Morning light crept through the dorm window, painting streaks of gold across the floor as Kai stirred. The nerves hit almost immediately, a subtle coil in his stomach. Today was the Advanced Placement Screening. The chance to prove he belonged among the best. Maybe even figure out what was truly lurking inside him.
He sat up in his bed and exhaled slowly. Across the room, Junpei was already halfway dressed, muttering to himself while trying to smooth out his hair in the mirror above his desk.
Daigo was sprawled on his own bed, one leg hanging off the edge, snoring like a truck engine.
"You ready for today?" Junpei asked, catching Kai's glance.
Kai stretched. "As I'll ever be."
"Big moment," Junpei said, flashing a tired grin. "Try not to make the rest of us look like background characters."
Kai chuckled, pulling on his jacket and leaving the room. "No promises."
Korin Academy was still waking up, the sky tinged with pale blue, a light breeze rustling through the trees planted along the main path. Students milled about in small groups, some yawning, some already deep in conversation about assignments or breakfast. But Kai moved alone, each footstep echoing louder in his ears the closer he got to the testing wing.
This wasn't just another class.
If he passed today, he'd be fast-tracked, taking Combat Theory and Advanced Jin Manipulation with second and even third-years. Fewer students. Harder lessons. More pressure. And more eyes watching.
He passed under the tall glass arch of the Core Testing Facility. The doors opened with a smooth hiss. Cold air greeted him, along with the familiar hum of power in the walls, this place was layered with heavy barrier runes and suppression glyphs. Designed to hold back disaster. Or contain it.
A tall instructor stood waiting near the main platform, a thin clipboard in hand and a bored look on his face. Kai recognized him vaguely, Instructor Marou, third-year handler and overseer of specialized combat trials.
"You're early," Marou said, eyes scanning the clipboard. "Good. Shows initiative. Most who walk in here shaking don't last two minutes."
Kai didn't answer.
"You've got observers today," Marou added casually. "Student Council's curious. As are a few instructors. Don't get nervous."
Kai blinked. "The Student Council?"
Marou smirked and tilted his head toward the upper viewing gallery. Behind the reinforced glass stood several figures, faint outlines draped in dark uniforms. They didn't move. Didn't wave. Just watched.
"They take interest in anyone who might be worth their time," Marou said. "And rumors spread fast around here."
Kai swallowed once, nodded.
The instructor gestured to the central testing ring, a wide circular platform, carved with glowing runes and slowly rotating between several elemental configurations. Crystal obelisks floated on the edges, faintly humming with power. It looked like a proving ground.
"Step inside," Marou said. "We'll begin when the others arrive."
Kai walked to the center of the platform, heart steady, steps slow and deliberate.
Up in the gallery, one of the silhouettes leaned forward, arms crossed.
"That's him?" a voice murmured. "The first-year that did well in the Jin classes?"
Another figure nodded. "Let's see if he's more than a fluke."
"Funny," a third said. "He doesn't look like much."
Below, the chamber doors opened with a metallic hiss.
A small group of students entered, all older, some with polished uniforms, others with the faint scarring that came from real combat training. They carried themselves differently than the first-years. Less nervous. More calculated.
Each one approached the glowing circle in turn, names announced, tests calibrated to their level.
Second years trying to climb into third year classes. Third years daring to reach fourth, elite level. Every few minutes, a new battle sparked to life in the circle: constructs manifesting in a blaze of elemental power, reacting to each student's command of Rin and execution of Jin.
A second year with crimson gloves hurled chains of fire that spiraled around her like orbiting comets. She passed in less than three minutes.
A third year with tattoos glowing on his forearms struck with stone-crushing force, his every movement shaking the walls of the arena. He passed, barely.
The instructors stood in silence. Watching. Judging. Making notes.
And still, Kai waited.
Eventually, the chamber fell quiet again. A few of the older students who had already taken the test stood to the side, some whispering among themselves, others simply watching.
Then, his name.
"Kai," Instructor Marou called. "Step forward."
A few heads turned, expressions skeptical. One of the third years snorted under his breath.
"He's a first-year?"
"Probably here by mistake," someone muttered.
Kai ignored them. He walked toward the center of the ring, every step echoing louder than it should have. The glowing lines flared beneath his boots as he stepped into place.
Instructor Marou raised his hand.
"Kai. Begin when ready."
Kai stepped forward onto the etched platform, its softly glowing lines humming beneath his feet. Unlike the others, there was no combat dummy. No obstacle course. Just a circle of polished stone and a single instructor standing nearby.
Instructor Marou raised a hand to the observing council members above.
"He's a first year student," he said plainly, "so the test will be different. He hasn't been introduced to most Jin applications yet… so we'll see how fast he learns."
The words were simple — but they echoed through the chamber with interest.
"Very well," came a voice from above.
Kai stood tall, fists loosely clenched at his sides. He could feel the stares on his back, but he didn't flinch.
Marou stepped beside him, his hand glowing with a steady stream of pale blue Rin.
"We'll start basic," the instructor said, voice quiet but firm. "Watch."
He formed a simple technique, a compression of Jin into his palm, forming a glowing ring of force that burst outward in a short-range shockwave. It cracked the floor slightly in front of him.
Kai nodded.
"Now you."
Kai raised his hand. Rin gathered instantly, responding to him like it had been waiting all this time.
He shaped it, smooth, clean, and efficient.
Then released.
BOOM.
The shockwave was sharper, tighter. It punched a clean dent in the floor, more precise than Marou's.
From above, someone let out a low whistle.
Marou's eyes flicked to the result, but he didn't say anything. Just moved to the next technique.
A wave-form Jin blast, sent outward in a crescent shape. A ranged attack, requiring finer control.
Kai copied it in seconds.
His version cut through the air faster, with more stability. Clean edges. Solid impact.
Marou began to shift, testing him more, showing him more refined variations. Combination patterns. Layered pulses. Repulsion spirals.
Each time, Kai mirrored them. Not just well, better.
His Rin control wasn't wild or explosive. It was responsive. As though it belonged to him in a way most students never experienced.
Up in the gallery, the silence had turned focused.
One of the council members leaned forward. "He's adjusting them. Refining them without instruction."
Another spoke more softly. "That last one was taught in year three."
Down below, Marou stepped back, the smallest edge of a grin tugging at his lips.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's push you a little."
He raised both hands now, weaving together a multi-tiered Jin structure, thin streams of Rin braided together into a high-speed burst trap. A technique not even most third years could form cleanly.
He launched it forward, not at Kai, but past him, letting the pattern hang in the air like a puzzle of energy.
"This isn't beginner material," Marou said. "Try."
Kai stepped forward. His brows furrowed as he studied the pattern in real time. His hand hovered in the air. Before he began, a strange red glow emanated from his Core, seemingly drawing in Rin, increasing both his control and quantity of Rin. The glow seemed to reach out to Marou, seemingly even touching Marou.
This did not go unnoticed by Marou of course, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
Kai closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
And Rin moved.
Threads whipped around his fingertips, shaping not perfectly, but confidently. He adjusted one line. Then another. Then…
Flash.
The trap snapped into place, complete.
A pause filled the chamber.
Then a voice from above whispered, "He completed a third-year technique on first sight."
Marou lowered his hands slowly, watching Kai like someone trying to solve a riddle written in a different language.
Kai exhaled and scratched the back of his neck. "That… was fun."
Marou studied Kai for a moment longer, then nodded slowly.
"You have an unusual affinity, Kai. It's rare to see such instinctive control over Jin at your level."
He glanced up toward the gallery where several senior students watched quietly.
"Very well. You may attend the third-year Jin application classes. But know this, the challenges will be far greater, and you will be expected to keep pace. There will be zero coddling, if you fail, you fail."
Kai's chest tightened slightly, but a grin spread across his face.
"Understood. I'm ready."
Marou motioned toward the exit.
"Follow me. Your lessons begin right now, so get ready."
As Kai turned, a few murmurs rose from the gallery, surprise, curiosity, and maybe a hint of respect.
The path ahead was suddenly far less predictable, but Kai felt for the first time that he might just be able to walk it.
Marou led Kai through the hallway and opened the door to the Jin application classroom. The room was alive with motion — energy patterns swirling mid-air in intricate geometric shapes, students manipulating Jin with precise, powerful gestures.
Kai's eyes widened. The Jin here was nothing like the simple patterns he had practiced earlier; these were complex constructs, layers of energy weaving and folding over each other like living architecture.
The students paused as Marou and Kai entered. Several third-years shot Kai surprised glances — a first-year here was unheard of.
Otsumo, the instructor, looked up sharply. His gaze was sharp and piercing, but beneath it lay a fierce dedication.
"What's this? A first-year stepping into third-year lessons?" Otsumo's voice cut through the murmurs like a whip.
Marou stepped forward. "He passed the screening. Exceptional Jin control for a first-year. You'll be teaching him along with the others."
Otsumo's eyes flickered between Kai and Marou, weighing the situation.
"You're lucky I'm feeling merciful today," he said with a smirk. "You'll keep up, or you'll learn to regret it. Jin mastery is no place for the timid."
Kai swallowed but nodded, determination tightening his jaw.
Otsumo snapped his fingers, and the swirling Jin structures accelerated, folding into complex forms that challenged even the third-years.
"Your lesson starts now. Follow closely, and don't embarrass yourself."
Kai stepped forward, heart pounding, but ready.
Otsumo's eyes locked onto Kai as he raised his hand sharply.
"First," Otsumo barked, "we master the basics. Jin isn't just raw power, it's precision and control. Learn this, or you'll fall before you even begin."
He raised his hand, palm open toward the center of the room. A shimmering platform of pure Rin materialized, floating steadily. Its surface rippled like liquid glass but was solid enough to stop a thrown punch.
"This," Otsumo said, voice hard, "is a Jin Barrier Platform. Use it to block attacks, create cover, or control the battlefield. It requires constant flow and reinforcement. Fail to maintain it, and it collapses."
He gestured sharply. "Now you try."
Kai stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he recalled the energy patterns he'd seen. His hands moved deliberately through the air, tracing precise gestures.
A pale glow gathered beneath him, coalescing into a flat, translucent platform.
It wobbled slightly but held firm.
"Not bad," Otsumo grunted. "Keep it steady."
The other students watched, some nodding in approval, others skeptical that a first-year could keep pace.
Kai focused, sensing the ebb and flow of Rin. The platform stabilized, shimmering with a faint blue hue.
A fist slammed into it from the side, Otsumo testing him. The platform absorbed the impact with only a small ripple.
Kai exhaled slowly. "Alright. I can do this."
Otsumo grinned. "Good."
He moved on to test other third years, fairly impressed by Kai.
As Otsumo paced away, three students from the back of the room slowly made their way toward Kai.
The first was a girl with striking pink hair tied back in a high ponytail. She smiled brightly, eyes sharp and confident.
"Hey, you must be the new first-year everyone's talking about. I'm Saki. I've been told I have the best Jin control in this class, so if you ever need tips, just ask."
Next came a boy with messy green hair and a broad grin. He looked strong, his presence almost like a living force.
"Name's Ren. I'm all about raw power when it comes to Jin. Control's important, sure, but nothing beats putting everything into a hit."
Lastly, a black-haired girl with glasses approached, her expression calm and curious.
"I'm Emi. I'm more into studying the mechanics of Jin. Figuring out how it works, how to make it better. I'm sure you'll find Jin isn't just about strength or finesse—there's a lot of thinking behind it."
Saki folded her arms and gave Kai a teasing grin.
"Looks like you're already stepping into the deep end, huh?"
Ren laughed. "Welcome to the big leagues, first-year."
Emi offered a small smile.
"If you want, we can train together sometime. Learning from others can speed things up."
Kai nodded, grateful for the unexpected welcome.
"Thanks. I'm Kai. Looks like I've got a lot to catch up on. I appreciate the kindness!"
Kai shot them a smile and then continued to work on his Jin. .
"Otsumo-sensei!" Saki's eyes widened as the instructor suddenly reappeared beside them, his imposing presence filling the room.
The trio and Kai snapped to attention. Otsumo's gaze flicked briefly to the newcomers, then settled on Kai.
"Enough socializing. Time to finish this lesson properly." He clapped his hands once, drawing everyone's attention back to the front.
Otsumo raised a hand and conjured a shimmering, semi-transparent barrier—the same platform they'd practiced earlier. Then, with a fluid motion of his other hand, he shaped a series of sharp, curved spikes of Jin, arcing forward from the barrier's edge.
"This is the 'Twin Edge Wall,'" he announced. "It's a defensive platform combined with an offensive edge. Mastering it means controlling two Jin constructs at once, simultaneously defending and attacking."
The students watched intently as Otsumo demonstrated, the spikes slicing through the air while the wall absorbed incoming attacks with ease.
When it came time for the class to try, Kai's hands trembled slightly as he attempted to recreate the dual technique. His first wall took shape, solid and steady, but when he tried to summon the spikes at the same time, the energy faltered, the spikes wavering and collapsing before forming properly.
Kai's brow furrowed, frustration creeping in. Managing one Jin application was already demanding, but controlling two simultaneously felt like trying to run and solve a puzzle at the same time.
Otsumo's voice boomed across the room, catching Kai's attention.
"Don't overthink it! Jin isn't just power, it's focus. Balance your mind, and your Rin will follow. You're capable, but your control needs work."
Kai swallowed hard and nodded, determined. If this was the next step, he'd have to push harder, even if it meant stumbling at first.
And that was the end of the class, Kai managed to meet a few more third years, most of them actually trying to help him out, respecting that a first year made it there, only a few were actually upset about it.
—-------------
Back with the first years, Kai settled into the familiar classroom where Tomura awaited.
"Today's focus," Tomura announced, "is on abilities. We're going to work on strengthening what you have, and for some, discovering what lies beneath the surface. Same as yesterday."
He fixed his sharp eyes on Kai as the class began.
After a series of exercises, Tomura approached Kai quietly, motioning him to follow outside the classroom.
In the hall, away from prying ears, Tomura activated a small device that scanned Kai's Rin signature, he managed to get his hands on it after requesting the Headmaster of the school, having a few students he wanted to check up on.
He furrowed his brow, studying the readout carefully.
"This is… unlike anything I've seen before. I believe I figured out what your ability may be, Kai," Tomura said, voice low. "Your ability isn't just about controlling your own Rin, although it seems that it will help. You can draw in the Rin of others, siphon it to use as your own. Not super flashy, but certainly more useful than a lot of others."
Kai's eyes widened.
Tomura nodded slowly. "It's a rare, maybe unique power. There are no records of this in the academy's archives."
He tapped his communicator. "I'm informing the other instructors immediately. They need to know."
Kai's mind raced, the possibilities, the risks, the unknown.
Tomura clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll work on mastering it. For now, keep this between us. We still don't know for sure if this is what it does either, just a guess."
Back inside, Tomura resumed the class, watching Kai closely knowing the real journey was just beginning.