The academy's training ground was already buzzing with energy when both classes, MH-2-1 and MH-2-2, gathered under the afternoon sun. The wide open field stretched endlessly, prepared for what Yamada-sensei had promised—the Trial of Harmony.
Kenji strolled in alongside Konoha, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened during lunch.
"See you later, Konoha," he said quickly, peeling off toward his group.
Ryujin and Kai were waiting. Ryujin's eyes narrowed, shooting a side glance at Kenji. "So… you and her, huh?"
Kai smirked, elbowing him. "Ohooo, my man got himself a yellow-haired Noble. Respect."
Ryujin folded his arms, smirking. "So, what's next? You'll date her, get married, have three kids, and live happily ever after?"
Kenji's cheeks turned pink, and before he knew it, he started daydreaming—himself in a suit, Konoha in a wedding dress, three adorable children around them. He smiled like a fool.
Kai's voice snapped him out of it. "Yeah, but imagine you go bankrupt. No money, no job, and Konoha beats the crap out of you for being useless."
Kenji immediately pictured a furious Konoha swinging a frying pan at him, kids crying in the background. He shuddered, face pale. "N-No way…"
The group burst out laughing, even Nami covering her mouth to hide her giggles.
Before Kenji could argue back, a familiar voice boomed across the ground.
"Silence."
Yamada-sensei had arrived. His presence alone calmed the crowd. Every student turned to him instinctively.
"You've all learned how to sense Reikon, but today…" His tone deepened. "You will try to sense mine."
The entire field fell silent.
Then, Yamada's aura erupted. A wave of light energy cloaked his body, glowing so bright it almost stung the eyes. The ground trembled lightly under the sheer pressure.
"This… is only 20% of my Reikon."
Gasps broke out. Dozens of students staggered back, their hearts pounding. Many covered their mouths in shock as the aura wrapped around them like a storm.
Brod's eyes went wide. "Holy crap—this feels like standing in front of a dragon."
Kai and Nami clutched their chests. Chizuru's face went pale. Even Kenji, who always joked, had his mouth open in awe.
But Ryujin?
He didn't flinch. Didn't blink. To him, it was… nothing.
Still, he glanced at his group and saw their shocked faces. His acting instincts kicked in.
"BROOOOO, SO COOOOLLLL!!! SEN-SEI, YOU'RE A TOTAL BADASS!!" he screamed, flailing his arms dramatically.
A hush fell as the entire group turned to stare. Yamada raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "…Hm."
Ryujin froze, sweatdropping. Crap, maybe I overdid it.
But before anyone could laugh, Yamada raised his hand again. The air grew heavier. His aura flared brighter, sharper, until it felt like the oxygen itself was being ripped away.
"This is 50%."
The ground quaked. Students clutched their throats, struggling to breathe. Sweat poured down their faces as the crushing presence bore down on them.
Kai gasped. "C-Can't… breathe…"
Ayase stumbled to her knees. Even the stronger students trembled, legs shaking under the strain.
Ryujin, however, stood tall, eyes sharp. He felt it. The weight, the suffocation, the killing intent woven into that aura. But deep inside… a smile tugged at his lips.
So this… is the real strength of a master. Interesting.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the aura vanished. The pressure lifted, leaving the students gasping for air.
Yamada folded his arms. "Enough. You would not be able to withstand my 80%."
He waited for the students to compose themselves before speaking again. "Now. The Trial of Harmony begins."
A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.
"This trial has two levels," Yamada explained. "The first is a sprint course, filled with traps designed to test your physical endurance and awareness. The second…" His gaze sharpened. "Requires two individuals. One will head toward a corner to channel their magic into a seal ball. The other will face a gate that demands equal magical energy. Only by synchronizing your Reikon can you open the gate."
The students whispered among themselves, buzzing with nervous excitement.
"This trial is not about rewards," Yamada continued. "It is about your awakening. When you channel your Reikon, chant your magic, focus on your attack… and if you wish, give your technique a name. The path you walk is yours."
He clapped once, and fifty thin sticks appeared in his hand, each identical in shape. "To decide the order, we draw sticks. Thirty are red, twenty are white. Red means you will go first."
The line formed quickly. Students approached nervously, each pulling their fate.
The first group cheered in relief—they had drawn white.
Then came Ryujin. He plucked his stick without hesitation. White. He exhaled lightly. "Guess it's not my turn yet."
Kenji wiped his brow in relief when his turn came—also white.
But then it was Nami and Chizuru's turn. Both reached out, pulled their sticks…
Two streaks of red gleamed in the sunlight.
The air grew tense again as the crowd erupted into murmurs. The first challengers had been chosen.
And with that, the trial was about to begin.