The arena floor, constructed from meticulously laid white granite blocks, felt cold beneath the soles of Kaito's feet, which were shielded only by thin cloth shoes. The low clamor from the spectator stands surrounding the arena gradually faded as the atmospheric pressure intensified on platform number one.
Before him, the blonde youth twirled his practice sword with remarkably fluid movements. The boy's attire, crafted from heavy, deep blue silk, signaled a social status worlds apart from Kaito's own.
Kaito felt the heat in his pocket intensifying. The thin wisp of smoke caught the attention of several spectators in the front rows. He had no choice but to reveal the black hilt now. As his fingers brushed the coarse, dark metal, a piercing ache radiated up to his shoulder. Kaito drew the object out, gripping it with both hands.
The blonde youth across from him erupted in a demeaning laugh at the sight of Kaito's weapon. "So that is your armory? A piece of rusted kindling?"
Kaito offered no response to the mockery. He focused on regulating his breath, which had begun to grow heavy. He could see tiny grey particles starting to swirl slowly around his hilt. These particles were invisible to others, but to Kaito, they appeared tangible and dense.
"My name is Shinjiro Akuma," the blonde youth said, dropping into a low stance. "Remember that name when you are sprawled across this floor. I do not know how trash like you secured a recommendation from the Himari family, but I shall ensure Airi realizes her mistake today."
The examiner standing at the edge of the platform raised his hand. The large crystal in his grasp shifted from white to a brilliant yellow.
"The first stage of the examination is a test of Aethel endurance and synchronization. The match ends when a participant falls from the platform or is unable to continue. Use only the power you possess. Begin!"
Shinjiro surged forward with impressive speed. He did not charge in a straight line, but darted from left to right with incredibly light footwork. His practice sword began to emit a bright orange glow. The temperature around Shinjiro rose rapidly as sparks of fire began to dance along the blade.
Kaito attempted to track Shinjiro's movements with his eyes. He recalled how he had parried the officer's attack in the subterranean chamber. He had to wait for the exact moment. He lacked a physical blade to strike proactively.
"Too slow!" Shinjiro roared.
A vertical sword strike descended toward Kaito's head. Kaito immediately raised his black hilt horizontally to parry. The impact produced a resounding boom. Sparks from Shinjiro's sword flew toward Kaito's face but were deflected by a transparent barrier that materialized suddenly from the black hilt.
Kaito was driven back until his heels touched the very edge of the platform. His hands trembled violently under the weight of Shinjiro's assault. He could see the veins in Shinjiro's hands bulging from the sheer exertion.
"Why won't you break?" Shinjiro murmured, his voice laced with confusion. "My blade is a second-tier weapon, reinforced with fire energy."
Kaito gritted his teeth. He felt the energy within his body being forcibly siphoned by the black hilt. He watched as the grey currents around his hands began to solidify, forming the unstable outline of a long blade. The shape shifted constantly, as if searching for a proper vessel.
From a distance on the oversight balcony, Airi Himari stood with her arms crossed. She observed Kaito's every move with scrutiny. Beside her, the scarred man Kaito had seen earlier stood motionless, his gaze piercing.
"The boy does not possess normal Aethel circuits," the scarred man said in a low voice. "He is using external energy to fill the void in his soul. That is a forbidden technique."
Airi did not look away. "As long as he can control it without harming others, the academy has no reason to intervene, Instructor Akuma."
Back on the platform, Shinjiro leaped back to create distance. He appeared increasingly agitated that his attacks were being held at bay by someone he deemed inferior. Shinjiro raised his sword high into the air. A larger vortex of fire began to coalesce at the tip of his blade.
"Witness this, filth! Kuroi Honoo!" Shinjiro screamed.
He swung his sword toward the platform floor. A wave of reddish-black fire surged rapidly toward Kaito's position. The white granite floor cracked and blackened under the extreme heat. Kaito had no room to maneuver, trapped at the edge of the platform.
Kaito closed his eyes for a brief second. He stopped resisting the pull of energy from his sword. Instead, he allowed his mind to merge with the burning heat in his palms. He visualized a blade that was whole and strong. He imagined himself repairing something broken in Master Gendo's workshop.
The black hilt suddenly ceased its vibration. A blinding silver light erupted from its broken end. The previously unstable grey energy solidified into a blade that looked like glass yet possessed a metallic luster. It stretched a meter long, radiating a cold aura that stood in stark contrast to Shinjiro's flames.
Kaito swung his energy blade in a horizontal arc toward the oncoming wave of fire. As the silver edge met the black flames, the sound of water hissing against hot iron filled the arena. The wave of fire was cleaved in two and extinguished instantly, as if swallowed by the dark.
The entire spectator stand fell silent. Even the examiners on other platforms paused to look toward platform number one. The phenomenon that had just occurred was beyond logic for a novice-level participant.
Shinjiro stood paralyzed, his face turning pale. "What is that? What kind of power are you using?"
Kaito did not answer. He felt his body become remarkably light, though his consciousness began to thin. His focus was narrowed entirely on Shinjiro. He stepped forward slowly. Each of Kaito's footsteps left a trail of frost upon the granite floor that had just been scorched by fire.
"Don't come any closer!" Shinjiro screamed, blindly unleashing several small fireballs.
Kaito parried every fireball with minimal movement. He felt the sword in his hand guiding his every action. It was as if he could see the path of Shinjiro's attacks before they were even launched. This was no longer a contest of strength; it had become a mental slaughter for Shinjiro.
When Kaito stood just a meter before Shinjiro, he raised his silver blade. Shinjiro dropped his practice sword and collapsed to the floor, covering his face with his hands.
"I surrender! Stop!" Shinjiro shrieked, his voice breaking.
Kaito halted his swing. The silver blade stopped mere millimeters from Shinjiro's shoulder. The silver light slowly faded, reverting into the broken black hilt. Kaito panted heavily, nearly falling to his knees. Sweat poured from his forehead, dampening the floor.
The platform examiner approached immediately. He checked Shinjiro's condition before turning to Kaito.
"Winner of platform number one, Kaito Izanagi."
Kaito did not celebrate his victory. He quickly tucked his hilt back into his pocket and walked off the platform. He wanted to see Hana at the guest pavilion immediately. However, just as he stepped beyond the arena boundary, two officers in black uniforms intercepted him.
"Kaito Izanagi, you are requested to report to the Examination Oversight Board in the North Tower immediately," one of the officers said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
Kaito looked toward the stands and saw Instructor Akuma watching him with the same cold smile as before. Kaito realized his victory had only drawn him into a more complicated web of trouble.
"May I see my sister first?" Kaito asked.
"This instruction is immediate," the officer replied, firmly seizing Kaito's arm.
Kaito was pulled toward a dark corridor beneath the arena stands. At that same moment, he felt the crystal sphere in his pocket vibrate violently. A red light from the sphere began to bleed through the fabric of his trousers. Kaito realized that Daisuke's message regarding the secure coordinates might be his only hope now.
But before Kaito could reach for the crystal sphere, the sound of another explosion echoed from the direction of the guest pavilion where Hana was waiting. Thick smoke began to billow high from the northern section of the academy complex.
"That—!? HANA!"
Kaito wrenched himself free from the officer's grip and sprinted toward the explosion, his heart hammering against his ribs. He no longer cared for the rules of the exam or the officers behind him. His only thought was for Hana's safety.
Through the clouds of smoke, Kaito saw the silhouette of someone standing atop the ruins of the pavilion. The figure was holding a small necklace that Kaito recognized instantly. It was Hana's necklace.