The morning sun cut through the windows of Reikosha Academy, spilling golden light across the training hall. Kairo Kurosawa trudged into the classroom, his backpack heavier than usual, the lingering soreness from yesterday's exercises still stiffening his muscles. The E-4 transfer student glanced at the leaderboard: his name was still near the bottom. "Pathetic," he muttered under his breath.
"E-4, huh?" a familiar voice teased from behind. Kimimaru Aoyama, ever calm and aloof, leaned against the doorway with his usual unreadable expression. "I saw you yesterday. Not bad for a beginner, but don't let your pride get ahead of your skill."
Kairo rolled his eyes, adjusting his uniform. "I'm just getting started. You'll see soon enough."
Yura Hoshikawa, the fastest in the first class, walked past, her purple eyes glinting with quiet amusement. She smirked at Kairo. "Try not to get distracted by the clowns today." She flicked a hand toward a group of lower-level students laughing raucously at a fallen classmate.
"Clowns?" Kairo muttered.
Tyouro Mikado, always friendly and the voice of reason, chuckled. "Ignore them. They get a thrill from poking at the weak."
The academy was harsh, as every student was expected to grow strong quickly. Those who didn't would be left behind sometimes permanently.
Morning Training Session
The first session began with energy focus exercises. Sensei Shougo Takahano clapped his hands, his voice firm but patient. "Today, we'll dive deeper into base energies and advanced techniques. Kairo, step forward. Focus on your Reikou energy and feel the flow."
Kairo nodded, closing his eyes. He concentrated on the invisible currents within him the energy that pulsed with potential. Reikou energy wasn't just strength; it was awareness, movement, and balance. Yet, he still couldn't control it fully.
"Good," Shougo continued. "Now combine it with your mind's intent. Energy without will is wasted."
Kimimaru, standing nearby, executed the same exercise flawlessly. His green eyes glinted as he conjured a faint black aura Gyakuun. The 4th-level reversal energy reflected small projectiles fired by other students, an elegant demonstration of mastery.
"Still struggling, aren't you, E-4?" he teased quietly, though there was no malice, only observation.
Kairo gritted his teeth. "One day, I'll make you eat those words."
Yura, observing silently, smirked. Her aura flared briefly in a shimmer of white light. "You'd better, or I'll beat you first," she said.
Lunchtime Bully Scene
By noon, the first-year students gathered in the dining hall. The chatter was lively, but one group of students had singled out a quiet boy for ridicule.
"Hey, weakling! Did you even wake up today? Or are you still dreaming of being strong?"
The boy tried to ignore them, but the laughter continued, echoing in the hall.
Yura's eyes narrowed. Calm and collected, she walked over, her steps soundless, her presence undeniable. "If you're going to laugh at someone, make sure you're prepared to face me first," she said.
"Or what?" one of the bigger students sneered.
Yura's fingers flickered with Reikou energy. Time seemed to slow as she dashed forward, moving faster than the eye could follow. Before anyone could react, she delivered a precise strike, knocking the offender to the floor.
The hall fell silent. Kairo and Tyouro exchanged impressed looks. Even Kimimaru allowed a small smile to break his usual stoic expression.
"Show-off," Kairo muttered, though inwardly he was motivated.
Afternoon Combat Drills
After lunch, students were paired for 1v1 combat drills. The academy emphasized practical application of energies and techniques, and no mercy was given.
Kairo was paired with a D-4 student named Reiji, notorious for his arrogance.
"Let's see what an E-4 newbie can do," Reiji sneered, summoning a faint glow of Hikari energy.
Kairo focused, feeling his Reikou energy surge. Though unrefined, it gave him heightened reflexes. He blocked Reiji's first strike, the impact rattling his arm.
"Not bad," Reiji muttered, adjusting his stance. "But I've barely started."
Tyouro observed nearby, offering occasional advice. "Don't just rely on strength. Predict his movement and exploit weaknesses."
The fight continued, Kairo adapting mid-combat. Sweat dripped from his brow, muscles aching, but he felt a spark of satisfaction. Even if he lost, he was learning.
Late Afternoon: Theory Session
After physical training, students returned to classrooms for energy theory. Shougo began explaining advanced Reikou concepts.
"Reikou energy," he said, "is the foundation of all higher techniques. Hikari energy represents purity and attack, Yami energy embodies defense and shadows, and Gyakuun is reversal, reflecting the opponent's intent."
Kimimaru quietly demonstrated Gyakuun in a small spar, reflecting an energy projectile back at the wall.
"Understanding energy is not enough," Shougo continued. "You must internalize it, feel it, and anticipate changes in real time. That's how mastery works."
Kairo scribbled notes furiously. He wanted to understand every detail his potential depended on it.
Evening Reflection
After the day's events, Kairo, Yura, Kimimaru, and Tyouro gathered in the academy courtyard.
"Today was… intense," Kairo said, rubbing his arm.
"You held up well," Yura replied. "But don't forget, even high-level students have weak spots. Learn from every mistake."
Kimimaru nodded silently, his gaze distant. "Potential isn't enough. You need control."
Tyouro grinned. "And teamwork helps too. We've got each other's backs, right?"
Kairo smiled. "Right. Tomorrow, we get stronger."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the academy's red-brick towers cast long shadows across the courtyard. Kairo felt a mixture of fatigue and excitement. The path ahead was long and grueling, but for the first time, he felt ready.
As Kairo stretched his sore muscles, he noticed Yura standing by the fountain, tossing small pebbles into the water. The ripples shimmered strangely, hinting at the controlled Reikou energy she always seemed to radiate effortlessly.
"You're staring again," Yura said, not looking up. "Focus on yourself. You can't copy what you don't understand."
Kairo chuckled. "I'm not staring… maybe a little. You're fast, you know that?"
She finally turned, purple eyes piercing yet calm. "Speed without control is useless. You've got potential, but potential alone doesn't make you strong. Remember that."
Kimimaru walked over, hands in pockets, his usual quiet demeanor intact. "You two talk too much," he muttered, though a small smirk betrayed his amusement. "Energy doesn't obey words. It obeys mastery."
Tyouro plopped down on the grass, lazily stretching. "I say we train until sunset tomorrow too. Can't let E-4 here get too comfortable." He pointed at Kairo. "I mean, I like him, but someone has to keep him humble."
"Shut up, Tyouro," Kairo groaned, pretending to punch him lightly. "I'm already tired. I need a break."
Just then, a commotion arose near the entrance. A couple of lower-ranked students were arguing over lunch rations. One of them, a C-5, shoved another into the wall.
Yura's eyes narrowed. Without a word, she moved forward like a ghost, placing herself between the bully and his victim. Her aura flared, a faint white shimmer in the fading light.
"You really like pushing around weaklings, huh?" she said calmly.
The bully laughed. "And what are you gonna do, little girl?"
Before anyone could blink, Yura's Reikou-infused punch sent him sprawling across the courtyard. The impact left the ground slightly scorched, a faint glow dissipating as her energy settled.
Kairo, Kimimaru, and Tyouro all winced. Even by today's standard, her control over energy was terrifying.
"Wow," Kairo muttered. "I still have a lot to learn."
Kimimaru's green eyes followed the boy's gaze. "That's why you're here. Don't get discouraged. You'll catch up… eventually."
Tyouro laughed. "Catch up? You'll need a miracle to reach her level anytime soon!"
As the courtyard emptied, Kairo looked up at the crimson sky, thinking about his first full day at Reikosha Academy. Between bullying, training, and the ongoing lessons in energy control, it had been exhausting. But it had also been exhilarating.
Somewhere deep in him, a spark lit a feeling that the academy wasn't just a place to learn, but a place where he could prove himself, grow, and maybe… even surpass his friends one day.
With the shadows stretching longer, Kairo turned toward the dormitories. Tomorrow promised more training, more lessons, and more challenges. But for tonight, he allowed himself to rest, already anticipating the next day's trials.
As he walked, he didn't notice the faint glow emerging in the courtyard's far corner, the first hints of energies beyond even Reikou… energies that whispered of future challenges he would face.
The morning sun spilled over the Reikosha Academy grounds, glinting off the polished windows of the red-brick towers. Kairo stretched lazily in the courtyard, trying to hide the lingering soreness from yesterday's training. His classmates were already scattered across the fields, practicing basic Reikou techniques and sparring in small groups.
"Hey, E-4, hurry up!" shouted a voice. Kairo turned to see Tyouro waving, a friendly grin plastered across his face. "You're going to be late for your first real lesson if you keep standing there like a statue!"
Kairo jogged over, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I'm not used to this yet! Give me a break, will you?"
Kimimaru, as usual, was standing silently nearby, his dark green eyes scanning the courtyard. He barely reacted to Kairo's clumsiness, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Careful, E-4," he said finally, voice low. "If you can't control your Reikou, you're going to hurt yourself before you even face an opponent."
Yura, on the other hand, was calmly practicing her own energy forms. Small arcs of white Reikou energy flickered along her hands as she moved with precise, measured steps. She didn't look up when Kairo stumbled past her, but her energy control was mesmerizing—even from a distance.
Tyouro sighed dramatically, planting his hands on his hips. "Look at you two! Always showing off or criticizing. I swear, sometimes you act like teachers instead of students."
The first lesson of the day was about energy basics. Professor Shougo Takahano called the class to attention, his presence commanding respect even from the rowdiest students. "Today we learn about the foundation of Reikou energy and its applications in combat," he began. "Reikou is the life force within all living beings. Those who can control it can heal, enhance their strength, or attack with devastating precision. But mastery requires focus, discipline, and understanding of your own limits."
As Takahano spoke, Kairo tried to mimic the controlled motions demonstrated, feeling sparks of energy surge through his fingers. He struggled to stabilize it, causing a small flicker to arc dangerously toward the ground.
Kimimaru noticed immediately. "Careful. That's Gyakuun. It's the reversal energy. If you push it too early, it can backfire on you."
"Gyakuun?" Kairo blinked. "Backfire?"
"Yes," Kimimaru explained, "it's a type of energy that reflects damage or attack power. If you use it without control, you can end up hurting yourself instead of your opponent."
Meanwhile, Yura's movements were flawless, her Reikou flowing seamlessly with each step. Kairo's eyes widened. "Wow… how does she do that?"
"She's B-4," Tyouro said casually, tossing a small stone with inhuman precision. "Fastest in the academy. Strength and control both perfect. You're… nowhere near that level yet, E-4."
Kairo's cheeks burned, half from embarrassment, half from determination. "I'll get there. I'll train harder than anyone."
As the lesson progressed, some of the higher-ranked students began teasing Kairo, shoving him slightly or mocking his early stumbles.
"E-4, is that all you've got?" one sneered.
"Watch it, guys," Yura interjected, stepping in calmly. "Control your energy, or you'll end up embarrassing yourself more than him."
Kairo felt a mix of gratitude and awe. He still had a long way to go, but with friends like Kimimaru, Yura, and Tyouro, maybe he really could survive Reikosha Academy… and grow stronger than he ever imagined.