I woke up feeling like I'd been blessed by every spirit in the forest.
Sunlight streamed through the dormitory window, painting everything in warm gold that made even the simple Academy furniture look welcoming. My roommate's bed was already empty—apparently Daichi from Tsuchi Region was an early riser who liked to "greet the mountain spirits at dawn," whatever that meant.
Academy life, here I come!
After the whirlwind of yesterday's arrival and processing, today felt like the real beginning. Classification tests, guild explanations, finding out where I actually fit in this massive system I'd only heard fragments about back home.
I got dressed quickly, my village-made clothes feeling somehow both comfortable and inadequate compared to what I'd seen other students wearing. But Elder Sato's words echoed in my head: focus on becoming strong enough to help people. Everything else would sort itself out.
The dining hall buzzed with nervous energy as seventy-two new students tried to figure out Academy breakfast procedures. Some looked confident, chatting easily about techniques and regional politics. Others, like me, seemed more focused on not accidentally breaking any unknown rules.
"You're the fire kid from yesterday, right?"
I turned to find a girl about my age with the kind of perfectly organized appearance that screamed "I've been preparing for this my entire life." Her Mizu Region accent was subtle but unmistakable.
"Kaito," I said, offering what I hoped was a friendly smile. "And yeah, fire affinity. Though 'controlled fire' might be overstating things."
"Rina Matsuda. Water affinity, obviously." She gestured toward her carefully braided hair adorned with small blue ornaments. "I heard about your technique display during processing. Flame Threading is pretty advanced for village training."
"Lucky break," I said, which was technically true even if it left out the part about secret forest lessons with mysterious wanderers.
"Hmm." Rina's expression suggested she wasn't entirely convinced, but before she could probe further, a loud announcement echoed through the dining hall.
"All new students report to Grand Assembly Ground in fifteen minutes. Classification testing begins today."
The Assembly Ground turned out to be exactly what the name suggested—a massive outdoor arena that could have fit our entire village with room to spare. Stone bleachers rose on three sides, while the fourth was occupied by an elevated platform where Academy officials waited with the kind of formal dignity that made me suddenly aware of every wrinkle in my clothes.
But it was the figure standing slightly apart from the other officials that made my heart nearly stop.
Silver hair catching the morning light. Relaxed posture that somehow conveyed both casual confidence and lethal readiness. The same man who'd saved Mina and me from an intelligent Akuma just over a week ago.
Izuma wore a formal Academy uniform now, but with additional insignia I was just beginning to recognize. A silver crown emblem on his collar, distinctive enough that even from this distance I could make out the intricate metalwork.
Iron Crown Captain.
My brain struggled to process this information. The guy who'd casually dismantled a creature that shouldn't exist, who'd offered cryptic comments about my potential, was standing up there with the Academy's leadership like he belonged.
Which, apparently, he did.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Daichi appeared beside me, following my gaze toward the platform. "Iron Crown Guild has a reputation even in the mountain kingdoms."
"You know about them?"
"My family's been dealing with guild politics for generations." Daichi's voice carried the matter-of-fact tone of someone discussing the weather. "Iron Crown is one of the most respected guilds in Shinrin Region. Their captain's supposed to be some kind of prodigy—became a guild leader younger than anyone in recent history."
I tried to reconcile this information with my memories of Izuma's casual attitude during our encounter. "How young?"
"Twenty-two, I think? Seven years ago or something like that." Daichi shrugged. "Mountain folk respect that kind of achievement. Takes real strength to earn guild leadership so early."
Seven years as a guild leader. That would make him twenty-nine now, which matched the casual competence I'd witnessed. But knowing he'd been leading one of the region's major guilds while I was still struggling with basic fire control put our brief interaction in a very different light.
"Students!" The voice that boomed across the assembly ground belonged to a stern-faced woman whose bearing screamed 'don't even think about causing trouble.' "Welcome to Shinkai Academy. I am Administrator Tanaka, and I will be overseeing your classification testing."
Not related to our village Elder Tanaka, I hoped. That would be too much coincidence for one week.
"You are here because you demonstrated potential during regional trials," she continued. "But potential means nothing without proper development and application. The next three days will determine your specialization track, training intensity, and eventual guild recruitment eligibility."
My stomach did an excited flip. Guild recruitment eligibility. The path from village nobody to actually helping people on a meaningful scale.
"Academy graduation is not guaranteed," Administrator Tanaka's voice cut through my optimistic thoughts like cold water. "Roughly half of all students complete the full program. The others either transfer to alternative career paths or... don't."
That was ominous.
"Classification testing will evaluate your primary affinity, secondary capabilities, combat instincts, tactical thinking, and psychological resilience." She gestured toward a series of testing stations visible around the arena's perimeter. "You will rotate through all assessment areas over the next three days."
"Upon completion, you will be assigned to specialization tracks: Frontline Combat, Tactical Support, Research and Development, or Administrative Coordination." Each category sounded important in different ways, though I had to admit 'Frontline Combat' appealed to my desire to directly help people.
"Successful graduates become eligible for guild recruitment," she continued, and several students straightened with obvious interest. "Regional guilds scout Academy students throughout the program, but final selection occurs during graduation demonstrations."
"Alternative career paths include Regional Guard service, Administrative positions, or specialized roles under direct authority of regional leadership." Her gaze swept across our small group. "Some graduates even earn consideration for higher coordination roles, though such opportunities are rare and demanding."
Higher coordination roles. The kind of vague, distant authority that Elder Sato had mentioned back home—powers as far removed from village life as stars from earth. I tried to imagine what kind of work would require that level of oversight, but it felt too abstract to grasp.
"Are there any questions before we begin?"
A student from what looked like Kasai Region raised his hand. "How competitive is guild recruitment?"
Administrator Tanaka's expression grew serious. "Extremely. Regional guilds have limited positions and high standards. Your performance here will determine your eligibility, but guild selection is based on demonstrated excellence and compatibility with their specific needs."
Another hand went up. "What's the highest mission ranking Academy graduates typically handle?"
"New graduates usually begin with D and C-rank missions. Advancement to B-rank requires demonstrated competence and guild leadership approval." Her tone grew more serious. "A-rank missions and above require years of experience and exceptional capability. S-rank and higher are reserved for guild leadership and their most trusted operatives."
S-rank and higher. I wondered what kinds of threats required that level of response, then remembered the intelligent Akuma and felt a chill of understanding.
"One final note," Administrator Tanaka said, her voice carrying an edge that made everyone pay attention. "Recent events have highlighted the evolving nature of threats facing our regions. Academy training now includes enhanced protocols for unusual situations. You will be prepared for challenges that previous generations never faced."
Unusual situations. Enhanced protocols. More euphemisms for the fact that corruption was becoming intelligent again, though apparently that wasn't something they were ready to discuss openly.
"Testing begins now. Group assignments are posted by the entrance. Move efficiently and demonstrate the potential that brought you here."
As students began moving toward their assigned testing areas, I caught sight of Izuma stepping down from the platform. For just a moment, our eyes met across the dispersing crowd.
He nodded slightly—barely perceptible acknowledgment that could have meant anything from 'good luck' to 'we need to talk later.'
Then he was walking away with other Academy officials, leaving me with more questions than ever.
"Come on, fire boy," Rina called from near the group assignments board. "We're in the same testing rotation. Try not to burn down anything important on day one."
I hurried over to check my assignment, excitement and nervousness warring in my chest. Combat evaluation, tactical assessment, affinity testing, psychological profile. Three days to prove I belonged here.
Three days to show I could become strong enough to protect people.
And somewhere in the back of my mind, a growing certainty that my path would eventually cross with Izuma's again—this time as Iron Crown Captain rather than mysterious rescuer.
Whatever these tests revealed about my potential, I had a feeling the real challenges were just beginning.
But looking around at my fellow students, seeing the determination and hope in their faces, I couldn't help grinning.
Academy life was going to be incredible.