The destruction of the training room stood as undeniable proof that some people simply could not be trusted with a "friendly spar."
Broken stone littered the floor.
Fragments of reinforced walls were scattered everywhere.
The ceiling now had a massive hole that allowed sunlight to pour into the room from above.
Several maintenance workers stood in the distance with defeated expressions, already calculating how many days it would take to repair the damage.
Meanwhile, the people responsible for the destruction acted as though nothing had happened.
Shizen sighed heavily while rubbing his temples.
The headache he was developing felt powerful enough to rival a Dragon Art.
"Jeez, you guys give me a major headache."
His tired gaze landed on Kasai.
"And Kasai..."
Kasai immediately straightened his back.
"Yes, sir?"
"Don't push yourself to the limit if you're not fully healed."
Kasai awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"Got it."
Unfortunately, Shadow wasn't about to let the situation end there.
The dark-haired Elementalist grinned mischievously.
"Yeah. You have your girlfriend all worried about your health and here you are fighting until the pain kicks in."
The moment those words escaped his mouth, Sora froze.
Her entire body locked up.
"G-G-Girlfriend...?"
Steam practically seemed to rise from her head.
Her face rapidly turned bright red.
"I-I... ugh... I..."
The poor girl couldn't even form a complete sentence.
Everyone immediately turned toward her.
Which only made things worse.
Kasai quickly pointed toward himself.
"She's not my girlfriend."
Sora visibly relaxed.
Then Kasai continued.
"...Yet."
Silence.
A deadly silence.
Ryūsei slowly covered his face.
"The 'yet' part is exactly what worries me."
"I agree."
Kayosha nodded.
"I feel sorry for Sora."
The embarrassed girl looked as though she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Kasai blinked.
"What does that mean?!"
Nobody answered.
Instead, they all stared at him with expressions ranging from amusement to pity.
Completely oblivious to what was happening, Kasai casually walked over to Sora.
A huge grin spread across his face.
"I'm a good boyfriend, right babe?"
Sora's soul nearly left her body.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!"
Her response came out far louder than she intended.
She immediately turned away.
Her face was now completely crimson.
The others burst into laughter.
Even Shadow nearly fell over.
For a brief moment, the atmosphere was peaceful.
Warm.
Normal.
A rare luxury for young Elementalists who spent most of their lives fighting monsters, criminals, and dangerous quests.
Unfortunately, peace never lasted long around them.
"Well..."
Yuki stretched her arms overhead.
The cracking sounds from her joints echoed throughout the damaged training room.
"Since the spar is over and that match hyped me up..."
A dangerous smile appeared on her face.
Ryūsei immediately recognized that smile.
Shadow recognized it too.
And unlike everyone else—
He looked terrified.
Yuki slowly turned toward him.
"Shadow, sweetie."
The sweet tone in her voice somehow sounded more threatening than an angry shout.
"Let's have a little spar, shall we?"
Shadow immediately took three steps backward.
"We shall not!"
His answer came so quickly that everyone burst into laughter.
Yuki's smile twitched.
Ice immediately began spreading across the floor beneath her feet.
The temperature dropped dramatically.
"Why?"
Her voice remained sweet.
Dangerously sweet.
"Is there a problem, sweetie?"
Shadow pointed toward the sky.
Then toward the clock.
Then toward literally anything that wasn't Yuki.
"Don't give me that look."
"We have to go to school, remember?"
The ice stopped spreading.
Yuki blinked.
"Oh."
The tension vanished instantly.
Everyone collectively sighed in relief.
Even Shadow looked like a man who had narrowly escaped death.
Ryūsei, however, looked confused.
"Wait."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Why are we returning to school?"
The question sounded less like curiosity and more like genuine suffering.
Kasai immediately laughed.
"Oh yeah."
"You weren't here when they announced it."
Ryūsei narrowed his eyes.
"Announced what?"
Before Kasai could answer, Kayosha stepped forward.
"They're going to explain some of the rules for the Grand Shōtotsu—"
The moment the word "school" fully registered in Ryūsei's mind—
He ran.
Nobody even saw him leave.
One second he was standing there.
The next—
Gone.
The door slammed open.
Then slammed shut.
Silence filled the room.
Shizen burst out laughing first.
"Classic Ryūsei."
"He never changes."
The others couldn't help but laugh as well.
A few moments later, they followed after him.
The roads of the Kingdom of Ryūgū were bustling with activity.
Merchants advertised their goods.
Elementalists traveled between districts.
Students rushed toward school buildings.
The Grand Shōtotsu was only a week away.
Excitement filled the entire kingdom.
Everywhere people discussed potential participants.
Predictions.
Favorites.
Rumors.
Dreams.
And among all those conversations, one particular rumor continued spreading faster than any other.
The White Swordsman.
A mysterious rankless Elementalist who defeated the former Leo Gādian, Moyasu.
No one knew his identity.
No one knew where he came from.
But the stories continued to grow larger every day.
Ryūsei walked among those conversations silently.
Completely unaware that he himself was the center of them.
Soon the group arrived at Aluxany High School.
Students filled the hallways.
Classrooms buzzed with activity.
The familiar bell rang throughout the academy.
And before long, everyone found themselves seated in their respective classrooms.
Ryūsei sat near the window.
Kasai occupied his usual seat.
Sora quietly arranged her books.
Kayosha chatted with several classmates.
Then the classroom door opened.
Professor Hex entered.
Instantly the room became silent.
The intimidating teacher scanned the room.
Then his eyes landed on one particular student.
A grin appeared on his face.
"Good morning, maggots."
The class greeted him back.
Professor Hex continued staring at Ryūsei.
"I see our little brave maggot finally decided to attend class."
Every student immediately turned toward Ryūsei.
The white-haired boy wanted to disappear.
"Hi, Professor Hex..."
The classroom erupted into laughter.
Even Kayosha struggled to hide her smile.
Ryūsei lowered his head onto his desk.
This was exactly why he hated coming back.
The morning lesson focused on enchantments and healing chants.
Professor Hex explained the complexities behind energy conversion.
How healing spells required precise control.
How a small mistake could worsen injuries instead of curing them.
The lecture continued for several hours.
Eventually the lesson ended.
However, before dismissing the class, Professor Hex made one final announcement.
His expression became serious.
"Listen up, maggots."
The room instantly quieted.
"As all of you should know, next week marks the beginning of the Grand Shōtotsu."
The classroom exploded with excitement.
Cheers erupted everywhere.
Some students stood from their seats.
Others immediately began discussing strategies.
Professor Hex allowed the excitement to continue briefly before raising his hand.
Silence returned.
He pulled out a massive map.
The map depicted the entire Elemental World.
Then he pinned it onto the board.
"The Kingdom of Ryūgū."
His finger touched the center.
"The Northern Palace."
His finger moved north.
"The Southern Sanctuary."
South.
"The Eastern Empire."
East.
"And the Western Temple."
West.
The students watched attentively.
"All Chīmas throughout the Elemental World shall compete."
Kayosha stared at the map.
Only now did she fully understand the scale of the event.
"That's... a lot of contestants."
Kasai grinned.
"The more people I can beat up."
Sora immediately laughed.
Kasai looked proud.
Sora looked amused.
Professor Hex looked tired.
Everything was normal.
After the lecture ended, lunch break finally arrived.
The group gathered near the classroom entrance.
As everyone prepared to leave, Kasai noticed Ryūsei staring at the map.
Deep in thought.
"Something wrong?"
Ryūsei hesitated.
Then asked quietly.
"Why aren't you going to the Southern Sanctuary?"
Kasai blinked.
"The Land of Fire?"
Ryūsei nodded.
"You'd become much stronger there."
For a moment Kasai remained silent.
Then he smiled.
"Maybe."
His gaze shifted toward the hallway.
Toward someone standing several meters away.
Sora.
"But if I went there..."
His smile softened.
"...I wouldn't get to see my best friend every day."
Ryūsei looked touched.
Then Kasai added—
"Besides, I have another reason for staying."
His eyes remained on Sora.
Ryūsei followed his gaze.
Several seconds passed.
Then realization finally hit.
"Oh."
Kasai grinned.
"Finally."
Later, during lunch, the group gathered around their usual table in the cafeteria.
Food covered the table.
Conversations filled the air.
Halfway through the meal, Shadow suddenly spoke.
"Have you guys heard?"
Everyone looked toward him.
"There's apparently a powerful Elementalist entering the tournament."
Kasai immediately leaned forward.
"Boy or girl?"
Kayosha glared at him.
"Is that really important?"
Shizen answered before another argument could begin.
"A boy."
Kasai nodded seriously.
"Very important information."
Everyone ignored him.
Shadow continued.
"They say he only recently started taking quests."
Ryūsei listened quietly.
"But every mission he accepted was either A-Rank or S-Rank."
Even Yuki looked interested.
The cafeteria fell silent.
Those kinds of achievements weren't normal.
Not even for prodigies.
After lunch ended, the group returned toward their next classes.
Except for one person.
Ryūsei.
The white-haired Elementalist wandered outside.
The afternoon breeze gently passed through the kingdom streets.
For a while, he simply walked.
No destination.
No purpose.
Just thoughts.
His hand unconsciously touched the badge Nendo had given him.
The Storm Stone glimmered beneath the sunlight.
A reminder of his recent journey.
Of Mizūmi.
Of Nendo.
Of the village.
Of everything that had happened.
A lonely smile appeared on his face.
"I wish you were here."
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
The streets remained quiet.
"I need to find you."
His eyes drifted toward the sky.
"My Chīma..."
A team.
Partners.
Friends who would fight beside him.
Everyone else had one.
Kasai.
Sora.
Yuki.
Shadow.
Shizen.
Even Kayosha.
Yet he remained alone.
The future Grand Elementalist.
And yet...
Still alone.
"Is something bothering you?"
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ryūsei turned around.
Kayosha stood there holding two cans of soda.
A gentle smile rested on her face.
"Oh..."
Ryūsei blinked.
"Hey, Kayosha."
Without saying anything, she handed him one of the drinks.
He accepted it.
The cold can felt refreshing against his hand.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
They simply stood there together beneath the afternoon sky.
Then Kayosha finally broke the silence.
"Are you okay?"
Ryūsei looked away.
"You haven't been acting like yourself since you came back."
Concern filled her voice.
The concern of a genuine friend.
For a moment, Ryūsei considered lying.
Then sighed.
"It's just..."
His gaze lowered.
"Sometimes I wonder when I'll finally meet my Chīma."
The words carried more weight than he intended.
For years he had searched.
Waited.
Wondered.
Yet nothing had happened.
Kayosha quietly listened.
Then smiled.
"You don't need to be sad about that."
Ryūsei looked at her.
She took a sip from her soda.
Then pointed at him.
"Mom always says something."
"What?"
"'Everything happens for a reason. It's up to us how we face what's ahead.'"
The words settled gently in his heart.
Kayosha grinned.
"So stop showing me that sad and uncool version of you."
Ryūsei stared at her.
Then laughed.
A genuine laugh.
One he hadn't realized he needed.
"Thank you, Kayosha."
The wind gently passed between them.
For the first time that day—
The burden in Ryūsei's chest felt a little lighter.
The Grand Shōtotsu was approaching.
Powerful opponents awaited.
The mystery surrounding his future remained unanswered.
But perhaps...
Just perhaps...
He didn't have to carry that weight alone anymore.