The Day of the Spirit Weapon Ceremony
Scene 1: Spirit Hall – Morning[Wide panel: A colossal ceremonial hall filled with radiant crystal pillars. Students in formal uniforms line up, facing a glowing altar surrounded by ethereal runes. Spirit Masters float slightly above the ground in meditation, guiding the ceremony.]
Announcer Spirit Master:
"On this sacred day, we welcome the next generation of spirit-bonded warriors. One by one, your soul shall resonate with the weapon destined for you."
[Zeru stands among dozens of students. Sweat dots his forehead. His spirit mark glows faintly under his collar.]
Rei (whispering beside him):
"You good?"
Zeru:
"…Yeah. Just feels like something's pulling at me."
Scene 2: Spirit Weapon Selection Altar[Students step up one at a time. As they place a hand on the altar, a weapon of pure mana forms — a katana, a staff, a bow — then solidifies into physical form. Cheers rise with each successful bond.]
Daiki (stepping forward):
"Let's go."
[He touches the altar. A burst of blue energy surges, and a massive glaive forges in midair before landing in his hands. The crowd murmurs with admiration.]
Nara:
"Of course Daiki gets something flashy."
[Tama receives a wind-forged kunai. Rei gains a twin-bladed bow, sleek and glowing. Then—]
Announcer Spirit Master:
"Zeru of Golden Crest. Step forward."
Scene 3: Zeru at the Altar[Zeru steps forward slowly. The hall seems to grow colder, quieter. He places his hand on the altar. At first, nothing happens.]
Announcer Spirit Master (confused):
"…Student, focus your soul resonance."
[Zeru's eyes flare with Galaxy Creation Magic. The altar pulses, but then suddenly — a surge of wild, uncontrolled Phoenix flame erupts from his chest, cracking the floor beneath him.]
BOOM.
[The altar shatters. Students stagger back. Spirit Masters form barriers. Zeru is thrown back, unconscious, the burning mark of a Phoenix wing seared into his chest.]
Scene 4: Ceremony Chaos – Moments Later[Rei rushes to Zeru's side. The Masters whisper among themselves.]
Rei (shaking him):
"Zeru! Wake up—what was that?!"
Spirit Master (alarmed):
"This… This was not a spirit bond. This was a forceful awakening. That was ancient flame resonance."
Daiki (clenching fists):
"Did he just destroy the altar? That's never happened in recorded history."
Spirit Master:
"His soul rejected the altar. Or something far older claimed him first."
Scene 5: Golden Crest Infirmary – Evening[Zeru lies unconscious, body wrapped in sealing cloth with magic runes glowing dimly. Rei sits by his bed. The rest of the squad stands outside the room in silence.]
Nurse Niko (to Rei):
"Whatever's inside him now… it's not fully his yet. And it's not Galaxy Magic alone anymore."
[Close-up on Zeru's clenched hand. A faint flame crackles between his fingers — not galaxy light, but pure Phoenix fire.]
Final Panel:[Outside, a masked figure watches the Academy from a cliff under the moonlight. A dark aura rises around them.]
Masked Figure (thinking):
"So... the Phoenix has chosen a vessel. This time, we strike before it learns to fly."
Caption:
Nine days until the world changes.