The seventh chime of East Cloud Academy's afternoon bell rang out across the campus.
A low hum echoed through the air as the long-dormant speakers in the broadcast room suddenly came to life. Amidst the crackling static, a familiar yet commanding female voice rang out:
"Attention, all students. The latest Combat Power rankings will now be announced."
For a moment, the entire school fell silent.
Whether it was the battle-hardened warriors training in the Dragon Fang Arena, the scholars immersed in their studies, or the shadowy observers lurking in the corners, everyone stopped what they were doing as if awaiting a divine decree. Their eyes turned to the sky.
"Rank 10: Fighting Club - Iwakiri Mōko."
"Rank 9: Archery Club - Mikage Chigusa."
"Rank 8: Magic Club - Haku Ran."
The moment Haku Ran's name was announced, a storm of shock swept through the Academy.
A newly recruited member of the Magic Club had risen to the eighth rank in just a few days. After defeating Mikage Chigusa and thwarting the Spear Club's suppression tactics, his meteoric rise signalled an unprecedented shift within the Magic Club.
"Rank 7: Swordsmanship Club - Shirakawa."
"Rank 6: Magic Club - Mitō Karuma."
Two members of the Magic Club ranked in succession - an undeniable testament to their growing dominance.
But the real anticipation was in the top three.
"Rank 3: Spear Club - Onimaru Setsura."
"2nd place: Swordsmanship Club - Tendō Kyōichi."
"Rank 1-" The whole school held its breath.
"Magic Club President - Yomiya Sō."
At that moment, it was as if thunder had split the sky.
A moment later, the campus erupted into chaos!
Despite his unhealed wounds, Yomiya Sō had single-handedly defeated Kazearashi Rin, fended off the vice-president of the Swordsmanship Club and suppressed Onimaru's relentless attack. His name had become an undeniable legend.
- In the chamber of the magic club.
Haku Ran stared at the rankings with a calm expression. Mitō Karuma, on the other hand, clenched his arms and set his jaw.
"Sixth... damn it, it's still not enough."
Yomiya Sō leaned against the window and looked out onto the academy grounds, where countless eyes were now fixed on him.
Just then, the door swung open.
Hōdō Saya stepped inside, her expression a mixture of emotions as she locked eyes with Yomiya.
"Do you realise what this means?"
A faint smile played at the corner of Yomiya's lips.
"It means... we can no longer stay in the shadows."
Hōdō Saya's voice dropped to a whisper.
"It also means that the real war between the Five Societies... has officially begun."
She hesitated before revealing a certain rumour.
"Tendō Kyōichi has begun to choose a successor for the 'Heart Sword' within the Swordsmanship Club."
A gleam flickered in Yomiya's eyes.
"And Onimaru Setsura... has issued a single order to every warrior in the Spear Club -" "To completely eradicate the illusionary combat system of the Magic Club."
- Four hours after the announcement of the rankings, at the entrance of the East Cloud Academy.
The leaders of the Fighting Club, Swordsmanship Club, Archery Club and Spear Club gathered in silence.
The Five Society War Council was about to begin.
And the Magic Club had been officially marked as a primary target.
"The storm is coming." Mitō Karuma muttered.
But Yomiya Sō merely flipped a card between his fingers, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"Perfect."
五社再起 × 排名揭晓
──午后,东云学园的钟声敲响第七次.
高空传来一阵"嗡——"的回音,广播室那早已尘封多时的扬声器竟再次启动.沙沙电流声中,熟悉的女声透出微微的威严:
「所有学生请注意,现将最新一期·战力排行榜发布.」
一瞬间,全校静默.
无论是在龙牙场训练的武斗派,还是教室中翻阅资料的术士生们,亦或潜伏在角落中的观察者,全都不约而同地停下动作,仿佛等待裁决般,望向高空.
「第十位:格斗部·岩切猛虎.」
「第九位:弓箭部·御影千草.」
「第八位:魔术部·白蓝.」
伴随白蓝之名播报出的一刻,全校顿时掀起波澜——一个新晋魔术部成员,仅仅在入部数日内,就跃升至第八名!在他击败御影千草,阻挡标枪部压制战术的表现中,所有人已经意识到,魔术部正经历前所未有的变革.
「第七位:剑术部·白川.」
「第六位:魔术部·御堂狩真.」
一连两个魔术部成员上榜,整个东云学园被彻底震撼.
而真正让人凝神屏息的,是接下来的三位:
「第三位:标枪部·鬼丸刹罗.」
「第二位:剑术部·天道京一.」
「第一位——」
全场屏气.
「魔术部部长·夜见苍.」
那一刻,仿佛雷鸣划破苍穹.
全校瞬间沸腾!哪怕身负伤势未痊,夜见苍凭一己之力击败风切凌,迫退剑术副部长,压制鬼丸的正面战意,他的名字,已经成为不容忽视的神话.
**
与此同时,魔术部部室内.
白蓝盯着榜单上的名字,神色平静.御堂狩真却有些咬牙切齿地抱臂:"第六...该死,还不够."
夜见苍靠在窗边,望着学园操场,那里正聚集起越来越多的视线.
凰堂纱夜推门而入,目光复杂地望着夜见苍.
"你知道这意味着什么吗?"
夜见苍微微一笑:"意味着,我们再也不能低调了."
凰堂纱夜低声补充:"也是意味着,五大社团真正的战争...正式开始了."
她顿了顿,缓缓道出一个传言.
"天道京一,最近开始在剑术部内部挑选'心剑继承人'."
夜见苍眸中精芒一闪.
"而鬼丸刹罗...在向所有标枪部战士传达一条命令——全面粉碎魔术部的幻术体系."
**
广播发布后的第四小时,东云学园正门外,格斗部,剑术部,弓箭部与标枪部的高层皆聚于一处.
——五社争霸会议,即将召开.
魔术部,已被正式列入主战名单.
"风暴来了."御堂狩真喃喃.
而夜见苍轻轻翻动手中的魔术卡,露出一抹冷笑.
"正好."