The cheers throughout Reikosha Academy had yet to die down.
Students gathered around the training court, excitedly talking about the battle they had just witnessed. Some replayed every exchange with exaggerated gestures, while others couldn't stop discussing the black shadow that had appeared behind Kairo.
"...Did you see those giant shadow arms?"
"I've never seen an Advanced Energy like that."
"Oko actually lost..."
"No, Kairo earned that victory."
At the center of the ruined arena, Kairo stood quietly, Black Spartan resting on his shoulder. The adrenaline had finally faded, and exhaustion slowly crept through his body.
"...I actually won..."
He stared at his own hands for a moment before smiling faintly.
"I really did it..."
Before he could think any further, a familiar arm wrapped around his neck.
"KAIROOOO!"
Tyouro laughed loudly, nearly dragging him to the ground.
"I told you! You're finally strong enough! Man, that last attack was insane! I thought Oko was about to destroy you!"
Kairo laughed awkwardly.
"H-Hey... I can barely stand..."
Yura walked over with her usual calm expression, though the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
"...Good fight."
"...You surprised me."
Kimimaru crossed his arms.
"You still have a lot to improve."
A brief silence followed.
"...But..."
"...You fought well."
That single sentence was enough.
Coming from Kimimaru, it was practically the highest compliment imaginable.
Kairo scratched the back of his head.
"Thanks... everyone."
Not far away, Oko slowly stood up, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin.
"Man..."
"That hurt."
Everyone turned toward him.
Instead of looking frustrated, Oko walked straight up to Kairo and extended his hand.
"You won."
Kairo blinked.
"...Really?"
Oko laughed.
"What kind of question is that?"
"I lost fair and square."
He smiled wider.
"And honestly..."
"I've never had this much fun fighting someone."
Kairo smiled and shook his hand.
"...Let's fight again someday."
"Heh."
"You better get stronger first."
The two laughed, and for the first time, the rivalry between them felt less like competition and more like mutual respect.
Griffin watched from the sidelines before letting out a satisfied chuckle.
"...Now that's what I wanted to see."
Shougo stepped forward, glancing at the destroyed battlefield before looking at Kairo.
"...Come with me."
Kairo nodded.
"...Yes, Sensei."
A few minutes later, the two stood alone on a quiet hill overlooking Reikosha Academy.
The afternoon breeze carried the scent of fresh grass, and the golden sunlight stretched across the mountains in the distance.
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, Shougo broke the silence.
"...Do you know what happened during your fight?"
Kairo looked down at Black Spartan.
"...I awakened Yami..."
"I think."
Shougo nodded.
"Advanced Energy..."
"...Yami."
"It is the complete opposite of Hikari."
"Hikari protects."
"Yami destroys."
"But destruction isn't always evil."
Kairo listened quietly.
"Most people believe Yami exists only to erase."
"That's wrong."
"Yami destroys obstacles."
"It destroys fear."
"It destroys hesitation."
"And if the user loses control..."
"It begins destroying the user instead."
Kairo's expression became serious.
"...Me?"
Shougo nodded once.
"Every Advanced Energy has a price."
"The stronger your Yami becomes..."
"...the more it will test your heart."
Kairo instinctively looked at his own shadow.
"...So that's why..."
"...it felt alive."
Shougo smiled faintly.
"It chose you."
"...Not the other way around."
Kairo fell silent.
His thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened since entering Reikosha Academy.
Being weak.
Being afraid.
Failing.
Training.
Meeting his friends.
Fighting Oko.
Awakening Yami.
"...Sensei."
"Hm?"
"...Thank you."
Shougo looked at him for a moment before turning his gaze toward the horizon.
"...You don't have to thank me."
"You walked this path yourself."
The breeze rustled through the trees.
For the first time in a long while...
Kairo felt completely at peace.
Back at the academy, the large ranking board shimmered with light as names slowly shifted.
Students crowded around it in anticipation.
"Wait..."
"It changed!"
"No way..."
Kairo's name slowly rose.
Kairo Kurosawa Previous Rank: E-4
The board flashed once before settling.
Current Rank: D-2
A wave of excitement spread through the crowd.
"He ranked up!"
"D-2 already?!"
"That's insane!"
Tyouro pumped his fist into the air.
"I KNEW IT!"
Yura folded her arms, smiling quietly.
"...Congratulations."
Oko looked at the board before laughing.
"He deserves it."
Kimimaru glanced at Kairo for a brief second.
"...Keep climbing."
---
As the sun dipped below the mountains, the academy gradually became quiet again.
None of them noticed...
Far beyond Reikosha Academy...
In the deepest reaches of Reishin...
An ancient hall remained shrouded in darkness.
Massive stone pillars lined the silent chamber.
Several enormous crystal coffins rested motionless beneath the shadows.
Inside each one...
A figure slept peacefully, untouched by time.
The silence lingered.
Then...
A single crack echoed through the chamber.