Part 3
The morning sun cast a golden shimmer across the vast ocean, creating a hypnotic effect on the crystal-clear waters surrounding the ferry.
The soft splash of waves against the hull blended with the quiet murmur of passengers — many of them students, just like them, on their way to the prestigious Seisen Academy.
Touma Kisaragi leaned against the ferry's railing, arms resting as he gazed out at the horizon with a relaxed expression.
Beside him, Hina bounced slightly with excitement, her orange hair dancing in the sea breeze.
—Ahhh, I can see it! —she exclaimed, pointing ahead enthusiastically.
Touma lifted his gaze — and there it was.
Tenryu Island.
It looked as if two entirely different worlds had collided and somehow found perfect harmony.
On one side, towering skyscrapers of sleek, futuristic design rose into the sky, glass-and-metal structures connected by floating bridges and platforms that seemed to defy gravity.
On the other, vast forests and rolling hills dotted with traditional temples stretched peacefully, framed by stone paths that wound down to the coast.
And as the final touch to this picture-perfect view, beautiful white-sand beaches lined the shoreline, the sunlight reflecting off the waters with radiant clarity.
—I can't believe this… —Touma murmured without thinking.
—Amazing, right? —Hina smiled, nudging him lightly in the arm.
—It's… more than I imagined.
He hadn't expected to be impressed — but Tenryu Island was a place that defied expectations.
—And we're not even there yet! —Hina added, leaning forward against the railing—. I bet Seisen is even more impressive.
Touma sighed, slipping back into his usual laid-back tone.
—Well, we'll see about that…
Hina gave him a mischievous grin.
—Ah, right. I almost forgot.
—Forgot what?
Without answering right away, Hina reached into her bag and pulled out a small black box with his name engraved in silver.
—Your gift!
—…A gift? —Touma narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
—Don't make that face. It's my way of saying thanks for coming with me to Seisen. Go on, open it!
Touma blinked, still confused, but carefully opened the box.
Inside, he found a pair of sleek, modern-looking glasses with a subtle glow on their lenses.
—Wait... wait, wait. These are the same glasses we saw in Akihabara.
—Yep!
—You bought them?
—Yep!
—…I can't accept something this expensive.
—Don't worry about it.
—But Hina…
—I'm not taking no for an answer! It's a gift.
Touma sighed, running a hand down his face.
—I just hope this "gift" doesn't get you in trouble with your dad.
—He'll understand! …Probably.
Touma looked down at the Astra Lens in his hand.
Even if using NovaTech gear made him a little uneasy, there was no denying — these were top-tier tech.
—Come on, try them on —she urged, eyes full of excitement.
—Alright, alright… —he said, slipping off his old, worn-out prescription glasses and tucking them away.
Touma slipped on the glasses, and instantly, a digital interface came to life in his field of vision.
A welcome screen floated before his eyes, sleek and futuristic in design:
[WELCOME TO ASTRA LENS V.1.3]
[AUGMENTED REALITY ACTIVATED]
Touma blinked as small indicators began to appear around him, displaying information about the surroundings — the name of the ferry, the air temperature, and the distance to Tenryu Island.
—This is…
—Amazing, right?!
Touma didn't want to admit it, but yeah — it was impressive.
—Well, I guess I could get used to this.
Hina beamed with satisfaction.
—Knew you'd like it!
The ferry finally pulled into the port, where a massive arch-shaped structure welcomed the newcomers. A floating digital display read:
[WELCOME TO TENRYU CITY]
They disembarked along with the other passengers, walking through the crowd while taking in the sights.
The city was even more impressive up close. The streets were spotless and precisely organized.
Holographic screens floated along some of the buildings, broadcasting updates about island life and NovaTech's latest innovations.
Hina grabbed Touma's arm and tugged him excitedly.
—Come on! Seisen is just ahead!
They followed the main road, walking alongside other students carrying luggage.
Eventually, after crossing a tree-lined avenue, the view opened up before them.
Seisen Institute.
A vast academy of cutting-edge architecture.
It didn't just look like an elite university — it resembled a full-on research and innovation complex from the future.
To one side of the campus, a massive structure with open-air training fields marked the Combat Division.
On the other, a sleek facility with labs and simulation chambers housed the Research Division.
—...Yeah. This definitely feels different from any other school —Touma muttered, taking in the scale of it all.
—And this is where our new life begins! —Hina exclaimed with uncontainable excitement.
Touma looked at the academy's grand entrance with a mix of curiosity and quiet resignation.
He wasn't sure what awaited him at Seisen, but one thing was certain...
His peaceful life was officially over.
Seated in a large velvet armchair, a porcelain teacup in hand, the director of Seisen Academy gazed out through the tall window.
Outside, new students arrived one after another — some with excitement, others clearly nervous.
—So, it's that time of year again... How interesting.
A soft knock echoed through the office.
—Ayaka… I've told you, no need to knock. Just come in.
The door opened, and a sharply dressed woman stepped in with practiced, elegant strides.
Adjusting her glasses with grace, she set several folders on the table.
—Director Rheinhardt, here are the reports you requested on the incoming students.
The director's office was a chaotic kind of organized.
Academic awards mixed with magical trinkets, eccentric paintings, and a frankly absurd number of wizard hats scattered across the room in all colors imaginable.
Vergil took a sip of his tea before offering a casual smile.
—Vice Director Ayaka, I've told you — just call me Vergil. No need for all the formality.
She sighed softly, clearly used to this.
—Right… anyway, these are the candidates recommended by the Tokyo Bay Self-Defense Forces, along with the international scholarship recipients.
Vergil flipped through the files that caught his eye.
Two names stood out: Touma Kisaragi and Hinata Fujimura.
—Hmmm… these two are quite the case.
I understand why the girl's here — daughter of an admiral and all — but…
Ayaka folded her arms, her expression serious.
—Yes. The boy, on the other hand, has no notable achievements. His file is basically a collection of platinum trophies from gaming platforms.
Vergil grinned, clearly amused.
—Exactly. Isn't it at least curious? NovaTech doesn't recommend someone with no academic or physical credentials out of charity...
With a carefree air, he stood and grabbed a black top hat from one of the many shelves lining his office.
—It's like pulling a rabbit out of a hat... —he said, and instantly pulled out an actual rabbit.
Ayaka stared in silence as the small animal wriggled in his hands.
—So, is it real… or just another marketing stunt? —Vergil asked with a sly smile.
The vice director placed a hand to her face, wearing the look of someone far too used to his antics.
—Putting your... performance aside, do you want me to investigate him?
—Nah, let's just see what happens.
Something in the air tells me this year's going to be different.
Ayaka adjusted her glasses with a soft sigh and gave him a neutral look.
—Says the man making predictions while holding a rabbit.
Vergil blinked, then burst out laughing.
—What? I look elegant and extremely professional. That was uncalled for.
—If you say so… —she replied flatly, already numb to his behavior. Then, changing the subject— Don't forget you have to give the opening speech later. Are your cue cards ready?
—But of course! —he said, immediately pulling out a long string of tied handkerchiefs from his sleeve like a cheap party magician.
Ayaka closed her eyes, pausing for a deep breath to maintain composure.
—I should've listened to my mother and become a florist...
Vergil laughed heartily.
—Come now, don't be so stiff. You'll get wrinkles.
And so, as the eccentric director continued with his impromptu magic act, the vice director resigned herself to yet another year of organized chaos.
Vergil set the top hat down on the table and smiled.
—This year... Seisen is going to put on one hell of a show.