The morning sun painted the streets in a soft gold as three boys trudged along the narrow road toward school. Their laughter echoed, breaking the stillness of the early hour.
Kai Kurobane was still chuckling, clutching his stomach as he pointed at Kenji. "Hah! I still can't believe you actually said your favorite anime is Rent-a-Girlfriend! Out of all the series in the world, you chose that one?"
Kenji Inomata's cheeks flushed red as he threw his arms up defensively. "Hey! Don't disrespect the culture! It has depth—romance, comedy, emotional drama—"
"Yeah, yeah," Ryujin Akuma cut in, smirking with his hands in his pockets. His black hair swayed gently as he glanced at his two friends. "Depth in wasting your time, maybe. At least watch something that doesn't make you cry at night."
Kenji puffed his chest. "And what did you watch last night? One Piece, again?"
"Of course," Ryujin replied without hesitation. "I've got priorities, unlike you two clowns."
Their friendly bickering was cut short when a strange pressure filled the air. The three of them froze mid-step. A prickling sensation ran down their spines, as though something enormous was rushing toward them.
Kai's grin vanished. He glanced at Ryujin, then at Kenji. All three turned their heads at the same time—
"Cover your face!" Kai shouted, instinctively shielding his head.
Ryujin bent his knees, arms out in a perfect volleyball stance.
Kenji clenched his fists, adopting the boxing guard his father had drilled into him since childhood.
But what came was not a ball, nor some prank from the neighborhood kids.
It was a truck.
Barreling down the narrow street, swerving violently, its headlights flashing as if mocking their helplessness.
"Wha—what the hell?!" Kenji cried.
"Not like this!" Ryujin shouted, eyes wide. "I am NOT getting reincarnated into some slime or vending machine, you two hear me?! You're not dying either!"
The engine roared like a beast as the truck closed in. Kenji dove sideways, rolling across the pavement. Ryujin's instincts flared—he spun and launched a sharp kick straight into Kai's stomach.
"GUH?!" Kai gasped, the air knocked from his lungs as the force of the kick sent him upward, flailing through the air.
"Damn you, Ryujin!" he screamed, but his voice was lost in the chaos.
Ryujin followed immediately, his legs coiling like springs before he leapt with all his strength. The truck screeched, the smell of burning rubber filling the air—
CRASH!
Metal tore against stone as the truck smashed into a corner railing, skidding to a stop with smoke pouring from the hood.
The three boys, panting, stumbled toward the driver's seat. Kenji ripped the door open, his face pale. Inside, a man slumped forward, reeking of alcohol, his eyes glassy.
"He's drunk," Kenji muttered through gritted teeth.
Kai, still holding his stomach, snapped. "And you—YOU! Why the hell did you kick me like that? I could've jumped just fine!"
Ryujin gave him a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. "My bad, Shawty. Heat of the moment, you know? I thought you'd thank me later."
"SHAWTY?!" Kai lunged at him, but Kenji held him back, laughing so hard tears welled up in his eyes.
"Okay, okay, enough," Ryujin said, straightening his uniform. "Let's just call the ambulance before this guy kills someone else."
They did, quickly explaining the situation to the operator. As the sirens echoed faintly in the distance, Ryujin glanced at his watch.
"Oh, shit." His eyes widened. "We're late for school!"
"What?!" Kenji yelled.
The three of them bolted, their footsteps thundering down the street. The school gates loomed in the distance, the guards already moving to shut them.
"Wait!" Kai screamed, sprinting with every ounce of strength.
The gates creaked—then slammed shut.
…Only to bounce back as Ryujin forced his way through, Kai and Kenji tumbling in after him. They collapsed onto the schoolyard pavement, panting heavily.
"One minute," Ryujin muttered with a smirk. "That's gotta be a new record."
The grand halls of Noble Academy of Training and Magic stretched before them, towering stone pillars carved with ancient runes. Intricate stained glass windows painted the classrooms in hues of blue and gold. This was no ordinary school—it was the pride of Japan, the place where the next generation of nobles were forged.
Inside their classroom, the familiar chatter greeted them. Nami Yamada, her bright eyes narrowing dangerously, immediately stormed up to Ryujin.
"You're late again!" she snapped, her twin sister Ayase hovering behind her, shaking her head in exasperation.
Ryujin raised his hands in surrender. "Not my fault this time, promise! We were doing the Lord's work."
Kenji burst into laughter. "Saving Kai from his own stupidity, more like."
Kai's face turned red. "I'll kill you both!"
Before the chaos escalated further, a sharp voice cut through the room.
"Quiet down."
The homeroom teacher, a tall man in flowing black robes, entered. His piercing gaze silenced the students instantly.
"You're all fifteen—or some of you a bit older," he began, his voice echoing across the chamber. "For ten years you have trained in the martial arts of your Houses. Each of you has mastered at least two techniques, some more."
He paced slowly, his words heavy with authority.
"But today marks the beginning of a new chapter. Let us remember who you are. You are nobles. The pride and dignity of your Houses. Each of you belongs to one of the Ten Royal Houses of Japan, the ruling pillars of our nation. Across the world, every country has its Ten Houses, and their leaders control not only politics, but destiny itself."
The students sat straighter, the weight of their heritage pressing down on them.
"And this place," the teacher continued, gesturing to the walls around them, "is the Noble Academy of Training and Magic. Only nobles may enter these halls. Only here will you learn the arts that define your bloodline."
Ryujin felt a shiver. He glanced at his friends, at Nami and Ayase, at Chizuru Mokoto and Brod Kitsuhara—all of them were watching with rapt attention.
"You have mastered your fighting arts," the teacher said firmly. "Now, you will begin to learn magic."
The classroom erupted in cheers.
Magic. The word itself felt heavy, dangerous, alive.
The teacher raised his hand for silence. "Be ready. After this period, your first test will begin."
The students exchanged excited, nervous glances. Ryujin leaned back in his chair, his heart pounding.
"So… magic, huh?" he whispered under his breath.
Kai grinned, his earlier anger forgotten. "About time."
Kenji cracked his knuckles, a dangerous spark in his eyes. "I was born ready."
Ryujin smirked, staring out the window at the shining academy grounds.