Itekan woke to dark skies, the crackle of burning wood still lingering around the camp. Beside him, Kutote lay in deep sleep. Itoyea was nowhere in sight.
Groggy at first, Itekan tried to recall what had happened, but the memories slipped from him like smoke. The fatigue didn't last long—his shadow spirit flushed it away, sharpening his senses.
He rose, pacing through the clearing to regain his bearings when a voice called from behind.
"You're up?" Itoyea stood there, a large deer slung across his shoulders.
"Yeah," Itekan exhaled softly, running his hand through his hair. He glanced around. "Where are we? What happened to Reia?"
Itoyea dropped the deer against a log and shrugged. "About Reia… no idea. When I woke up, she was gone. Her whole squad too. I don't know why they left us. We were all out cold."
"And we were a few miles from the lake. This was the farthest I could carry you both with the injuries I had." He shot Itekan a look. "Remember, I don't have a shadow spirit to patch me up, or insane regeneration like you and Kutote."
Itekan's face twisted with guilt. "Oh… my fault—because of my rash decision, I—"
Before he could finish, Itoyea stepped forward, placing his sheathed sword against Itekan's lips.
"Don't do that. It's not like you." His voice was firm, no hesitation in it.
For a moment Itekan wavered, then a smirk tugged at his face. "You're right. Still, Reia knocked us out. Why didn't she take Kutote? At the very least, him?"
"That's what I was wondering. You don't remember? You were the last to go under."
"No… I can't remember anything. H-how long was I out?"
Itoyea studied him, concern in his eyes. "Three days. Honestly, I was starting to think you and Kutote weren't planning on waking up at all."
"Three days?! Crap—we've missed the start of the session!" Itekan blurted, panic rising in his chest.
Itoyea just walked calmly back to the camp and dropped the deer onto a slab. "Yeah. Once Kutote wakes, we'll move."
Still tense, Itekan circled the camp, then returned to find Itoyea already skinning the deer. With a sigh, he sat beside him to help.
"I'm telling Master it was your fault we're late," Itoyea teased, drawing a laugh from Itekan.
"Sure."
---
Kutote, however, did not wake for another four days. His spiritual energy had been completely drained, leaving his shadow spirit dry. It took longer for his reserves to recover.
When at last his eyes opened, the three wasted no time. They set out and, after three days of travel, arrived at Four Stars Academy by noon.
The academy's exact location was hidden from most. Its northern boundary lay within a dungeon field in the forest, one of the many defensive wards Kime himself had set. The thick mist around them never cleared; the more they walked, the less progress they seemed to make.
"We're stuck in an illusion formation," Kutote said, eyes narrowing as he traced faint runes in the air.
"An illusion formation?" Itekan asked.
Kutote nodded. "I don't know much, but if we keep forcing our way through without the caster's approval, we'll end up somewhere worse."
Itoyea sighed. "Why do you always have to make things sound so dreary?"
"Because that's how illusionary formations work!" Kutote snapped back.
"Excellent deduction, Kutote."
The new voice froze them in place. All three spun around to find Kime standing there—with Togira at his side.
Togira had grown. Nearly the size of a large cat now, its sleek, dragonlike form gleamed. Three sharp horns curved from its head, glassy red eyes blazing like embers in the mist.
"Togira!" Itekan shouted, and the creature bounded into him. They toppled to the ground, rolling in a flurry of laughter and gurgling sounds.
"Master," Itoyea said, bowing slightly.
"Headmaster Kime," Kutote breathed, relief breaking across his face.
Kime gave them a wave. "Hello, Itoyea. Kutote. Why are you so late? The semester began nearly two weeks ago."
Itekan stood, brushing himself off, guilt already stirring. "That was my fault—"
"No," Itoyea cut in. "Some creeps came after Kutote. We had to shake them off. By the end we were half-dead."
Kutote added, "They were left much worse than we were."
Itoyea grinned proudly. Itekan sniffled, trying to keep the tears from showing.
Kime's expression darkened. "Who are these people?"
"They're from Brandish," Kutote said quietly. "They've been after me since I escaped their lab."
"Brandish, huh…" Kime's tone was edged with distaste. He pressed his palm against the fog, infusing it with spiritual energy. The formation dissolved instantly, revealing the towering double doors of the academy just ahead.
"Within these walls, you're safe. Now—" he barked, voice sharp. "Head to your next class! You're late, for heaven's sake!"
The three burst into laughter as they bolted for the doors.
Kime turned, sensing the presence behind him. Keel Kun stepped forward, his neatly trimmed goatee catching the light.
"Did you get rid of the extras?" Kime asked.
"Yes, Master. They weren't as strong as I expected."
Kime nearly laughed. The boy still didn't realize how far he'd come. Among the instructors, Keel was now close to the top.
'Even Pwain would struggle against him,' Kime thought.
Keel's sharp gaze lingered. "Master?"
Kime gave a small nod. No words were needed. Keel vanished, gone to finish his mission.
"Brandish…" Kime muttered. "Always a troublesome bunch."
As much as he wanted to tear through their kingdom himself, he knew killing them wouldn't end it. The rot went deeper than royalty. Still, his plans were already in motion. In a few weeks, the scales would tip.
With renewed resolve, he turned toward the academy.
---
The new semester was different. Where once there had been over a hundred and fifty trainees divided into classes, now only those who survived the first term remained. Two classes. New faces, old faces, and those somewhere in between—gathered in one hall.
Itekan, Itoyea, and Kutote slipped inside, trying to go unnoticed. But the man at the front saw them instantly.
"Well, well. Look who decided to show up late." His voice slithered across the room.
"Sorry, sir, we got cau—"
"Excuses," the man cut in, stepping toward them. "Excuses don't change the future. Class, tell them the rules."
A murmur rose from the students, a chant of shared warning. The instructor leaned close, his presence pressing against them like a coiled serpent.
"You three had better learn quickly—or you'll sink before you ever pass my class. Do you understand?"
The trio nodded silently.
"Good." He turned away, sliding back into the lecture as if nothing had happened. "Now… where were we? Combat—"
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)