Team Ozaki walked through the quiet woods just after sunrise. The ground was soft beneath their feet, the morning air cool.
Yamato's eyes narrowed as he walked beside Lumei. He kept glancing at Ozaki's back.
"Ozaki hasn't said a word since yesterday," Yamato whispered.
Lumei nodded, arms folded. "He's hiding something."
Ozaki walked a few paces ahead. His shoulders were stiff. His hand rested near the sword at his waist. He wasn't just focused—he looked ready for anything.
He hadn't told them anything about Nent or the Entities. He hadn't explained the strange energy back in the village.
Yamato looked down, frustration in his eyes. "Why is he keeping it all from us?"
But Ozaki didn't turn around. He just raised a hand, motioning them forward. The group kept walking in silence.
---
Back at Cloak High, the school courtyard buzzed with energy. Every student stood in line. Six full classes waited, confused.
Then he appeared.
Headmaster Regns stepped onto the balcony, his dark cloak trailing behind him. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd. The whispers stopped.
"I will be selecting six students," Regns said. "They will receive special training. From me directly."
The students gasped. Some looked around in excitement. Others went still with nerves.
"These are not the strongest students," he continued. "They are the ones who show control, potential, and compatibility with divine magic."
He raised a hand and spoke clearly.
"Renji Halstorn, Kiro Takeda, Leah Vorin, Daigo Merein, Mira Josen… and Don Seouk."
Gasps filled the air again. Some students clapped, others looked shocked. All eyes turned to the six chosen ones.
Don stood near the back. His eyes didn't change. His face was calm, unreadable.
Regns continued, "Five of them have been blessed by gods—each with a unique element. The sixth is different. Don Seouk is not blessed. He is a true vessel."
Daigo raised a brow. "So that guy has a god inside him?"
Leah looked at Don carefully. "He doesn't seem like it."
Don didn't speak. He just walked forward with quiet steps.
"Come with me," Regns said.
---
Regns led the six through an underground passage. The hallway was narrow and dim. At the end stood a tall sealed gate, covered in glowing marks.
Regns placed his hand on it. Darkness leaked out like smoke.
"This is my space," Regns said. "It's sealed off from the real world. Only I control it."
The gate opened to reveal a large arena made of floating stone platforms and dark skies above. Everything inside hummed with heavy magic.
"You will train here," Regns said. "No distractions. No mercy."
Daigo cracked his knuckles, fire flickering across his hands. "About time."
Kiro stepped forward calmly. "Let's spar. It'll help us understand each other."
"I'm fine with that," Leah said softly, light glowing around her arms.
"Don't expect me to hold back," Mira smirked, sparks running across her fingers.
Renji said nothing, but the air around him chilled instantly.
Don leaned against a pillar, arms folded. "Do whatever you want."
Daigo glared at him. "You're cocky for someone who hasn't shown anything."
Don looked at him with tired eyes. "You'll see soon enough."
The group split into pairs. Mira and Renji went first—lightning and ice clashing in loud bursts. Kiro and Daigo followed, their battle shaking the stone floor with gravity shocks and waves of flame.
Leah focused on control, healing light flickering between strikes. Don stayed near the edge, only stepping in when needed.
When he moved, it was fast. His sound magic hit like a pulse—silent, but forceful. One wave of his hand knocked Daigo back ten feet.
"What the—" Daigo growled, standing up. "What kind of magic is that?"
"Sound," Don said. "You didn't hear it, but your body felt it."
Even Mira stopped sparring to stare. "Okay. That was kinda cool."
Regns watched from above, arms behind his back, face still and serious. After an hour, he raised his hand.
"Enough."
The arena darkened. The floating platforms stopped moving. The six students turned to face him.
"You were chosen because gods gave you a part of their power," Regns said. "Ice. Gravity. Fire. Light. Lightning."
Then he looked at Don.
"And one of you carries the god itself."
Don met his gaze without fear.
Regns slowly walked toward them. "From this day forward, your training begins. Under me. This place will test your minds, not just your strength. If you survive it, you'll leave stronger than any student in this school."
He looked at all six, one by one.
"But only if you work like your lives depend on it. Because they do."