Master Ryu stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the streets of the city outside the academy. It had been years since he last set foot here, and the changes were undeniable.
Buildings that once stood as modest wooden establishments had been replaced by grand structures of stone and enchanted glass, their surfaces humming faintly with energy. The streets were broader, more organized, lined with neon lanterns that floated gently above, illuminating the pathways in a rhythmic dance of soft blues, purples, and golds.
The air smelled of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and the faint metallic scent of mana-infused technology at work.
Hikari walked beside him, eyes wide as he took in the surroundings. He had expected something resembling a medieval fortress or a hidden monastery. Instead, this place felt alive, vibrant, and thriving with activity. Irregulars moved freely, their abilities on full display without fear of persecution.
A group of children played tag, laughing as they phased in and out of existence, teleporting short distances in quick bursts. A woman walked past them, her hair shifting between fiery red and deep ocean blue, reacting to her mood as she spoke animatedly to her companion.
Above them, a young man sat on a floating platform, using telekinesis to rearrange crates outside a shopfront.
Hikari took a deep breath, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer energy of the city. The faint hum of enchanted machinery mixed with the chatter of countless voices.
He could hear the rhythmic tapping of a craftsman carving runes into a staff, the crackle of controlled lightning from a street performer, and the soothing melody of a musician strumming an instrument that responded to the emotions of its player.
Everywhere he looked, magic intertwined seamlessly with daily life—no longer a hidden force but an integral part of existence.
"This place... it's like a whole different world," Hikari murmured.
Master Ryu gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "It has grown. It has changed. I vowed not to return unless I found a successor. And yet, here we are."
Hikari glanced at him. "Does it feel different?"
"It feels foreign." Master Ryu exhaled slowly, hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe. "But change was inevitable. This city has evolved beyond what I once knew. It is no longer a mere outpost for the academy but a sanctuary where Irregulars can live freely, away from the Organization's reach."
Hikari let his eyes wander again, taking in the various establishments that lined the main street. A bakery displayed loaves of bread shaped into intricate designs, glowing softly with runes that kept them warm and fresh.
A smithy showcased weapons infused with elemental energies, each one humming with restrained power. The aroma of grilled skewers drifted from a stall nearby, the vendor casually manipulating fire with his hands as he cooked.
Another vendor sold potions in crystal vials, their contents shimmering with arcane energy, promising everything from enhanced stamina to temporary invisibility.
A few streets away, a circular plaza bustled with activity, musicians playing instruments that responded to their will alone, the notes dancing in the air like living creatures.
Nearby, a tailor used strands of pure mana to weave garments in midair, adjusting the colors and patterns based on the customer's aura. A group of scholars huddled over floating tomes, their discussions punctuated by bursts of glowing sigils appearing above their heads as they debated theories of magic.
It was a city unlike anything Hikari had ever known, a fusion of the mystical and the modern, where Irregulars flourished without fear.
"Go ahead and explore," Master Ryu said suddenly, breaking Hikari from his thoughts. "I have business with the headmaster."
Hikari turned, blinking. "Just like that?"
Master Ryu smirked faintly. "You are in a city of Irregulars, not the outside world. No one here will look at you strangely for what you are. Take the time to adjust. Observe. You'll learn more that way."
Before Hikari could respond, the older man was already walking away, disappearing into the crowd. Hikari exhaled, shaking his head. "Guess I'm on my own."
He wandered through the streets, mentally noting places worth revisiting. A small café caught his attention, its wooden sign swinging gently in the breeze, the scent of rich coffee and sweet pastries wafting out.
Further down, a bookstore displayed tomes with shifting titles, their pages flipping as if alive. He passed a weapons shop where enchanted blades hovered in midair, shifting positions as if they were waiting for the right owner to choose them.
A small group of adventurers stood nearby, inspecting a map that hovered before them, glowing with shifting pathways that adjusted in real-time.
He was about to head toward a food stall when something unusual caught his eye in the city center. A hooded man sat behind a worn wooden table, a crystal ball resting on a velvet cloth before him.
Several people approached, placing their hands on the glass sphere, which glowed in different colors with each interaction.
A psychic? Hikari wondered.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he approached. The man's hood obscured his face, but his voice was warm as he spoke in fluent Japanese. "Interested in knowing your affinity? It's free, but if you have a tip, it would be appreciated."
"Affinity?" Hikari repeated.
The man gestured toward the crystal ball. "It reveals the element you resonate with the most. Every Irregular has an affinity, though some are more pronounced than others. Earth, water, fire, wind, lightning, light, darkness... The ball reacts accordingly."
Hikari's eyes flickered toward the sphere. The last person who placed their hand on it had caused it to shine with a deep red hue, streaked with flickering embers—fire affinity. Another before them had produced a calm blue glow, indicative of water.
Others displayed shades of green for earth, white for wind, and even golden lightning for rare affinities.
Hikari hesitated only briefly before stepping forward. "Alright. Let's see."
The hooded man leaned forward slightly, rubbing his hands together as if in anticipation. "Go on, place your hands on it."
Hikari pressed his palms against the smooth surface. It was cool to the touch at first, but then warmth spread through his fingertips. The ball hummed faintly, light beginning to swirl within.
It started slow, faint streaks of color bleeding into existence. But then, something changed. The light intensified, twisting violently inside the orb.
The hooded man's breathing hitched slightly. "Well now… let's see what you are."
A pulse of energy surged through the crystal ball. Hikari's heart pounded as he felt something stir deep within him, a force awakening in response to whatever was being revealed.
Gasps erupted from those around him. The hooded man took a sharp breath, his hands trembling slightly.
The glow intensified.
And then—