The morning bell rang through the vast marble halls of Lunaris Academy, signaling the start of something students both dreaded and loved — practical training week.
Renji rubbed his eyes, still half asleep. Kaito, on the other hand, was already standing on his bed, waving a stick like a sword.
> "Behold! The legendary spear of the heavens!"
Kaito's declaration echoed in the dorm room before the stick snapped in half.
Renji sighed.
> "You really think you're Zenith Sovereign material with moves like that?"
> "Not yet," Kaito grinned, "but give me a week, and the girls will call me 'the Lightning Hero.' You'll see."
> "More like 'the broomstick clown.'"
Kaito froze mid-pose, then pointed dramatically at Renji.
> "Mock me while you can, Renji! One day I'll have my own statue in the courtyard—right beside the perverted teacher's wanted poster."
Renji snorted. "You mean Professor Harto?"
Kaito nodded solemnly.
> "The man's a legend. Got suspended last year for trying to peek at the Meridian Baths 'for research.'"
---
The Crescent Grounds
The Crescent Grounds were a massive field surrounded by towering stone arches, the air thick with magic—no, Eclipt. It shimmered faintly, like stars trapped in daylight.
Students from multiple classes gathered, their robes fluttering as excitement buzzed through the crowd. Today marked their first real test as Lunaris cadets.
Professor Lyra Elwen, the academy's most beloved teacher, stood at the front. Her silver hair flowed down her back, her figure graceful yet… generously distracting for most male students.
> "Ahh, Lady Lyra…" Kaito sighed dreamily. "If only I were five years older—and, you know, not broke."
Renji rolled his eyes. "You're drooling."
Lyra clapped her hands gently, her voice clear and melodic.
> "Good morning, students. Today, you'll be grouped for your Crescent Trials—a basic assessment of teamwork, combat ability, and control over Eclipt."
Murmurs filled the air.
> "Crescent Trials? Already?"
"I heard someone passed out last year…"
"We get paired randomly, right?"
Before Lyra could continue, another voice sliced through the chatter.
> "Enough noise."
Every student turned stiffly. A tall man in dark armor approached, his eyes sharp like a hawk's.
It was Sir Darius Vantrel, the Cold Knight of House Vantrel—a man from one of the oldest noble lines and once the Second under the Zenith Sovereign.
Even Lyra gave a small nod of respect.
> "Sir Darius, it's a pleasure to have you observe."
> "Observe?" he replied flatly. "I'm teaching."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
> "He's actually teaching today!?"
"No way, the Cold Knight himself!"
"I'm not ready—someone hold me!"
Darius scanned the students with a chill that could freeze lava.
> "Those who fail to maintain control of their Eclipt will be dismissed from the exercise. Power without discipline is an invitation to death."
Kaito whispered, "Man, if looks could kill, half the class would already be corpses."
Renji smirked. "Try not to laugh when he's near."
---
Teams Announced
Lyra began reading names. "Renji Aros, Kaito Hino, Leina Solis, and Taro Vel."
Leina waved shyly—a petite girl with long caramel hair, carrying a glowing staff.
Taro, on the other hand, looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. His robes were stained with ink and coffee.
> "I make things explode," Taro muttered to no one in particular.
> "On purpose, I hope," Renji said.
> "Fifty–fifty."
---
Enter Professor Harto
Just as Lyra was about to start the exercise, a loud crash echoed behind them.
A man stumbled out of a cloud of smoke, coughing, his white coat singed at the edges.
> "Aha! Students! Fear not, Professor Harto is here!"
He adjusted his crooked glasses, flashing a grin that could either charm or scare depending on the lighting.
> "Professor Harto," Lyra sighed, "you're late again."
> "Science takes time, dear Lyra. I was testing a potion that makes clothes invisible—uh, I mean, makes you invisible!"
Kaito's hand shot up. "Professor! Does it work on girls only?"
The class burst into laughter. Even Lyra covered a smile.
> "Oh, you're going to detention if you keep that up," Harto said, wagging a finger. "But I like your enthusiasm!"
Sir Darius pinched the bridge of his nose. "This academy is doomed."
---
The Trial Begins
Lyra raised her staff.
> "Your task is simple. Retrieve the Lunar Crystal hidden somewhere in these grounds. Work together. Survive the creatures within."
The air shimmered, and the Crescent Grounds transformed into a lush forest bathed in twilight light.
Renji's heart raced. So this is a real field test…
> "Alright," Kaito said, cracking his knuckles. "I'll handle the front. Leina, you heal. Taro, don't blow us up. Renji, you lead."
> "Why me?"
> "Because you look responsible. And I panic easily."
They began their trek through the woods, cautious but excited. Birds of light flew overhead, and faint energy trails pulsed through the air — Eclipt veins, as they called them.
> "So what's this Lunar Crystal thing anyway?" Taro asked.
> "A piece of condensed Eclipt," Leina replied softly. "It's said to resonate with whoever's worthy."
> "Cool," Kaito said. "So if I get it, I'll be the next Zenith Sovereign."
> "Or you'll explode," Renji muttered.
---
Battle in the Woods
A sudden rustle. Shadows darted between the trees. Out stepped a Lunawolf, its fur glowing faintly blue.
> "Our first monster!" Kaito yelled. "I got this!"
He rushed forward dramatically, striking a pose mid-run.
> "Lightning Blade—Kaito Style!"
Before he could even swing, he tripped on a root and fell face-first.
The wolf stopped, tilted its head… then howled as if laughing.
The girls burst into laughter.
> "Nice form, Lightning Hero!" Leina teased.
> "That was a distraction!" Kaito groaned, spitting dirt.
Renji leapt forward, drawing his Eclipt through his palm, forming a faint white aura. He struck the ground, forcing the wolf back with a burst of light.
> "You okay?" he asked Kaito.
> "Never better. Just testing gravity."
> "It works."
Taro aimed his staff. "Cover your ears."
A spark shot out — then boom!
The explosion sent everyone flying backward. When the dust cleared, the wolf was gone… and Kaito's hair was smoking.
> "My hair… my beautiful hair!"
> "At least it's still attached," Renji coughed.
---
Aftermath
When they finally returned with the shattered remains of what looked like the Lunar Crystal, Lyra congratulated them.
> "Even if the crystal broke, the point was teamwork. You passed."
Sir Darius studied them silently, his gaze lingering on Renji.
There was something faint, something in the boy's Eclipt that shimmered differently.
A resonance—dormant, but ancient.
Impossible… no one should bear that frequency, he thought.
Harto, of course, broke the tension.
> "Marvelous! And no one died! A new record for Class 1-C!"
The students cheered, laughing as Kaito pretended to faint dramatically in Lyra's arms.
> "My lady, your beauty healed my wounds—wait, please don't drop me—!"
Lyra sighed, smiling softly. "Honestly, you boys are impossible."
But somewhere, above the academy, the moon dimmed faintly—almost as if something sealed long ago was watching.
Meanwhile
In the upper observatory, a cloaked figure whispered,
> "The Zenith Sovereign grows weaker with every passing year… and now, the resonance has appeared once more. The next generation will face what the last could not."
Below, Renji laughed at Kaito's latest stunt, completely unaware of the threads of fate slowly tightening around him.