Ah!
Why am I feeling cold!
Itsuki Naoya opened his eyes to a world of endless darkness, pierced by formless light.
No! No! Not again... In his stupor, he attempted to move, shaking his legs as they grew numb; however, he was completely unable to move his limbs as though he had lost control over his body.
In this space, Itsuki never heard anything or saw anyone, just a giant sphere of light.
It was somehow centered in the middle of this endless void, radiating immense energy, glowing in every direction.
His dream-body floated was always drawn to it like a magnet. But whenever he gets close, a force prevents him from going further; pushing him back.
Damn it! Of all the days for this to happen!
Today—Year 3066 AWC—was the Zenkai Academy Trials: the once-a-year event when Ayloria's main Academy would send its instructors to scout for new talent.
Itsuki and his friends had been training the whole year, just for this day. He couldn't miss it for the world!
Move! stupid body! Move!!!
AHHHHH!!! He shouted in silence, his struggle triggering his body's desperate surge toward wakefulness.
Slowly, his fingers twitched, then his hand. The darkness that had been surrounding him shattered like glass and suddenly, he was awake, sitting upright with sweat evaporating off his body.
Morning sun streamed in from the window, filling his room with a soft glow.
The room was in a wooden house on the outskirts of Mythara, a modest settlement located in the Ayloria province of the Lyrainth kingdom.
Lyrainth was the sole kingdom existing within the world of Shin'en. A kingdom of five domains: Myrithas, Vylaris, Zyrkara, Ayloria, and Vorn'dar. Each domain was governed by one of the Five Trueborns and divided into multiple towns.
Ayloria was known for its ancient ruins, mystical forests, and arcane monuments scattered throughout the land. Mythara was one of the four towns under its governance.
Argh! my head!
Itsuki pressed his palms into his face, feeling the warmth of his skin and the steady thud of his pulse.
He let out a sigh as he shifted the bedsheet.
Two more hours… Itsuki thought to himself, glancing up at the incense clock standing in the corner.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Holding his head, he stood and moved to his window side.
Gong! Gong!
He could hear Mythara stirring, smoke rose from chimneys, and in a distance, the clanging of the morning bell rang off the rooftops.
He looked down at the road below and saw some kids playing with wooden swords.
"Argh! die beast die!"
"Hey, I'm the knight!"
"Oh, my bad."
"Who are you acting as anyway?"
"Hehe… I am Sir Nanook of the Beyond Order," declared the boy with a dramatic cape, balancing on a rock high up, performing a pose very similar to the great King Aldric's posture.
Itsuki grinned, thinking back to the times he and his peers would pretend to be the same characters.
The smile slowly faded as the memory passed. He lowered his head, clenching his fist.
"...I need to be strong eno-"
Tap! Tap! Tap!
He heard a gentle knock coming from his room door.
"Itsuki?"
His mom's voice drifted through the door. "Are you awake?"
"Yeah..." His voice was gritty. He cleared his throat and spoke again, "...I'm awake."
"Come downstairs, your father made breakfast."
"...I'll be down in a sec."
Itsuki hurried to the wash basin and splashed water on his face. The shock ran through him, washing away the last traces of the dream. He looked at his face in the small mirror: black hair in disarray, blue eyes still heavy with interrupted sleep, white scar over his left eyebrow from a training accident two years ago.
He quickly put on his training attire: plain black pants and a light-gray shirt. As he was about to step out, he paused and glanced back at his messy room.
"Yeesh…" he laughed under his breath and shook his head. "I'll deal with it later," knowing full well he wouldn't. Going down the stairs, the aroma of grilled fish and miso soup filled his nose. He followed the smell into the kitchen, where his father sat reading the morning paper.
Kaito Naoya looked up at his son's entrance, he looked exhausted and disheveled.
"Another bad dream?"
"Yeah, been having them a lot lately." Itsuki muttered, sliding into his usual seat. He shook his head, trying to shake off the nagging unease still clinging to him.
His mother emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray with breakfast. She set a plate in front of him with a kind smile.
"Here you go."
"Thank you," Itsuki replied, glancing down at the grilled fish.
Kaito observed him for a while and said:
"Second thoughts?"
"No, just…" Itsuki faltered, looking for the right words. "…My head aches pretty bad."
Kaito leaned back in his chair, the chair creaking under his weight.
"Hmm… must be the way you slept."
"You think?"
"Yes… give it some time, it'll go away."
"Okay." Itsuki ran a hand through his hair, giving a halfhearted smile.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A loud sound came from the door. Itsuki stood up, hurrying to answer.
He opened the door and saw his three friends standing outside; Takumi, Kairo and Shion were dressed in the same way in their training attire as him.
"Come on dude! we are going to be late," Takumi urged, already turning towards the street.
Itsuki grabbed his katana, and closed the door behind him.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
- - -
They set off toward the Academy district, Takumi already a few paces ahead while Shion and Kairo walked in line with Itsuki.
The four friends made their way through the crowded streets as morning light spread over the town.
The roads were still wet from last night's haze, their surfaces catching the weak morning light. Shopkeepers swept their doorways with worn cedar brooms, beginning another day of work.
Itsuki looked to his left and inhaled slowly, the freshly baked loaves from the corner bakery mixed with the damp stone and the familiar odor from the smithy district.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Down a side alley, a blacksmith hammered iron in a rhythmic manner. The glowing coals in the forge sent out little sparks with every blow, lighting the surroundings in orange flashes.
They walked through the market square, where the vendors were starting to set out their goods.
Crimson peppers were arrayed beside melons. A woman suspended strings of dried meat from hooks on her stall, while her husband lined up his jars of honey that shimmered with an inner light.
"Morning, boys!" an old woman called out from her bakery.
"Hungry? Fresh buns, only two tetsu-kin each!"
The four friends slowed but didn't stop.
"We're in a hurry, ma'am." Kairo answered with a respectful nod.
The woman's eyes sparkled with understanding. "Ah, the trials! Tell you what-" She grabbed a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Two tetsu-kin for four buns, I'll make an exception if you buy now!"
Shion's stomach growled in response; he hadn't eaten that morning. He fumbled for his coin pouch and dropped the two iron coins into her waiting palm.
"Thank you!" Takumi called as they continued walking, already tearing into the warm bread.
The old woman waved them off with a gap-toothed grin. "Good luck!"
Out on the street, other young warriors were headed in the same direction; toward the Academy district. Some walked alone, their faces set with determination. Weapons rested across their backs.
The streets gradually widened as they approached the district. The buildings were more ornate, their facades carved with images of legendary warriors frozen mid-strike, their stone weapons raised toward the sky. Statues of past masters stood at intersections, their faces gazing down at the young hopefuls passing below.
Itsuki's gaze traced the carvings on the buildings. Dragons coiled around pillars, their scales detailed so finely they seemed ready to slither off the stone.
Finally, they rounded the last corner, and the district came into view.
The four friends stopped in their tracks.
Before them stretched a massive courtyard, easily the size of ten city blocks. The ground was paved with stones, each one perfectly fitted to the next. Smaller buildings flanked it on both sides, each one a training hall in its own right. Between them, open sparring rings were marked by raised stone platforms, their surfaces scarred from years of combat practice.
In the courtyard's center stood the Honshitsu Monolith; it rose like a pillar of crystal light, taller than three men, its surface smooth and translucent, veins of luminescent energy pulsing slowly through its core.
Hundreds of young warriors were already gathered, their voices creating a low murmur that filled the space.
A man with gray hair stood over the crowd. As soon as they noticed him, there was a sudden silence throughout.
"Welcome to the Zenkai Selection Trials," the man proclaimed. "I am Instructor Haruki Arito, and alongside me is Instructor Takashi. We will be selecting those gifted enough to join our prestigious Academy."
A calm-looking man appeared at his side, hands clasped behind his back.
"I am Takashi Kenji," he said with a gentle voice. "If your name is called, please come to the Monolith and rest your hand on it. The crystal will handle the rest."
At his words, the participants hastily lined up. One by one, they approached the Monolith to have their power and stability measured.
The four friends found themselves near the back, watching as the testing began. Meanwhile, at the front of the line, a boy around their age stepped forward, grinning with confidence.
He placed his hand on the crystal, tilting his head just enough to show off his hair.
The crystal gave a faint glow—then it flickered out.
"Tier-one, Low Power, Low Stability," Takashi announced.
The kid moved back into the crowd, hiding his face beneath the weight of his shame.
Kairo clicked his tongue. "Tch... rough luck."
Behind him, Shion closed his eyes and exhaled in a ritualistic motion. "The monolith isn't about luck; it's the result of your training!"
"The determination, the strength, the…"
Kairo dragged a hand down his face.
"...discipline required to…"
He turned slightly, not even trying to hide the boredom in his eyes.
"...truly manifest your potential through…"
Here we go again… Kairo sighed, already hearing the rest before Shion could finish.
One after another, more candidates approached. Each touch brought a different reaction. Some made the crystal glow steadily. However, one girl's touch made the Monolith pulse rhythmically, like a living heart made of light.
"Sayaka Veyra; Tier-two, High power, High stability!"
A wave of whispers went through the crowd. Tier-two was rare for someone their age. Most who came to the trials were Tier-one, Genesis. It takes years to climb even one tier higher.
"Kairo Huisiji!"
Itsuki watched his friend step forward. Kairo placed his hand on the crystal, and a steady light glowed for three seconds before fading.
"Tier-one, High Power, Medium Stability"
Kairo returned and met Itsuki's fist with his own. "Hehe… Not bad."
"You're up soon."
"Yeah, I know."
More names were called, more tests were completed.
"Takumi Kazuhiko!"
Hearing his name, Takumi nearly leapt to the Monolith. The moment his palm touched the crystal, light exploded across the courtyard. It danced in erratic bursts before fading just as quickly.
"Tier-one, High Power, Moderate Stability!"
With a large smile, Takumi ran back. "Did you see that? You guys saw it, right?!"
Kairo replied, "Mine was brighter though."
"No way, mine was!" Takumi shot back.
"Itsuki Naoya!"
Instructor Haruki's voice disrupted their argument.
Itsuki's heart hammered as he approached the Monolith. The crystal's surface felt warm and smooth beneath his palm. At first, nothing happened.
Sweat beaded on his palm. Have I done something wrong? Was my power too weak to—
Doubts flooded his mind.
Then suddenly, the Monolith began to glow.