Leaving the Academy Grounds
The sun was beginning to dip when the crowd finally thinned.
Laughter, chatter, and excited voices filled the academy courtyard as students went their separate ways—some celebrating, some planning, some already dreaming of what came next.
Dazai, Kaizer, and Azlea walked side by side.
For once—
There was no tension.
No pressure.
Just relief.
Kaizer stretched his arms behind his head.
"Top 100, huh… not bad at all."
Azlea smiled slightly.
"Not bad? We survived one of the hardest entrance exams in the world."
Kaizer grinned.
"Exactly. So we're basically legends already."
Dazai shook his head faintly.
"Relax. This was just the beginning."
Kaizer looked at him sideways.
"…You've changed."
Dazai didn't reply.
But Azlea noticed.
And she understood.
An Unexpected Encounter
"Dazai Spartacus."
A calm, confident voice stopped them.
The trio turned.
Two figures stood a few steps away.
A tall boy with silver hair that shimmered in the fading sunlight… and eyes just as silver, sharp and steady.
Beside him—
A girl.
Same silver hair.
Same silver eyes.
But her expression was colder.
More guarded.
More intense.
Kaizer whispered,
"…Who are they?"
Azlea's expression changed instantly.
She straightened her posture.
"…Be careful.
"
The boy stepped forward.
A faint smile on his face.
"I wanted to meet you."
He extended his hand.
"I'm Asher Whitestar."
A pause.
"Rank 1."
Kaizer blinked.
"…Oh."
Dazai simply looked at his hand.
Then shook it.
"Dazai."
Simple.
No change in tone.
No awe.
No hesitation.
Asher's smile widened slightly.
"Congratulations. Rank 8 is impressive."
Before Dazai could respond—
"Barely."
The girl spoke.
Her tone sharp.
Critical.
Cold.
Azlea immediately bowed slightly.
"It's an honor to meet you both."
Kaizer and Dazai looked at her like—
What just happened?
The girl crossed her arms.
"I'm Aria Whitestar."
"Rank 3."
She looked directly at Dazai.
"…Don't get arrogant."
Kaizer raised an eyebrow.
"…Excuse me?"
Asher sighed lightly.
"Please don't mind her. She's always like this."
THWACK
Aria hit him on the arm.
"Don't say that!"
Kaizer leaned toward Dazai.
"…They fight like siblings."
Azlea whispered urgently,
"They ARE siblings."
"…And one of the most powerful noble families."
Kaizer blinked again.
"…Oh."
A Strange Interaction
Asher chuckled.
"We've heard about you."
Dazai raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
Asher nodded.
"The academy talks fast."
Aria looked away slightly.
"…Especially about anomalies."
Dazai noticed.
But didn't react.
Kaizer stepped forward.
"So what? You here to challenge him or something?"
Asher shook his head.
"No."
Then he looked at Dazai again.
"I'm here to build connections."
A pause.
"…And maybe a friendship."
Kaizer smirked.
"Bold move."
Dazai thought for a second.
Then nodded slightly.
"…Sure."
Azlea internally panicked.
HE JUST SAID SURE LIKE THAT?!
Small Moments
They talked briefly.
Nothing too deep.
But enough to understand each other.
Asher was calm, composed, confident.
Aria—
Cold.
Sharp.
But strangely…
She avoided looking directly at Dazai for too long.
Kaizer noticed.
And smirked.
Interesting.
Departure
After a short while—
Asher stepped back.
"We'll meet again."
Aria crossed her arms.
"…Try not to fall behind."
Kaizer scoffed.
"We'll see about that."
They left.
Their presence lingering even after they disappeared.
Back at the Hotel
Anugus was waiting.
Leaning against the wall.
Arms crossed.
"…Took your time."
Kaizer grinned.
"You should've seen it—"
Azlea cut in,
"we met the Whitestar twins."
Anugus's expression shifted slightly.
"…I see."
Dazai dropped onto a chair.
"…They're strong."
Anugus nodded.
"More than strong."
Then he looked at them.
"…But so are you."
The Plan
Anugus spoke calmly.
"We leave tomorrow."
Kaizer groaned.
"Already?"
Azlea nodded.
"That's enough time."
Anugus added,
"Use today."
"Rest."
"Or explore."
Kaizer immediately pointed at Dazai.
"We're sleeping."
Dazai nodded.
"Agreed."
Azlea sighed.
"Unbelievable."
Split Paths
Azlea and Anugus went out.
The city was alive.
Markets buzzing.
Magic items glowing.
Voices everywhere.
Azlea's eyes sparkled.
"…This is amazing."
Anugus smirked faintly.
"Don't get lost."
She bought:
Books
Magical trinkets
Accessories
Small weapons
Anugus carried everything.
Silently suffering.
"…You're enjoying this too much."
Azlea smiled.
"Yes."
Meanwhile…
Back at the hotel—
Dazai and Kaizer were already asleep.
Completely gone.
Dead to the world.
Whitestar Cart
On the other side of the city—
A luxurious cart moved steadily.
Inside—
Asher leaned back casually.
Aria looked out the window.
Silent.
Then—
Asher smirked.
"You were avoiding eye contact."
Aria froze.
"…No, I wasn't."
Asher grinned wider.
"Really?"
"…Yes."
He leaned forward.
"You sure?"
THWACK
She hit him again.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Asher laughed.
"…You're blushing."
Aria turned her face away.
"…Shut up."
She looked outside again.
But this time—
Her thoughts weren't on the city.
…Why did it feel different?
She didn't understand.
And that annoyed her more than anything.
Night Falls
Azlea and Anugus returned.
Loaded with items.
They opened the door—
And saw two sleeping corpses.
Kaizer snoring loudly.
Dazai completely still.
Azlea sighed.
"…Unbelievable."
Midnight Awakening
Suddenly—
Kaizer sat up.
"…Wait."
Dazai blinked.
"…What?"
Kaizer looked around.
"…We missed everything."
Dazai froze.
"…We did."
Silence.
Then—
They looked at each other.
At the same time.
Same thought.
Same expression.
"…You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah."
"…Let's go."
Night Adventure
They sneaked out.
Quietly.
Carefully.
Successfully.
"…We're geniuses."
They explored the city.
Ate everything.
Played games.
Bought random cool stuff.
Kaizer held a glowing dagger.
"BRO LOOK AT THIS!"
Dazai tried different food.
"…This is actually good."
They laughed.
Enjoyed.
Forgot everything.
The Realization
Then—
Kaizer checked the pouch.
"…Dazai."
"…Yeah?"
"…We're broke."
Silence.
Dazai checked.
"…Completely."
Both froze.
"…We're dead."
"…We're so dead."
Desperation
They walked back slowly.
Depressed.
Terrified.
Imagining Azlea's reaction.
"…She's going to kill us."
"…Yeah."
Then—
A voice echoed.
"Defeat him and win 20 gold and 50 silver coins!"
They stopped.
Looked at each other.
Slowly smiled.
"…You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"…Absolutely."
Arm Wrestling Arena
A crowd gathered.
A huge guy stood in the center.
Crushing opponents easily.
Dazai stepped forward.
"I'll try."
The crowd laughed.
"This kid?"
"Easy money."
The Match
They locked hands.
The signal—
GO.
The man pushed.
Hard.
Dazai didn't move.
Then—
Slowly—
He pushed back.
The table creaked.
The man's expression changed.
"…What?"
Then—
SLAM
Victory.
Silence.
Then chaos.
"No way!"
Kaizer jumped.
"THAT'S MY BROTHER!"
Money secured.
Return
They returned quietly.
Loaded with items.
Money restored.
Mission successful.
Morning Chaos
Azlea walked in.
Saw everything.
"…What."
Anugus blinked.
"…Interesting."
They looked at the sleeping duo.
Azlea walked up.
"Wake up."
No response.
"WAKE UP!"
They jumped.
"WE'RE AWAKE!"
"…Explain."
They explained everything.
Happily.
Proudly.
Azlea sighed.
"…I give up."
Journey Home
They packed.
Left the city.
Crossed the massive gates again.
The journey back began.
Six days.
Stories.
Laughter.
Growth.
Return to Ashura
Finally—
They arrived.
Home.
Familiar.
Peaceful.
But different now.
Because they had changed.
Closing Scene
Kaizer stretched.
"Back home."
Azlea smiled softly.
"…Yeah."
Dazai looked ahead.
At Ashura.
At the future.
"…Let's get stronger."
The world had opened.
New rivals.
New paths.
New challenges.
And this was only—
The beginning.