The halls of Shadowreach Academy were never quiet—
But they changed when someone unfamiliar walked through them.
He moved without hurry.
Each step measured.
Controlled.
Like he wasn't exploring the academy—
He was mapping it.
His uniform sat perfectly on him.
Not stiff.
Not loose.
Natural.
Like it belonged to him before he even wore it.
Dark hair fell slightly over his face—not messy, not styled—just enough to shadow his eyes.
But when the light caught them—
Gold.
Heavy gold.
Not bright.
Not warm.
Watching.
So this is Shadowreach…
His gaze drifted across the towering pillars, the runes carved into the walls, the faint pulse of magic flowing through the structure itself.
The place where monsters are trained…
A faint smirk.
Good.
Whispers followed him instantly.
"Who is that…?"
"I've never seen him before."
"New transfer?"
"That aura… it's weird…"
"He's CM class?"
"No way…"
He didn't react.
Didn't even glance.
The noise didn't matter.
None of them did.
Not yet.
He reached the CM classroom.
The door slid open.
And everything—
Paused.
Inside—
Luna sat sideways in her chair, casually twisting a strand of shadow around her finger like it was thread.
Rin leaned over his desk, glowing system flickering faintly as he adjusted something mid-calculation.
Masakiro sat quietly, posture straight, white hair soft against the light.
And at the front—
Virelia.
Golden hair flowing down her back, posture perfect, presence composed and commanding.
Her voice had been mid-sentence—
Until it stopped.
Every eye turned.
He stepped in.
Same pace.
Same calm.
Like nothing had changed.
Like nothing should change.
Virelia's gaze sharpened slightly.
Not hostility.
Assessment.
"Name."
Simple.
Direct.
He stopped.
Just enough.
Then spoke.
"Kurose Jin."
The name settled into the room.
Sharp.
Clean.
A few whispers sparked again.
"Kurose…?"
"Never heard of that clan…"
"Jin…?"
Virelia didn't entertain it.
She nodded once.
"There's an empty seat."
Her hand gestured—
Toward the back.
"Take it."
Jin followed her direction.
Walking.
Slow.
Controlled.
CM class…
His thoughts moved quietly.
So this is where they placed him…
Then—
His gaze shifted.
Slightly.
Red.
He saw him.
Before he even reached the seat.
Tsuramo.
Sitting casually.
One arm resting against the desk.
Crimson hair falling into his eyes.
Still.
Too still.
…Tsuramo…
The name echoed in his head.
As in… Tsuramo Malakar?
He lifted his head slightly—
And their eyes met.
Gold.
Red.
The air changed.
Not violently.
Subtly.
Like two pressures brushing against each other.
Testing.
Jin's breath—
Hitched.
Just slightly.
Almost unnoticeable.
But there.
…So it's true.
Tsuramo didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't react.
But his gaze—
Was aware.
For a second—
Too long for comfort.
Too short to explain.
"Hey."
Virelia's voice cut through it cleanly.
Sharp.
Controlled.
Jin blinked once.
Turned slightly.
"…Huh?"
She pointed again.
More direct this time.
"Your seat."
A pause.
Then—
"…Oh."
He nodded once.
Simple.
And sat down.
Right beside Tsuramo.
The chair scraped softly against the floor.
Too loud in the silence.
Jin leaned back slightly.
Eyes forward.
Calm again.
But inside—
His thoughts weren't.
This school…
A faint smile touched his lips.
Barely there.
Just got interesting.
Beside him—
Tsuramo rested his chin lightly on his hand.
Eyes half-lidded again.
Like nothing had happened.
But for a brief second—
Just a flicker—
A faint crimson ripple moved through the air between them.
And disappeared.
The CM classroom felt quieter today—
Not empty.
Just… controlled.
Runes pulsed softly along the walls, casting a dim violet glow. Desks were arranged in clean rows, but no one really sat like normal students.
They occupied space.
Luna lounged sideways in her chair, one leg over the armrest, shadows slipping lazily between her fingers like liquid silk.
Masakiro sat upright, hands folded, posture perfect—but his shoulders held that faint tension, like he was always ready to apologize for something.
At the front—
Virelia stood.
Golden hair flowing down her back, catching the light like a blade's edge. Her presence filled the room—not loud, not aggressive… but undeniable.
Near the window—
Kaido, bald head catching the glow of the runes, arms folded across a body built like a wall, stared outside like he didn't care—but his ears missed nothing.
Beside him sat Selene.
Long silver-blue hair draped over her shoulder like water itself, a faint ripple moving through it even without wind. A small sphere of water floated above her palm, rotating slowly.
At the back—
A boy leaned lazily, one foot propped against his desk.
Gray hair. Sharp canine eyes. A faint smirk.
Ryo Fenra.
Wolf-blood.
Always watching.
And then—
Tsuramo.
Back row.
Head resting on his folded arms.
Crimson hair falling over his eyes.
Still.
Too still.
—
Virelia tapped the board once.
A glowing diagram of a crystal appeared.
"Power Crystals," she said. "Everyone here should have obtained theirs."
No response.
Because they had.
Luna flicked her fingers—her shadow crystal pulsed once, then vanished.
Selene's water orb shimmered—inside it, a faint blue core rotated.
Kaido cracked his knuckles—faint golden veins flickered along his skin.
Ryo's eyes glowed briefly—feral, sharp.
Masakiro hesitated—
Then a soft white glow slipped through his sleeve before he quickly hid it.
Virelia nodded.
Then—
Her gaze shifted.
"…Except one."
Kurose Jin.
Seated calmly.
Golden eyes steady.
He tilted his head slightly.
"…How did you all get yours?"
Silence.
Then—
Luna smirked. "You fight for it."
Selene added softly, "Not just fight… survive."
Ryo chuckled under his breath. "And don't get torn apart."
Kaido grunted. "Or do. If you're weak."
Masakiro spoke gently, "It's… not as bad as it sounds."
Luna side-eyed him. "It is."
Jin nodded once.
"Who do I fight?"
Virelia didn't hesitate.
"An AA-Rank."
A slight shift in the room.
Even Ryo's smirk thinned.
"…That's rough," he muttered.
Jin didn't react.
"Name."
"Sora Kazehaya."
Selene's water paused mid-spin.
"…Wind cutter," she murmured.
Kaido exhaled slowly. "Fast."
Ryo grinned again. "Deadly."
Masakiro looked concerned.
"…Be careful."
Jin nodded.
"When?"
Virelia crossed her arms.
"Anytime. But—"
"Tomorrow."
The word landed clean.
Sharp.
Final.
Virelia's brow twitched slightly.
"Don't rush. That fight doesn't determine your egg's outcome."
Jin gave a small smile.
"…I know."
—
Behind him—
Masakiro leaned slightly toward Tsuramo.
"Do you think he'll be okay…?"
No response.
"…Tsuramo?"
Still nothing.
Masakiro blinked.
"…Are you listening?"
—
"…No."
Flat.
Muffled.
Annoyed.
Masakiro froze.
"…Oh—sorry."
A pause.
Then—
"…You ask too many questions."
Tsuramo didn't move.
Didn't lift his head.
But the irritation in his voice was… very real.
Masakiro shrank slightly.
"…Sorry."
Luna snorted quietly.
Ryo grinned. "He shut you down, angel."
Selene hid a small smile behind her sleeve.
—
Virelia exhaled slowly.
"…Focus."
Her patience was thinning.
She turned back to the board—
Still speaking.
Still explaining.
But her eyes—
Shifted.
Back row.
"…Tsuramo."
No response.
"…Tsuramo."
Still nothing.
A vein nearly popped.
The air tightened.
Then—
Without warning—
She grabbed a chalk piece—
And threw it.
—
FWIP—
—
It cut through the air—
Fast.
Precise.
Straight at his head.
—
Tsuramo's hand moved.
Barely.
No lift of his head.
No change in posture.
Just—
Tap.
—
He caught it.
Between two fingers.
Clean.
Effortless.
—
Silence.
—
Luna blinked.
"…Okay."
Ryo let out a low whistle. "Didn't even look…"
Selene's water orb stilled completely.
Kaido glanced back once—then looked forward again like nothing happened.
Masakiro stared.
"…How…?"
—
Tsuramo slowly lifted his head.
Crimson eyes half-lidded.
Annoyed.
He looked at the chalk.
Then at Virelia.
"…You missed."
A pause.
Luna choked on a laugh.
Ryo straight up laughed. "HAHA—she did!"
Virelia's eye twitched.
"I did not miss."
"…Then aim better."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
—
For a second—
It looked like Virelia might actually throw something worse.
Then—
She exhaled.
Closed her eyes.
"…Sit properly."
Tsuramo stared at her for a moment.
Then—
Slowly—
Dropped the chalk on the desk.
Rested his head again.
"…No."
—
Luna burst out laughing.
Ryo slapped the desk. "This class is insane."
Selene shook her head softly, smiling.
Kaido muttered, "…troublesome."
Masakiro covered his face.
"…We're going to die one day…"
—
At the front—
Virelia stood still.
Smiling.
But not really smiling.
"…Continue the lesson."
—
And in the back—
Tsuramo closed his eyes again.
Like none of it mattered.
But—
Just slightly—
His gaze shifted.
Toward Jin.
—
…Tomorrow.
A faint thought.
Cold.
Measured.
Let's see what you are.