The crystal walls of Azure Star City loomed before Kazuto Ren and Aisaka Yume, their surfaces catching the fading sunlight in a dazzling display of blues and greens. The gates, massive slabs of what looked like polished jade, stood open, flanked by two towering statues of dragons with scales that shimmered like they were alive. The air buzzed with that strange, electric energy Kazuto had felt since waking in this world, stronger now, like a heartbeat pulsing through the city. Merchants in colorful robes pushed carts laden with glowing fruits, while cultivators in flowing garments glided past, some on foot, others hovering an inch above the ground. The sight was overwhelming, a blend of ancient and fantastical that made Kazuto's skin prickle, not with fear, but with a quiet curiosity he didn't voice.
Yume, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement. Her silver hair bounced as she tugged Kazuto's arm, her violet eyes wide as she took in the scene. "Kazuto, look at this place! It's like something out of a fantasy novel! Those dragons, are they real? And those people, they're floating! I need to learn how to do that!" Her voice was a mix of awe and glee, and she pointed at a woman in a green robe who drifted by, a faint glow trailing behind her like a comet's tail.
Kazuto's lips twitched into a faint smirk, his hands in his pockets as he kept pace with her. "Floating's overrated. You'd probably crash into a wall trying it." His tone was dry, but his dark eyes softened as he watched her. Yume's enthusiasm was like a light in this strange world, and he'd be damned if he let anything dim it. He could deny the entire city, its walls, its people, its very existence, but her joy was the one thing he'd never touch.
Yume pouted, nudging his side. "Oh, come on, you'd catch me if I fell, Mr. Cool-and-Tough. Don't pretend you wouldn't." She grinned, looping her arm through his as they approached the gates. "But seriously, this city is amazing. I bet they've got shops with magic potions or swords that glow. We've gotta explore everything!"
Kazuto chuckled, a low, rare sound. "Slow down, Yume. We just got here. Let's not buy a glowing sword before we find a place to sleep." He scanned the crowd, his senses sharp. The city's energy was chaotic, a mix of curiosity, greed, and something darker, hidden intents he could feel but not yet name. His *Absolute Denial* hummed in the back of his mind, a quiet reassurance that nothing here could threaten him. Still, he kept Yume close, his hand resting lightly on her waist.
The gate was guarded by two cultivators in silver armor, their spears crackling with faint sparks of energy. One, a broad-shouldered man with a shaved head, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he looked them over. "You two, state your names and purpose. Outsiders don't just waltz into Azure Star City without reason." His voice was gruff, and the spear in his hand glowed brighter, a subtle warning.
Yume glanced at Kazuto, a flicker of nervousness in her eyes, but she stepped forward, her smile bright. "Hi! I'm Aisaka Yume, and this is Kazuto Ren. We're… travelers, I guess? Our, um, transport crashed in the forest, and we're just looking for a place to stay and learn about this world." Her voice was cheerful, but Kazuto could hear the slight hesitation, she was trying to sound confident, but this was all new to her.
The guard raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Kazuto. "Travelers, huh? You don't look like cultivators. No spiritual aura on you, boy. And those clothes what kind of sect dresses like that?" He gestured at their school uniforms, his tone dripping with suspicion.
Kazuto met the guard's gaze, his expression cold and unyielding. "We're not with any sect. We're here to see the city, nothing more. Is that a problem?" His voice was calm but carried a quiet menace, the kind that made the second guard, a younger man with a scar on his cheek, shift uncomfortably.
The first guard frowned, gripping his spear tighter. "Watch your tone, kid. This is Azure Star City, under the protection of the Three Great Sects. We don't let just anyone in. Show us your spirit tokens, or you're not stepping foot inside." His eyes flicked to Yume, lingering a bit too long for Kazuto's liking.
Yume tilted her head, confused. "Spirit tokens? We don't have those. We're new here, like I said. Can't you just let us in? We're not causing trouble." Her voice was earnest, her smile disarming, but the guard wasn't swayed.
"No tokens, no entry," the guard snapped, stepping closer. "If you've got no affiliation, you're either spies or rogue cultivators. Either way, you're not getting past me without proof of your identity." His spear hummed, the sparks growing brighter.
Kazuto's eyes narrowed, a faint chill radiating from him. He could deny the guard's existence right now, erase him and his spear like they were nothing. But Yume's hand on his arm stopped him, her touch a silent plea to keep things calm. He took a slow breath, his voice low and dangerous. "We don't have tokens. But we're not spies, and we're not here to fight. Let us through, and we'll be on our way."
The second guard, the younger one, spoke up, his voice less hostile. "Look, maybe they're telling the truth, Captain. They don't feel like cultivators, and the girl's got a decent aura. Maybe they're just lost. We could let them in under supervision, have them register at the city hall." He glanced at Kazuto, clearly trying to defuse the tension.
The captain hesitated, then grunted, lowering his spear slightly. "Fine. You can enter, but you'll report to the city hall for registration. Try anything funny, and you'll answer to the Starfall Pavilion. Move along." He stepped aside, waving them through with a scowl.
Yume beamed, squeezing Kazuto's arm. "Thank you so much! We'll be super good, promise!" She tugged Kazuto forward before the guard could change his mind, her excitement bubbling over as they passed through the gates.
Kazuto glanced back, his eyes locking with the captain's for a moment. The man's suspicion hadn't faded, and Kazuto felt a faint prickle of intent, not killing, but watchful. He filed it away, his expression unreadable. This city was already sizing them up, and he didn't like being sized up.
Inside the gates, Azure Star City was a riot of color and sound. Cobblestone streets wound between buildings of white stone and dark wood, their roofs curved like pagodas and glowing with embedded crystals. Stalls lined the main road, merchants hawking everything from steaming buns to small jade charms that pulsed with light. Cultivators in robes of every color moved through the crowd, some chatting, others radiating arrogance as they pushed past. A group of young men in blue robes laughed loudly, tossing a glowing orb between them like it was a toy, while a woman in red played a flute that sent sparks dancing in the air.
Yume's eyes were huge, her mouth open as she tried to take it all in. "Kazuto, this is insane! Look at that stall, those are actual flying swords! And those buns smell so good. Can we get some? Please?" She tugged his arm, pointing at a cart where an old woman was grilling skewers of meat that sizzled with a faint golden glow.
Kazuto raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "You're gonna spend all our money before we even find a place to sleep, aren't you?" He reached into his pocket, pulling out a few coins they'd found in the plane wreckage, not much, but maybe enough for food. "Alright, but if these buns make you glow like those flowers, don't blame me."
Yume laughed, dragging him to the stall. "Deal! But you're eating one too, Mr. I-Don't-Trust-Glowing-Food." She handed the coins to the old woman, who squinted at them curiously before shrugging and passing over two skewers. The meat was tender, spiced with something earthy and sweet, and Yume moaned happily as she took a bite. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing! Kazuto, you have to try it!"
Kazuto took a bite, his expression neutral but his eyes softening as he watched her. "Not bad," he said, though the flavor was unlike anything he'd tasted back home. The food carried a faint warmth, like it was infused with that same strange energy in the air. He didn't trust it, but Yume's smile was worth the risk.
As they ate, a commotion broke out nearby. A group of cultivators in green robes, Jade Lotus, Kazuto guessed, based on Yume's earlier talk, were arguing with a merchant over a small, glowing vial. "This elixir's fake!" one of them shouted, a young man with sharp features. "You think you can scam a Jade Lotus disciple? Hand over the real thing, or I'll burn this stall to the ground!"
The merchant, a wiry man with a nervous smile, held up his hands. "Honored cultivator, I swear it's genuine! Sourced from the Azure Dragon's spring itself! Please, test it if you don't believe me!" His voice trembled, but his eyes darted to the crowd, as if hoping for backup.
Yume frowned, leaning closer to Kazuto. "That doesn't sound good. Should we do something? That guy looks like he's about to start a fight." Her voice was soft, but there was a spark of concern in her eyes.
Kazuto's gaze flicked to the scene, his expression cold. He could feel the cultivator's aura, stronger than the bandits, maybe mid-tier Foundation Establishment. He could deny the whole argument, erase the cultivator and his threats in a heartbeat. But Yume's hand on his arm kept him grounded. She wanted to explore this world, not watch him dismantle it. "Let's just watch," he said, his voice low. "If it gets out of hand, I'll handle it."
The argument escalated, the cultivator grabbing the merchant by the collar. But before things could turn violent, a new figure stepped in, a woman in a flowing blue robe, her black hair tied in a high bun. She radiated authority, her aura calm but heavy, like a storm held in check. "Enough, Disciple Lin. You're disturbing the peace of Azure Star City. Release him and state your grievance properly." Her voice was smooth but firm, and the crowd parted around her.
The cultivator, Lin, hesitated but let go of the merchant, bowing slightly. "Senior Mei, this man sold me a fake elixir! I demand justice from the Starfall Pavilion!" His voice was indignant, but he clearly respected the woman.
Yume whispered to Kazuto, her eyes wide. "Whoa, she's gotta be important. Did you feel that? Her aura's crazy strong!" She clutched his arm, her excitement returning.
Kazuto nodded, his eyes narrowing as he studied the woman, Senior Mei. Her aura was indeed powerful, maybe late Foundation Establishment or higher. She was someone to watch, not because she was a threat, but because she clearly held sway here. "Stay sharp," he murmured to Yume. "This city's got more going on than glowing buns."
Senior Mei resolved the dispute quickly, ordering the merchant to refund the cultivator and warning both to keep the peace. As the crowd dispersed, her gaze landed on Kazuto and Yume, lingering for a moment. Kazuto met her eyes, his expression unreadable, but he felt a flicker of intent, curiosity, maybe, or something else. She turned away, disappearing into the crowd, but Kazuto didn't relax.
Yume, oblivious to the exchange, tugged him toward another stall. "Come on, let's check out those jade charms! Maybe they're, like, good luck or something." Her voice was bright, pulling him back to the moment.
Kazuto let her lead, his hand finding hers. "Good luck, huh? With you around, I don't need it." His tone was teasing, but his words were genuine. Yume blushed, squeezing his hand, and for a moment, the city's chaos faded away.
As they wandered deeper into Azure Star City, Kazuto felt that same shadow from the forest, faint, but there, watching from a distance. He didn't mention it to Yume, not wanting to dampen her excitement. But his senses stayed sharp, his power a silent promise.