The morning air in Haratsu carried a sharp bite as the students of New Era Academy gathered at the edge of the Forest of Veiled Whispers. Mist coiled around the tall trees like silent sentinels, their branches hiding shadows that seemed to move when no one was watching.
Professor Kaelen, the academy's battle instructor, stood before them with a stern gaze.
"Today's field exercise will test not just your magical strength, but your survival instincts. You'll work in pairs. The goal is simple—reach the center of the forest, retrieve the Starleaf Crystal, and return before nightfall. But beware… the forest doesn't forgive mistakes."
Shin stood quietly among the students, scanning the crowd. His eyes lingered for a moment on Aojin Hogosura—tall, with raven-black hair that matched Shin's own, though sharper in style. His expression was calm… too calm.
When the names of the pairs were called, Shin's was absent. Kaelen's voice cut through the group.
"Shin Akehara. You will be paired with… Aojin Hogosura."
The crowd's whispers began immediately.
Why would the strongest student be paired with a newcomer?
Isn't that dangerous?
A faint smirk tugged at Aojin's lips. "Looks like fate wants us to know each other," he said softly, just loud enough for Shin to hear.
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The Forest Test
The two moved into the misty woods. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot. Shin kept his senses sharp, feeling that Aojin wasn't just here for the Starleaf Crystal—he was here for him.
"So… you're the academy's 'silent genius'," Aojin said casually, stepping over a root.
Shin didn't answer.
"You don't talk much, do you?" Aojin continued. "That's fine. I've always preferred actions over words."
Without warning, Aojin flicked his fingers. A glyph glowed in the air and a torrent of shadowy energy shot toward Shin.
Shin sidestepped effortlessly. "You're testing me."
Aojin grinned. "Of course. What better way to know someone's strength than to fight them?"
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Dangerous Duel
The air crackled as the two exchanged spells—Shin's precision against Aojin's raw, aggressive power. Shin noticed it immediately: Aojin's magic wasn't entirely his own. The aura around it was tinged with something… older, darker.
"Your crest," Shin said between movements, "it's the same as the one I found in the archives."
Aojin's eyes narrowed, the smirk fading for a second. "You've been digging in the wrong places, Akehara."
Before Shin could press further, a rustle in the mist signaled incoming danger. Shadow Beasts—creatures that fed on magic—emerged from the trees, their eyes glowing a deep red.
Instead of fighting together, Aojin deliberately hung back, watching Shin handle the monsters alone. Shin dispatched them quickly with a controlled burst of arcane force, never losing his composure.
"You're stronger than they say," Aojin remarked. "Perhaps strong enough to survive what's coming to Haratsu."
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Meanwhile…
Elsewhere in the forest, Haya Kenjiro and his group spotted Aojin. "Hey! New guy!" Haya called out, striding toward him with his usual arrogance. "You're from a noble clan, right? Join us. With my connections and your skills, we could—"
"I'm not interested," Aojin cut him off. His tone was dismissive, almost mocking.
Haya's pride flared. "What did you just say?!"
Moments later, the duel began. Haya unleashed his best lightning incantation, but Aojin countered effortlessly, using shadow manipulation to disarm him and knock him to the ground. The watching students gasped.
"Pathetic," Aojin muttered before walking away.
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The Crest Mystery Deepens
As the exercise neared its end, Shin and Aojin found the Starleaf Crystal, its glow illuminating the mist around them. But as Shin reached for it, Aojin spoke quietly:
"That crest you saw… it's not just a mark. It's a key. A key to the fall of Haratsu. And if you want to know more…" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "…you'll have to survive long enough to meet the rest of my clan."
Before Shin could respond, Aojin walked ahead, leaving Shin standing in the mist, the Starleaf Crystal in his hand and far more questions than answers in his mind.
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