[DIMENSION ECLIPSE CHAPTER 5]
– All the formalities of Stellar Academy had now been completed. In just these few days, everything that had happened had left deep impressions—some students were brimming with excitement, their eyes shining with ambition; some were weighed down by disappointment, feeling the sting of inadequacy; and a few were forced to leave the academy, their dreams cut short. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and anxiety.
Scene Shift – Class D
Mr. Siwo – "Students, since you all have awakened your ranks, from now onwards you will begin exploring low-ranking rifts. But first, your combat abilities will be tested. Today, after class, everyone must come to the central ground for combat training."
Shirou – (smiling faintly, a spark of thrill in his eyes) "Combat training, huh? Interesting… My performance inside the runes wasn't perfect since I lacked experience with monsters. But this time… I'll show them what I can really do."
Scene Shift – Central Ground
– All the students gathered at the central ground. The sun reflected off the polished stones, warming the air. Excitement, fear, and tension hung over the crowd. Their combat test was about to begin, and every heartbeat seemed louder than the last.
Shirou – "So, they're matching us against the second-years of Class D. Not bad… a real test." (his voice calm, almost detached, but his eyes sharp and focused)
– Stellar Academy had four main classes: A, B, C, and D, plus the superior Class S. Class S was exceptional—so much that it wasn't even compared to the others. Class A and B generally received more attention because they housed the most promising students, while Classes C and D were often considered underdogs. Performance in the initial requirement test dictated placement, and for many, even latent potential couldn't move them from C or D.
Kaede – (eyes widening, voice trembling) "W-What! We have to fight the second-years?!"
Shru – (grinning, teasing) "Come on, chill. They're still D-level—nothing scary. Relax, dude"
Shru – (looking at Shirou with a playful challenge) "hey dumb ass let's see who scores first!"
Shirou – (cold, almost indifferent) "I have no interest in meaningless competitions with you."
Shru – (mock gasp) "What? Are you scared of me? Hah! Take the challenge if you dare!" (laughs loudly, full of mischief)
Shirou – "Fine. Bet accepted." (a faint smirk crosses his face, hinting at confidence beneath his stoic exterior)
Kaede – (muttering nervously) "Why do these two always end up fighting?"
Kaede – "But wait… Shru and I are from Class C, right? Why is our test happening here?"
Emma – (appearing suddenly, voice light but firm) "Because most of the students who need preparation are from Classes C and D. To save the teachers' trouble, both first-years are having their combat training together."
Kaede – (jumping slightly, startled, eyes wide) "Wha—! You suddenly appeared out of nowhere! Who are you?"
Emma – (softly, smiling) "I'm sorry if I startled you. My name is Emma, from Class D."
Kaede – (hesitating, nervous) "M-My name is K–"
Noxy – (interrupting suddenly, voice calm but intense) "I'm Noxy."
Kaede – (screams slightly, heart racing) "Ahhh!!"
Noxy – (eyes curious, tone gentle) "Did I scare you?"
Kaede – (still shaking slightly) "Y-Yeah, a little. You appeared out of nowhere too… Anyway, my name is Kaede."
Noxy – (offering a confident, warm handshake) "Nice to meet you, Kaede."
Noxy – (turning to Emma, voice polite) "And nice to meet you too, Miss Emma."
Emma – (smiling softly) "Yes, same here."
Noxy – (turning to face Shru and Kaede) "By the way, what's your name?"
Shru – (stepping forward with confidence) "Hello, my name is Shru, from Class C."
Noxy – (raising an eyebrow, amused) "So you're Kaede and Shru… Aren't you the ones who were with Shirou yesterday?"
Shru – (grinning, annoyed) "Yeah, that monkey-faced idiot. Don't remind me."
Kaede – (looking around, uneasy) "By the way… where did Shirou go?"
Emma – "He left from here a little while ago."
Kaede – (softly, almost to himself) "I see…"
Noxy – "Why is he like that though?"
Emma – (shrugs, uneasy) "He's strange. Even in our class, no one talks to him. Some even fear him. To be honest… I feel uneasy when he's around."
Noxy – "Hmm… I feel the same way." (furrows eyebrows slightly)
Shru – "Yeah, kind of irritating too." (crosses arms, pouting)
Kaede – (shaking his head, quietly resolute) "But… I don't feel like that at all."
– All eyes turned toward Kaede, surprised at his calm tone.
Noxy – (eyes widening) "What? Really?"
Kaede – (with quiet determination) "Yes. I don't think he's a bad person. He just doesn't want to show his kindness… I don't know why."
Kaede – (taking a deep breath, smiling faintly) "Anyway… let's go."
Combat Battle Begins
– The combat training began. No aura powers were allowed; students had to rely solely on raw strength. Each first-year was to face a second-year senior in a circle. The rule was simple: push the opponent out. A single test to reveal true skill.
Teacher – "Listen carefully. You will fight inside the circle. Push your opponent out. Each of you faces a senior to prove your real capabilities."
Shirou's Fight
Shirou – (eyes cold, calm) "So, my opponent is a mid D-level second-year…"
Senior – (grinning arrogantly) "Come here, kid. I'll teach you some discipline."
Shirou – (expression unreadable, silent)
Shirou – (thinking) "Mid D-level… slightly stronger than me, but not by much. This will be interesting."
– The senior charged with a powerful uppercut—but Shirou dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.
Senior – (thinking, heart pounding) "How… how is he dodging everything? This boy… it's as if he knows my moves before I even make them… impossible. He's just a first-year…"
Shru's Fight
– Elsewhere, fights raged on.
Shru – (gritting her teeth) "He's strong, but I can handle him."
Senior Student (Class C) – (thinking, stunned) "How… how is she still standing?! I need to end this fast!"
– With a swift, precise strike, Shru sent her opponent flying out of the circle.
Shru – (smiling faintly, teasing) "I'm sorry, senior. You're going to lose."
Kaede's Fight
Kaede – (nervously, inner tension building) "I… I can't lose. I've come too far… I have to do this."
Senior (Class C – Jesu) – (mocking) "Oi, weakling! You think you can stand against me? Hahaha!"
– Memories of past bullying rushed back. Jesu was the yellow-haired boy who had tormented Kaede in the cafeteria. Anger and fear mingled in Kaede's chest, burning hot.
Kaede – (voice trembling slightly) "You… you're that yellow-haired guy from before!"
Jesu – (smirking, confident) "So you remember me. My name is Jesu… and you'll never forget me."
– A deep, almost feral aura of determination surged from Kaede. Jesu felt a strange, cold fear he hadn't expected.
Jesu – (thinking, panicked) "What… what is this? Why am I scared… by this weakling?"
Shirou Finishes the Fight
Shirou – (thinking, calculating) "He's weaker than I expected. His moves are predictable… I could end this without touching him. But let's give him a lesson in superiority."
– Seizing an opening, Shirou delivered a crushing punch, sending the senior flying out of the circle.
Teacher Siwo – (eyes wide, impressed) "Unbelievable! He defeated his senior so easily… Shirou, you're the first to finish."
Shirou – (faint smile, satisfied but calm)
Shru Follows
Shru – (gritting her teeth) "What?! He finished already?! Damn it!"
– Shru unleashed a powerful combination of punches and kicks, sending her opponent out of the circle.
Teacher Siwo – (proud, amazed) "Class D has some incredibly talented students this year."
Kaede vs Jesu
Jesu – (mocking, arrogant) "You thought you could beat me? You're nothing… even if you awaken in Category 3, you're beneath me!"
Kaede – (clenching fists, breathing heavy, thoughts racing) "Enough! I won't stay weak… I must act. If it were Shirou, what would he do? Yes… I understand now."
– Kaede analyzed Jesu's patterns, timing his strikes.
Kaede – (determined) "His movements… repetitive. That's my chance!"
– With precise timing, Kaede delivered a simultaneous punch and kick, unbalancing Jesu and sending him out of the circle.
Kaede – (panting, heart racing) "I… did it. Finally… I won."
Jesu – (staring, furious, disbelief) "Impossible! How… how could I lose?! This must be a trick!"
– Jesu looked for support from Riyo, but Riyo silently turned away, leaving Jesu trembling in frustration.
Results of Combat Training
– The combat training ended with surprising results:
Shirou – Rank 1
Shru – Rank 2
Noxy – Rank 4
Kaede – Rank 12
Shru – (grumbling, annoyed) "If only I had finished faster… damn it, Shirou!"
Kaede – (gently, encouraging) "Don't worry. Next time, you'll beat him."
Shru – (smiling faintly, teasing) "Anyway… you did great. That guy got a lesson."
Kaede – (resolute, determined) "Yeah… but I have to work harder. I must become stronger."
Kaede – "By the way… did you see Shirou?"
Shru – "No… probably back in his dormitory."
Kaede – "I see… understood."
---
Night – Academy Garden
– Under the dim glow of the academy lights, Shirou sat near the garden, gazing at the sky. His mind replayed the day's battles.
Shirou – (softly, a spark of excitement in his voice) "The combat test went well. Tomorrow… we will explore the rift. Finally."
– Suddenly, someone appeared before him.
Kaede – (nervous, stumbling slightly) "A-Ah… hi."
Shirou – (turning, slightly annoyed) "So it's you. What are you doing here this late?"
Kaede – (stammering, blush rising) "N-Nothing… I just… saw you here."
Shirou – (calm, analyzing) "So… something to say?"
Kaede – (gaining courage, eyes serious) "Umm… thank you."
Shirou – (frowning slightly) "Come on… not that nonsense again."
Kaede – (quickly, earnest) "No… not that. During the combat exam, I thought like you would… that's how I beat my opponent. So… thank you."
Kaede – (thinking nervously) "Damn it… did I tell him? Will he be mad?"
Shirou – (smiles faintly) "Oh… I see. Good."
Kaede – (shocked, relief washing over him) "You're… not angry?"
Shirou – (voice calm, approving) "Why would I? You did well."
– Shirou's faint smile lingered, encouraging yet reserved.
Shirou – "Keep improving. Show what you're capable of."
– He turned to leave. Kaede froze, heart pounding with newfound determination. He placed a hand over his chest, silently promising himself: I will grow stronger.
Kaede – (shouting with passion) "Hey!!! Shirou!!"
Shirou – (thinking, slightly annoyed) "This idiot… does he not know it's night?"
– Shirou turned back.
Kaede – (fists clenched, eyes blazing) "I will definitely prove myself!!"
Shirou – (smiles faintly, a flicker of acknowledgment)
– With that, both returned to their dormitories, hearts beating with determination and ambition.
Next Morning
Vice Principal Edward – "All first-year students, gather here. Today marks your first rift inspection."
All Students – "Yes, sir!!"
Shirou – (grinning faintly, anticipation in his eyes) "Finally… the time has come."
Vice Principal Edward – "For your safety, you will be accompanied by some prodigies, including S-class students… and Miss Mayu herself."
All Students – (excited, cheering) "What?! S-class students?! We'll be completely safe!"
Student 1 – "Miss Mayu is coming?! My heart is racing!"
Student 2 – (scoffing) "Calm down. She won't even notice you."
– Students buzzed with excitement. Then, a boy with golden spiky hair and sharp orange eyes stepped forward.
Student 1 – "That's Sir Arnold! Ranked fifth among S-classs!"
– Shortly after, a girl with smooth, curly yellow hair and brown eyes arrived.
Student 2 – "Miss Alina! Ranked seventh!"
Student 3 – (eyes wide) "She's… beautiful. I think I just fell in love."
– Finally, the Sword Goddess herself appeared—Mayu. Students gasped in awe.
All Students – "Look! Mayu is here!! This exploration will be incredible!"
– Amidst the excitement, Mayu's eyes were locked on Shirou. Pain suddenly flashed through her body, unbidden and sharp.
Flashback
– A dark, snowy night. A little girl shivered on the roadside. Snow fell around her, cold and unrelenting. A boy appeared, extending a hand.
Boy – "Are you okay?"
– The memory faded as quickly as it had appeared.
Alina – "Mayu!! Hey, are you alright?"
Mayu – (wincing slightly, voice tense) "Ah… Y-Yes… I'm fine… just a bit of pain, that's all."
Arnold – "Are you sure?"
Mayu – (softly) "Yes… I'm okay."
– Mayu stole one last glance at Shirou, then looked away. Her gaze lingered, heavy with memories and unspoken thoughts.
– Alina, however, noticed everything—the faint flicker of nostalgia, the shadow of pain in Mayu's eyes, and her unspoken concern.
End of Chapter 5