The morning was calm and chilly. Not a single breeze stirred. The clouds hung grey and still, overcasting the entire sky – almost lifeless.
The homeroom door slid open, and Masashi sensei walked in. The whispers faded as he made his way to the podium.
"Who among you can tell me what they know about soul energy?" Masashi asked.
The room fell silent. Most of the class hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. Then a hand rose.
"Yes," Masashi said. "Your name and answer."
"Tatsuya, sir." He straightened in his seat. "Soul energy is the fundamental life force that fuels everyone's energy."
"You were close," Masashi said, "but not quite—"
Another hand shot up from the back.
"Yes?"
Kuro sat with his arms crossed, leaning back with a slight frown. "It is energy found through all living things in the world. Sentient or not."
Tatsuya turned and shot Kuro a sharp glare, his expression one of near disgust. Kuro merely closed his eyes and smirked.
Masashi nodded. "You were both quite close, but not quite. Soul energy is the raw universal life force possessed by every living being, invisible to most. In cases where an individual is aware, it can be seen around them as white flowing energy."
The classroom muttered in awe. Above the voices, Izuku's impulsive voice rang out.
"Awesome!"
"Yes, quite amazing indeed," Masashi continued. "Although those who are aware can see it, they only see it when trying to gauge an opponent's potential power. It is not that they walk around seeing it constantly."
Tomoko raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Sensei," she asked, "can someone always be emitting soul energy at all times?"
Masashi chuckled with a smile. "A good question. No, not really. That is why you all came here to the academy, as I will explain in a bit. There are stages in the conversion process. But to answer you for now – those who progress through the conversion stages master how to regulate the emission of soul energy."
Shi raised her hand next.
"Yes, go ahead."
"So if everyone emits this energy," Shi said, "doesn't it confuse Auras when they are on missions and trying to sense the enemy's energy?"
Before Masashi could respond, Ryoichi spoke out.
"No." His voice was quiet but confident. "From the way I understand it, soul energy is unique to everyone – like a fingerprint or DNA."
Shinjiro picked up where he left off. "So in other words, it's impossible to get confused because everyone's energy signature is unique."
Masashi smiled. "Exactly. Quite the insight, you two."
Shi nodded. "Oh, I get it now. Thank you."
Just then, Izuku exclaimed loudly, a wide grin on her face. "BORING! When does this get interesting? When do we start blasting stuff?"
The class burst out laughing. Izuku stayed oblivious. Next to her, Makoto looked at her with a calm, lifeless expression. In the back, Masuyo closed his eyes and looked down.
Masashi sighed. "Okay, quiet down, everyone."
The laughs slowly faded.
"Can someone tell me the laws that govern the concept of soul energy?" Masashi asked.
The room was nearly quiet, only whispers traversing the air. Masashi scanned the room and caught sight of Masuyo staring at the clouds outside.
"You at the back," Masashi said calmly. "Brown hair."
Masuyo startled. "Um... me, sir?"
Oh man, he thought. Here goes nothing.
Before he could continue, Aya interrupted.
"Hmph. Ignoramus."
Tomoko chuckled with a smirk.
Masuyo turned, surprised. "Huh?!"
"Shut up!" Yuko snapped.
Aya glared at Yuko, then looked away.
Masashi's voice turned firm. "I will not tolerate disrespect in my class. Do you all understand?" He looked directly at Tomoko and Aya.
The class answered nervously in unison. "Yes, sir."
"Now then," Masashi said, his tone softening. "Proceed, young man."
Masuyo straightened. "The laws of conversion and colour, sir."
"Almost," Masashi replied. "You forgot the most fundamental one – the law of the source."
"The law of the source?"
Just then, a low, deep, and calm voice spoke from the front.
"All soul energy is connected to one universal point," Makoto said. "A source."
Everyone turned their heads toward Makoto – the one who barely spoke.
Izuku's jaw dropped. "OHH! He can speak after all!"
Masashi nodded. "Indeed. Soul energy is believed to flow from this source into all living things through this connection – the law of the source."
He paused, letting the weight of the words settle.
"So we all receive our soul energy from there," he continued. "The connection cannot be destroyed. But it can be blocked or severed by corruption."
Kuro leaned forward. "Corruption, sir?"
Masashi nodded. "Yes. You will understand more when Ryoma takes you through the course on Aura."
He turned back to the board. "Now, once this connection is cut off, one loses the ability to wield aura. Their senses deteriorate and, with time, they cease to exist. But their soul energy returns to the source – to be reborn in another."
The whole class sat in awe. Voices whispered across the room.
Tatsuya raised his hand. "What about the other two laws, sir?"
Masashi turned. "The law of conversion states that only through training and mastery of soul energy can one finally convert soul energy into aura – a phenomenon known as manifestation."
He paused. "However, most except for Auras never achieve this."
"And the third law?"
"The law of colour," Masashi said, "states that the wavelength of aura one manifests may be linked to genetics or a core feeling. This will be covered in depth by the Grandprincipal in the next quarter of your training."
Masashi scanned the room. "Now that you have a grasp on the laws, i bet the real question on all your minds is – how do we Auras control soul energy?"
The class leaned forward.
"Soul energy is wild by nature," Masashi continued. "Untamed. It lies dormant within the core of your being. Your job as spirit apprentices is to learn how to access, channel, and regulate it. Only then can you hope to master it and awaken your aura."
Yuko hesitantly raised her hand.
"Um... sir?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"How exactly... can we... um... master all this?"
Masashi held up three fingers. Everyone observed in silence.
"There are three stages to mastering soul energy."
He lowered one finger. "Stage One: Awareness." You learn to access your core being in your inner world. Here, you should be able to reach out to a ball of white energy with your inner self and channel this power into your body. To sense it moving through you."
Everyone gasped in amazement. Even a curious Masuyo was intrigued as Masashi proceeded to explain.
He lowered a second finger. "Stage Two: Regulation." You learn to calm the flow of this energy. To stop leaks. To control how much you take in from your core, how much you emit and when. This takes most of the year."
He lowered the final finger. "Stage Three: Conversion." This is where soul energy becomes Aura. You will not reach this stage until your second year – as spirit masters. If you work hard enough, this is where your journey as an Aura truly begins."
Izuku's fierce hand shot up.
"Oh man, so no blasting stuff yet?"
Masashi sighed. "Not yet, Izuku. First, learn to feel. Then, calm. Then, shape. Aura comes last."
Masashi pulls out a small crystal orb from his pocket. "Now, why don't I test who was paying attention. Makoto – why don't you come and try showing us these stages in practice?"
Makoto stood and walked to the front. Masashi handed him the orb.
"This orb was specially made by one of the Grandmasters with her Aura powers," Masashi explained.
The whole class was in awe. Masuyo kept getting intrigued even more.
"I want you to try channeling your soul energy to the palm of your hand holding the orb," Masashi instructed.
Makoto said nothing. Everyone carefully observed as he tried to light up the orb. He grunted softly.
Just then, the orb flickered a few times, then glowed a pale white for five seconds before stopping. Makoto lowered his hand gently, a light sweat on his brow.
"Waaah!" everyone exclaimed.
"It was an overwhelming rush your first time, wasn't it?" Masashi asked.
Makoto nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Seems you are at basic Stage Two or advanced Stage One," Masashi observed. "not bad considering it was your first ever attempt, most cant get it to even flicker like you did just now"
Masuyo's eyebrows were raised at the sight. Masashi picked up on this.
"Masuyo, why don't you close out the class practice for today?"
Masuyo blinked. "Uh?! Me, sir?"
Masashi held out the orb. Masuyo had no choice. He got up, walked to the front, and took the orb. He lifted it to his face with a calm expression, looking at the class. Then he closed his eyes.
A few seconds passed.
Then the entire room erupted.
"WOAH!"
The orb shone with a blinding white light – calm, radiant, visible even outside where a shocked Yuuta's attention was grabbed at the training grounds.
Masashi covered his eyes. Incredible, he thought. There's no way... at his age? On the first try?
Meanwhile, back in the homeroom, an unaware Masuyo opened his eyes in shock.
"Huh?!"
He nearly dropped the orb. For a moment, everyone was silent. Then a wave of cheers erupted as everyone clapped their hands, standing up.
Shinjiro muttered, "What was that?"
Masuyo muttered back, "I don't know."
Ryoichi remained speechless. So too did Masashi sensei.
Masashi raised a hand. "Alright, quiet down, everyone."
The cheers faded.
"In all my years," Masashi said, "I have never seen any freshman with such potential and control."
Not even Yuuta in his prime could— he thought, but did not finish.
"Excellent job," Masashi said calmly. "You can sit down."
Masuyo proceeded to take his seat. Next to him, Kuro clenched his fist on the table, not wanting to be outdone. Ryoichi turned back to Masuyo.
"What was that?!" Ryoichi whispered.
Masuyo raised his hands in the air, shaking his head in disbelief. "I have no idea."
Masashi continued. "Now, over the next three months of this quarter, we will continue with practice for Stages One and Two. It won't be easy, but you have two years to perfect mastery of soul energy and awaken your aura before graduation."
He paused.
"Which brings me to my last point. At the end of this quarter, there will be a practical assessment of your skill. And you will all be ranked."
Everyone froze. Some groaned. Others shrugged it off. Some stayed quiet. Izuku gasped from ear to ear.
"So work hard!" Masashi announced.
"Sir!" the class answered in unison.
"Class dismissed."
Everyone exited the homeroom, but the word on everyone's lips was Masuyo's showcase earlier. As the halls emptied and Masashi prepared to leave, Yuuta walked in.
"Masashi sensei," Yuuta said, his voice cold but calm.
Masashi turned. "We are peers now. No need for the formality."
"You are still my senior," Yuuta replied.
Masashi crossed his arms. "If you insist. But that is not why you are here, is it?"
Yuuta's eyes narrowed. "No. Earlier – that bright light. Who was that? Was it you showing off to the students?"
Masashi chuckled. "Hmph. You should know my energy signature by now."
Yuuta's expression shifted. "That was a student? Which one?"
"The one you bumped into at orientation," Masashi said simply.
Yuuta gritted his teeth, shock and disbelief washing over him. Him? he thought. How? There's no way!
"Don't believe me?" Masashi said. "You will see for yourself at the assessment."
He began to walk off but paused next to Yuuta.
"You know," Masashi added quietly, "he shows more potential than most – even yours."
Masashi walked out, leaving a frustrated Yuuta frozen in disbelief.
The first quarter of the academy year came to an end. Winter was on the horizon, and in that time, the spirit apprentices of Class 1 had changed.
No longer were they the nervous freshmen who walked through the gates on day one. They had learned to channel their soul energy. Most had reached Stage One: Awareness. A few were already knocking on the door of Stage Two: Regulation.
The assessment was done. And in no time, the results were published.
One by one, names appeared under the heading "First Quarter Rankings – Soul Energy Mastery."
At the top, Masuyo – Stage Two: Regulation. The note beside his name read: Effortless. Unconscious. Doesn't even seem to try.
Shinjiro stared at the board. Then at Masuyo. He wasn't even looking. Staring out the window again.
Kuro came second – Stage One: Awareness, Peak. Raw power is immense, but control is shaky. Tatsuya's jaw tightened when he saw his own name below Kuro's.
Shi held third – Stage One: Peak. Discipline carries her far. She nodded to herself, satisfied.
Ryoichi was fourth – Stage One: Advanced. Observation gives him an edge. He said nothing, but his eyes moved across the board, memorizing every detail.
Tatsuya rounded out the top five – Stage One: Advanced. Textbook. Predictable. Effective. He smiled a tight, controlled smile. "Not first. But not last."
Shinjiro came sixth – Stage One: Intermediate. Determination over talent. She crossed her arms and looked away. She would climb.
Makoto sat at seventh – Stage One: Intermediate. Hard to read. Holds back. The note had a question mark beside it. No one knew what he was capable of.
Yuko was eighth – Stage One: Basic. Lacks confidence but shows potential. She looked down at her desk.
Izuku came ninth – Stage One: Basic. Leaks energy constantly. Impulsive. She didn't seem bothered. "At least I'm not last!" she whispered loudly.
Aya and Tomoko held the bottom two spots – tenth and eleventh. Average. Unremarkable. Same as Aya. Neither spoke. But both glared at the board with quiet resentment.
The class stared at the rankings. Some smiled. Some frowned. Some – like Masuyo – weren't even looking.
He was staring out the window again.
That evening, Yuuta stood alone in his office. The rankings were spread across his desk.
His eyes burned into the name at the top.
Masuyo.
He picked up a pen and wrote the name on a blank sheet of paper. Then he stopped. Stared at it.
Stage Two. Regulation. First quarter.
He set the pen down.
"He didn't even try," Yuuta whispered to himself. "And he's already beyond most of them."
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
Masashi's words echoed in his mind. He shows more potential than most – even yours.
Yuuta's jaw tightened.
"Fine," he said quietly. "Let's see how long your talent carries you."
He folded the paper with Masuyo's name and slipped it into his desk drawer.
Then he stood and walked to the window, looking out at the darkening academy grounds.
"Talent without effort," he whispered, "always runs out."
END OF CHAPTER 3