Academy Arc :
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Sozo walked to the center of the town.
Now she was visible.No more invisibility.The city was beautiful.Stone roads.Colorful houses.Flowers on the windows.Kids were playing in the street.They were laughing and running.Some were chasing a wooden ball.Sozo smiled softly.For a moment, everything felt normal.There were many shops around.Food shops.Weapon shops.Clothes shops.People were talking and buying things.The air smelled like fresh bread.Sozo looked around slowly.As Sozo walked through the street,something felt… strange.People were looking at her.No.Boys were staring.One boy walked into a pole.Thud."Ow!"Another dropped his bread.Even some married men stopped walking.Their wives slowly turned their heads."…Oh really?" one wife said coldly.The husband quickly looked away."I was looking at the sky!""There is no cloud," the wife replied.Sozo blinked.
Why is everyone staring…?
Then she remembered.She was in a beautiful girl's body.Long hair. Soft face. Elegant look."Oh…" she whispered.Two boys started fighting."She smiled at me!""No! She looked at me!"Sozo slowly backed away.This is dangerous… but not the dragon kind.She turned around quickly."I just wanted a peaceful life…" she muttered.Behind her, another husband got hit with a shopping bag.The town suddenly felt very dramatic.Sozo tried not to laugh.Maybe being beautiful… was a problem too.
Suddenly…
The sky turned dark.Cold wind blew through the town.A loud roar echoed.A demon appeared above the street.
Black wings.Red eyes.Dark energy around its body.People screamed."Run!!"Shops closed fast.Kids cried.Everyone started running.Sozo stood still.Again? Why always me… she thought.The demon landed in front of her.Boom.The ground cracked.It looked directly at her."You…" it growled.Sozo's eyes narrowed.She was ready.Her finger moved slightly.One click… and it would end.But suddenly—A strong wind rushed past her.A new boy jumped from the sky.He landed between her and the demon.He was floating in the air.Calm.Confident."Don't be afraid," he said."I will handle this."Sozo blinked.…Who is this hero type guy?The demon roared.The boy raised his hand.Energy gathered around him.The real fight… was about to begin.
Other fighters arrived.They all wore the same uniform.But their badges were different.Some were D class.Some were B class.The new boy's badge showed C Class.Sozo noticed it.C class… she thought.The boy raised his hand.Magic gathered around him.A bright blue blast shot toward the demon.Boom!!.The demon was hit.Smoke filled the air.For a moment, it looked damaged.Then…Dark energy covered its body.The wounds closed.It healed completely.The demon laughed.Its power increased.Dark energy exploded around it.The ground cracked deeper.The C Class boy stepped back."This… this is too strong," he said.Suddenly—A strong pressure filled the air.Everyone looked up.A girl walked forward calmly.Her badge shined.A Class.The wind moved around her.Her eyes were cold."You are noisy," she said.She raised her hand.All her power gathered at once.The air trembled.One flash.One strike.Boom.The demon split in half.No healing.No scream.It vanished instantly.Silence filled the town.
Sozo watched the A Class girl.She is strong…Then she smiled a little.But not stronger than me.
Suddenly—A loud magical voice echoed in the sky.
Clear and powerful.
"Magic Hunters Academy.""Mission complete.""All students, return immediately."
A glowing symbol appeared above the fighters.The C Class boy looked up."Yes, ma'am," he said softly.The A Class girl turned away calmly.One by one, the students began to leave.Light surrounded them.They disappeared.The town became quiet again.Sozo stood still."Magic Hunters Academy…" she whispered.Her eyes shined with curiosity.She wanted to join.Strong students.Training.Cool powers.It sounded amazing.Then she stopped."Wait…"She checked her pockets.Nothing.No ID card.No town paper.No name in this world.She did not even exist here."How can I join if I have no ID?" she said.She imagined talking at the desk."Name?""Sozo.""Town?""…I don't know.""ID card?""…I was sent from another world?"She covered her face."This is so awkward…"A guard nearby shouted, "Show your ID!"Sozo slowly walked the other way."Fighting demons is easy," she muttered."But paperwork is scary."
The street became quiet.Smoke was still in the air.Sozo walked slowly.Then she saw it.A body.It was the new boy who came like a hero.He had no badge.Maybe he was not a student.Maybe just a fighter.No one noticed him in the chaos.Sozo looked around carefully.No one nearby.An idea came to her mind."If I copy him…" she whispered.She opened the Console.
Copy Avatar.
She selected the boy.Light covered her body.Her form changed.Now she looked exactly like him.Same face.Same clothes.No badge.Then she clicked Memory Read.His memories entered her mind.His name.His past.Why he was here.Sozo took a slow breath."I see…"She looked at the original body.Quietly, she erased it.No proof left.She stood there alone."Now…" she thought."There is only one.
Sozo opened her eyes.She looked at her hands—Ren's hands now.She thought quietly in her mind.So this is Ren…His past… not easy.Poor home… no family support… weak…He always wanted to join Magic Hunters Academy…He wanted to be a hero… to save this world…But every test… he failed.People laughed at him… said he was weak…He never gave up… always tried again… always failed…Sozo's heart tightened.He carried so much hope and pain…But now… that is me.I know everything about him.And this time… we won't fail.Sozo decided to go home.The town was quiet.He walked slowly through the streets.Shops were closing.Children were returning to their houses.Finally, he reached a small house.He opened the door.Inside, his mother was there.She looked up and smiled."Oh, you're back! How was your day?" she asked.Sozo felt a warm feeling in his chest.She still cares… he thought."I'm fine, Mom," he said softly.She didn't know what really happenedAll she saw was her son, safe and home.Sozo sat down quietly.One step at a time… he thought.I will try the academy test again…Sozo sat quietly.He looked at his hands.This time… he thought.I am not Ren.I am Sozo.All of Ren's memories were mine now.All of his failures… his hopes… his dreams.But this time, it would be different.I will not fail like him.I will pass the academy test.I am Sozo… he whispered in his mind.And I will change everything.
The next day, Sozo woke up.Sunlight came through the window.Birds were singing outside.He stretched and yawned.Then he heard a voice."Sozo! Breakfast is ready!"It was his mom calling him.He got out of bed quickly.Time to start a new day… he thought.And this time… I will not fail.He ran down the stairs to the kitchen.The smell of fresh bread and soup filled the air.His mom smiled at him."Eat quickly, you have a busy day ahead," she said.Sozo nodded.Yes… today, I take another step toward the academy.
The next day, Sozo woke up.
Sunlight came through the window.Birds were singing outside.He stretched and yawned.Then he heard a voice."Sozo! Breakfast is ready!"It was his mom calling him.He got out of bed quickly.Time to start a new day… he thought.And this time… I will not fail.He ran down the stairs to the kitchen.The smell of fresh bread and soup filled the air.His mom smiled at him."Eat quickly, you have a busy day ahead," she said.Sozo nodded.Yes… today, I take another step toward the academy"Time to go to your academy test!" his mom said.Sozo nodded.He finished breakfast quickly.Finally… he thought.Today I will pass.He left the house.The streets were busy.People were walking to the academy too.When he arrived, the test area was huge.So many people were already there.Some were training.Some were talking nervously.Sozo's heart raced.This is it… he thought.Time to show what I can do.Excitement mixed with nervousness.He clenched his fists.I won't fail this time… I am Sozo.The doors of the test hall suddenly opened.A strong wind blew in.All the students stopped and looked.A teacher stepped inside.Long coat flowing.Eyes sharp.Magic sparkled faintly around his hands.He looked around slowly."Everyone, line up!" he said, voice calm but powerful."Boys in one row. Girls in another."The students moved quickly, impressed by his cool presence.Sozo quietly found a spot in the boys' row.The teacher raised his hand."First, we check your mana," he said.A glowing globe appeared in the center.It floated above the students."Step forward one by one," the teacher instructed.A student stepped up.The globe glowed green."Level 10," the teacher said.Another student came."Level 9.""Level 11.""Level 12."He looked at the crowd."Remember, for the first test, you need only level 5 to pass."Some students whispered."So easy?""Yes," the teacher replied calmly."Don't underestimate the next steps."One boy stepped forward to check his mana.The globe shined golden."Level 20!"The teacher's eyes widened."His power… amazing!" he whispered.Then a girl stepped up.The globe glowed bright."Level 18!"Everyone gasped.Sozo watched quietly.If this were a story… he thought.They two must be the main characters.He turned and quietly adjusted his level to 5.If I use my real power… the globe will destroy itself.The teacher looked at Sozo.his face froze.Then he frowned.All the students laughed."Look at him! Level 5?""Ha! He won't even pass the first test!"Some pointed and whispered jokes.Sozo didn't move.He didn't care.Let them laugh… he thought.I'm not here to show off yet.
Sozo passed the first test.The teacher clapped."Next test—duel teams!" he announced.All students started forming teams.The new boy, level 20, and the new girl, level 18, quickly paired up.Everyone moved fast.But no one came to Sozo.He waited.Then a girl slowly approached him.Her eyes were shy."Um… can we… make a duel team?" she asked quietly.She showed her badge—level 7.Sozo smiled slightly."Sure," he said.She nodded nervously.They stood together, ready for the next test.All the students lined up.The teacher raised his hand."Everyone, focus!" he shouted.A glowing portal appeared in front of them.light swirled inside.One by one, students stepped forward.Sozo held the shy girl's hand for support.The portal pulled them in.When the light faded…They were in a huge open area.A giant circle was drawn on the ground.The air was thick with magic energy.Everyone looked around, amazed.This is the duel test arena… Sozo thought.Suddenly, glowing circles appeared under everyone's feet.Sozo felt a gentle pull.The shy girl next to him held his hand tightly."Whoa!" she whispered.The circles lifted them slightly.Then… flash!They disappeared from the big arena.When the light faded,Sozo and his partner were inside a small room.Each student had their own room with their partner.Walls shimmered with magical energy.Sozo looked around.So this is where the duel begins… he thought.Inside the rooms, Sozo froze.Two demons appeared.Each wielded a huge hammer.Level 15.The students gasped.What… is this?Whispers spread."What… do we do?"A loud voice echoed.It was the teacher."This is your second test," he said."You must kill the demons.""You can only succeed by helping your teammate."Everyone's eyes widened.Shock filled the room.This… this is serious, Sozo thought.In the other rooms, chaos and excitement filled the air.The level 20 boy and level 18 girl paired up.They attacked their demons immediately.Boom! Crash!Hammer and magic clashed.In just 2 minutes, both demons were destroyed.All other students still struggled.Everyone had 10 minutes to finish the test.The powerful duo was done in 2.Sozo looked at his level 7 partner nervously.I can't use my real power… he thought.If I do, everyone will know my secret.The girl next to him panicked."What… what should we do?" she whispered.Sozo clenched his fists quietly.Stay calm… we have to figure something out.
Sozo looked around.All the other students had cleared the test.Only one demon remained in his room.He had no idea what to do.This is bad… he thought.Then he whispered to his partner,"Give me your hand."The girl looked confused."Why…?""Just give me your hand. Don't question," he said calmly.She hesitated a moment, then nodded.Sozo held her hand firmly.Use your magic," he instructed."Yes!" she said, concentrating.A small glow appeared around her hand.Sozo focused, using a tiny amount of his magic.Their powers combined.A beam shot forward.One demon was hit and staggered.The magic bounced and reflected to the second demon.Boom!Both demons fell.Time: 3 seconds.The test was cleared.Sozo let go of her hand and smiled quietly.We did it… without showing my real power.The teacher froze.His eyes went wide."What…?!" he shouted.He couldn't believe it.Combined magic… like that…?All the students in the other rooms looked shocked too."Did you see that?!" one whispered."That… that was amazing!" another said.Sozo stayed calm.Good… no one knows my real power, he thought.He just smiled slightly, holding back his strengthThe teacher appeared suddenly in Sozo's room.He looked at Sozo and the girl."Explain!" he demanded."How did you combine magic like that? It's impossible… especially with a level 7!"The girl looked confused and nervous."I… I don't know," she stammered.Sozo stayed calm."It's possible," he said quietly.The teacher frowned."This… shouldn't be possible," he muttered, eyes narrowing.Sozo just smiled slightly in his mind.They have no idea… this is nothing compared to my real power.The teacher's eyes narrowed."How? Tell me!" he demanded.Sozo took a deep breath."I… I saw her mana," he said, glancing at the girl."And mine was low too… level 5.""I thought… what if we combine them?""So… 5 plus 7… equals 12," he continued."We used all our mana together on the demon."The teacher froze."…You calculated that…?" he whispered.His jaw dropped.Sozo nodded calmly.Fake story… but believable, he thought in his mind.The teacher just stared, completely shocked.The teacher slowly shook his head."You… you are a genius," he said, voice full of surprise.Other students whispered among themselves."Wow… he really did it!""He's so lucky!"Some students frowned."Why him…?" one muttered.Jealousy filled the room.Sozo just smiled slightly.Let them be jealous… he thought.I'm not here to compete with them… yet
The level 20 boy looked at Sozo.His eyes narrowed slightly.He seemed curious… or maybe suspicious.The teacher clapped his hands."Enough for now," he said."Take a 20-minute break.""Third test will start soon."Students began stretching and walking around.Whispers filled the room.Sozo stayed calm, watching everyone quietly.Time to prepare… he thought.The next test will be interesting.The level 7 girl stepped closer to Sozo.She looked down, fidgeting with her hands."Um… I-I'm Lina," she said softly."So… thank you," she added, blushing."For helping me in the second test…"Sozo smiled slightly.No need to thank me, he thought in his mind.We make a good team.Lina looked up briefly, then quickly looked away, still shy."So… ready for the next test?" she asked quietly.Lina nodded softly."Yes…" she said shyly."Good," Sozo thought in his mind.Let's do this.Suddenly, the doors opened.A new teacher stepped inside.She walked with confidence.Magic shimmered around her hands."All students, get ready!" she said.The first and second teachers raised their hands too.Magic energy swirled around them.A huge glowing circle appeared at the students' feet."Step inside," the new teacher commanded.One by one, students and their partners were lifted.Bright light surrounded them.In a flash, they were gone.Each pair appeared in a different domain.This is the third test… Sozo thought.Now it really begins.Suddenly, an unknown person appeared in the domain.A tall figure with a hood stepped forward.Magic energy pulsed faintly around them.Sozo and Lina froze.The figure stopped in front of the floating table and chessboard."I am the tester of this domain," the person said calmly."You will face the puzzle of 64 rooms. Solve it, or remain trapped."Lina gulped nervously."So… what do we do?" she whispered.Sozo's eyes narrowed.Stay calm… think carefully… he thought.This is just a puzzle, not a fight… yet.The hooded figure stepped back slowly."So… begin," they said.Suddenly, the glowing chessboard lifted into the air.Each square on the board opened like a tiny door."So… each square is a room?" Lina whispered nervously.Sozo nodded slowly.64 rooms… we have to solve them all… he thought.The first square glowed brightly."So, we go in together," he said quietly.Lina hesitated, then nodded.They stepped toward the glowing square.The light swallowed them.Inside, the first room appeared.It was dark.Strange symbols glowed faintly on the walls."So… what now?" Lina asked nervously.Sozo took a deep breath.Observe carefully… every puzzle has a pattern… he thought.We can do this.A soft hum filled the room.The test had truly begun
Sozo and Lina stepped into the first room.The floor was smooth and shiny.Strange symbols glowed on the walls."So… what do we do?" Lina whispered.Sozo looked around carefully.Think… every puzzle has a pattern, he thought.He touched one of the glowing symbols.It lit up brighter.The floor shifted slightly."Step here," Sozo said quietly.Lina followed him.They moved slowly.Another symbol glowed as they stepped.It's reacting to us… Sozo realized.They continued, one careful step at a time.The room changed as they moved.Walls shifted.New paths appeared.Sozo guided Lina through.We need to watch everything carefully… he thought.One wrong move and we might fail.They reached the center of the room.A soft light appeared.Another door opened.They looked at each other."So… ready for the next room?" Sozo asked.Lina nodded nervously.They stepped forward together.The second room appeared.New puzzles waited.Sozo studied every symbol.We can do this, he thought quietly.Step by step… together.
Sozo grew bored of solving the puzzles slowly.He grabbed Lina's hand."Don't tell anyone," he whispered."I'll break all the puzzles using my power."A faint glow appeared around his hands.In an instant, the puzzles shifted and broke.They moved forward quickly.Now, they were at the last puzzle.Lina's eyes widened in shock."Sozo… how…?" she stammered.He shook his head slightly."Don't ask questions," he whispered."Just help me… let's complete the test."Lina nodded slowly, still amazed.Together, they moved toward the final puzzle.The final puzzle glowed in front of them.Sozo smiled slightly.With a wave of his hand, the puzzle shattered instantly.The unknown person in the room froze.His eyes went wide."How… how did you get through 64 rooms… in just 5 minutes?!" he shouted.Sozo just nodded calmly.We're done, he thought.Lina looked at him, still shocked.That was too fast… she whispered.The unknown person's eyes widened even more."World record… is 16 minutes," he said slowly."But you… you finished in 5 minutes!"He shook his head in disbelief."You two… just set a new world record!"Sozo froze.5 minutes… he thought.World record…?He blinked in shock.Lina looked at him, her mouth open.Did we… really do that? she whispered.
The new teacher suddenly appeared in Sozo and Lina's domain.She looked around, arms crossed."Hmm… let's see how they did," she said.The unknown person glanced at her nervously."Uh… well… they haven't started yet?" he stammered.Sozo and Lina looked at each other and snickered.The teacher raised an eyebrow.'So… what's happening?" she asked.The unknown person swallowed hard."I… uh… they already… finished?" he said, trying to sound confident."So fast?!" the teacher exclaimed, eyes wide."So… world record is broken before we even started?" she added, glaring at him.Sozo hid a small smile.Lina covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.The unknown person just waved his hands nervously."Y-yes… I mean… it's done…" he muttered.Total chaos, Sozo thought, quietly enjoying the moment.
The portal glowed brightly.
"So… back to the academy test area," Sozo thought.He held Lina's hand as the light pulled them in.In a flash, they arrived.The arena was huge again.Many students were already there.Some were celebrating.Some were talking about the test.The level 20 boy and level 18 girl were there too.They glanced at Sozo and Lina.Whispers started among the students.They… they finished the test in 5 minutes?Sozo just stayed calm.Good… now we wait for the next challenge.Lina squeezed his hand nervously.This place… it feels intense, she thought.
The academy principal appeared at the front of the arena.A hush fell over all the students.He raised his hands."Congratulations, students!" he announced loudly."You have all passed the Magic Hunters Academy Test!"Cheers erupted across the arena.Students clapped and hugged each other.Some jumped in excitement.The level 20 boy smiled proudly.The level 18 girl laughed happily.Even Lina looked relieved and happy.Sozo watched quietly, a small smile on his face.Everyone is happy… including us, he thought.
The principal waved his hand.
"Now, each of you will receive your class badge," he announced.A soft glow appeared above each student.One by one, badges floated down and attached to their clothes.Sozo looked at his hand.E Class… his new badge appeared, along with Lina's.Lina blinked, then smiled shyly.The level 20 boy and the level 18 girl received their badges too.C Class, they glowed proudly.All the other students got their badges according to their levels.The arena was filled with light and cheers.Sozo glanced at Lina.E Class is okay… he thought.I don't need to be popular.
The principal clapped his hands."Your classes will start in one week," he announced."All students, go home for now!"Everyone cheered and started leaving the arena.Sozo and Lina walked out together.When he reached home, his mom was waiting."So… how was the test?" she asked, curious.Sozo held up his E Class badge proudly."Look, Mom! I passed!" he said.His mom squinted at the small badge."E Class… hmm… not bad, I guess," she said teasingly."So… you're not top class yet?" she added with a grin.Sozo sighed dramatically."Yes… Mom, apparently I'm just average," he said, holding the badge like a medal.His mom laughed."Average or not, at least you didn't blow up the house this time!"Sozo rolled his eyes.Very funny, Mom… very funny, he thought.Lina peeked shyly from behind him, giggling quietly.
Sozo's mom looked at him curiously."And who's that girl with you?" she asked, pointing at Lina.Sozo swallowed nervously."She… uh… is my partner," he said quickly."Partner?" his mom raised an eyebrow."Yes… test partner," Sozo added, trying to sound serious.His mom smirked."Oh… so you two fight demons together, huh? Do you share snacks too?"Sozo froze."No! Mom! Not snacks… just… magic stuff!"Lina peeked shyly and whispered,"Uh… we can share snacks if you want…"Sozo groaned, face red.Why did she say that?! he thought, glaring at her.His mom laughed loudly."Well, at least you're safe… and fed?"Sozo sighed, holding his badge.Yep… this is my life now.
PART 1 COMPLETE