The city was a marvel of beauty and bustling activity. Its streets were alive with adventurers and cops, all engaged in the vibrant atmosphere of buying equipment and exploring. The buildings stood tall and well-structured, interspersed with numerous stadiums that added to the city's dynamic character. For someone like me, who's used to the quiet of rural life, the city felt like a perpetual festival, brimming with energy and wonder.
As we navigated through the city, we were led to the grand entrance of the Dakini Magic Academy, which was situated within the palace grounds. The guards at the academy gate greeted us warmly and directed us to the student building. After settling our luggage in our rooms, Chisaka and I were introduced to our assistant, a maid who had known my grandpa. She would be taking care of Chisaka while I was away.
I had already been informed about the school year schedule, including the semester dates and examinations. The school year begins on the first day of May. The pre-exam takes place in the middle of June, and the semester exam is held on the last day of July. After that, we have a one-month break, though the school assigns activities during this time. Classes resume on the first day of September, with the pre-exam in the middle of October, and the second-semester exam on the last day of November. Following this, there is another break. Students return on the first day of January, with the pre-exam on January 25 and finals on February 20. After a one-week break, graduation day is celebrated. Post-graduation, there is a two-month break during March and April. Everyone returns on the first day of May.
Today is May 1, 1562, marking the global start date of the academy. The time had come for us to begin our journey. Tokiro and Yuzuha knocked on our door, urging us to head to the classroom before we were late for our first day.
As we saw the instructor approaching down the hallway, we quickly made our way into the classroom and took our seats, breathing a sigh of relief that we had arrived just in time.
The instructor entered, placed her book on the desk, and started her introduction. "Hello, class. I'm Kanori Fuchikomi, and I'll be your instructor for Magic Wielding. It's a pleasure to have you all here!"
At Dakini Magic Academy, there are various types of instructors: Magic-Wielding instructors focus on the practical use of magic; Magic Circle instructors teach enchantment and spell crafting; Combat Instructors train students in physical combat and weaponry; and Art Instructors specialize in Weapon Art, blending magic with weapon techniques.
Fuchikomi-sensei, a highly skilled professional, is adept in all five elemental magics—fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning—as well as additional forms like ice, dust, light, dark, healing, and plant magic. Unlike basic fire magic, which is a fundamental form, sun magic is the ultimate version of fire, a rare and divine power only bestowed by the goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu.
I have a personal magic instructor who visits weekly, leaving me self-study books and assignments to help me catch up with my school level. Grandpa arranged this special permission because of the high regard in which he is held. So, this is my first time being in the academy.
Before Fuchikomi-sensei began the class, she explained what we would face after graduating in five years. Graduates must choose a path: becoming a cop, ascending to the upper echelon of sages, or accepting the Medal of Truth that signifies their completion of the academy.
To become a cop, various ranks are determined by our performance on the entrance exam. Even if we don't achieve the highest marks, we are assigned ranks based on our abilities. The lowest rank is a cop. The second rank, elite, is for those with battle skills. Elite cops can serve as assistants to captains and vice-captains, and each division needs captains due to the many divisions across the land. If the assistant slots are full, elite cops may join special forces or the Shadow division. There are opportunities for promotion, requiring us to pass another exam and achieve higher world ranks. The world ranks include Novice, Goblin Slayer, Orc Slayer, Ogre Slayer, Cops, Demon Slayer, Elite Cops, High-Elite, Pillar, Knight, High Pillar, Hero, Archon, and World Hero. Archons are a mysterious rank, never publicly seen or known, only referenced above Pillars. To become an elite cop, one must officially pass through the Demon Slayer rank.
After explaining the graduation ranks, Fuchikomi-sensei discussed demon ranks, which we'll confront after graduating. Demons have their own hierarchy: Demon, Abnormal Demon, Neo-Demon, X Demon, Dark X Demon, Demon God, and Demon Shield. Currently, only a few high-rank individuals can kill X Demons, and no cop has managed to defeat one. Demons resemble humans with enhanced regeneration and physical abilities but are wild-like animals. Abnormal Demons are stronger, capable of changing their body size and berserking. Neo-Demons possess human intelligence and combat skills. X Demons, a fallen rank from Dark X Demons, were created to return as Dark X Demons. Neo-Demons can rank up to Dark X-Demons without passing through the X-Demon rank. Demon Gods are powerful enough to destroy cities and towns, posing one of the greatest threats in the world. Finally, Shield Demons are generals of the demon lords, whose appearance demands immediate attention from the highest world demon ranks.
After her explanation, Fuchikomi-sensei began the first lesson. The topic was about magic bending, a complex process of controlling magic known as Kinetic Magic. This technique requires ultimate concentration and mastery over magic, and she promised to teach us how it's done. The Magic Academy covers not only the practical use of magic but also its history and origins. Unfortunately, I often found myself zoning out during these historical lectures.
The class ended, and I snapped back to reality as Tokiro and Yuzuha called out to me.
"You're not interested in history, are you? It's written all over your face," Tokiro remarked.
Students began to gather around me, curious about the new classmate. Tokiro and Yuzuha took it upon themselves to introduce me and excitedly recounted the story of the weapon art I used earlier that morning. Despite my attempts to stop them, their enthusiasm was overwhelming, and soon everyone was asking how I did it. It was a hectic day, and I was exhausted from answering so many questions.
School ended by early afternoon, and students dispersed, some returning to the student building, others heading to the library or special classes.
I survived the chaotic day but found it enjoyable. Returning to my room with a smile, I saw Chisaka and our maid, Sheila Virgor, reading books. Sheila was a beautiful, well-mannered elf with pale skin, majestic blonde hair, and golden eyes. She was incredibly kind, and I trusted her completely with Chisaka.
Sheila mentioned she would leave, but I told her it was fine if she wanted to stay since I was heading out for a walk.
"You're staying, right, Chisaka?" I asked.
She nodded and said she wanted to continue reading with Sheila.
With that settled, I felt at ease knowing Chisaka was in good hands while I took a moment for myself.
"Well then, master, I'll be taking care of her," Sheila said, bowing gracefully with her hands perfectly positioned.
"You don't have to address me like that. Call me Arisu, and please, don't be so formal with us. Act as if you're at home. We'll be seeing a lot of each other, so consider us family here."
"If that's what you want, then I'll call you Arisu," she replied with a warm smile. "Be careful while wandering outside, and don't get lost."
"Alright, I'm heading out," I said, nodding.
She had just reminded me not to get lost, but here I was, already lost. I had been distracted by the beautiful shops and sights, losing my way in the bustling city. The tall buildings obscured my view of the palace, and the festival in some districts had drawn in a massive crowd.
As I wandered, I noticed two people descending a bridge and entering a tunnel. Curiosity piqued, I followed them and emerged into a field where people were warming up for a brawl battle. Eager for a challenge, I decided to join in.
A big guy next to me asked, "Why are you here, kid?"
"I'm kinda interested," I replied, picking up a wooden sword.
We stood in the field, ready to start. He looked down at me with a menacing grin.
"I won't hold back, kid. I'll beat you up until you can't wake up!" he threatened.
"Try me, big guy!" I grinned back, gripping my sword tightly.
As the bell sounded, the brawl began. We both rushed at our opponents with determined focus. For situations with multiple targets, the Dragon Dance technique was my best choice. It isn't derived from magic but from the dragon sword style. Although I only knew the first form of Dragon Dance, it was still highly effective.
Mister Big Guy, with his experienced movements and formidable strength, effortlessly sent three people flying with a single blow. Meanwhile, I took down three opponents with light but precise attacks, ensuring they were incapacitated without heavy damage. At the corner of the field, a skilled fighter was holding her ground, single-handedly defeating ten opponents. Only eight of us remained, and Mister Big Guy finally accepted the challenge.
"Let's settle this, kid. I'm the one who's fighting her!"
I tried to execute the Dragon Dance with speed and strength, hoping to bypass his defenses. However, his rock-hard defense damaged my wooden sword. He followed up with a high stance strike, and though I managed to block it, the force sent me down to my knee.
"H-heavy! You're strong, big guy!"
"Is that all you got, kid?!" he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
He pressed his sword against mine, forcing it toward my shoulder. I could barely lift it, waiting for the perfect moment when his strength might wane. As he raised his sword high for a powerful strike, he left himself vulnerable.
Just as his sword descended, I seized the opportunity. With a swift and powerful swing, I clashed my sword against his, breaking it at the fuller before it could reach my head.
"Thanks for the opening, big guy!" I said, breathing hard.
"You're an interesting one, huh? Alright, this is our final blow! I'll take you down!" he roared, his stance shifting to one of absolute determination.
I knew that if his strike landed on my sword, it would break. But I had a plan. I adjusted my grip, holding my sword inside its scabbard at my right waist, assuming a low stance. My eyes never left his sword.
He charged at me, his high strike aimed to end the fight.
"Berserk Sword Style: Crashing Meteor!" he bellowed.
As his sword entered my range, I swiftly drew my sword and used the scabbard in my left hand like a dagger. I deflected his sword to the left and struck his chin with the scabbard, sending him flying.
"Sorry, big guy. The first rule of being an adventurer is to take advantage of what you have. The rules didn't say anything about not using scabbards so that means it's allowed, so… I win!" I declared, catching my breath.
"You beat me… you're a battle genius, kid…" he muttered, before passing out from the impact.
Suddenly, a guy flew past me, leaving the girl and me as the last competitors.
She looked to be about my age, a fierce fighter who had single-handedly defeated fifteen people. Her attire was minimal, revealing her toned body, evidence of rigorous training. Her blue hair and calm, intense blue eyes hinted at her prowess. She must be an art user.
As we approached each other, an announcement declared that we were permitted to use magic. Hearing that, I knew my chances of winning were slim. She was clearly far stronger than me.
Battling her seemed pointless. I should surrender—
Before I could finish my thought, she was in front of me, her sword clashing with mine. My grip was loose, ready to surrender, and the force sent me flying.
"Wait—" I managed to say, but she vanished. In a flash, the tip of her sword was aimed at my head. I closed my eyes, expecting the blow, but instead, she struck my right arm, sending me flying to the left.
"I thought I was strong, but it seems someone my age is even stronger. I'm surprised."
"Why don't you fight back? I dislike people who surrender without a fight," she said, her voice steady.
"I'm not keen on fighting a girl."
"You've come this far, and now you're giving up for that reason? Nonsense, I'll take you down," she retorted, her eyes narrowing.
"Let's make a deal. If you win, you can do anything you want with me. If I win, you have to be my friend. Deal?"
"As long as you fight, I'll accept your deal."
We both bit our thumbs, letting our blood drip onto each other's palms, sealing our promise. This was the traditional swordsman's duel pact, a permanent tradition necessary for any duel agreement.
At that moment, I foresaw the battle's outcome.
As we stood facing each other, I conjured kunai knives and scattered them around, prompting her to rush toward me.
"Acceleration Art: Flashy Striker!"
Acceleration magic enhances all her physical abilities and the speed of her techniques. She adopted an inside stance and charged at me with incredible speed, aiming to strike me head-on.
Confident she would hit me, she suddenly found herself a distance behind me. Undeterred, she tried the same attack again but appeared on my right side. As our eyes met, my voice came from behind her. She swung her sword in a 360-degree arc, but I had already returned to my original position. The spectators were amazed, cheering at the unexpected turn of events. I teleported in front of her, our faces inches apart.
"Can I ask your name?" I inquired.
Frustrated, she continued her relentless attacks, trying to strike me down.
"When will you stop running?" she demanded, clearly annoyed.
I grinned. "We don't have to fight. Because the fight is already over."
She began to float, realizing too late that she was entangled in strings that rendered her completely immobilized.
He was this powerful? From the start, he was just toying with me? I didn't even notice the strings. Was he bluffing all along? She thought.
"The moment we made our deal, I got your blood. From that point, my victory was assured. Without it, I would have been powerless against you. Now, I can control your movements, catching me would be impossible." I explained.
Understanding my words, she accepted her defeat, though she was frustrated with herself for falling into my trap.
I released her from the strings. She reminded me of our deal, stating she was willing to be friends. She also mentioned that she attended Dakini Academy in different classes, which meant she was staying in the same building as us. As she left the field, the crowd cheered for my victory, and I was awarded four gold coins.
Four gold coins were enough to cover a week's expenses, but since the academy provided meals, I decided to use them to buy souvenirs for Chisaka when I returned home.
On my way back earlier, I purchased three lotus rings, each worth 2 gold. Given my limited budget, buying all three was a hard choice. These rings symbolize an unbreakable bond, pure and strong. I returned home and gave the rings to Chisaka and Sheila. Chisaka loved it, but Sheila questioned it, prompting me to explain.
"Accept it as my thanks for taking care of my little sister. These rings represent a strong bond that is unbreakable, pure, and strong. You're part of our family, and anyone who hurts you would be our enemy."
"You're young, but you act like a gentleman! I'll gladly accept this ring. I'll be preparing Chisaka's dinner. Make your way to the cafeteria, Arisu."
"Then, I'll leave her dinner to you," I said as we both exited the room and coincidentally ran into Tokiro and Yuzuha.
"I forgot to mention. They have been looking for you, and I said you went to tour the city," Sheila said.
"We went outside with the whole class, you know? You missed it!" Yuzuha added.
I awkwardly smiled, remembering that I had ended up in a brawl. Tokiro noticed the bruises on my uniform.
"You got into a fight, didn't you? Where did you get that cut on your clothes?"
"Oh? This…? Who knows? Maybe I just fell down the stairs," I awkwardly denied.
Sheila told me to take off my uniform so she could fix it, and then I, Tokiro, and Yuzuha headed to the cafeteria.
"I had never seen a banquet like this before. There were so many students at the academy," I said in a low tone.
"This is not a banquet. This is a normal cafeteria. Well, it looks like one. A banquet is a formal event that includes a large meal, typically with many courses, held to celebrate a particular occasion or honor a person or group. Banquet mostly help in the castle at the great hall." Yuzuha said.
"Let's go! Kaoru reserves a table for us." Tokiro said.
In the cafeteria. They provided students with a meal of a light steak and vegetable salad with drinks. They are free but there are also different meals so if you want them, it is required to pay. But the meals at our table are prepared and different. They're filled with meats and chickens. And of course, different types of desserts.
"Everyone! Eat up! The bill is on me!"
This is Cecilia Anastasia. A girl with a silver braid cascading down her back like a waterfall, her violet eyes sparkling with life. She wears an elegant uniform that enhances her noble aura and shines with the grace and poise of someone of high status. Her voice is soft and harmonious, reflecting her joyful and warm personality. She came from a noble family, one of the richest families in the Founder Land. Anastasia's family made a huge contribution to the founder land which is why peace was made to each land because of their negotiations. So the Founder Land has made a strong connection especially with the Land of Nature because of them.
"Kaoru stood up with a smile and announced, "We were told we had a classmate before, and now he's finally here with us! He was able to join this year. This feast is in your honor, Arisu!"
Cecilia raised her glass and added, "A toast to Arisu!" Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses, and I joined in, feeling a little embarrassed but happy.
As I took a bite, the juicy meat burst with flavor, and I couldn't help but eat more. It was so delicious, I was almost overwhelmed by how much I wanted to keep eating.
At our table, Tokiro, Yuzuha, Kaoru, Cecilia, and I casually chatted. Kaoru and his sister, Kaori, shared the same last name. Kaoru's dark blue aura contrasted perfectly with Kaori's lighter, azure hue, wolf, and mullet hairstyle, matching her water-based abilities. Earlier in class, we had been examined to determine our magical strengths.
"Since we're graduating in five years, what path is everyone choosing?" Kaori asked suddenly, breaking the calm.
She went first, confidently stating she aimed to become an adventurer and grow stronger to catch the attention of the Heavenly Sky as a pillar candidate—a position reserved for the elite who face off against X-rank demons, a threat even the highest-ranking cops struggle to defeat. Kaoru followed, revealing his plans to join the Shadow Division, a covert group responsible for gathering intelligence, assassinations, and infiltration.
Tokiro chimed in next, expressing his desire to become a captain by ascending through the elite cop ranks, like Ryuka and Futoshi. Sachi, Kisaki, Lisa, Coco, and Shikito all had their sights set on joining the special forces, while Mori's ambition shocked us all: she wanted to become an Archon. It seemed impossible, but considering her immense magical power—greater than my own—perhaps it wasn't. After all, the Takanashi bloodline was known to produce individuals powerful enough to be pillars. With effort, she could even surpass that. Yuzuha desires to become the greatest supporter of the cops.
Another surprise came from Cecilia, who revealed her dream of becoming a princess knight, a role meant to protect the five princesses of the Arima Continent. Princesses Charlotte, Juliet, Victoria, Pandora, and Irene were the pillars of unity between the lands. For centuries, only one knight has managed to survive the perilous missions, the sibling of Princess Juliet. Most shy away from the role, but Cecilia's determination is unwavering, driven by the time Princess Juliet saved her life.
When they finally asked about my path, I hesitated. My mind went blank, searching for an answer until a memory resurfaced. Softly, almost to myself, I whispered, "Save what is needed to be saved."
"Be specific, dude!" Futoshi teased, laughing.
I thought for a moment. "Something like… not just this continent, but the whole world." The room went silent as everyone stared at me, stunned.
Confused, I asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
Lisa broke the silence. "It's not that… It's just… You know, being a hero is already hard. Becoming a Pillar is tough enough, but being the World Hero? It's impossible. Only two people have ever held that title—Hayako Makoto and Shynn Makoto. No one's done it since their time."
Cecilia nodded. "After they disappeared, the Goddess of the Sun has been the only one protecting the world."
"But isn't there a rank higher than Hero? The Archon rank?" I asked, hoping for some clarification.
"There is, but Archon rank is only given by the Nature Gods. If you're lucky, they might choose you while you're young. Mori stands a chance, coming from such a powerful bloodline," Coco explained.
Despite the daunting reality, hearing their words only fueled my determination. I felt the spark reignite in me, burning away any doubt.
"Even so, I'll prove that I can be the greatest hero in the world!" I declared, standing up on my chair.
Misaki rolled her eyes playfully. "You've been reading too many myths," she joked, and everyone burst into laughter, myself included.
As time passed, I cherished my days at the academy. So many memories were made, our bonds growing stronger, unbreakable. We supported each other, lifting one another to reach the heights we aspired to. Now, we were ready, to become the people who would pursue our passions in life.
I've never grown tired of magic. Magic brings me joy, connects me with those who care deeply, and inspires courage in everyone. To me, magic is everything—it's the heart of life.
Graduation is only a week away, at the end of the month of Peony. Today is a break, so we're visiting Mori to deliver her final results.