Ren walked beside Luxy as they exited the classroom, her translucent figure shimmering faintly like morning mist. She floated along effortlessly, tilting her head with that mischievous smile of hers that she always had as if she was someone superior to all these inferior humans.
"So," Luxy began, "you still thinking about what Meiling told you? What are you going to do with her warning?"
Ren shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah. If she's that scared about me, then it only means one thing—where there's power, there's danger. Always, but with how much she cares about my safety she defiently loves me." He let out a small sigh. "Compared to all the other walking disasters in skirts, Meiling's actually… safe,so she is the best choice for now."
"Safe?" Luxy raised an eyebrow.
"Look at her." Ren shrugged. "She puts up this tough exterior, but underneath? She's a softie. Way better than some of the others." He gave a sharp laugh. "Take Madame Gonzalous for example. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was a trickster. That woman? She'll eat a guy alive. Meiling at least looks like she'd help pick up the pieces afterward."
Luxy tapped her lips, pretending to think. "Mhm. Maybe. But maybe what you really need is a little sacrifice from me to help you with this" Her tone dipped into something sly. "Who knows what kind of special power it would give you? Beside...I can't go back to heaven anyway without you defeating my mothere goddess."
Ren groaned, looking away. "I know it'd be something useful. But no." He shook his head firmly. "The last thing I need is explaining to Misa who you are. She wouldn't believe a word I said. Hell, she wouldn't even listen. We wouldn't be able to talk like this if you become visible to to others."
Luxy laughed, twirling around him once before fading slightly. "Then you better figure it out the hard way."
Ren kept walking until the large double doors to the academy gym came into view. This was where his first official session after awakening was supposed to take place. He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The gym was buzzing with energy. Students were already training—sparks of flame shooting across the room, chunks of stone rising from the ground, gusts of wind whipping through the air. The sound of fists colliding with reinforced dummies echoed alongside sharp shouts.
Ren lingered in a corner, leaning against the wall as his eyes scanned the chaos. He was waiting for Meiling, but something else caught his attention.
A group of people began walking toward him. Their features were distinct—dark hair, sharp eyes, deliberate movements. Something about them screamed "Oriental."
Ren straightened. Trouble. He could already feel it just from the way they carried themselves.
The group of girls in the front, however, greeted him with bright smiles.
"Hi there!" one of them waved. "You must be Ren, right?"
Ren blinked. "Uh… yeah?"
Another girl stepped closer. "Nice to meet you! We're part of the Black Moondrop Guild."
One by one, they introduced themselves—Ayane, Satsuki, Haruka, and more names that rolled off their tongues with practiced friendliness. Ren kept his guard up, though.
Finally, he raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Can you even call yourselves that without the guild's permission?"
The tallest girl giggled. "Of course we can. We have full permission."
Before Ren could press further, the crowd parted slightly. A man stepped forward, taller than Ren and far more fit. His presence was calm, yet it sent a chill down Ren's spine.
He had a pleasant smile, almost too pleasant, and when his eyes met Ren's, Ren instantly knew—this one's different.
The man extended a hand. "Daichi Asashi. Son of the Black Moondrop Guild leader. Nice to meet you."
Ren hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. "Ren Arakawa."
Daichi's eyes flickered with interest. "Arakawa? That's a name I haven't heard here before." He tilted his head slightly. "Tell me, Ren, about your family. I'm interested in someone like you and how you came to be here."
Ren scratched the back of his head. "Not that interesting of a story, really. My family moved here back in the 80s. Said something about resources. At least, that's what I've heard." His tone turned flat. "But I don't live with them anymore. I lost them in an accident."
Daichi's smile softened. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Something about the way he said it made Ren grit his teeth. It sounded too rehearsed. Too perfect.
"Don't mind me asking brother," Daichi clasped his hands behind his back. "Tell me instead about your ability. What kind of power have you awakened with?"
Ren gave a small shrug. "Still figuring that out."
"That's fine." Daichi's voice was warm, almost brotherly. "The value of a man doesn't lie in his ability. What matters is whether he carries the blood of an awakener. And if you do…" He leaned slightly forward. "…you'll soon understand what it means."
The girls around him smiled in unison, as if echoing his sentiment.
Daichi straightened again. "The Black Moondrop would welcome you with open arms. Consider joining us."
Ren's eyes narrowed, but he forced a polite nod. "I'll… think about it."
Daichi smiled again, seemingly satisfied.
Then, his gaze shifted to the sound of gym door opening.
Meiling had just walked into the gym.
Ren nearly choked on his breath. Usually, she ignored everyone around her, especially people like Daichi and Ren. But this time, she walked straight toward them.
Her sharp eyes locked onto Ren. "Ren. Come practice with me. Maybe I can help you figure out what your power really is, just like you wanted me to."
Ren froze. What the hell? He hadn't expected her to just… invite him like that.
Daichi, on the other hand, showed no visible reaction. He gave a courteous smile. "Of course. There's no one better than one of the Lan family prodigies to guide him. I want nothing but the best for another brother."
The atmosphere thickened. Ren felt it pressing down on him like a storm front. Meiling's expression didn't change, but Daichi's smile was hiding something.
Ren exhaled slowly. Meiling comes first. No question.
"Alright," he muttered, standing up. "Let's go."
He followed Meiling across the gym floor. Behind him, Daichi stood perfectly still, his smile never wavering.
But the moment Ren was gone, his expression cracked. The pleasant mask slipped away, replaced by something darker.
His lips curled into a faint snarl. "He needs to go," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and sinister. Then, without another word, he turned and walked back into the crowd of his guildmates, vanishing among them.