Chapter IV: An Opening Route
The looming specter of the high school entrance exam casts a shadow over Ryujin Furukawa's aspirations. As the day approaches, an undercurrent of uncertainty permeates his thoughts, knowing all too well that his inability to control the mysterious powers bestowed upon him by the enigmatic ring might shatter his dreams.
Last night, he had a dream again with the voice in the ring, and gets some advices on the upcoming exam.
"Uhm, mister? My entrance examination for the university is coming up and I just don't know if I can do it", he says.
"Well, Ryujin, I can say that you don't need to worry of your upcoming exam. Be confident if you will enter those campus gates, and stop worrying. Besides, worrying is a barrier from the right answer. Too much worrying will lead to a mental block. Like cobblestones on streets, make the road towards progress a less bumpy. Because roads can be smooth or rough, but don't let a blockage block you to your goal. It's ok with less worry, you can do it. Believe you can do it. I will be there with you. Just remember, your power comes within a flick of your fingers", the mysterious voice from the ring says.
Standing before the imposing entrance gates, he takes a deep breath, a veneer of confidence masking the trepidation within. "I can do it," he whispers to himself, determined to forge ahead despite the doubts that linger like shadows in his mind.
He walks through the humongous columns that bears the support of such large buildings. Like what he researched, the campus is full of aesthetic, and grandeur buildings, each decorated with suspended candelabras on the walls, and ceilings. Between these candelabras are frescoes and paintings that tells a story.
Navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the examination venue, Ryujin's anxiety reaches its zenith. The prospect of failure gnaws at him as he tries to decipher the cryptic room assignments. A fortuitous encounter with a professor provides a lifeline, guiding him to the room destined for Aquarius candidates—the room that bears his zodiac sign.
"Pardon me, Sir, may I ask where is the room for the entrance examination?", he asks.
"Oh, you're a freshman. What constellation are you?", the professor replies.
"I'm an Aquarius, Sir". (Ryujin)
"Down the hall and to the left." (The Professor)
"Thank You, Sir." (Ryujin)
Ryujin follows the directions the professor said.
Inside, an unexpected twist awaits him. What he thinks will be a routine written exam on astronomy, a subject where his knowledge shines brightest, evolves into an unforeseen challenge.
"Man, I thought it would be some fighting shenanigan type of exam. This is Special Power and Defense Class."
The second part of the selection process requires candidates to showcase their abilities through combat. A survival test pits him against another Aquarius candidate with mist-like properties.
Recalling the advice of the mysterious voice, Ryujin faces his opponent. "Your power comes within a flick of your fingers," he muses. In a heartbeat, bolts of lightning crackle and descend, a dazzling display of his latent power. One bolt strikes his adversary, who attempts a belated defense, futile against the electrifying force. The combat partner attacks but as Ryujin lands a blow to the stomach, the potential energy of the force of the punch lays stationary on the opponent. However,
"Is that it?", the opponent says flamboyantly.
But, after 5 seconds, the potential energy of Ryujin's punch turns into an electrifying energy and making the force to activate, thus making the opponent flying backwards. Gladly a safety net caught him.
The administrator, watching with a stern expression, voices his dissatisfaction.
"Huh, that is...something. Yet, you need more control over your abilities, young man."
Dejected, Ryujin returns home, the weight of failure heavy on his shoulders. Yet, in his room, his mother becomes the beacon of solace, uplifting his spirits with words of encouragement.
"Cheer up, Ryu. Just pray, and let's see if you will pass the exam."
Ryujin's hands are shaking, and sweaty. Aside from his mother, his younger siblings Ichiro and Reina are there beside him.
"Cheer up, Oni-chan.", Ichiro says as he shapeshifts into a Shih Tzu dog.
"Don't worry, Oni-chan, maybe you did passed.", Reina says confidently with a bright smile.
As the phone rings, an expected call from the school shatters his preconceived notions. Contrary to his fears, they accept him.
"Ryu, you made it! I can't believe it!" His mother's voice echoes with joy on the other end of the line.
"Yeah, Mom, I made it. I don't know how, but I did," Ryujin replies, a mix of disbelief and relief in his tone.
"Yay!", Reina jumps and hugs Ryujin.
"Way to go Oni-chan!", Ichiro hugs him too.
At school, the administrator's perception of Ryujin shifts. Observing the unusual transformation of sweat into water vapor and the inexplicable condensation in the faculty room, he senses something extraordinary about the young Aquarius. The darkening sky after the exams hints at an anomaly, a foreshadowing of events beyond the realm of ordinary.
"This is something else. I have never seen someone that young that could have made these condensation of glass within a 5-mile radius. This is very something. It couldn't have been the other Aquariuses since their powers are too weak, just splashing and shapeshifting water from the tip of their fingers. Though, that Ryujin boy, has a one of a kind power.", the administrator notes.
Venturing beyond the school gates, the administrator stumbles upon a surreal scene. Black-hooded figures, victims of Ryujin's lightning, lay scattered, their enigmatic motives shrouded in mystery. The administrator's senses tingle with unease as he notices a hooded man in the distance, clad in a suit, clutching a phone and a suitcase.
"Woah. Even this? I swear no one in the Aquarius has a lightning ability than that Ryujin boy. And the crazy thing is, that it's the Aquariuses exam date today, and all other constellations were done in the previous day. Though, what were these punks after?" the administrator mutters to himself, perplexed by the inexplicable events.
In the concealed alley, the hooded man engages in a cryptic conversation with an unseen entity. His description paints a mysterious picture—hooded, suited, and seemingly intangible.
"Yes, everything went according to plan. The boy has potential," the hooded man whispers into his phone, a sinister satisfaction underlying his words.
Back at home, amidst the warmth of family and the glow of victory, Ryujin celebrates the unexpected triumph. Little does he know, his acceptance into the school marks not only the beginning of a new academic chapter but also the opening salvo in a battle against forces he can scarcely comprehend.