The results of the Shototsu had finally been announced.
Students crowded around the classroom bulletin board earlier that morning, eagerly searching for their names and ranks. Some cheered with excitement, others groaned in disappointment.
But among all the reactions, one result caused the most confusion.
Ryusei stood quietly near his desk while the classroom buzzed with whispers.
Despite clearly overwhelming his opponent during the Shototsu match, his name appeared under the lowest category possible.
F-Rank.
The weakest rank an Elementalist could receive.
Kayosha could no longer hold back her frustration.
She suddenly stood up from her seat, slamming her hands on the desk.
"Why?!" she shouted, her voice filled with anger.
The entire classroom turned toward her.
"It doesn't make any sense!" Kayosha continued, her eyes burning with frustration.
"Ryusei showed mastery of his Elemental Art and flawless swordsmanship during the Shototsu! Everyone here saw it!"
She pointed toward Ryusei.
"He completely dominated Flick! So why is he still ranked F-Rank?!"
The room fell into an uneasy silence.
Many students secretly agreed with her.
They had witnessed the battle themselves. Ryusei's power during the Shototsu had been completely different from the weak boy they knew before.
At the front of the classroom, Professor Hex let out a quiet sigh.
He scratched the back of his head as if this conversation was something he had expected.
"Ryusei Ryugu's Elementalist Art is still a mystery," Professor Hex replied calmly.
He looked around the classroom before continuing.
"And there's also the matter of the strange ray of light that appeared during the Shototsu."
"The academy's higher authorities investigated the incident thoroughly, but they could not determine whether it was a spell, an enchantment, or something else entirely."
He crossed his arms.
"Because of that uncertainty, the council cannot properly evaluate Ryusei's abilities."
Kayosha clenched her fists.
"So they just ranked him F because they don't understand it?!" she snapped.
Professor Hex shrugged slightly.
"I know you would like to complain, but the decision has already been finalized by the higher-ups."
His voice remained calm but firm.
"There is nothing I can change."
Kayosha looked ready to argue again.
But before she could speak—
Ryusei gently raised his hand.
"It's okay, Kayosha."
His voice was calm.
Kayosha turned toward him, surprised.
Ryusei scratched his cheek awkwardly but gave her a small smile.
"I really don't mind being ranked like this."
In truth, Ryusei himself still didn't fully understand what had happened during the Shototsu.
The light sword, the sudden surge of strength… it all felt like a dream.
But arguing about it wouldn't change the result.
Kayosha stared at him for a moment before finally sighing and sitting down.
Professor Hex clapped his hands loudly.
"Now then!"
The class immediately straightened in their seats.
"Since everyone now knows their respective ranks, it's time for the next step."
He looked around the classroom with a serious expression.
"I will now be announcing the Chima pairs."
The entire class instantly became excited.
The Chima System
In the Elementalist Academy, students did not operate alone.
After the Shototsu rankings were determined, Elementalists were paired with a partner known as a Chima.
A Chima was more than just a partner.
They trained together, accepted quests together, and relied on each other in dangerous situations.
Usually, students were paired with someone of the same rank or slightly higher.
Professor Hex slammed his hand onto the desk.
"SILENCE, YOU MAGGOTS!"
The class immediately quieted down.
"I'll be announcing the Chima pairs now, so listen carefully!"
He opened the list and began reading names one by one.
Excited murmurs filled the room each time two students realized they had been paired together.
After several announcements, Professor Hex read another name.
"Kasai Hono."
Kasai immediately straightened his posture.
"Your Chima partner will be… Sora Kuki."
Kasai blinked.
"...Wait."
His face slowly turned red.
Across the room, a girl with soft brown hair waved shyly.
It was Sora Kuki.
Ryusei immediately grinned.
"Looks like fate is on your side," he whispered.
Kasai Hono buried his face in his hands.
"Shut up," he muttered, his ears burning red.
Professor Hex continued reading the list.
"Kayosha Mizu."
Kayosha looked up.
"Your Chima partner will be… Yuki Ryugu."
Kayosha froze.
"Yuki… Ryugu?"
One of the strongest Elementalists in the academy.
She quickly raised her hand.
"Um, Professor?"
Professor Hex looked up.
"What is it?"
Kayosha spoke carefully.
"Yuki has already completed many quests before… I'm only just starting mine."
She hesitated before asking.
"What happened to her previous Chima?"
Professor Hex adjusted his glasses.
"Yuki Ryugu is a special case."
The class immediately grew curious.
"During her Shototsu, she achieved an exceptional score."
"In fact, none of the Elementalists in her batch were capable of keeping up with her."
Murmurs spread throughout the classroom.
Then Professor Hex glanced toward Ryusei.
"And speaking of special cases…"
His voice echoed through the room.
"Ryusei Ryugu."
Ryusei looked up.
"Just like your sister before you… you will also be treated as a special case."
The classroom erupted into whispers.
Ryusei scratched his head awkwardly.
He wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not.
Later — The Cafeteria
After class, Ryusei and Kayosha headed to the cafeteria.
They soon met up with Yuki Ryugu, Shizen Ryugu, and Shadow Kageryu.
Shizen leaned back casually in his chair.
"So I heard the Shototsu results were announced."
He glanced at the two of them.
"You both got your Chima partners already, right?"
Kayosha nodded.
"Yeah."
But Ryusei stayed quiet.
Yuki noticed immediately.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Ryusei, who did you get?"
Ryusei sighed.
"I'm a special case."
Yuki blinked in surprise.
But she quickly smiled.
"That's alright."
"You'll get a partner soon."
Before the conversation could continue—
Shadow chuckled.
"Well, at least someone finally got paired with Yuki."
Kayosha blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Shizen smirked.
"There are two reasons why Yuki didn't have a Chima until now."
He raised two fingers.
"First… her strength."
"During her Shototsu, she became the youngest B-Rank Elementalist in the junior division."
"There was simply no one strong enough to be her partner."
Ryusei nodded slowly.
"What's the second reason?"
Yuki suddenly looked embarrassed.
Shizen grinned.
"Her ability."
"Frost Moon."
Kayosha leaned forward curiously.
"What does it do?"
Shizen explained calmly.
"She can freeze the entire surrounding environment."
Shadow added with a teasing grin.
"And when she loses control of her emotions… things get a little extreme."
Yuki immediately turned red.
"SHIZEN!"
Ryusei blinked.
"Has that actually happened before?"
Shadow laughed.
"Once."
He leaned casually against Yuki.
"We were on a date…"
Yuki froze.
"I scared her."
"And she accidentally froze the entire park."
Kayosha gasped.
Shizen sighed.
"It took weeks to fix everything."
Yuki buried her face in her hands.
"It was your fault!"
Later — The Chima Center
After lunch, Ryusei decided to visit the Chima Center.
The large hall was filled with Elementalists accepting quests and preparing for missions.
Ryusei looked around with excitement.
"So this is where real quests begin…"
Suddenly—
"Ryusei!"
He turned around.
Kasai Hono stood there with Sora Kuki.
Ryusei smirked.
"I see you've been spending time with your girlfriend—"
BONK.
Kasai hit him lightly on the head.
"Shut up!"
Sora giggled.
"It's nice to meet you, Ryusei."
"I'm Sora Kuki."
Ryusei smiled.
"Please take care of Kasai."
Kasai turned bright red again.
Soon Ryusei approached the front desk.
A girl with pink hair and pale white eyes greeted him.
"Hello."
"I'm Yukino Ashigaki, assistant manager of the Chima Center."
Ryusei nodded politely.
"I'd like to take a quest."
Yukino pulled out a register.
"Name?"
"Ryugu."
She paused.
"Oh… you're a Ryugu too."
She reached under the desk and pulled out a green scroll.
"This quest came from the Village of Yohei."
"A number of Elementalists have disappeared recently."
"They've requested someone to investigate."
Ryusei accepted the scroll.
"Thank you."
Without realizing it…
He walked out of the building.
Moments later—
Yuki, Shizen, Shadow, and Kayosha entered the Chima Center.
Yukino greeted Yuki warmly.
But Shizen walked directly to the counter.
"I'm here to take the quest assigned to Mr. Ryugu."
Yukino suddenly froze.
Her face turned pale.
"Oh no…"
"I already gave it to… a Ryugu."
Shizen's eyes widened.
"Who?"
But deep down—
He already knew the answer.
They rushed outside.
Kayosha felt her heart sink.
"Ryusei…"
Shadow frowned.
"Relax. It's just a quest."
But Shizen shook his head slowly.
His voice was serious.
"No."
"It's an A-Rank quest."
Everyone froze.
Kayosha's face turned pale.
But Shizen's next words were even worse.
"I investigated the case before accepting the mission."
"The reason Elementalists are disappearing in the Village of Yohei…"
His voice grew darker.
"...is because a Necromancer has appeared."
Silence filled the air.
And somewhere far away—
Ryusei was already walking toward the Village of Yohei.
Completely unaware…
That he had just stepped into a deadly A-Rank mission meant for elite Elementalists.