> "It's been two hours since we've been roaming around the town," Fretz muttered, rubbing his temples.
> "So?" Yuki smiled. "It's Rai's first time here. He deserves to explore everything."
Fretz sighed in tired agreement, and the three continued down the stone-paved streets of the bustling city.
Suddenly, something caught Rai's eye.
A small shop nestled between two larger buildings, its windows glowing softly with amber light. A sign above the door read:
> "Fate's Whisper – Fortune Told Within"
Rai stopped. Intrigued.
> "Is this… real?" he asked.
Yuki frowned, narrowing her eyes.
> "It's a scam. My Appraisal Skill tells me those are just quartz crystals. She's got a hundred of them on the shelves. It's all fake."
Rai felt a flicker of disappointment—until something sparked in his mind.
> "Still... I want to see for myself."
Before they could stop him, Rai walked inside.
---
The air inside was thick with incense. Shelves lined with glittering orbs. And at the center, an old woman sat behind a worn table. Her skin was paper-thin, her fingers long and covered in rings. She smiled mysteriously as Rai stepped closer.
> "Place your hands on the crystal ball, child," she rasped. "And I shall reveal your fate."
Fretz and Yuki stepped inside, ready to pull Rai back—
But they stopped when they saw that look in his eyes.
He had a plan.
Rai placed his hands on the glowing orb.
He could feel it—it was a simple Light Magic illusion cast on a cheap crystal.
> "Now," the woman said, "use a spell on the ball."
Rai smiled coldly.
> "In the name of the Gods, grant me the power of purification… and expose all the sins—Light of Heaven!"
The room exploded with divine light.
---
The glow pierced the ceiling, erupting skyward like a holy beacon.
People outside stopped in their tracks. Shopkeepers, guards, and townsfolk stared at the blazing light pouring from the shop.
And through it—they saw what lay hidden behind the curtain in the back.
Children. Dozens of them. Shackled and imprisoned.
The holy light exposed them all.
The woman turned to flee—
But before she could move, the divine light vaporized her completely.
Gone. Without a trace.
The townspeople screamed. Some ran for help.
But Fretz and Yuki were already a step ahead—
They had called the knights the moment Rai gave the signal.
Moments later, armored knights stormed the area.
> "Stand back!" the commander ordered. "This shop belonged to the Clone Cult.
She has been punished. The children will be taken to safety."
The crowd stared in stunned silence.
A boy—so young—had cast a spell of Holy Magic.
And not just any spell. One of Light Bound rank — the fourth-highest tier of magic.
One of the knights whispered in awe:
> "As expected… from a Zestar."
The murmurs spread fast.
> He's a noble?
That boy is from the Zestar family?
The people stared as Rai stepped outside. Calm. Silent.
---
That evening, the three returned home.
They explained everything to Mr. and Mrs. Zestar, who listened with pride.
> "That was brave," said Mr. Zestar. "And well-executed."
But Mrs. Zestar had a curious look in her eyes.
> "Rai," she asked softly, "how did you know the crystals were fake?"
Rai replied with calm confidence.
> "I copied Sister Yuki's Appraisal Skill."
Yuki gasped.
> "You… copied my Unique Skill? That's not possible!"
Rai smiled.
> "It is. Because my Skill… is Copy."
Yuki stood frozen, wide-eyed.
Nothing could shock her anymore.
---
That night, three carriages stood ready.
Mrs. Zestar, dressed in regal elegance, hugged each of her children before they departed.
Rai sat quietly in his carriage.
A representative from the Academy sat across from him for protection.
He felt a pang in his chest.
He was already leaving home again.
But this time, he had something to hold on to.
Not blood ties—but something deeper.
Family.
The three carriages rolled out together.
Three children, bound not by origin, but by spirit.
Each one had chosen their path.
---
By dawn, the Academy appeared on the horizon.
A massive structure loomed ahead—
Towers, domes, and at the very center, a giant clock tower that echoed across the landscape.
Rai stepped out, eyes wide with wonder.
> It's real. It's finally real.
But before he could be shown to his dorm, a guard stepped forward.
> "You must take the Entrance Exam first."
Rai nodded. He expected it.
---
The Entrance Exam
A wide, circular arena stood before him.
Students gathered on all sides, watching nervously.
Rai checked the list.
He was Number 16.
His turn would come soon.
He watched the matches unfold.
Some were decent, others clumsy.
Then one match caught his eye.
A student who, like him, had the Copy Skill.
Rai leaned forward, curious—
Until the match turned violent.
The boy won—then broke his opponent's arm on purpose.
A clear violation of the rules.
Before Rai could react, his name was called.
> "Rai Zestar vs. Marel Vixen!"
The same boy.
---
The match began.
Rai stood still. Calm.
He wouldn't strike first.
Marel did.
> "Water Jet!"
Rai dodged effortlessly.
> "Fireball!"
Rai cut it in half with a single swing.
Marel sneered.
> "If that's all you've got, no wonder you're a Zestar."
He had made the same mistake Yuki once did.
Rai narrowed his eyes.
Then, he raised his sword and whispered:
> "Fire Vortex!"
A swirling storm of fire erupted from his blade—
So powerful, it shattered the arena's barrier.
Gasps filled the air.
Even the judges rose from their seats.
Marel stood frozen. Unable to copy it.
> "You have Copy Skill?" Rai said coolly.
"Then you should know... to copy a spell, you must match its power level.
But you can't. Because you're too weak."
---
The judges stood and raised their hands.
> "Match over. Rai Zestar wins! Admission granted!"
As Rai turned to leave, smoke still rose from the shattered arena wall.
An announcement echoed through the field:
> "Classes begin tomorrow."
---
That night, as Rai unpacked in his dorm room…
His silver locket began to glow.
A strange light pulsed from it—warm, then cold.
Something inside stirred.
Rai frowned.
> What was that?
For the first time in weeks…
He felt uneasy.