Huh? For a moment, Itsuki didn't move, then slowly he looked down at the right side of his chest and saw a diamond-shaped badge, gleaming brilliantly against his uniform.
He stared up to meet the gaze of Takumi and Kairo.
"D-Diamond?!" Kairo whispered. "But you... you didn't even have an ability..."
Takumi stared, his mouth open. His eyes darted between the badge and Itsuki's face.
I never told them. How could I? I barely understand it myself… A Divine-ranked ability. But what does that even mean? Why did it awaken now, of all times? And why is it classified at the highest tier? Nui, the sphere of light... None of that makes sense. I can't explain any of it without sounding insane!
I need to say something. Anything! But what can I tell them that won't raise more questions?
"I..emm..." Itsuki started, "I did awaken an ability."
"What? When?" Kairo asked, leaning in.
"After we arrived in the city," Itsuki replied. "I wasn't sure what it was at first. I'm still figuring it out."
The leaf splitting before my blade touched it, the white-haired version of myself in that frozen void... I don't understand any of it yet.
"And it's already classified as Divine rarity?"
I don't know why the pen wrote Diamond. I don't know what makes Edge of Order so special that it ranks alongside abilities passed down through legendary bloodlines.
"I don't know," Itsuki admitted.
The pen continued writing, the sound of its movements breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.
"Takumi Kazuhiko. Bronze Segment."
A bronze badge appeared on Takumi's chest. He glanced down at it, then back at Itsuki.
"Kairo Huisiji. Gold Segment." Kairo received his badge with a nod.
The pen continued its work, calling name after name, assigning segment after segment. Gasps and rustling filled the hall.
After all the names were called, Miura stepped forward once more.
"Your segments have been assigned. You will meet your instructors shortly and begin your training. But before you are dismissed, allow me to introduce the one who made all of this possible."
Miura turned toward the old man seated in the center of the platform.
The old man rose from his chair. Despite his age, he moved with grace.
"Students," Miura said, "I present to you Sensei Yoshio Zenkai, founder of this academy."
The hall fell silent. The seniors immediately knelt down before him. Seeing this, the new students knelt down too.
Itsuki knelt alongside his friends. Yoshio's gaze swept across the hall, pausing briefly on him.
Does he know? Can he sense that there's something different about my ability?
Yoshio smiled. "Welcome once again, young warriors, to Zenkai Academy."
"Within these walls, you will be tested. You will struggle. You will fail, and you will rise again. That is the path of a warrior."
"But remember this: your segment does not define your worth. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond... these are merely classifications of rarity, not measures of strength or spirit."
Yoshio continued, "I have seen Bronze warriors surpass Gold. I have witnessed those born with common abilities achieve greatness through sheer will and dedication. And I have watched those blessed with Divine powers falter because they relied solely on what they were given, rather than what they could become."
"Train well. Honor your instructors. Respect your peers." Yoshio's voice grew softer. "And never forget why you are here."
Miura bowed his head and raised it.
"You are all dismissed."
The students rose to their feet. Shuffling and quiet conversation filled the hall.
Takumi moved closer to Itsuki. "Dude, we need to talk about this."
"Later," Itsuki replied quietly. "Not here."
Kairo glanced around at the other students. Some were already staring in their direction, their eyes fixed on Itsuki's diamond badge.
"True," Kairo agreed. "Let's get out of here first."
The three of them made their way toward the exit, weaving through the crowd. Itsuki kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone who looked his way.
Tomorrow I'll meet the instructor. Maybe they can help me understand what Edge of Order actually is, maybe they can tell me why it's ranked so high.
There were no mistakes in the classification system. The pen wrote what it sensed. And what it sensed in him was something Divine.
They stepped out into the morning air, footsteps approached from the opposite direction.
Sayaka walked toward them, her pace unhurried. She carried herself with the same composed air she'd had in the carriage.
"Hey!" Takumi raised a hand. "You're from the carriage ride, right? Sayaka, wasn't it?"
She didn't slow down. Her gaze passed over them like they were part of the walls. She continued walking.
"What's with this girl?" Kairo muttered.
"Maybe she didn't hear you," Itsuki offered.
"Didn't hear me?" Takumi scoffed. "I was loud enough. She just..." He paused, his eyes widening. "Wait, did you guys see that?"
"See what?" Kairo asked.
"The badge on her chest." Takumi's voice dropped. "It was diamond. Just like Itsuki's."
Itsuki had noticed it too.
"A rather big chest too," Takumi added, a grin spreading across his face.
Smack!
Kairo's hand connected with the back of Takumi's head.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"You know exactly what that was for…"
Takumi rubbed his head, still grinning. "I'm just making an observation..."
"Keep your observations to yourself."
Itsuki shook his head. Some things never changed.
They turned left at the main courtyard, following the flow of other students heading toward the first building. The academy was structured like a small city, multiple buildings connected by covered walkways and open courtyards.
The first building houses the training grounds. Sir Fuyutsuki mentioned it yesterday. Each segment has its own dedicated area within. Bronze on the first floor, Silver on the second, Gold on the third, and Diamond at the top.
Makes sense. Keeps the different levels separated during practice. Prevents accidents when someone's learning to control their ability.
They reached the entrance. Other new students were already gathering, sorting themselves by the badges on their chests. Bronze students moved toward the left staircase, Silver to the right. Gold students headed for the central stairs.
"Guess we split up here," Takumi said, eyeing the left staircase.
"Looks like it," Kairo replied. He glanced at Itsuki. "See you after training?"
"Yeah." Itsuki nodded.
Takumi and Kairo joined their respective groups. Itsuki watched them disappear into the crowd before turning toward the central stairs.
Diamond is at the top. Fourth floor…