Morning light filtered through the tall windows of Solareth Academy, yet Akira Kuroya felt no warmth from it.
His thoughts remained trapped in the night.
Help…
The voice echoed in his mind even as he sat in class. Words from the professor passed unheard. Diagrams on the board blurred. His gaze drifted again and again toward the window, searching for something he couldn't explain.
Rin Amane noticed.
She watched him from across the room, eyes narrowing slightly.
When the lecture ended, she stood and walked straight to him.
"Akira," she said, her tone calm but firm. "You owe me a proper duel."
Akira blinked, pulled back to the present. "A… duel?"
"You lost yesterday too easily," Rin replied. "That wasn't real."
For a moment, Akira considered deflecting the conversation—but Rin was already watching him too closely.
"…Alright," he said quietly.
Rin smiled faintly.And in that moment, she knew.
He's not ordinary.
Sword Training – Afternoon Session
The afternoon brought a different class—Sword Training.
Most of the students groaned.
"Mages don't need swords."
"That's for knights."
Many left early or watched lazily from the sidelines.
But not Akira.
Not Rin.
And not a handful of others who understood that magic alone was never enough.
Steel rang against steel as wooden blades clashed.
Akira moved naturally, his footwork precise, his grip relaxed but firm. He didn't overpower his opponent—he guided them, reading their intent before they moved.
Rin, on the other hand, was sharp and aggressive, her strikes decisive and confident.
They didn't spar with each other—but they noticed one another.
By the time the session ended, Rin was certain.
He's hiding something.
Midnight – The Truth Revealed
Night fell.
Dinner passed quietly. Students returned to their rooms, laughter fading into silence.
But Akira couldn't sleep.
The voice still haunted him.
At midnight, he rose and opened the window.
Cool air brushed his face.
Then—
A faint shimmer formed outside.
A small figure shaped from wind hovered before him, its form unstable, eyes glowing softly.
"Please…" it whispered. "Help my owner…"
Akira didn't hesitate.
"Lead the way."
The Wind Spirit darted forward, slipping into the darkness beyond the academy walls.
Akira followed.
The Pursuer
Rin watched from the shadows as Akira left.
I knew it, she thought.
Without a word, she followed him.
The Demon Attack
Far from Solareth, beneath twisted trees and broken stone, Akira stopped.
Ahead—
A woman was surrounded.
Three figures closed in on her, their presence oppressive, their mana dark and cruel.
Demon Nobles.
Akira's eyes hardened.
He raised his hand.
Compressed wind pierced the air, followed instantly by precise flames. One demon staggered back. Another was thrown into the rocks.
Akira rushed forward—
And froze.
The woman had pointed ears.
An Elf.
"Thank you," she said breathlessly. "My name is Liliya."
"Akira," he replied.
But before either could move—
The third demon laughed.
"You think this ends here?"
All three attacked at once.
Akira reacted—too late.
A surge of demonic mana knocked him back.
Then—
Boom.
A triple spell struck from the side.
Wind shattered their formation. Fire burned their advance. Earth crushed their footing.
Rin stepped forward, eyes blazing.
The demons hissed, retreating into the shadows.
"Another time," one snarled before vanishing.
Silence returned.
Akira turned to Rin.
"…Why did you follow me?"
Rin crossed her arms. "Because you're not normal. And because I was right."
Liliya bowed deeply. "Thank you—both of you."
Before dawn, the three returned to the academy.
Unseen.
Unquestioned.
The next morning, the professor entered the classroom with a calm smile.
"We have a new student joining us today."
The door opened.
Liliya stepped inside.
Akira and Rin froze.
She smiled softly at them.
Time passed.
Days turned into weeks.
And slowly—
The three became friends.
Akira's Promise
That night, Akira stood alone beneath the stars of Solareth.
No matter what happens…
No matter who stands against me…
"I will protect them," he whispered."My family. My friends."
And somewhere deep within him—
Something ancient stirred in response.