Once, all humans were ordinary.
No powers. No magic. Just life as we knew it.
But then, everything changed.
A spark ignited.
Strange, unique humans began to emerge — each with abilities the world had never seen.
Soon, 99% of all humanity developed supernatural powers.
But these powers weren't random.
They traced back to the very first —
The original ten.
The first to awaken.
Known as the Guardians of Magic, each one possessed a unique trait.
Together, their abilities formed the blueprint of all supernatural power known today.
But not all power stayed in balance.
One of them turned.
The Guardian Flame — once a symbol of light and leadership — was cast out.
Consumed by bitterness and isolation, his power twisted and darkened.
In time, he became a creature of vengeance… a monstrous being known only as the Beast.
He returned with wrath, wielding corrupted power, determined to destroy the others.
The war that followed shook the world.
It ended with the Beast sealed away…
But the price was unimaginable.
The Guardians were gone. Every last one.
And though their essence lived on in the powers of generations,
The age of the originals had ended.
Years passed.
Legends faded.
Magic evolved.
But not a single fire-borne soul had risen again…
Until now
"Yo… I guess this is where I'm supposed to say my name, crack a dumb joke, and tell you about my normal Awakening day, right?
Yeah… that's not happening.
Name's Nesshou Genta. And my Awakening?
It didn't go the way it was supposed to.
See, for everyone else, turning sixteen is like a party — the Bloom, the magic, the cheers, the photos.
For me?
It was panic.
Shouting.
The kind of fear you can smell in the air.
I didn't wake up surrounded by friends.
I woke up surrounded by flames… and bodies.
They say everyone's magic shows up on the Bloom test.
Mine didn't.
Not a spark. Not a flicker. Nothing.
And yet… when it came, it came like it had been waiting for centuries to burn through me.
Now people are looking at me like I'm something that shouldn't exist.
Like I'm a mistake.
Like I'm dangerous.
Maybe they're right.
But if I'm a mistake…
I'm going to be the kind that no one can ignore."
PREVIOUSLY ON CLASS 24
The Team Trial started simple — move as one, reach the core.
But halfway through, the air shifted… and the Commander stepped out of the shadows.
His eyes locked on me.
"You've been running a long time, Flame."
I demanded to know where my grandfather was.
He smirked.
"Old man put up a fight… but I made sure this time."
Heat surged through me. The floor burned under my feet.
"Same eyes as before he fell," he said, circling like a predator.
"That moment when rage burns out the man… and leaves the beast."
Shadows slashed, Reiji's blade sparked, Hanari's light flared, Ibuki struck from the dark —
But the Commander was always one step ahead.
Then… the fire took me.
Flames roared, twisting into claws and fangs.
The chamber shook with heat and shadow.
For one breath, the world was only fire — alive and hungry.
And then…
Black.
The heat came first — sharp, almost painful — before the roar hit.
A beast appeared in flames, massive, claws digging into the ground, fire running across its limbs like it was alive. Its eyes burned, and when it spoke, the voice wasn't just one — another deeper voice pushed through, heavy and layered.
"I am awake." Came out from the beast mouth
The sound tore through the field, rattling stone and shaking the air.
Even the Commander stopped mid-step, eyes narrowing.
Ibuki flinched back, boots scraping against the ground.
Ibuki: "…What… is that…?"
Hanari stumbled, catching herself on one hand, eyes locked wide.
Hanari: "It's… too close—"
Reiji stood rigid, jaw tight.
Reiji: "…Impossible…"
Kurai went pale, her gaze fixed on the creature.
Kurai: "That's… not human."
Daichi's eyes snapped to them, voice cutting like a whip.
Daichi: "What are you standing there for? Move! Bring that shadow down before it swallows us whole!"
They hesitated a fraction too long.
Daichi (turning to Kenzo): "Kenzo — with them. Keep them alive."
Kenzo gave a quick nod, his usual grin gone.
Kenzo: "Got it."
The four finally pushed into motion, following Kenzo toward the shifting darkness at the edge of the field, while Daichi and the others turned toward the beast in flames.
The air burned hotter. The battlefield had split
The Knights moved first.
Flashes of speed, mirrored light scattering across the cracked ground, and the roar of summoned beasts filled the air as they surged toward the flaming giant.
The Beast didn't step back — he simply lowered his head, claws flexing, and exhaled a wave of fire.
Beast: "Peebles… insignificant, all of you."
The heat slapped the skin raw. Daichi cut through it, blade arcing toward the creature's flank. The strike met only flame — redirected, harmless against that molten hide.
From above, another Knight dove, spear aimed for the head.
Daichi: "Reo — watch it!"
Too late — a whip of fire lashed upward, catching Reo mid-descent and hurling him across the battlefield.
From the left, twin arcs of mirrored light closed in.
Daichi: "Shion, left flank — now!"
Shion blurred in, her strike almost connecting before the Beast's claw slammed down, forcing her to leap back, armor scorched.
A third figure appeared in the heat haze, charging in from behind.
Daichi: "Haru — back step! Don't—!"
A sudden burst of flame forced Haru into a roll, narrowly escaping a claw swipe that could have cleaved him in two.
The Beast barely moved from his spot. He didn't need to. Every strike bent around him, every attack pushed back by the living wall of fire that clung to his form.
They regrouped, attacked again — steel, light, and beasts converging in a three-pronged assault. The result was the same: no wound, no stagger.
When they finally stopped, boots grinding into scorched earth, their breaths were heavy, the heat burning their lungs.
The Beast straightened, flames licking higher.
Beast: "You strike like the desperate… and fall like the weak. Remember this name — Kagutsuchi, the fire that swallows all."
Daichi's brows drew together. His voice wasn't sharp now — it was cautious, searching.
Daichi: "…Kagutsuchi…? What are you? Why are you here?"
The Beast's eyes glowed hotter, an ember-like grin curling across his face.
Kagutsuchi: "You ask as if there's reason… as if fire needs permission to burn."
Daichi didn't answer immediately. The heat was clawing at his lungs, but the unknown gnawed at him more.
Daichi: "…Were you sent here? Or… did something wake you?"
The Beast tilted his head, studying him like a curious predator.
Kagutsuchi: "I was never sent. I was never born. I was… sealed. And now… I am free."
Daichi: "…Sealed? By who?"
Kagutsuchi: "By those who feared my light. By those who could not endure my flame. They locked away what they could not destroy."
Daichi's voice dropped, almost wary.
Daichi: "…Then what's your purpose now?"
The Beast leaned forward slightly, his massive frame blotting out the view behind him.
Kagutsuchi: "Purpose? I am the purpose. I am the sealed Flame Guardian. And now… I burn again."
The heat spiked, cracks splitting the ground at his feet. The air shimmered so violently it blurred their vision.
The ground trembles as Daichi and the other Knights clash with the Commander's lieutenants, sparks and shockwaves tearing through the air. For a heartbeat, the younger four can only watch — awe mixing with worry.
Kenzo (grinning, stepping between them and the chaos):
"Eyes off them, rookies. We've got our own problem."
Commander (turning his gaze on the group, a cruel smirk curling):
"Four children… and a man-child. This is mercy."
They hear his laugh — slow, deep, and dismissive.
Hanari's eyes narrow, but before stepping forward she glances at Kurai. She can see the stiffness in her stance, the way her footing anchors her more than it frees her. Without a word, Hanari flicks a single petal from her hair, the glow barely visible in the frantic light of battle.
Hanari (softly, as she passes it into Kurai's palm):
"For your feet — don't waste it."
Kurai looks down, feeling the faint hum through her fingers, and gives the smallest nod. Hanari turns away, now with only two petals left.
Hanari (quietly, with a half-smile):
"You're not the fastest… this should help you keep up."
Kurai met her gaze briefly, then nodded. Hanari's hand lingered for a second before she pulled back, now left with only two petals fluttering at her side.
The Commander's shadow loomed over them, his voice carrying that cold amusement.
"Four against one… amusing."
Hanari moved first — petals slicing forward like spinning blades, catching glints of light as they arced toward their target. The Commander shifted his stance and simply swayed out of their path, the petals missing by mere inches.
From the opposite side, Ibuki's shadows surged, winding toward the Commander's feet. He stamped the ground lightly — and the shadows burst into harmless wisps.
Kurai dashed in next, her movements sharpened by the petal's strange energy. She threw a series of precise punches and sweeping kicks, forcing him to deflect rather than ignore her completely — but never landing a true hit.
Reiji finally moved, Shinen flashing in his hands. The blade's edge shimmered faintly, almost like moonlight bending along it. He cut in with a sharp diagonal slash, following with a thrust that would've caught anyone slower. The Commander twisted his body, letting the sword pass just inches away, then caught the flat of the blade with two fingers before shoving Reiji back.
The four regrouped, their breathing heavier. Not a single mark on him.
The Commander let out a slow sigh.
"Is this… all you can muster?"
From a short distance away, Kenzo stood with his hands in his pockets, watching. He finally tilted his head, stepping forward with an almost lazy grin.
Kenzo:
"Hmph… looks like it's my turn after all."
Back at the rigorous battle between the Knights and Kagutsuchi.
The ground trembled under the weight of Kagutsuchi's roar. Heat shimmered across the battlefield, distorting the air as the beast's throat glowed molten red.
A sudden WHOOOSH — waves of fire burst outward in a tidal arc.
Yua's visor caught the light and flared. "Your flames… back at you."
The inferno bent and curled in midair, snapping back toward the beast with equal ferocity.
Kagutsuchi snarled, driving its own flames forward to collide with the reflected wave — the explosion of heat blasting through the valley.
Hayato stepped in, gloves glowing. "Fifteen seconds."
The glow surged as he locked power with the beast, its raw strength meeting his for a fleeting moment of equality. The ground cracked under their duel, each pushing against the other in a deadlock.
In that breath of opportunity—Phantom Jump.
Daichi appeared in a blur, short sword drawn, slicing across the beast's flank in a precise, cutting strike before vanishing again.
Kagutsuchi bellowed, twisting to retaliate—only for Rikuya's summoned beast, a massive, horned drake, to clamp down on its leg, anchoring it in place.
The fire titan's eyes blazed brighter. "I have burned greater warriors than you."
But already, sweat streaked the Knights' faces. Every movement felt heavier, every breath hotter. Their coordination was tight, yet the beast's overwhelming presence kept pressing them further back.
Kenzo and the kids fight had already shifted to the plaza.
The cracked plaza was bathed in pale, cold light, dust swirling around broken pillars and scattered rubble. The Commander stood at its center, calm and unshaken, while four young fighters circled him, poised to strike.
Hanari's petals flitted through the air, spinning toward the Commander with precision. He blocked and shifted his stance, narrowly avoiding the slicing petals.
Hanari (gritting her teeth): "You won't just ignore us this time."
Ibuki moved quickly along the ground, low and silent, vanishing in a blur of movement before reappearing under the Commander, a phantom ready to strike.
Reiji's Shinen gleamed as he swung in sharp, precise arcs, sparks flying each time the blade met the Commander's defenses.
Kurai stayed at the edge of the fight, moving cautiously. She wasn't fast, but her focus never wavered — all her concentration had been building toward a single moment.
The Commander's expression was cold, almost amused.
Commander (mocking): "Four children… is this the best you can do?"
Kenzo stepped forward, shifting his weight lightly, running circles around the Commander's guard with no powers, just sheer skill. His punches and kicks hit openings that the others created, dodging each swing with a fluid, human grace.
Kenzo (grinning): "Better than standing still and waiting to get hit."
The fight's rhythm changed. Hanari's petals closed in tighter, Ibuki struck from unexpected angles, Reiji's sword pressed the Commander to block repeatedly, and Kenzo darted in, weaving, striking, and laughing as he dodged near misses with nimble spins and flips.
Finally, the moment Kurai had been waiting for came. She stepped forward, eyes widening. Pink rings spread across her eyelids, and within her pupils, a delicate image of a lock appeared, glowing faintly.
Kurai (quietly, resolutely): "Now… stop."
The Commander froze mid-step, his muscles stiffening as his powers abruptly cut out. The petals and Ibuki's shadow held him in place; Reiji's Shinen pressed against him, forcing him to one knee.
Kenzo approached on nimble, precise steps and clasped the glowing cuffs around the Commander's wrists in one smooth, grounded motion. He stepped back, grinning like he'd pulled off the perfect trick.
Commander (weak, smirking faintly): "Four little sparks… no, not sparks… embers."
With a final tap from Kenzo, the Commander collapsed, unconscious. Kurai's pink rings faded, the lock symbol disappearing. The plaza fell silent, dust settling around the victors.
Kenzo stretched, hands in his pockets, still grinning.
Kenzo: "Well… that was fun."
Hanari's petals drifted out, Ibuki faded back out of the shadows, and Reiji Shinen vanishs from plain sight. The four kids and their nimble, human Knight had brought down a foe far stronger than themselves — together.
The labyrinth trembled with the remnants of fire and debris. Flames licked the cracked stone as Kagutsuchi roared, the heat radiating like a living thing. The Knights regrouped quickly, eyes meeting with silent understanding. This would be their final push.
Daichi (gritting his teeth): "Everyone, now! No holding back!"
Yua stepped forward first, lifting her visor. Light shimmered across her reflective armor as she angled a blast of reflected fire back at the Beast, forcing him to stagger slightly.
Yua: "Take that! You won't burn everything here!"
Hayato's gloves glowed faintly, hands outstretched, as he activated his Balance Lock. For fifteen seconds, the Beast's immense power was equalized to a fraction of its former strength, slowing its attacks just enough to allow the Knights to coordinate.
Rikuya's summoning glyph flared as a medium-sized beast leapt forward, claws sinking into Kagutsuchi's leg. The creature snarled, holding him in place despite the flames licking around it.
Rikuya (softly, to his beast): "Hold him… just a little longer."
Daichi Phantom-Jumped in, slashing at Kagutsuchi's flank with precise arcs of his short sword. Sparks danced as molten scales deflected, but the timing of his attacks forced the Beast to constantly redirect its flames.
Kagutsuchi roared, shaking the ground.
Kagutsuchi: "Chains will not hold me forever!"
From the side, Kenzo leapt forward, his movements entirely human but lightning-fast. He spun, delivering a precise kick to the Beast's knee, staggering it back just slightly. He laughed as he landed.
Kenzo: "Guess it's my turn! Can't let you have all the fun, big guy!"
Meanwhile, the four kids had crept in closer. Hanari flung her remaining petals in a tight spiral, explosive shards of light hammering at the Beast's arms and shoulders.
Ibuki's form melted into the shadows, silent as ever, before striking with his shadow dagger aimed straight at the Beast's chest. A piercing black streak met molten hide, embedding just enough to make Kagutsuchi flinch.
Reiji swung Shinen in a rapid series of strikes, slashing toward any opening the Beast gave. The clang of steel against molten scales echoed, each strike precise, testing the creature's defenses.
Kurai, eyes focused and steady, began to channel the energy she had been holding back. Her hands glowed faintly as sealing light radiated outward.
Kurai (quietly): "This ends now… you will return to rest."
Hanari synchronized her last petals with Kurai's light. Explosive petals of brilliant pink and gold spun around them, latching onto Kagutsuchi like chains of fire and light, forcing him to his knees.
The Beast's roar filled the plaza, shaking dust from the ceiling. Flames swirled violently around his body, writhing like serpents.
Kagutsuchi: "I… will… burn forever!"
Daichi leapt in front, cutting through a column of collapsing fire, eyes locked on the Beast's face.
Daichi: "Not this time! Everyone, now!"
The Knights and kids moved together in perfect unison. Yua reflected one last wave of flame. Hayato held the Balance Lock as long as he could. Rikuya's beast pinned Kagutsuchi to the ground. Kenzo spun and struck with human precision. Hanari's petals and Kurai's sealing light wrapped around the Beast. Ibuki's shadow dagger pierced deeper, synchronized with the explosive energy. Reiji's blade pressed continuously.
The Beast screamed, thrashing violently, flames ripping outward, trying to resist the sealing.
Kagutsuchi (roaring, furious): "You cannot stop me! I am eternal fire!"
Kurai stepped closer, her hands glowing brighter. Pink rings flared across her eyelids, the lock symbol appearing faintly in her pupils, signaling the final seal.
Kurai (firmly): "It's over… be still."
The Beast let out one final, deafening roar as the chains of light, shadow, petals, and reflected flame constricted around him. The fire bent inward, collapsing toward his core. The ground shook violently, dust and flame mixing into a blinding whirlwind.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed suspended. Then, with a sharp pulse of energy, Kagutsuchi vanished, collapsing inward — resealed, retreating into Nesshou's unconscious body.
The labyrinth fell silent, the lingering heat and smoke curling slowly toward the ceiling. The Knights staggered slightly, catching their breath, their armor scorched, their muscles screaming from exertion.
The four kids stepped forward, eyes wide, still trembling from the intensity.
Hanari (panting): "He… he's finally down."
Ibuki: "For now… yes."
Reiji: "Everyone, keep alert. Don't underestimate him — or the seal."
Kurai lowered her hands, pink rings fading, the lock symbol disappearing.
Kenzo kicked up some debris, laughing breathlessly.
Kenzo: "Hah… I told you guys, fun fight, huh? I could do this all night."
Daichi (finally exhaling): "Good… everyone… we did it. Together."
Rikuya knelt beside his beast, patting its head.
Rikuya: "You held him. Couldn't have done it without you."
The labyrinth remained scorched and battered, but the team stood victorious, united in effort and relief. Kagutsuchi's power was gone — for now — and everyone had played a part in the beast's final sealing
The labyrinth lay in ruin, dust and ash curling through the air. Broken pillars, scorched stone, and scattered debris marked the ferocity of the battle.
The four kids stood cautiously around the unconscious Commander, breathing heavily, their hearts still racing. Nearby, the Knights slowly regrouped, checking each other for injuries, their armor scorched but intact.
Hayato exhaled, voice low and measured:
Hayato: "Two monsters… both alive."
Kurai's gaze lingered on the site where Kagutsuchi had been sealed. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, yet it carried the weight of understanding:
Kurai: "Alive… and waiting."
A faint stir drew their attention. Nesshou's body shifted slightly, unconscious no longer. Eyes flickered open, faintly glowing with the ember-like hue of Kagutsuchi's flame. His voice, distorted yet eerily familiar, rumbled through the plaza:
Nesshou (whispering, Kagutsuchi's voice): "Next time… no chains."
A silence fell over the battlefield, heavier than the dust in the air. The words lingered, echoing off shattered stone. Everyone froze, the weight of what they had just faced pressing down on them.
The camera—or the scene's perspective—pulled back slowly. The charred plaza shrank into the distance, the lingering glow of heat fading into darkness.
THE END
NESSGEEORIGINAL