Scene 1: The Unseen Punch
Einzuro led Haruto to the bustling training area of the Stone Kingdom. Warriors were practicing, sparring, and unleashing magic, the air filled with energy and intensity.
As they stepped forward, a light-brown fluffy-haired boy suddenly slid behind Haruto like a cartoon sneak. With a grin, he whispered mockingly, "Haah! Wearing a blindfold now? What are you, a pro fighter? Come on, punch me if you dare!"
Before Haruto could respond, a young, blindfolded girl—her build light but muscular for her age (around 12)—swiftly launched a punch straight into Haruto's face.
SMACK!
Haruto crashed to the ground. Little cartoonish stars twirled around his head as he lay stunned.
"Hmph! You'll never beat me in hand-to-hand combat, Naoki!" declared the confident girl, removing her blindfold mid-sentence—only to freeze. Naoki was standing beside Haruto, completely unharmed.
"S-S-So-Sorry! I didn't mean to! Please forgive me, Sensei! It was an accident!" she yelped, panicking.
Naoki, the fluffy-haired boy, dramatically exclaimed, "REINA! What did you do?! That's Sensei's son! He's not gonna let this slide!"
Reina, still flustered, tried to explain, "No no! It was Naoki's fault! He tricked me!"
Naoki quickly helped Haruto up and shook him. "Wake up! Come on! You alive in there?!"
Haruto's dazed vision finally cleared as the swirling stars popped out of view.
Just then, another boy approached silently. His presence was calm and serious. "Sensei, you're here... And who's this new guy with you?"
Einzuro spoke confidently, "This isn't my son or anything; this is our newest team member. Starting tomorrow, you'll all be taking the power test together, so get ready. But for now... he's starving. Reina, make sure he eats something—and save some for me too! I've got things to take care of."
Without waiting, Einzuro bolted away at such incredible speed that a shimmering trail of lightning sparks stretched behind him, vanishing beyond the kingdom gates.
The silent boy stepped forward and extended his hand to Haruto. "Nice to meet you, new friend. What's your name?"
Haruto smiled and reached out. "Haruto Shi—"
But the moment their hands met, a strange aura surged through Haruto. The boy's body stiffened. Goosebumps rose on his arms, and he instinctively pulled back, unnerved.
Reina, oblivious to the moment, beamed. "Wow, Haruto is such a nice name! You must be hungry. Come on—I'll make something for you!" She turned to the others. "Naoki? Renzaki? You two coming too?"
Naoki jumped in. "Heck yes! It's been forever since I had your cooking! Let's go!"
But the silent boy, Renzaki, declined with a cool expression. "Thanks, but I'll stay here. I've got more training to do."
Scene 2: Clans and Confessions
Reina brought Haruto and Naoki into her room—cozy, modest, and with a small kitchen tucked in one corner. As she began cooking, Haruto and Naoki settled onto the bed, while Renzaki silently slipped in, taking a place near the window, arms folded in a relaxed yet cool pose.
Naoki blinked in surprise. "Weren't you heading out to train?"
Renzaki coughed. "Ahem... I've decided to keep an eye on my teammates. As the future team serinor, it's my duty."
Reina smiled and turned to Haruto. "So, Haruto... you still haven't told us. Which Clan are you from?"
Haruto shrugged. "What's with everyone being obsessed with Clans? Even Sensei wouldn't stop talking about them."
Reina explained, stirring a pot, "In this world, being born into a powerful bloodline is rare and special. The two most famous Clans today trace back to two legendary brothers—Lord Shinjiro, the founder of Light Magic and the Legendary Fighting Style, which focuses on strength... and his brother, Kagezuru, founder of Dark Magic and the KazeKami Fighting Style, which relies on incredible speed."
Haruto looked unimpressed. "So? What's so special about that?"
Naoki slapped his forehead. "You have no idea! Those two magics—Light and Dark—are the most powerful. Sure, Light Magic has become more common now, but it's nothing compared to what their bloodline could do."
Haruto frowned. "Then why does everyone call Shinjiro 'Lord'? What did he even do, besides invent Light Magic?"
Still cooking, Reina replied, "He sealed the Demon King, Yamara—a being so evil he nearly ended the world. That's why we honor him."
Naoki added with a peaceful smile, "Everything good in our lives right now is thanks to him. If Yamara was still alive, we'd be dead."
Haruto: "And what about Kagezuru? What did he do with his life?"
Renzaki stared out the window. "He betrayed his own brother, got him killed, and created the KazeKami Clan. That's my Clan..."
Haruto blinked. "Wait—you're from the KazeKami Clan? That's kinda cool."
Renzaki's expression darkened. "Cool? Maybe. But all we get is hate. Kagezuru is still alive and leads the Clan today. There's been endless war between the two bloodlines because of him. Innocents die—on both sides. He doesn't care. He uses people like puppets through Dark Magic."
Renzaki's voice dropped to a deeper, more serious tone. "That's why I want to defeat Kagezuru and become the leader of the KazeKami Clan. For that... I have to get stronger."
Haruto scowled. "Then why not just defeat him?"
Renzaki replied quietly, "It's easier said than done. He's Lord Shinjiro's brother—and they say he's reached Z-Rank level."
Haruto blinked. "Z-Rank??"
Naoki leaned in. "Z-Rank is the final tier. There's no rank beyond it. Anyone stronger than an S-Rank is just labeled Z-Rank, because there's no scale left to measure their power. No one knows who's strongest among them."
Reina added, her tone a bit distant, "Only five people in history have ever held the Z-Rank title."
Haruto's eyes widened. "Who are they?!"
Renzaki responded, "Lord Shinjiro, The Demon King, Sensei, Kagezuru, And..." He looked away. "No. I'm not talking about the fifth one. He was part of our Clan, but he didn't care and abandoned everyone."
Hearing this, Reina lowered her gaze, her expression turning somber. Haruto looked stunned.
"Wait, Sensei's a Z-Rank too? That's so cool! Man, I wish I'd been born into one of those Clans. But nope... just plain old Shinkami. What's the point of dreaming big when you're from a weak bloodline?"
Reina, carrying plates, froze mid-step. Naoki's jaw dropped.
Naoki stammered, "You idiot... You're from the Seikami line."
Haruto tilted his head. "Seikami? What's that?"
Renzaki explained, arms still crossed, "The Seikami Clan was once the strongest in the world, until it was split because of the Demon King and Kagezuru. You're a descendant of that ancient bloodline. The two legendary brothers—Shinjiro and Kagezuru—were born from it. Shinjiro's line became Shinkami... which is you."
Reina rolled her eyes. "Great. Another clueless genius in our team."
She turned, grabbing a pot. "Anyway, I made food. Come on, eat up! It's a dish of rice and vegetables—simple but made with love."
Naoki sniffed the food. "Ugh, what's this smell? Like something died..."
But as he tasted it, tears welled in his eyes. "Disgusting... So bland... too spicy..."
Reina growled, "If it's so bad, why are you eating it like a starving animal?!"
Haruto, unsure, gently scooped a bite of rice and vegetables with chopsticks. One bite—and his eyes sparkled.
"Whoa! This is amazing! The flavor, the spice, the warmth... It's perfect!"
Reina beamed. "Thanks! I made it just for you. Eat as much as you want."
She served Renzaki too. "So? How is it?"
Renzaki, cool as always, gave a slight nod. "It's... really good."
Naoki, mid-chew and teary-eyed, still muttered, "Worst food ever... totally inedible..."
[After Eating Food]
The group relaxed. Naoki and Haruto leaned back, stomachs puffed out like balloons. With synchronized BURPS—
SFX: BWOOORP!
—they deflated and slumped down like melting mochi. Renzaki returned to the window, and Reina sat on the floor nearby.
Reina chuckled. "Haruto, tomorrow's your power test. You ready?"
Haruto pumped a fist. "I am completely ready! Just you watch how I ace this easy test."
…
After that, Haruto and Naoki had already fallen asleep on the bed. Renzaki sat quietly near the window, while Reina leaned against the bed, sitting on the floor. The room was calm and warm. Watching them all there, Reina smiled softly, feeling a quiet joy in the peaceful atmosphere.
Scene 3: Sparks Before Sunrise
The next morning, Einzuro had asked his team to wait for him just outside the Stone Kingdom. The area was rocky and sparse—jagged stones everywhere, a few scraggly trees poking out of the uneven ground.
Renzaki stood tall, drawing his wooden katana. "Haruto. While we wait, why not warm up with a duel?"
Haruto cracked his neck. "Sure! Warm-up is good for health. Let's go with some... high knees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers—"
Renzaki snapped, "Not that kind of warm-up. I mean a real fight."
Haruto's eyes lit up. "Oh! You're serious?! Fine. Let's do this."
Reina stepped in, alarmed. "No way! You two aren't even official Hunters yet. Don't go hurting each other!"
But Haruto had already drawn his wooden sword, stepping into position. "Why fight me, though?"
Renzaki smirked. "I want to see what kind of strength you're hiding."
Reina tried to intervene again. "Guys, stop! Sensei will be here any minute—"
Meanwhile, Naoki collapsed on the ground, groaning. "Why is Sensei always late?! I'm too hungry for this!"
Just as the duel was about to begin, Einzuro finally appeared, smiling casually. "Well then... come on! Continue the fight!"