Morning arrived at Reikosha Academy, the sunlight spreading across the large halls as students moved around, preparing for another day.
Kairo walked through the hallway with a small smile on his face, holding two cups of yogurt in his hands.
"Man... this day is awesome."
He looked down at the yogurt before smiling slightly.
"Anyway, I'm gonna give this to Yura."
"Hey."
Kairo suddenly stopped.
The voice came from behind him.
He turned around slowly, hearing footsteps approaching from the entrance of the academy hall.
The large doors opened.
Standing there were four students.
Two girls.
Two boys.
The atmosphere immediately changed as students around them started whispering.
"Wait..."
"Oko is back!"
"No way... is that Yuki?"
"Seriously? Aoi too?"
"Dude... Daiki?"
Kairo watched them silently, curious about who they were.
Then one of the students stepped forward.
Oko smiled warmly.
"I'm back, everyone."
His eyes moved across the familiar faces around him.
"I'm really happy you still remember me."
He looked different from before.
His brown hair slightly covered his forehead, and he wore a long black leather coat that extended down his body. The coat was split in the front, reinforced with armor plating around the shoulders and forearms. Silver rivets decorated the design, while three buckles secured the chest area, giving him a dark but battle-ready appearance.
Despite his intimidating outfit, his expression remained friendly.
Suddenly, Yuki looked away.
"I'm going somewhere."
Her voice was cold and emotionless.
Without waiting for anyone's response, she walked away.
Daiki casually wandered around the room, observing everything quietly, while Aoi simply stood there drinking milk like nothing unusual was happening.
Meanwhile, Oko noticed Kairo.
He walked toward him.
"Hey."
Kairo immediately straightened.
"Y-yes?"
Oko tilted his head.
"You're the transfer student here, right?"
"Y-yeah? Why?"
"Nothing. Just asking."
Oko smiled and extended his hand.
"I'm Oko Fujiwara."
Kairo hesitated before shaking it.
"Kurosawa Kairo."
Oko suddenly slapped Kairo's back playfully.
"So you're actually pretty cool."
Kairo almost stumbled.
"Huh?"
Oko laughed.
"Your rank is E-4, right?"
Kairo froze slightly.
"You're still weak?"
He said it casually, without mocking him.
"But that's fine."
Oko looked toward the academy grounds.
"You should train more. Hunt evil spirits. Keep improving until you reach a higher rank."
Kairo stared at him.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Uh... s-sure."
He looked away.
"But honestly..."
His voice became quieter.
"I'm scared."
For a moment, his smile faded.
Damn it.
I promised myself I would start again.
I just want to become a better person.
A stronger person.
Oko looked at him and smiled.
"You know..."
His expression softened.
"You're just like me."
Kairo looked at him.
Oko lowered his gaze.
"When my father left me, he disappeared without telling me anything."
His hand slowly tightened.
"I don't even know his name."
"The only thing he left behind was this name..."
"Oko Fujiwara."
The hallway became quieter.
"Back then, I was just a normal person."
His voice carried a hint of loneliness.
"Scared."
"Pathetic."
"Weak."
"I thought this life wasn't meant for someone like me."
Oko looked outside the window.
"I never knew my mother's name either."
"I lived alone."
A small smile appeared.
"But then I met Griffin."
"He became my teacher."
"He was kind."
"He was patient."
"He taught me that being weak doesn't mean you have to stay weak forever."
Oko looked at his own hands.
"And now..."
"I keep trying."
"I keep fighting."
"And I became stronger."
Kairo listened silently.
Oko turned back toward him.
"Who's your teacher?"
Kairo paused.
Then slowly took a breath.
"...Sensei Shougo."
Oko's expression changed slightly.
"Shougo?"
Far away, in Reishin, within the Stonefang Highlands, a man stood overlooking the vast landscape.
Raizen smiled.
The wind moved through his hair as his eyes narrowed.
"Ahhh..."
"This world is so pathetic."
He laughed quietly.
"I still don't understand humans."
"They make mistakes..."
"Then blame everyone else for their own failures."
His smile became darker.
Raizen turned around.
Standing behind him was a man with a sharp jawline and piercing eyes.
He wore a form-fitting dark top beneath a long split coat. Wide belts wrapped around his waist, while a sword rested at his side. His reinforced gauntlets and boots completed a simple but dangerous battle-ready appearance.
The man spoke calmly.
"Raizen."
"I doubt your information."
Raizen looked at him.
"The Dimensional members..."
His eyes narrowed.
"One of them is currently living inside Reikosha Academy."
Raizen paused.
"And that person is Lady Chōko."
For a moment, silence filled the area.
Then Raizen laughed.
"That woman?"
His expression darkened.
"Lady Chōko..."
He clicked his tongue.
"That bitch is definitely planning something."
His smile returned.
"Besides..."
"If the Dimensional Clan becomes complete again..."
The atmosphere became heavier.
"We will destroy this world."
His laughter echoed through the mountains.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The man remained calm.
"You're right, Raizen."
"But we need to wait for your wife's decision."
He looked toward the horizon.
"Every member of the Dimensional Clan possesses a Dimensional ability."
"That's why awakening them is difficult."
"They have been sleeping for thousands of years."
Raizen looked at him with amusement.
"You're pretty smart, Hiroshi."
A grin appeared.
"That's why you're with me."
"We're going to find every Dimensional user."
Hiroshi smiled.
"I'm looking forward to it."
The wind continued blowing across Stonefang Highlands.
And somewhere far away, unaware of what was awakening in the darkness...
Reikosha Academy continued its peaceful morning.