It's been two days since the written exam.
Today is the practical.
Once again, Mom shoved me out the door.
…Annoying.
I already know what's coming. The practical will have something to do with powers. It always does.
On my way, I ran into Annie again. I suspect she had been waiting there just to "coincidentally" bump into me.
But why?
"Su'p, Hikaru! I didn't expect to see you here!"
…That's a lie. I could tell instantly.
We walked to the school together, her mouth running non-stop as usual. By the time we reached the gates, we were directed toward a massive glass dome.
Hundreds of students had already gathered. The structure was enormous—like one of the ancient Roman arenas I'd read about. Its towering frame loomed over us, promising only one thing: battle.
Then, she appeared.
A woman stepped forward. She looked to be in her thirties, with long black hair tied neatly behind her. The authority she carried in her presence was undeniable, and yet, her soothing smile and golden-yellow eyes made me feel strangely at ease.
Her eyes shimmered like the face of a clock—hands of time faintly glowing within them.
And she wore a red kimono. In this era of advanced tech and modern fashion, it stood out more than anything.
"My name is Kyouka Yamauchi," she said, her voice both commanding and gentle. "I am the twentieth principal of this esteemed institution."
The air shifted as she raised her hand. A coin appeared in front of each of us, hovering mid-air. Etched on it was the crest of Aether Academy—a capital "A" with wings.
"Take the coins," she instructed.
I grasped the one that floated before me, its metallic chill resting in my palm.
"You will all be teleported into the dome. Inside, I have altered the environment into a forest. To pass this exam, you must acquire two coins."
Two coins? Which means…
"You may obtain them however you wish," Principal Kyouka continued. "Now begin."
That was it? Short. Too short.
The world blurred. My vision spun. Then...
I stood among towering trees, the scent of moss and soil filling the air.
So this was the exam.
…What should I do?
I could just sit here. Wait for someone to stumble upon me. That would be easiest.
Perfect, even.
…But it seems someone has already found me.
A fist grazed past my head. My hair swayed from the force.
I barely dodged in time, jumping back. My eyes locked onto my attacker.
A boy.
Messy blue hair. A cocky grin plastered across his face. His eyes… red, with a black cross carved into the iris.
He wore a black jacket with matching trousers, a blue shirt peeking beneath. Everything about him radiated blue. Even his aura felt suffocating.
It was irritating.
"I'm Kenji Rin," he introduced himself with a smirk. "And I'll be the one taking your coin."
Does he think I'll hand it over easily?
I straightened, narrowing my gaze. "I hope you can last in a fight."
Kenji's grin widened. "Don't worry about me."
"Don't disappoint me," I muttered.
Before I continue, let me explain something.
The energy we use to fuel our abilities is called Aura...spiritual energy converted from our life force. That's why overusing it is dangerous. If you burn through too much, you risk losing your powers… or your life.
But like every rule, there is an exception.
I am that exception.
While others rely solely on Aura, I was born with another energy—bestowed by the Five Gods of my clan. Emo-energy.
It can be converted into spiritual energy and then Aura… or it can be unleashed raw.
Enough explanation. Time to show him.
Kenji charged first.
His body blurred, the forest wind splitting as he dashed at me. His fist shot toward my chest—fast, too fast.
I shifted back, raising my arm to block. The impact rattled through my bones, forcing me back several steps.
"Not bad," Kenji grinned, his red eyes glowing like burning crosses. "But you'll have to do better than that."
His blood was evaporating now, thin crimson steam rising from his skin. His aura thickened, suffocating, violent.
Blood Lust.
It wasn't just speed. Every strike was sharper, heavier, carrying killing intent.
"Tch…" I clicked my tongue, sliding back into stance. My shadow stretched beneath my feet, writhing.
With a flick of my wrist, it lashed upward, forming a spear that shot toward him.
Kenji tilted his head, the spear grazing past his cheek. In the same motion, he closed the distance and drove his knee toward my ribs.
I twisted, barely blocking with my forearm. The force stung.
"Your shadows are tricky…" Kenji muttered, grinning wider. "…but they can't keep up with me."
He wasn't wrong. Every time my shadows moved, his speed doubled. He'd already adapted.
Fine. Then I'll meet him head-on.
I clenched my fists and charged. The forest echoed with the sound of fists colliding, each punch shaking through my arms. His strikes were wild, feral, yet precise enough to break through my guard.
I ducked under one punch, throwing a counter with my right hook—he blocked with his forearm, twisting, and slammed an elbow toward my jaw.
I bent backward, shadows rising to shield me. The elbow broke through them, dispersing the darkness like smoke.
"Tch… still too slow," he said.
This wasn't working. Shadows alone wouldn't be enough. I could feel my knuckles bruising, my ribs aching from the exchanges.
Kenji's grin widened, his body steaming crimson, his bloodlust growing sharper.
"Let's end this, Hikaru Kage!"
He planted his foot in the dirt, aura boiling. His right hand ignited with crimson steam.
"Final technique… Bloody Fist!"
My heart pounded. If I took that head-on, I'd collapse.
Then… I'd just have to stop holding back.
"…Aeres."
I whispered the name of the God sealed within me. The God of Anger.
A searing heat coursed through my veins. My shadows shook violently, writhing like beasts sensing prey. My fist tightened, wrapped in a dark crimson aura—anger itself given form.
"Anger Technique…"
The heat in my chest surged, bursting into my arm.
"Anger Fist!"
We moved at the same time.
Kenji's Bloody Fist—blood boiling, crimson steam trailing behind it.
My Anger Fist—shadow and fury united, the roar of Aeres echoing in my bones.
The two fists collided.
The impact shook the dome. Wind exploded outward, trees bending under the pressure. The ground beneath us shattered, cracks spiderwebbing across the earth.
For a moment, all sound vanished. Only the clash of our wills remained.
Then....
The shockwave blasted us apart.
I landed on my feet, chest heaving, my arm trembling from the force. Kenji staggered, blood dripping down his arm, his grin still there despite his exhaustion.
We stood back to back, breaths uneven.
Then, in a hoarse whisper, I heard him.
"…thank you… for the fight."
A faint smile tugged at his lips before his body collapsed into the dirt.
I didn't move. I simply exhaled, letting my shadow recede back beneath me.
"…Idiot."
But for the first time in a while… I almost wanted to smile.
Right after I picked up the coin he dropped, I was back at the gate
I looked like many students had already succeeded
In their quests.
After half an hour the test was complete.
After a while. The principal stood before us once again.
"After careful assessment here are your results"
She raised her hand into the air and six holographic boards appeared according to class.
I searched for my name from board to board with Annie.
"Class… F?" I mutter under my breath.
It doesn't make sense. My performance should've been near the top.
Around me, students whisper.
> "Of course the Kage would end up there."
"A failure of a clan… doesn't matter how well he did."
"Class F is where trash belongs."
Annie gasps. "Wait—there must be some mistake! Hikaru fought Kenji head-on—he should be way higher!"
But above us, the board of directors sits like royalty. The heirs and elders of the Ten Great Clans—Suzuki, Takahashi, Yamamoto, Sato, and more—watch with cold eyes.
One of them smirks, his voice echoing through the hall:
"There is no mistake. Hikaru Kage belongs in Class F. That is the decision of this board."
I can feel their disdain drilling into me.
It's not about ability.
It's about clan politics.
I clench my fist inside my black fingerless glove.
> "…So that's how it is."
I'm not angry.
I expected this.
And yet, deep down, something burns.
If they want me in the lowest class, then fine.
I'll just crush their expectations… one by one.
"W-What… no way…"
The voice to my left made me glance. Annie. She was frozen in front of the board, her cheerful expression cracking.
Annie Sukiyaki — FAILED
Her lips trembled. She bit down on them, but her shoulders shook.
I looked away. Watching people break wasn't something I enjoyed.
And then...
"Failed, huh?"
Kenji's grin was still plastered on his face, even as his name glared red on the board.
Kenji Rin — FAILED
"…Tch. Figures."
I expected him to explode, but he just stuffed his hands in his pockets and laughed quietly. The sound was bitter.
Before anyone could process, a ripple spread through the crowd. Two figures in black and silver uniforms stepped forward, wearing cloaks stitched with the emblem of a broken circle—Emo-Tech.
One of them raised a hand. "Candidates Annie Sukiyaki and Kenji Rin."
Annie flinched. Kenji looked up.
"You have failed here. But Emo-Tech recognizes your potential. From this moment, you are both recruited under our banner."
The crowd gasped. Whispers shot through the students:
"Emo-Tech?! The rival school?!"
"They're poaching students here?!"
"Why those two?"
Annie's eyes widened. She turned to me for a second, as if searching for something. I gave her nothing.
Kenji, though—he smirked. "Heh. Guess I'm not done after all."
The recruiters draped the cloaks over their shoulders. Annie still looked conflicted, like she wasn't sure if she should cry or smile. Kenji just looked satisfied.
As the two of them walked away with Emo-Tech, Annie threw one last glance at me.
"…See you, Hikaru."
I stayed silent. Watching them disappear into the distance, a strange feeling stirred inside me.
Not sadness. Not anger. Just… something.
And then it was gone.
I decided to head home.
School's in three days.
Dragging my suitcase behind me, I walked through the academy's front gates again.
So this is my "new life," huh? Aether Academy's student dorms towered before me—sleek, modern buildings that looked more like high-end apartments than school housing.
My assigned dorm was at the farthest wing, the one for Class F. Figures.
The hallway was dead silent when I entered. My footsteps echoed against polished floors. Not a single student around. Were they all avoiding me already… or maybe everyone had gone to the opening ceremony?
I reached the end of the corridor. A row of identical doors lined the walls, each with small glowing nameplates. I didn't bother reading them. What's the point in memorizing names of people I'll probably never talk to?
At the very end was one with faint white letters glowing:
Kage Hikaru.
"…Tch."
I slid the door open. The room was simple—a bed, a desk, and a window with the view of the academy courtyard. Clean enough. I tossed my bags inside without much thought.
No use unpacking yet. Might as well head to the auditorium.