Page 1–2 (Double Spread):
A breathtaking aerial view of Kaigen Village, surrounded by deep forests, floating stones, and mana rivers. Towering above the village is the Obsidian Spirit Academy — an ancient fortress of spires and spell-forged walls.
Caption:
"In a world where mana decides your fate... young warriors await the day they are chosen by their Spirit Weapons."
Page 3:
Interior of a large, elegant classroom at Obsidian Spirit Academy. Crystal blackboards hover as students listen in silence. An older instructor with a mechanized left arm and a stern face speaks.
Instructor:
"In exactly 14 days, those of you turning 18 will undergo the Awakening Ritual. Your spirits will call forth your weapons… or leave you behind."
He eyes the class. Tension is thick.
Instructor (cont'd):
"Train your body. Sharpen your mind. If you fail, you don't just let yourself down. You let down your entire crest."
Page 4:
Zeru sits at the edge of the classroom near the open window. His eyes are dull, but not uninterested. Next to him, Renji — energetic with a crooked grin — nudges him.
Renji:
"You ready for the big day, bro? I bet you pull a katana. Something flashy."
Zeru (calmly):
"I'm just hoping I pull anything."
Reina, sharp-eyed and fierce, leans from the row behind them.
Reina:
"With your mana reserves still recovering, you might end up with a broomstick."
Page 5 (Flashback Start):
A young Zeru kneels, watching two powerful mages — his parents — surrounded by approaching Nullborn creatures. The area is collapsing, burning with wild energy.
Mother:
"Zeru, close your eyes…"
Father:
"We're going to borrow your mana, just for a second."
The panel glows white as they combine their strength. A magical dome expands violently outward — incinerating the Nullborn and shielding nearby villagers.
Page 6 (Flashback End):
Hospital room. Zeru, age 10, lies unconscious. His hair is damp with sweat. Mana nodes around his body glow erratically.
Doctor (off-panel):
"…His spirit core is intact, but drained. Using a child's mana that way… the damage could be long-lasting."
Page 7 (Present):
Back to the classroom. Zeru lightly rubs his left wrist, where a faint constellation tattoo pulses under his skin — a remnant of the past.
Zeru (thinking):
"Seven years ago… and I still feel it."
The bell rings. Students begin to leave.
Instructor (as they exit):
"Combat field, one hour. Mock weapon trials. Bring your best… or don't show."
Page 8:
Training arena. Magical barriers surround the field. Students wield mana-forged mock weapons: glowing bows, phantom blades, floating kunai.
Reina spars aggressively, her movement sharp and calculated. Renji's laughter echoes as he deflects attacks with spinning dual chakrams.
Zeru stands apart, meditating. A small spiral of galaxy-colored mana flows from his palm, unstable.
Page 9:
Reina (walking over, wiping sweat):
"You're gonna get stomped during trials if you keep sitting around, Zeru."
Zeru:
"I'm not wasting energy. I'm learning how not to lose it."
Reina (mocking):
"You sound like an old monk."
Zeru (smirking slightly):
"Maybe the monk outlives the warrior."
Page 10:
Evening. Dormitory hallway. Zeru walks back to his room alone. Inside, his space is clean but bare. A small journal sits on his desk. He opens it.
Inside: diagrams of mana channels, notes on "spirit fusion theory," and sketches of constellation patterns.
Zeru (thinking):
"If I can't restore my reserves, I won't get chosen. But if I can stabilize Galaxy Creation Magic..."
He raises his hand. Galaxy mana flickers but fades again.
Page 11–12 (Next Day):
Combat trial begins. Students line up. Shinji — the #1 ranked student — steps forward. He's tall, confident, wearing noble house armor. His mana surges golden.
Instructor:
"Zeru and Shinji. You're up."
Zeru steps into the ring, eyes steady. Shinji conjures a majestic spear from light.
Shinji:
"Let's make this quick."
Instructor:
"No lethal force. Begin!"
Page 13:
Shinji charges. He's fast, precise. Zeru dodges narrowly, conjuring a crude blade of galaxy energy. Sparks fly as the two clash — Shinji has the advantage.
Renji (from sidelines):
"Come on, Zeru… don't get flattened."
Page 14:
Shinji lands a blow, knocking Zeru back. Zeru's eyes flash with frustration. He plants his foot, steadies his breathing, and raises his blade. The galaxy aura begins to expand.
Zeru (thinking):
"I'm not done yet."
Page 15 (Final Page):
Zeru's weapon stabilizes. The blade now glows like a constellation — controlled, radiant, powerful. He deflects Shinji's next strike and forces him back.
All eyes widen.
Instructor (muttering):
"That… that was Galaxy Creation Magic."
Zeru (panting):
"Guess I'm ready after all."