It was just another ordinary day in the classroom. Laughter echoed, games were being played in corners, and chatter filled the air. In the middle of it all, two kids were at it again — teasing the quiet boy everyone thought was an easy target.
That changed the moment the teacher walked in, followed by two new students: a boy and a girl. They looked like twins, both with neatly kept silver hair and piercing black eyes.
Teacher: "Settle down, class. We have two new students from another school. Would you two be kind enough to introduce yourselves?"
Mizuki: "I'm Mizuki. He's Takumi."
Teacher: "Mizuki-kun, thank you… but could you let Takumi-kun introduce himself?"
Takumi: "…I prefer not to talk."
One of the bullies snickered with his friend.
Bully: "Oh, we've got ourselves Mister Mysterious here, huh?"
Teacher: "Quiet, everyone!" She sighed, then turned back to the twins. "You two can take those seats over there."
As they sat, the teacher pulled out a stack of papers and began writing names.
Teacher: "So, Takumi-kun, Mizuki-kun… do either of you attend a sports academy?"
Mizuki: "We went to TB Blade."
The teacher froze. Her fake smile fell into genuine shock. She stared at them as if she hadn't heard right.
Teacher: "…TB Blade? The Beyblade academy?"
The class murmured. The teacher quickly regained her composure.
Teacher: "In that case, you'll be signed up for the upcoming inter-school tournament. Only eight students can represent our team, so you'll go through testing. Perform well, and you'll earn a spot to compete at Nationals."
Takumi simply nodded. Mizuki mirrored him.
The rest of the classes passed quickly. Soon it was break.
In the cafeteria, Takumi quietly unpacked his lunch. Mizuki sat beside him, doing the same. A few minutes later, one of the bullies — the better-looking one — swaggered over with a smug grin.
Bully: "Well, well. New fish to catch."
Mizuki: "You wanna start a figh—"
Takumi: "Let's not fight, Mr. Unknown. A fight would only harm both sides."
The bully frowned.
Bully: "First of all, my name's not 'Unknown.', It's Kaito. Second, the only one who'd get hurt is you."
Takumi: "If that's the case, Kaito, then I'd be harmed only physically. But if I told Mizuki to fetch a teacher, you would be harmed in another way. So why don't we both avoid the trouble?"
Kaito's face twisted. He searched for a comeback, but nothing came.
Kaito: "Tch. You win… for now."
He stomped off, visibly irritated. Mizuki blinked in surprise but quickly composed himself.
Later that day, as they were walking home, Takumi spoke up.
Takumi: "…I watched a livestream of someone playing Beyblade on OTube."
Mizuki: "And?"
Takumi: "It felt strange. As if some divine force was interfering. From the launch to the last spin — everything was too unreal. It didn't feel humanly possible."
Mizuki: "They say the number one blader might not even be human. Some think he's a past champion reborn."
Takumi hummed thoughtfully.
Takumi: "I suppose that could be the case…"
That night, Mizuki fell asleep easily. But Takumi lay awake, restless. He kept glancing at the Beyblade hidden in his pocket, thinking about that video. Eventually, thirsty, he went to the kitchen for water.
That's when he heard it.
???: "At last… I've found someone interesting."
Takumi froze and spun around. Hovering in the room was a massive, translucent blue dragon. His eyes widened.
???: "Vessel #105,314,571,812,201… Takumi. Sign a contract with me."
Takumi: "W-what do you mean… contract?"
???: "A deal. You shall help me become the number one spirit. In return, I — Spirit #2,189,439,825,723,208, Imutak — will help you become the number one blader."
Takumi: "…Blader? You mean—"
Imutak: "Exactly as you suspect. No one becomes an official blader without a spirit contract. I have taken interest in you, Vessel Takumi. Listen carefully."
The dragon's eyes glowed.
Imutak: "A spirit's power depends on its connection with its vessel. Each level strengthens your body, sharpens your mind, and grants you a unique skill of your choosing."
Takumi's nerves settled. His mind caught on one detail.
Takumi: "A skill… I choose?"
Imutak: "Correct. At the start of a contract, you may select one of three."
Imutak extended a clawed finger. Hesitant, Takumi raised his own. Their fingertips touched. Lightning cracked between them, and Takumi's vision went black.
When he opened his eyes, he was in a vast, unknown place. Three words burned into the air before him:
Choose your ability.
1. Element of Thunder
2. Plot Changer
3. Eyes of a Reader
Takumi whispered:
Takumi: "Plenty of good choices here, it hurts to let go of the other two, but I'll choose—"