The chilly night got a tad bit colder as Hikari sneaked outside, blending into his shadow and slipping away without permission from Mitsumi's parents. The streets were eerily quiet, the dim glow of streetlights barely cutting through the thick, lingering mist. A distant howl of wind sent a shiver down his spine as he moved swiftly through the alleys, keeping to the darkness. He couldn't shake the feeling that something about this night was different.
I wonder why Master Ryu called me. Did I do something wrong? He sounded really urgent. Hikari thought to himself, letting out a slow, measured breath. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, an anxious habit he had yet to break.
For better or for worse, this was going to be a long night.
Suddenly, a shadow detached from the darkness beside him, gliding effortlessly like liquid silk. Hikari recognized the movement immediately—it was Master Ryu. Even in the dim light, he could see the refined control in his mentor's movements, a stark contrast to his own raw, untamed abilities.
"Follow me. We're going to my place. We can't talk about it outside," Master Ryu said, his voice a quiet command that left no room for hesitation.
With a silent nod, Hikari followed, matching his pace to the effortless glide of his mentor.
Glide~
— — —
A couple of minutes later,
"Do you want some coffee?" Master Ryu asked as he moved through his study, setting a cup in front of Hikari before he could even answer. The porcelain clinked softly against the wooden table, steam curling from the dark liquid inside.
Hikari hesitated before wrapping his fingers around the warm cup, more out of instinct than actual desire for caffeine. He sat across from Master Ryu in the dimly lit study, taking in the surroundings. The air smelled of aged parchment, incense, and something faintly metallic—like old steel, a remnant of battles long past. The bookshelves lining the walls were filled with tomes of varying sizes, some ancient and worn, others sleek and modern. Weapons—katanas, daggers, and staffs—were meticulously placed on stands, each carrying a history he could only imagine.
The soft glow of a single candle flickered between them, casting long, wavering shadows across the room. Master Ryu exhaled, a long, thoughtful sigh as he settled into his seat. He stared at Hikari for a few moments, his piercing gaze studying him as if measuring his resolve. Hikari met his eyes, waiting. He had expected some kind of training regimen, a brutal exercise designed to push him past his limits.
Instead, Master Ryu's words caught him off guard.
"I'm sending you to the academy."
Hikari blinked, his grip tightening around the cup. "An academy?" he repeated, narrowing his eyes.
Master Ryu nodded, his expression calm but serious. "Yes, a school for Irregulars like yourself. You're not the first, and you certainly won't be the last. There's an entire generation of young Irregulars being trained in secret, away from the Organization's watchful eyes. You'll learn to hone your abilities alongside others who carry the same burden."
A cold shiver ran down Hikari's spine. Other Irregulars? Organization? What is Master Ryu talking about?
His mind raced, trying to piece together what little he knew. He had assumed his existence was a rare anomaly, an isolated case, but now he was being told there were others—many others.
"Where is this academy?" he asked, forcing his voice to stay steady despite the uncertainty pressing against his chest.
Master Ryu leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. "The Irregular Academy is hidden from the eyes of the world, a place beyond the reach of ordinary humans. It exists in a remote sector of Earth, protected by powerful concealment barriers that prevent its detection by the Organization and even by satellite surveillance."
He let the words sink in before continuing. "To outsiders, it's nothing but an uninhabited island, a barren wasteland. But to those who carry the mark of an Irregular, it is a sanctuary."
Hikari furrowed his brows, his mind struggling to grasp the scale of what he was being told. "If it's so well hidden, how do students get there?"
Master Ryu's lips curled into a small, knowing smirk. "Asking the right questions, I see. Through a gateway. Every night, I will take you to a specific location—one of the hidden points where a portal to the academy is accessible."
Hikari's fingers tapped against the side of his cup absentmindedly, his thoughts whirling. "A portal... Like a teleportation system?"
Master Ryu nodded. "Think of it as a transportation hub, but only those with the right energy signature can pass through. Each morning, you'll return here to attend your regular high school."
Hikari felt a headache forming. A secret academy for Irregulars, a hidden island, a gateway that would take him there every night—it all sounded like something out of a fantasy novel. And yet, he had already lived through the impossible.
"Why is it hidden?" he asked, a trace of suspicion lacing his words.
Master Ryu's expression darkened, the air in the room growing heavier. "Because long ago, Irregulars were not in hiding. They walked among humans freely, some revered as heroes, others feared as monsters. There was a time when their powers shaped the course of history."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly. "But the Organization emerged, seeing Irregulars as a threat to global stability. One by one, Irregulars were hunted, captured, and either erased from history or forced into servitude. Those who resisted were wiped out entirely. It was a massacre—a purge that nearly drove Irregulars to extinction."
Master Ryu leaned back, studying Hikari's reaction. "Well, that was just the gist of it. You'll know more when the time comes."
A lump formed in Hikari's throat. He had heard bits and pieces about the Organization's control over society, but this was something else entirely. "So this academy... it's a way to fight back?"
"Not yet," Master Ryu said. "For now, it's a place to survive. A place where the next generation can grow strong enough to protect themselves. The headmaster has been preparing for years, ensuring that when the time comes, the Irregulars will not be caught off guard again."
The weight of those words settled in Hikari's chest. This wasn't just about training. It was about survival. About ensuring the next generation didn't suffer the same fate as those who came before them.
Master Ryu stood up, his silhouette casting an imposing shadow across the study. "Come. There's no point in delaying this. Tonight, you will see the academy for yourself."
Hikari clenched his fists, his mind still processing everything. But there was no hesitation left in him. He had already stepped into a world beyond what he once thought possible.