Both Haruto and Naoki froze, their bodies stiff as a bead of sweat rolled down their faces. They exchanged awkward smiles.
"Oh… hey, Sensei…" Haruto said weakly.
Naoki muttered under his breath, "We're so dead."
Scene 1
Marumoto narrowed his eyes. "What are you two doing here?"
Haruto scratched his head, forcing a nervous smile. "Uh… we were just—"
Before he could finish, he leaned toward Naoki, cupping a hand near his ear, and whispered softly, "Hey Naoki, what excuse should we make up?
Naoki whispered back with a calm smirk, "Relax. Just watch."
Then, stepping forward, Naoki spoke confidently, "Hey Marumoto-sensei! You skip classes all the time too, wandering around for food. So why can't we do the same?"
Marumoto folded his arms, unimpressed. "I was on my way to the Academy. But judging by your faces, it doesn't look like you were headed there." He turned slightly, gesturing for them to follow. "Come on. I'll take you both myself."
With defeated expressions, Haruto and Naoki exchanged dull looks and followed him, their faces bored and reluctant.
Just then, an old man appeared ahead, stopping directly in Marumoto's path. His long white beard covered half his face, his back was slightly bent, and he clutched a wooden stick with trembling hands. A faded grey cloak draped loosely over his shoulders.
Marumoto blinked in confusion. "Uh… yes? Can I help you?"
The old man lifted his shaking hand, first pointing at Naoki. His voice quivered. "I'm that boy's grandfather's friend." Then, after a dramatic pause, he pointed toward Haruto.
"And I'm the uncle of that boy's father's elder brother's wife's brother's mother's uncle." He took a long breath, then continued calmly, "So I have a question for you."
Haruto blinked blankly. Who even is this guy? I've never seen him in my life… and I don't even know half my relatives' names.
Marumoto sighed politely. "Alright, go ahead. What do you need?"
The old man said, "I just saw these two kids practicing magic. From the looks of it, they've learned quite a lot."
Marumoto raised a brow. "And? What are you trying to say?"
The old man nodded slowly. "I think they should be promoted to the next class. The exams are near, and they don't want to waste their year."
Marumoto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You make a point, but it's still too soon. They need more study time."
The old man tilted his head. "And tell me, what's left to study between Class 2 and Class 3?"
Marumoto thought for a moment. "Umm… nothing, actually."
The old man smiled faintly. "Then why not allow them to move up to Class 3?"
Naoki interrupted, "But I'm already in Class 3."
The old man nodded. "Then move him to Class 4."
Marumoto frowned. "I can shift Haruto to Class 3, but I can't move a Class 3 student like Naoki into Class 4."
The old man chuckled lightly, shaking his head. Then, slowly turning around, he began to walk away, his stick tapping softly against the ground. "Alright then, as you wish. I'll take my leave. Take care, boys."
He walked past them in the same direction they had come from. Marumoto motioned for the boys to continue, and the three resumed walking toward the Academy.
Haruto, curious, glanced back. The old man, still walking away, suddenly turned and looked back at him. Then, with a slow grin, he reached up and peeled off the wrinkled mask—revealing Einzuro underneath. He gave Haruto a cheeky thumbs-up and a playful smile before strolling away casually.
Haruto chuckled softly and turned back toward the Academy.
…
After reaching the Academy, Marumoto seated Haruto in Class 3 and left.
The classroom felt calmer than the others—no chaos, no shouting. Most students were quietly chatting or focusing on their books.
Naoki, seated on Haruto's right, leaned over and tried to start a conversation. But Haruto, nervous and shy, could barely speak properly.
On his left, Reina turned toward him. "Weren't you in Class 2 just a while ago? What are you doing here?"
Haruto flinched slightly, then quickly composed himself. "A-Actually, Einzuro-sensei moved me to Class 3."
Naoki immediately ducked behind his notebook, trying to hide his face from Reina.
Reina frowned. "Hey, idiot! You finally remembered to come to the Academy? And that too when class is almost over?"
Naoki scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… I was sick for a few days, that's why I couldn't come."
Reina gave him a sharp, unimpressed look. "Liar."
Time passed, and soon the bell rang. Everyone packed their bags and started leaving.
As Haruto walked out, he noticed most of the Class 1 students had already been promoted to Class 2. The Class 1 room looked almost empty now.
Outside, Haruto, Naoki, and Reina headed toward their dorm—a small apartment-style building for students from outside the Kingdom. Each had their own private space.
Just before heading into their rooms, Reina said, "I'll freshen up first, then head out for some training. What about you two?"
Haruto replied, "I'll drop off my bag and go train right away."
Naoki, hopping from one foot to another, said quickly, "Me too! Just gotta hit the bathroom first!" and dashed into his room.
Haruto and Reina chuckled softly before heading to their own rooms.
…
The next morning arrived. After spending the previous day entirely on training, the trio headed to the Academy together.
They sat near each other—Reina on Haruto's left, Naoki on his right. Reina focused seriously on her notes, while Naoki, completely bored, kept trying to distract Haruto with random chatter.
Then, the classroom door slid open.
A woman entered—wearing oval glasses that rested slightly low on her nose. She walked to the teacher's desk and sat down calmly.
All the students immediately stood up except Haruto.
"Good morning, Teacher!" everyone said in unison.
Haruto looked around in confusion, then quickly jumped to his feet. "G-Good morning!" he said, bowing slightly.
The teacher smiled lazily. "Good morning to you all. Sit down."
Everyone sat. Reina, however, remained standing. "Aminame-sensei, what are we going to study today?"
Aminame replied in her relaxed tone, "I'm not really in the mood to teach today. You all can just relax and have some fun."
The class cheered quietly in excitement, but Reina frowned. "But the exams are close! If we don't pass Class 4 soon, we'll waste an entire year!"
Aminame chuckled lightly. "Don't worry so much. Hunter Exams aren't fixed—they can happen anytime. Sometimes even the next day. But you're right, sometimes they take years. Some students grow old chasing their dreams… and some lose their way—turning into unofficial hunters—stealing, robbing, doing whatever it takes to earn money"
Reina raised a brow. "So… are you saying we'll end up like that?" she said with a light, teasing tone.
Aminame smiled gently. "No, no, that's not what I meant."
Reina sighed. "Then what are you going to teach us?"
Naoki groaned under his breath, barely audible. "She only cares about studying…" He slouched on his desk, looking bored.
Aminame ignored him. "Alright then, let's study something interesting."
Everyone went quiet instantly, their eyes fixed on her. Reina sat down attentively.
Aminame began, her tone calm but commanding.
"The land we live on today once belonged to someone else. This kingdom wasn't always ours. Long ago, it was ruled by another power—one we took it from."
A student raised his hand. "Who ruled this land before us?"
Aminame said, "Before us, it was ruled by the KazeKami Clan. This land was theirs—until our First King seized it from them."
Naoki thought to himself, No wonder I've only ever seen Renzaki as the lone KazeKami here…
Aminame continued, "The First King seized the land from the corrupted King Kagezuru and ended his reign of evil. Kagezuru didn't stop there, though—he attacked many times, but every attempt failed."
Haruto's eyes widened. That's the same Kagezuru Renzaki talked about… the one he wants to destroy to save his clan.
Aminame went on, "After the First King's death, the Second King usurped the throne. But he ruined everything. He destroyed peace and strained relations with other kingdoms, making countless enemies along the way. Eventually, he abandoned the throne, leaving the kingdom in ruins."
Reina leaned forward. "Wasn't that the King who was known for his vast knowledge of Magic? Why would someone that wise destroy everything?"
Aminame nodded gravely. "Because he was allied with Kagezuru and the Devils."
Reina frowned. "Then how did things improve? Why doesn't anyone hate us now?"
Aminame smiled faintly. "Soon, every kingdom turned against one another. But for all of them, the Stone Kingdom was the common enemy. It stood alone… except for the Gust Kingdom, which chose to fight beside it."
A student asked, "What happened in that war?"
Naoki proudly ran a hand through his hair, fixed his collar, and grinned. "Ahem, ahem… Anyone want an autograph?"
Aminame rolled her eyes but continued. "Just before the war began, the Stone Kingdom chose a young man from the Ishimura Clan as their King. With help from the Gust Kingdom and many great Hunters—some now retired—he led an impossible battle. During the chaos, Kagezuru joined the war too, using a powerful Devil to turn the tide in his favor."
The class gasped.
Aminame said firmly, "But despite all odds, the Stone Kingdom won. The Third King made the impossible possible—with the Gust Land by his side. Peace followed for many years, until his passing. Then came the Fourth King—the one who rules even today. He rebuilt friendships between all Kingdoms."
The class buzzed in awe, whispering excitedly about the history.
Aminame turned toward Naoki. "Naoki, you should aim to be like those heroes. But clearly, your heart's not in studying."
Naoki chuckled awkwardly.
Then her gaze slid toward Haruto. "You're Haruto, right? An old man told me about you."
Haruto jolted up from his seat, startled. "Y-Yes, ma'am, that's me." He sat back down right after, nervously fidgeting.
Aminame nodded with a smile. "The ShinKami clan truly is something else. Just like Lord Shinjiro defeated Yamara, you'll have to achieve something great too."
Then she looked at Reina, who was calmly cracking her fingers. "Reina, you're an exceptional student. You've learned so much already. Would you like to move up to Class 4?"
Reina's cheeks flushed pink. She stammered, "N-No, no! What would I even do there alone? If everyone else moves up, then I'll go too!"
Aminame chuckled softly, glancing around the class. "You're all such good students. You've already completed the syllabus. I have nothing left to teach this class. Each one of you is ready for Class 4."
Haruto blinked, expression blank. Huh? I just got here…
Then a small grin tugged at his lips, one eyebrow arching slightly. Well, can't complain. Skipping a class without studying? Perfect. The sooner I'm out of this Academy, the better.
Aminame smiled warmly. "So, Reina… do you want to move to the next class?"
Reina blushed deeper, panicking internally. A-alone? No, no, no, never!
She quickly turned her face away, trying to hide her fluster. A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks as she spoke. "If you… send everyone together, then…"
Aminame burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Looks like you're nervous. Alright then, no problem. Let's have the Class 4 teacher come and choose for himself."
With that, Aminame left the room. The class fell into silence, the students exchanging puzzled or uneasy glances, waiting to see what would happen next.
Haruto looked toward his left, where Reina nervously pressed her hands together on the desk. He leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, Reina! Reina!"
Without looking at him, Reina kept her head down, resting it on her folded arms. "Be quiet! Let me think."
Haruto whispered again, "You said you'd help me skip classes faster, right? Then take me with you if you're nervous to go alone."
Reina turned her head slightly toward him, still resting it on her arms. "I'm sorry. I didn't know they'd finish the syllabus this fast. I meant the Practical Missions, not this. But honestly, you don't need help—you'll reach Class 4 on your own soon."
Before Haruto could reply, Naoki stood up, walked over, and sat beside him—wrapping an arm around Haruto's neck in a playful half-hug. Leaning forward, he looked toward Reina's desk on the left.
"What about me, Reina? What do you think—should I go to Class 4 too?"
Reina sighed, still half-flustered. "Let the Class 4 teacher come first. We'll see who's actually going. Maybe he won't even pick me."
Just then, the classroom door slid open.
Aminame entered, turned toward the door, and bowed politely. "Shintara-sensei. Please, come in."
Everyone's attention instantly shifted toward the doorway.
Step… step…
The sound of slow footsteps echoed through the silent classroom.
A tall figure entered, walking calmly beside Aminame until he reached the front of the class. The students fell completely quiet.
His height and presence carried quiet authority. His skin had a pale, uneven tone, and his half-open eyes gave off a distant, unreadable look. A faint smile rested on his lips—calm, but unsettlingly cold.
Reina's eyes widened in shock. K-Kenmo Shintara… What is he doing here?