The rising sun bathed the rooftops of Ryukara, the radiant village where the prestigious Kurotsugami Academy was located.
Sam Ouzura, a small boy with messy black hair and eyes shining with ambition, walked nervously along the paved path. His bag hung askew, and he stared at the immense building rising before him.
"Wow… It's… even bigger than I dreamed…" he thought, his throat tight.
Around him, dozens of students his age laughed and chatted, some already displaying Tenshō bracelets, symbols of their affiliation. Sam clenched his fists. He, too, wanted to prove his worth. But deep down, he was afraid.
Entering the Academy
The large gate opened, revealing a hall with walls covered in luminous symbols. Ancient inscriptions glowed softly, reminders of the mysterious power of Tenshō.
Sam entered, his eyes wide. But in his excitement, he tripped on the doormat and fell flat on his face.
A burst of laughter rippled through the hall.
"Hey, watch where you're going, clumsy kid!" a student called out, snickering.
Sam got up, red with embarrassment.
"Shut up! I did it on purpose!" he retorted insolently, which only elicited more laughter.
Among the students, a girl with a serious face and long black hair falling to her shoulders watched him silently. It was Yunari Kazeyra. Her calm eyes rested on Sam, but she quickly looked away, as if this clumsy kid didn't deserve her attention.
The Meeting with the Teacher
A sudden silence fell as a man entered the hall. Tall, with a stern face, dressed in a long black coat, his eyes shone with icy intelligence.
"Silence," he said simply. And they all obeyed.
"I am Master Kaen Tsurugi, and from this day forward, you are my students. Some of you will fail, others will shine. But here…" he fixed his piercing gaze on Sam, who bowed his head, "…there is no room for weakness."
Sam felt a shiver run through him, but at the same time, a flame burned in his chest.
"I will prove to him that I am not weak. No matter how long it takes!"
The Classroom
In the large hall, each student took their seat. Sam sat at the back, somewhat isolated. In front of him, a slender boy with silver hair turned his head: Zaryu Kenzoa. His gaze was full of confidence, almost arrogant.
"So… where are you from?" he asked with a mocking smile.
"From where true warriors are born. You'll see when I beat you!" Sam replied insolently. A murmur rippled through the classroom. Zaryu narrowed his eyes, amused.
"Hmph… I'll believe it when I see it."
In a corner, Yunari listened impassively. She thought:
"Another idiot who thinks he can change the world with words…"
End of Chapter 1
The bell rang, marking the end of their first morning. Sam left the academy, his heart pounding. He had stumbled, he had made a fool of himself, he had already made a rival… and he felt that everything was going to be much harder than he thought.
But deep down, he knew:
This was the first step of his destiny.