Kikoshin stepped out of the Shadow Rift like he was waking from a nightmare.
The air was cold.
Not from weather…
But from the invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders.
Before him stood the Dark Academy .
A fortress of black stone and towers that vanished into the clouds.
Its ceiling lights glowed with a pale blue hue — like stars trapped in crystal prisons.
All around him, the place seemed to breathe power.
History.
Secrets.
Shadows.
"You're here," said the mysterious man beside him. "This is where your real path begins."
Kikoshin nodded.
He didn't speak.
Just took one step forward.
Leaving behind the human world.
And stepping into the realm of Shadows.
First Day – The Gathering of New Initiates
The main courtyard was filled with new students.
Some spoke among themselves.
Others stared ahead with determined eyes.
Everyone had something that set them apart from Kikoshin.
A Shadow.
He walked among them like an empty figure. A body without a connection. A boy without a place.
Until a voice broke through the noise.
"Silence!"
It came from the top of the staircase.
A man with gray hair and sharp eyes descended slowly.
He wore dark armor and a chain around his neck, bearing a pendant shaped like a wolf.
Behind him followed a massive Shadow — a black wolf with glowing red eyes, shaking the ground with every step.
"I am Master Kurogane , instructor of the Black Shadow Class," he announced. "You are the new recruits. None of you are special… yet."
"But some have potential."
"The rest are only here to fall."
His gaze locked onto Kikoshin.
"You."
"What's your name?"
"Kikoshin Aoi. "
"And your Shadow?"
Kikoshin lowered his eyes for just a second.
Then lifted them again.
With strength.
"I don't have one."
A murmur swept through the crowd.
Laughter.
Disrespect.
Curiosity.
Kurogane studied him for a long moment.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Interesting.
You're the only one here with nothing.
We'll see if that makes you weak…
Or something entirely new."
First Encounter – The Rival
As the students began to scatter, a tall boy with arrogant eyes approached Kikoshin.
"No Shadow, huh?" he sneered. "How did you even get in here?"
"I had my reasons," Kikoshin replied calmly.
The boy grinned.
"I'm Renjiro Tachibana . My Shadow is called Ignis . A Firebird. Small now… but one day, it will be a storm."
Behind him, a dark figure formed.
Small.
Weak.
But burning with intensity.
With fiery eyes.
"And you…" Renjiro smirked. "Have nothing."
Kikoshin met his stare.
"Maybe so.
But I don't need a Shadow to surpass you."
Renjiro let out a short laugh.
"Then prepare to fall first."
He walked away with a superior smile.
But Kikoshin felt no fear.
Only determination.
The First Trial – The Dark Mirror
Students gathered before a line of dark mirrors placed at the center of the courtyard.
"Touch the mirror," Kurogane ordered.
"Let your Shadow answer your call.
Only then will we know your level."
One by one, they reached out.
Their Shadows appeared:
A slippery snake.
A loyal dog.
A translucent she-wolf.
A silent raven.
When it was finally Kikoshin's turn, all eyes turned to him.
He extended his hand.
Nothing appeared.
Whispers rose.
Laughs followed.
Murmurs of disdain.
But then…
A shadow moved behind the mirror.
Not a student's.
Not a common Shadow.
It was ancient.
Dark.
Intelligent.
And it looked directly at him.
As if it recognized him.
As if it had been waiting.
Kikoshin took a step back.
The mirror cracked.
A thin, black line split its surface like lightning.
"What was that?" Kurogane asked, frowning.
"I don't know," Kikoshin admitted.
"But it wasn't mine."
The master watched him carefully.
Not with scorn.
Not with mockery.
With interest.
And for the first time that day, Kikoshin felt something clear:
He wasn't weak.
He was different.
And perhaps…
Something more.