The students of Reikosha Academy shuffled back into their classroom, the late morning sun casting warm light through the tall windows. Kairo slumped into his seat, still feeling the fatigue from yesterday's rigorous training. His friends Kimimaru, Yura, and Tyouro had already started opening their notebooks, pens poised and ready.
Professor Shougo Takahano, a tall man with a commanding presence and calm eyes, stood at the front. He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat.
"Today," he began, "we will focus on the foundation: Base Energy. This includes Reikou, Yami, and Hikari energies. There will be no practical exercises today. Instead, your understanding will be tested in detail, so pay close attention. Our exam is Thursday, and this lecture will form the core of it."
The students perked up, some with excitement, others with slight anxiety. Kairo's stomach churned.
"Alright," Takahano continued, grabbing a piece of chalk and writing on the blackboard. "Take notes carefully. Reikou energy is the life force that flows through all living things. Yami energy is destructive, drawn from darkness and void. Hikari energy is light-based, often used to enhance, purify, and shield."
As the chalk squeaked across the board, Kairo scribbled furiously, though his handwriting was messy and uneven. Every sentence felt like a puzzle, every concept just out of reach. His pen stuttered across the page, his mind racing with doubt.
Can I really do this? he thought. Am I strong enough to understand all these energies… to control them?
By the time the lecture ended, Kairo's notebook was filled with half-readable notes. His friends seemed calm Kimimaru's pages were neat and precise, Yura's perfectly organized, Tyouro's detailed with diagrams. Kairo couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity.
That night, in the quiet of his small room, Kairo spread his notes across the desk. He focused on practicing Reikou energy, trying to feel the flow, the vibration, the very essence of the power coursing through his body.
But no matter how hard he tried, the energy wouldn't respond. It flickered and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Frustration surged in him, hot and suffocating. He slammed his notebook shut.
"I can't do it… I just can't…" he muttered to himself.
Exhausted, he collapsed on his bed. His eyelids drooped, and sleep claimed him quickly.
Suddenly, he was awake but not in his room. The world around him glowed with a soft, ethereal light. Clouds drifted lazily across a sky tinged with gold and silver, and a gentle wind whispered through unseen trees.
In the center of the serene landscape floated a single note, glowing faintly. Hesitantly, Kairo approached it. Written in elegant, flowing letters were words that sent warmth through his chest:
"Don't give up on your dream."
The voice of the message seemed to resonate within him, echoing with power and clarity. For the first time in days, Kairo felt hope, determination, and calm.
He blinked and suddenly he was back in his room, morning sunlight streaming through the window. The note was gone, but its words lingered in his mind like a guiding force.
Kairo jumped out of bed, grabbing his notebook once more. Today, he wouldn't just copy notes. Today, he would try again, with focus, patience, and determination. Base energy wasn't just something to memorize it was something to feel, something to live.
And for the first time, Kairo truly believed he could.
Kairo grabbed his breakfast quickly, still feeling the warmth of the note's message in his chest. By the time he arrived at the academy, the courtyard was already bustling with students. Laughter, shouting, and the occasional clash of energies filled the air.
"Hey, newbie!" a voice called. Kairo turned to see a tall, smug-looking student with a crooked grin. "Try not to trip over your own feet today!"
Kairo sighed. Great, first thing in the morning… He knew this was standard academy fare: playful teasing or sometimes cruel bullying aimed at newcomers.
As he made his way to the training hall, he spotted his friends. Kimimaru, as usual, was already meditating in a corner, eyes closed, completely unaffected by the clamor. Yura was calmly stretching, her white ponytail swinging like a pendulum. Tyouro waved cheerfully at Kairo.
"Don't let them get to you," Tyouro said with a smile. "They're just… testing your patience."
Kairo nodded, though inside he still felt the sting of embarrassment.
The training hall was massive, lined with polished wooden floors and walls engraved with energy runes. Shougo Takahano stood at the center, arms crossed.
"Today," he announced, "you will attempt your first Reikou practice in pairs. But remember, control is more important than power. Beginners often mistake raw energy for mastery."
Kairo's partner was revealed to be… the same student who had mocked him earlier. The boy smirked, sparks of Yami energy flickering faintly around his fists.
"Try not to embarrass yourself," he teased.
Kairo clenched his fists, closing his eyes. He let his mind focus on the flow of Reikou energy, remembering the note. Slowly, a faint blue glow began to ripple along his arms. It was shaky, inconsistent, but it was there.
The other boy lunged, throwing a simple strike. Kairo blocked clumsily, energy crackling around his palms. Sparks flew. Students around them gasped.
"You're… not bad," the boy admitted grudgingly, stepping back. "But still sloppy. Keep at it, newbie."
Kairo felt a small surge of pride. It wasn't much, but it was progress.
By the end of the session, Kairo was exhausted but smiling. His arms tingled, his notebook was filled with notes and sketches, and he finally felt… capable. Kimimaru walked over, raising an eyebrow.
"Not bad for your first day," he said simply.
Yura gave him a small nod of approval, though her expression remained calm and intimidating.
As the students left the hall, Kairo knew this was just the beginning. The path ahead was long, filled with challenges, rivalries, and discoveries but he was ready to face them.
And maybe, just maybe, he would one day stand among the academy's top ranks.