The morning sun was warm over the academy grounds. Masuyo and Shinjiro jogged toward the Great Hall, both panting heavily.
"Hurry up, Masuyo!" Shinjiro shouted between breaths. "We don't want to be late today of all days!"
"Okay, okay..." Masuyo replied, struggling to keep pace.
Up ahead, Ryoma stood by the door. He spotted them, raised an eyebrow, and shook his head with a small smile. Just as they reached the entrance, he closed the door behind them.
"Made it!" Shinjiro gasped.
"Yeah..." Masuyo exhaled.
Ryoma looked at them both. "You two gotta know better. You're lucky it was me here and not Osaki. Get in."
Masuyo and Shinjiro bowed their heads. "Thank you!"
---
Inside, the Great Hall was crowded with students their age, all talking and interacting with one another. In a corner at the back, a kid sat alone, watching everyone else longingly.
Masuyo walked over. "Hey, what are you here moping around for?"
The kid said nothing.
Shinjiro crossed her arms. "What, are you deaf or something?"
The kid flinched. "Um... no..."
"Say, what's your name?" Masuyo asked.
"Ryo... Ryoichi."
"Ryoichi, huh?" Masuyo smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Masuyo. This is my friend Shinjiro."
"Um... nice to meet you both," Ryoichi said quietly.
Shinjiro turned away. "Hmph... sure, whatever."
Masuyo patted Ryoichi's shoulder. "Don't mind her. She's cold at first, but she'll warm up to you."
Ryoichi laughed nervously.
---
"Hey, you three! Over here!"
Osaki called out from across the hall. The three friends ran over. Osaki looked annoyed, his frown deep. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Ryoma tapped his shoulder.
"Don't let his face fool you," Ryoma said. "This idiot loves to play tricks."
Osaki's frown flipped into a wide grin. "Geez, Ryoma! Way to be a party pooper!"
Masuyo, Shinjiro, and Ryoichi laughed nervously.
---
Ryoma glanced toward the stage. "Looks like it's almost time to begin."
Osaki smiled maniacally. "Seems so!"
A man walked onto the stage and tapped the microphone. This was Masashi, the instructor.
"Welcome, new freshmen," Masashi announced. "If you made it here, congratulations. You passed the entrance exam and are one step closer to becoming a fully fledged Aura."
The hall erupted with thunderous cheers and applause.
Masashi raised a hand. "I won't bore you with a long speech. Please welcome to the stage... YUUTA!"
---
The room exploded even louder – a mix of amazement and excitement.
"Just as expected from Mr. Popular," Ryoma said.
Osaki chuckled. "That's the reception fit for the youngest Aura Master in history, indeed."
Masuyo watched, surprised. Who is this guy?
Suddenly, a voice spoke from beside him. A new student.
"I see you've already met two-thirds of the Yuuta trio," the boy said.
Masuyo turned. "Yuuta trio?"
"I'm Tatsuya. Pleased to meet you."
Shinjiro interrupted. "I'm Shinjiro. What do you mean, 'the Yuuta trio'?"
Before Tatsuya could answer, two girls appeared behind Shinjiro, giggling.
Shinjiro shot them a cold glare. "You got something to say?"
"You don't go here, do you?" Tomoko asked.
"Yeah, and what of it?" Shinjiro snapped.
Aya waved a hand. "Don't bother with her, Tomoko. She's not worth it."
Shinjiro's face tightened. She clenched her fists. Masuyo noticed.
Uh-oh. Better step in before things get ugly...
From the back of the small crowd, a voice bellowed.
"SHUT UP!"
Aya and Tomoko turned, annoyed.
"Quit thinking you're better than everyone and shut the hell up!" Izuku shouted, nervous but firm.
Aya and Tomoko crossed their arms and walked away.
"Honestly..." Izuku muttered.
Ryoichi: "He's about to address us."
---
On stage, Yuuta began speaking. Osaki, Ryoma, and Masashi listened from nearby.
"Thank you," Yuuta said. "Congratulations, freshmen. You'll amp up our military strength."
Masuyo muttered under his breath. "Must he be so formal?"
Ryoma shook his head. "He's well known. He has to set a good example."
Osaki chuckled. "Hmph. You won't find me being a puppet. Hacha cha!"
Masuyo watched awkwardly as Osaki laughed sincerely.
Back on stage, Yuuta continued. "Standing here, I speak as both your teacher and senior. Being an Aura isn't easy. But you showed up. That means you've got resolve. Hold onto that."
Just before Yuuta finished, his eyes locked onto Masuyo. A cold stare. Masuyo didn't waver.
"Thank you," Yuuta said.
---
Everyone cheered as Yuuta walked off stage. Masashi reclaimed the microphone. Shinjiro called Masuyo over. As Masuyo turned, he accidentally bumped into Yuuta.
Yuuta frowned, his expression dark. "Watch where you're going, kid!"
Masuyo stepped forward. "Oh yeah? Well—"
Ryoma stepped between them. "Easy. Just a little bump."
Osaki grinned. "Let 'em fight! Hacha cha!"
Ryoma shot him a look. "Shut it, Osaki."
Yuuta scoffed and walked away. Osaki and Ryoma followed. Masuyo was left alone with his thoughts.
What's his deal?
Shinjiro walked up to him, concerned. "You okay, Masu?"
Masuyo glanced at Yuuta leaving. "Yeah. Nothing. Don't worry about it."
On stage, Masashi made another announcement. "Please welcome... Grandprincipal Takeru!"
Ryoichi watched in awe. "Looks like it's time for the closing remarks."
Shinjiro nodded. "Let's go up front and listen, yeah?"
"Yeah, sure," Masuyo said.
Grandprincipal Takeru walked onto the stage. His presence was overwhelming. Everyone watched, feeling uneasy from the aura he gave off.
Takeru laughed. "Hahaha! No need for formality, Masashi. Thank you, everyone. I am Grandprincipal Takeru. But here at the academy, you shall know me simply as Grandprincipal... or Takeru-sensei."
Ryoichi whispered. "Wow... so this is a Grandmaster. No wonder the atmosphere shifted."
Tatsuya agreed. "No kidding. I almost lost my balance just standing."
Takeru continued. "I don't have much to say, except... enjoy this journey. The future of our kingdom is now growing in your hands. Work hard, and you'll be fine. My office is always open."
Izuku leaned over to Ryoichi. "Masashi-sensei doesn't talk about it, but I bet he's stronger than the Grandprincipal."
Shinjiro thought to herself. These elites really are something.
Takeru raised a hand. "Let's call it a wrap. See you in class next week."
---
Everyone left the Great Hall. Some went to orientation activities. Masuyo and his friends headed home.
"See you next week," Masuyo said.
Shinjiro pointed at him. "Don't come home late, Masuyo!"
Ryoichi laughed. "See you at school."
They separated, walking into an orange sunset.
Masuyo glanced over his shoulder one last time.
Across the departing crowd, Yuuta stood alone. He wasn't smiling. His eyes followed Masuyo.
Cold. Silent.
Yuuta turned and walked the opposite direction – away from the academy gates, toward something else.
Why does he keep staring at me? Masuyo thought.
---
END OF CHAPTER 1
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