BOOOOOM!
Overwhelming power exploded through him, it felt like every river in the kingdom had been channeled through his body at once, filling every empty space within him with raw, unfiltered energy.
His veins lit up beneath his skin, pathways of light spreading across his arms, his chest, his face. The Honshitsu flowed through him. He was it, and it was him.
More and more power poured in, far beyond anything he'd ever felt. His consciousness expanded, touching the edges of something vast and incomprehensible.
This is... this is...!
…
Skyreach Peak, Zenkai Academy.
"Sir… Sir! we've arrived!"
Itsuki's eyes snapped open with a violent gasp.
He was back in the carriage, hand clutching his chest as his heart pounded against his ribs. Sweat covering his face.
The driver peered in through the open door with a concerned expression. "Are you alright, sir?"
Takumi and Kairo were already outside, stretching with lazy yawns. Sayaka stood by the carriage steps, adjusting her belongings.
"I'm... I'm fine," Itsuki managed, wiping the sweat from his brow.
He leaned slightly to look through the window; he could see massive stone walls rising upward, easily forty feet high, with guard towers positioned at regular intervals. Beyond them, he caught glimpses of elegant rooftops and training halls.
He looked down at his shaking hands. They looked normal. Yet he could still feel it, reverberating through his bones. The memory of touching that sphere. The sensation of becoming whole.
"Itsuki!" Takumi called from outside. "You coming or what?"
Itsuki forced himself to stand on shaky legs and grabbed his bag from the rear of the carriage. He stepped out into the morning air, joining the others.
The four of them made their way toward the main gate, their footsteps tapping against the stone path leading up to the massive entrance. Two guards stood stationed at their posts, their postures rigid and alert.
As they approached, Itsuki cleared his throat. "Morning—"
Before he could finish, one of the guards turned with a wide grin. "Hello there, mate! What can I do for ya?"
Itsuki and the others blinked, stunned by the thick, unfamiliar accent rolling off the guard's tongue.
Sayaka stepped forward, "We're the new recruits."
"Recruits?" The guard's face brightened. "Oh yeah, we got a bunch of you little lads coming in lately!" He pulled out a worn list from his desk and squinted at it. "Right then, names?"
They gave their names one by one. The guard's finger traced down the parchment until he nodded with satisfaction.
"Oh yeah, mate, I see ya names here. You may go in."
He turned to a panel embedded in the stone wall beside the gate. His fingers moved across it in a specific sequence, and the panel glowed with soft blue light. Honshitsu-powered mechanisms hummed to life within the walls.
GRRRRRRRR—CLANK!
The massive gates began to part, metal grinding against stone as they slowly swung open.
As the gates fully opened, a tall, calm-looking man stood waiting on the other side.
He wore a black coat with gold trim, his silver-white hair framing sharp green eyes. In his gloved hands, he held a leather-bound ledger.
The man noticed them and walked over. "Welcome to Zenkai Academy, we have been expecting you." He bowed gracefully, one hand placed over his chest.
Sayaka returned the courtesy with a bow of her own. Itsuki, Takumi, and Kairo exchanged confused glances before hastily mimicking her gesture.
"My name is Sir Himons Fuyutsuki, and I will be your guide. I assume you are Itsuki, Takumi, Kairo, and Sayaka, correct?"
Itsuki's eyes widened. Sir? A knight?!
"Yes, sir," Sayaka replied instantly, speaking for all of them.
The girl must be the prodigy Takashi mentioned... Sir Fuyutsuki's gaze rested on Sayaka for a brief moment before he turned toward the massive building behind him. "Allow me to show you around. Do stay close."
They followed him through the entrance into the great hall. The space rose impossibly high, with polished wooden pillars reaching toward a vaulted ceiling. Sunlight came through tall windows, illuminating carvings along the walls depicting warriors locked in combat, their forms frozen mid-strike.
Itsuki's gaze drifted upward. Above the main archway, carved into dark wood and painted in gold, were the words:
'Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.'
They passed training areas, meditation rooms and open walkways where older students practiced in silence. Sir Fuyutsuki spoke only when needed, giving short explanations as they moved.
They continued through the great hall. Sir Fuyutsuki led them to where the corridor split into two paths, each lined with railings and lit by hanging lanterns.
Itsuki looked upward and stopped. On the second floor landing above, a figure lay sprawled across the stone pavement.
"Sir Fuyutsuki," Itsuki said, pointing upward. "Who is that person lying there?"
Sir Fuyutsuki glanced up. "Ah, that would be Argenti. He is one of the few prodigies within this Academy."
"Why is he sleeping there? Isn't he supposed to be training?"
A faint smile crossed Sir Fuyutsuki's lips. "Argenti has never trained a day in his life. He hails from the Asterion bloodline."
"Asterion?" Itsuki blurted out. "As in the Asterion clan?!!"
"Indeed," Sir Fuyutsuki replied. "The very same."
The Asterion bloodline was one of the three most powerful families in the entire kingdom. For generations, they had produced warriors of exceptional strength and skill. They were renowned throughout Lyrianth for their unique Birthright ability known as Kage Shihai, the manipulation of shadows themselves.
Members of the Asterion bloodline could bend darkness to their will, using it for both offense and defense. Some could even travel through shadows, appearing and disappearing at will. Their reputation was both feared and respected across all five domains.
Takumi scratched his head. "If he doesn't train, why is he even at the Academy?"
"Every combatant requires a license," Sir Fuyutsuki explained calmly. "Such certification can only be acquired by graduating from a recognized Academy within the kingdom. Regardless of one's natural talent or lineage, this law applies to all."
They followed Sir Fuyutsuki up the stairs and through another corridor until they reached the dormitory area. He gestured to the left where a long hallway lay ahead, lined with wooden doors on both sides.
"This is the male dormitory, and these are your rooms," Sir Fuyutsuki said. "You may take today to settle in and familiarize yourselves with the grounds. All new recruits will be addressed tomorrow morning at 8am. The dormitory is only a five-minute walk from the main training halls, so you need not worry about being late."
Itsuki, Takumi, and Kairo bowed. "Thank you, Sir Fuyutsuki!" They said simultaneously.
Sir Fuyutsuki smiled before turning to escort Sayaka to the other wing where the female dormitory was located.
The three of them entered their assigned room. Itsuki looked around. The space was modest and well-kept. Three beds were arranged against the walls, each with a simple wooden frame and clean white sheets. A small desk sat near the window, and a wardrobe stood in the corner.
"Oh yeah!!"
Bounce! Bounce!
Takumi immediately launched himself onto the middle bed, bouncing slightly as he landed.
Kairo walked to the bed on the left and dropped his bag beside it. "I guess I'll be on this side then." He sat down and tested the mattress with a few pats.
"Not bad," Kairo said, leaning back. "Beats the old training hall floors back home."
Takumi propped himself up on his elbows. "You think they have a cafeteria here? I'm starving!"
Kairo stood up and stretched. "Come on, let's go find it."
Takumi hopped off his bed, turning to Itsuki, he asked: "You coming?"
Itsuki walked over to the bed on the right and set his bag down. "Nah, you guys go ahead. Just grab me something."
The truth was, he hadn't slept at all during the journey. The entire night in the carriage, that strange dream had consumed him. The white void, the reflection, the sphere of light. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt himself being pulled back to that place.
"Okay, we'll bring you back something," Takumi said as they both headed toward the door.
The door closed behind them, leaving Itsuki alone.
He sat on the edge of his bed and noticed a letter on his pillow. Picking it up, he unfolded the parchment carefully. The letter was written in elegant script:
────୨ ZENKAI ACADEMY ৎ────
To the New Recruit,
Congratulations on your acceptance into Zenkai Academy. You have proven yourself worthy through the trials, and now begins the true test of your resolve.
Within these halls, you will be forged into a warrior of strength, discipline, and honor. Train diligently, respect your peers, and never forget why you are here.
The path ahead will not be easy, but those who endure will rise beyond their limits.
Welcome to Zenkai.
— Sensei Yoshio Zenkai
Grandmaster of Zenkai Academy
────୨ ৎ────