---
Team Orange – Toad
Master Hanae, warm but fierce.
Members: Kaia Shimizu (energetic), Zeph Aakami (laid-back), Taro Minazuki (quiet thinker).
Kaia waved at Eron. "You're funny! We should hang out sometime."
Eron grinned. "Finally, someone who gets me!"
---
Team Black – Mammoth
Master Seiji, cold and calculating.
Members: Arion Fujimori (not to be confused with Fujimari), Alara Hoshihana (gentle but powerful), Luna Mizuhana.
At Luna's name, a hush fell. She stepped forward gracefully, her silver hair shining like starlight, her blue eyes calm and royal. She was the princess of Mizuhana, known across the lands.
Eron's jaw dropped. "Whoa…"
She glanced at him once, her expression unreadable.
Trying to impress, Eron attempted a bow… and tripped on his own foot, crashing into the dirt.
"Smooth," Kaen muttered.
But as Eron scrambled up, Luna's lips curved in the faintest smile before she turned away.
---
Training Grounds Test
Once teams were formed, Masters led them to separate grounds. But the fields bordered each other, so rival teams could watch.
Kazuro faced the Dragon Drakes. "Show me your skills. Prove you deserve to wear this name."
Kaen unleashed a burst of fire Myōgi, scorching a dummy in seconds.
Rina used precise water techniques, slicing targets cleanly.
Eron charged forward, hands glowing faintly—only to blast himself backward into a haystack.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Eron staggered up, hay sticking to his hair. "Heh… see? Distraction technique! Totally planned!"
But then—just for a heartbeat—the ground beneath him shimmered. A cold aura spread like frost across the dirt. For an instant, a dragon-shaped shadow loomed behind him.
Kaen froze mid-laugh. Rina's eyes widened. Kazuro's hand twitched at his blade.
Then it vanished.
Eron scratched his head. "Uh… did I do that?"
"No," Kaen muttered. "You couldn't."
But Kazuro thought grimly: Yamigami bloodline… so it awakens again.
---
Evening – Campfire Bonds
That night, all six teams camped together outside the academy walls. A bonfire crackled, sparks flying into the starry sky.
Students talked, argued, laughed. Rivalries simmered. Friendships sparked.
Eron roasted a potato over the fire, half-burned. He held it up proudly. "Behold! Perfect balance between raw and crispy!"
Kaen buried his face in his hands. "I can't believe you're on my team."
Rina giggled softly. "At least he keeps things… lively."
Across the fire, Luna sat silently, observing. When Eron caught her gaze, he waved with a grin—then burned his fingers on the potato and yelped. She covered her mouth, hiding another small smile.
For the first time in a long while, Eron felt… noticed.
As the fire died down, he lay on his back, staring at the moon. A strange chill washed over him. For a split second, he imagined a massive dragon's eye opening in the night sky, watching him.
He shivered but forced a grin.
"Day one as a Dragon Drake," he whispered. "Not bad, Eron. Not bad at all."
The stars above glittered like secrets waiting to be uncovered.