The Shadow World was always cold, its skies blank and colorless like a broken canvas. The group had traveled far enough to find an abandoned ruin—stone pillars half-sunken into the ground, walls fractured but still standing, and a dome-like roof cracked open to the pale light above.
It was here that "Saki Fujimoto" stood at the center, her long black hair tied behind her as her sharp S-Rank eyes scanned the group. A faint, eerie shimmer pulsed in her pupils—her "Shadow Sense" ability awakening. She looked at each of them with a calm yet serious expression.
Her presence alone made everyone instinctively straighten up.
---
>>> The Setup
"Saki (calm, authoritative):"
"Alright. We're not leaving this place until we understand where everyone stands. This world isn't forgiving—if we move blind, we'll lose people. That's why I'll read each of you. Your "rank and ability". Don't resist; it's easier if you relax."
"Haruka (nodding, a little nervous):"
"You mean… you'll see exactly what we can do?"
"Saki:"
"Yes. Not just your element, but your resonance with the Shadow World itself. It's not perfect, but enough to judge survival potential."
"Renji (leaning on his bow, smirking):"
"Guess we'll finally see who's all talk."
"Kenta (snorts):"
"Keep laughing, bow-boy. I'm gonna blow past you."
"Kaida Ren (firm, steady):"
"Enough. Let's hear her out."
"Takuro (smiling faintly, eyes glinting as if amused):"
"…Interesting. Let's see how fate judges us."
"Mori (swallowing hard, thoughts racing):"
'This is it. My chance to see how far I am behind them… I know I'm weak, but… what if there's nothing at all?'
---
>>> First Test – Renji
Saki raised her hand, shadows from the cracked walls curling faintly around her fingers as if feeding her vision.
"Saki (to Renji):"
"Step forward."
Renji smirked and obeyed, casual but clearly curious. The shadows flickered, and Saki's pupils dilated as she read his aura.
"Saki (voice ringing with clarity):"
"Renji… A natural affinity for "Wind Manipulation". Swift, agile, precise. Your arrows will cut faster than most creatures can follow."
"Renji (grinning wide):"
"Heh. Figures. Guess I was born for this."
"Haruka (smiling slightly):"
"That suits you… fast and annoying."
"Renji (playful):"
"Annoying? You'll be glad I'm fast when a shadow claw's about to rip your throat."
The group chuckled lightly, tension easing for a moment. Mori watched, half-jealous, half-inspired.
---
>>> Second Test – Haruka
"Saki (turning):"
"Haruka. Your turn."
Haruka stepped forward, calm but slightly hesitant. Saki focused. Light shimmered faintly around Haruka's form, breaking through the gloom.
"Saki (softly, almost impressed):"
""Light Barrier & Support." Defensive resonance. You can shield others, heal minor injuries, disrupt shadow corruption. Rare for your rank… You're stronger than you think."
"Haruka (eyes widening):"
"…Light? I… can protect people?"
"Kaida Ren (smiles warmly):"
"Of course you can. That fits you."
"Kenta (grinning):"
"Figures the kind one gets the healing powers."
"Haruka (blushing slightly, but firm):"
"Don't underestimate me. Protection is just as important as destruction."
"Mori (thinking, surprised):"
'Haruka… she always helped us back in class, but now… she can actually protect us with power.'
---
>>> Third Test – Kaida Ren
Kaida stepped forward, towering slightly, shoulders squared. Saki's eyes narrowed as the shadows thickened around him.
"Saki:"
""Earth Manipulation." Strong resonance. Solid, grounded. Defensive walls, blunt force, and terrain control. You'll be our shield when things turn bad."
"Kaida (nodding seriously):"
"…That's acceptable. I'll take that role."
"Renji (grinning, elbowing him):"
"Figures you'd be a walking wall."
"Kaida (stern glare):"
"…Better a wall than a breeze."
The group laughed again, though Mori could feel Kaida's silent burden—he was already thinking of protecting everyone.
---
>>> Fourth Test – Kenta
Kenta swaggered forward, cracking his knuckles, fire already seeming to flicker in his eyes.
"Saki:"
""Fire Manipulation." Raw destruction. High-output offense, but reckless. If you lose control, you'll hurt allies as easily as enemies."
"Kenta (grinning wide, unbothered):"
"Perfect. Burn 'em all down, right? I'll handle the front lines."
"Renji (snorting):"
"Or burn us alive."
"Kenta (growling):"
"Say that again, bow-boy—"
"Kaida (interrupting, firm):"
"Enough. Save the fire for the shadows."
Mori felt a pang of envy. Even Kenta, reckless as he was, had something powerful to show.
---
>>> Fifth Test – Miya Hoshino
Miya stepped forward with a confident gaze, her ponytail swaying behind her. The moment Saki's eyes flared, sparks practically crackled around Miya.
"Saki:"
""Lightning Manipulation." Speed and ferocity. Deadly in offense, but difficult to control. Your potential… is terrifying."
"Miya (grinning fiercely):"
"Good. I'll cut down anything that threatens us. Simple."
"Haruka (softly, a little intimidated):"
"Miya… you're amazing."
"Miya (shrugging, smirking at Mori briefly):"
"Don't be so impressed. Power means nothing if you can't survive with it."
Her words cut Mori a little deeper than she realized.
---
>>> Sixth Test – Daichi Tanaka
Daichi stepped forward, silent as ever, his heavy frame steady. Saki concentrated, and stone-like ripples of strength radiated from him.
"Saki:"
""Earth Strength Enhancement." Your body itself resonates with stone. Physical durability beyond normal limits. You'll endure what others cannot."
"Daichi (simply):"
"…Good. That's enough."
He stepped back without further words, and everyone respected his silent reliability.
---
>>> Seventh Test – Takumi Ishida
Takumi adjusted his glasses as he stepped up. Saki focused, and water shimmered faintly around him, rippling and calm.
"Saki:"
""Water Manipulation." Flexible, adaptive. Balance between defense and offense. You'll be our strategist's anchor."
"Takumi (smiling calmly):"
"Perfect. I'll make sure we think before we strike."
"Renji (teasing):"
"Figures. Always the brain."
---
>>> Eighth Test – Takuro
Then came "Takuro". His smile was faint, almost mocking, as he stepped into the circle of shadow. Saki's eyes narrowed—then suddenly her ability flickered, like static interrupting her vision.
She blinked, focusing harder, but the reading came back weak.
"Saki (hesitant):"
"…E-Rank. No notable element…?"
The group blinked in surprise.
"Renji (raising a brow):"
"Wait, really? He's that weak?"
"Kenta (grinning cruelly):"
"Guess someone's below Mori after all."
"Takuro (smiling faintly, unfazed):"
"Rank doesn't matter. Only results."
Mori frowned slightly, something about it feeling… off. But he shoved the thought away.
---
>>> Ninth Test – Mori
Finally, Saki turned to Mori. Her eyes softened slightly—her childhood friend.
"Saki (quietly):"
"Mori… step forward."
Mori swallowed hard and obeyed, his heart hammering. The shadows wrapped around him—and then her pupils widened in shock.
Darkness. Endless. Empty yet heavy. Unlike the others, there was no element, no clear path. Just a void.
"Saki (whispering):"
"…Darkness… unreadable… bottomless. I can't… I can't see it."
The group exchanged confused glances.
"Haruka (concerned):"
"What does that mean? Is he… powerless?"
"Saki (shaking her head, firm):"
"No. Not powerless. Just… hidden. I can't read it at all."
"Mori (inner thoughts, sinking):"
'Even she… even Saki can't see anything. Am I really nothing?'
"Renji (awkwardly, trying to lighten it):"
"Well, guess he's the mystery package."
"Kenta (snorting):"
"Or dead weight."
"Kaida Ren (firm, protective):"
"Enough. His worth isn't measured here."
Saki looked at Mori, her voice soft.
"Saki:"
"Mori… don't lose hope. Darkness isn't emptiness. Sometimes… it means potential too deep to measure."
Her words gave Mori a fragile thread of strength.
---
>>> Closing Resolve
As the group settled, whispers and mutters filling the ruined hall, Mori stood quietly apart. His fists clenched, his chest heavy, but his eyes burned with a fragile determination.
"Mori (inner voice):"
'I may be unreadable. I may be weak. But I'll prove it. No matter what this darkness means… I'll climb from E-Rank. I won't be left behind.'
The shadows stirred faintly around him, unnoticed by most. Only Takuro's eyes gleamed in the dim light, as if savoring the secret truth.
---