The Serium Academy courtyard was alive with an energy that made the air hum. Himen from across the realm gathered, their auras flickering in waves of color—emeralds, violets, pale aquamarines, golds, even sickly greens. Each shimmered with the weight of lineage, training, and expectation. Today was not a regular training day. Today was the beginning of the Succession Games.
Shinjiru stood at the edge of the central arena, gripping his kusarigama, violet aura subtly radiating with silver streaks. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from anticipation. He was only sixteen, yet here he was, a human boy with latent Himen blood, stepping into a contest designed to identify the next potential successor for the Elite 8.
The announcement echoed through the courtyard, amplified by crystal resonance:
"Welcome, students of the Serium Academy, and guests from across the realms. The Succession Games will test not only skill but strategy, morality, and adaptability. Only the most capable will earn the honor of training under the Elite Himen as potential successors. Let the games begin."
Shinjiru's eyes scanned the crowd. He recognized several of the Academy's top performers, each cloaked in their distinct auras. There was Kaito, emerald green flickering like spring storms; Setsuna, pale electric blue, coiled and ready like lightning about to strike; and Akihara, deep violet with crimson flecks, calm and observing.
And then he saw the Elite Himen in the front row, their presences monumental. Tensei Raidon's golden lightning aura crackled faintly around him, commanding the attention of all. Ryuzen Kurohane's jet-black feathers shifted subtly as he leaned forward, sharp eyes measuring each competitor. Kaoru Myojin, stoic and precise, his white-gold aura radiating an air of calculated serenity.
Shinjiru swallowed. This was no ordinary trial. This was where futures were forged—or destroyed.
First Test — Trial of Reflex and Wit
The first stage was deceptively simple: a battlefield simulation designed to test speed, perception, and strategy. Himen were projected into a holographic arena, replicating the Boneyard's floating spires and treacherous terrain.
"Observe your surroundings," Akihara intoned, his voice calm, "and remember: a battle is not won by strength alone."
Shinjiru's eyes narrowed. He moved cautiously at first, feeling the weight of his aura interact with the environment. His kusarigama's chain extended, brushing against the simulated stone walls. He observed the illusions—floating platforms, shifting debris, and false enemies that flickered with corrupted red essence.
A sudden attack—a phantom Krawler—lunged at him. Shinjiru reacted instinctively, swinging the kusarigama in a wide arc, phasing the chain through the illusion using his violet aura. The chain wrapped around the phantom, dissipating it with a soft, echoing ting.
"Impressive," Ryuzen muttered from the judges' stand. "He adapts quickly. Not just reflex… intuition."
Shinjiru's confidence grew. With every motion, he felt more connected to his aura, more aware of how it could augment his chain, how subtle shifts in energy could give him leverage. He was human, but his hybrid essence—secret and latent—was awakening, a silent advantage waiting to be tested.
Second Test — Ethical Dilemma
The second stage was less physical and more cerebral. Holographic projections of humans and Himen in distress scenarios appeared across the arena. Some were real simulations; others were traps designed to gauge moral choice under pressure.
A holographic child screamed, trapped in a collapsing structure. Nearby, a glowing essence orb shimmered—a reward for efficiency if collected quickly. Taking it would guarantee points, but leaving the child to safety first could cost time.
Shinjiru hesitated. He remembered his mother's trial, the lessons of the Academy, and the consequences of impulsive decisions. With a deep breath, he sprinted toward the child, swinging the kusarigama to clear debris. His aura flared violently, brushing away shards of energy that threatened to injure him.
He lifted the child to safety and, only then, reached for the essence orb. By balancing compassion with tactical efficiency, he gained the attention of the judges. Hibiki Onryo, his sickly green aura flickering in acknowledgment, whispered a subtle approval, noting the psychological acuity behind Shinjiru's actions.
Third Test — Combat and Strategy
The final stage of the day was one-on-one combat against a fellow competitor. Shinjiru was paired with Kaito—a challenge both expected and feared. Their duel was a display of agility, tactics, and raw power.
Chains clashed, sparks flying as their auras collided. Kaito's emerald energy surged, creating afterimages that tested Shinjiru's perception. Shinjiru's violet aura allowed him to phase his chain, striking through Kaito's illusions and forcing the duel into a mind-game of prediction and adaptability.
"You've grown," Kaito grunted mid-spar, smiling faintly despite the strain. "I didn't expect you to react this fast."
Shinjiru gritted his teeth, countering with a swirling motion of his kusarigama—Rosethorn Spiral, a move he had studied from Akihara's combat archives, adapted to his own rhythm. The simulated battlefield shook as the chains bound Kaito's aura for a split second—enough for Shinjiru to disarm him in a controlled, non-lethal finish.
The crowd of Himen erupted in murmured approval. Shinjiru had not only won the duel but demonstrated adaptability, intelligence, and moral grounding—all qualities the Elite sought in a successor.
Aftermath — Recognition
The games concluded, and the Elite Himen convened privately. Tensei Raidon's golden aura flickered like a sunrise over a stormy sea.
"Shinjiru Arakami," Tensei's voice carried weight beyond its volume. "You have exhibited skill, intelligence, and judgment beyond your years. You are unlike any Himen we have seen—human, yet possessing latent power we cannot ignore. You have earned the right to train under the Elite as a potential successor. You are… the first candidate for the ninth Elite Himen."
Shinjiru's heart stopped. The weight of the words settled on him like a physical force. Becoming the ninth Elite Himen meant responsibility, power, and danger beyond comprehension. He thought of his father, of his mother, of the Stage 3 Krawler that had taken Haruto Arakami's life. He thought of Shinu, and the sacrifices that had brought him here.
"I… I understand," Shinjiru said, his voice firm despite the whirlwind of emotion. "I will train. I will become strong enough to protect everything… everyone."
Ryuzen's shadowed gaze lingered. "Remember this, boy. Power is meaningless without discipline. And the line between protector and tyrant is thinner than the sharpest chain. Do not fail."
Shinjiru nodded, feeling the weight of both promise and threat pressing upon him. The Succession Games were only the beginning. Ahead lay training, secrets, and the shadow of chaos creeping closer with each passing day.
As he left the arena, the violet streaks in his aura burned brighter than ever, a silent declaration: he would rise. And the world—Serium and human alike—would remember the name Shinjiru Arakami.