Morning settled gently over the academy.
Cool air drifted through the trees surrounding the dormitories. The breeze swept across tall grass and pushed dry leaves along the stone paths.
The sky had only just begun to brighten.
But the academy was already alive.
Students had started their morning routines.
Across the courtyard, the sound of brooms scraping against stone echoed as some students cleaned the grounds. Fine dust rose into the air with every sweep. Nearby, the scent of soap drifted from the washing area where a few students scrubbed clothes in buckets.
Others had begun their morning exercises.
A group stretched beside the training field. Another ran laps around the outer dorm path.
The day had begun.
A dorm room door slowly opened.
Yamato stepped out and quietly shut the door behind him.
He wore fitted trousers and a buttoned shirt with the sleeves folded neatly to his elbows. His posture was relaxed as he walked down the corridor and stopped in front of the room beside his.
He lifted his hand, about to knock.
Before his knuckles touched the door—
It opened.
Lumei stepped out.
He wore a fitted round-neck shirt and trousers, and a tightly packed backpack hung across his shoulders.
Lumei turned his head left.
Then right.
Then forward.
His eyes landed on Yamato.
"Where is your bag?"
Yamato tilted his head slightly.
"Bag for what?"
For a moment, the air went still.
Then a vein appeared on Lumei's forehead.
His eye twitched.
"FOR CAMPING, MORON!"
His voice echoed across the dorm balcony.
Students immediately turned toward them.
A boy leaning on the railing blinked in surprise. Two girls hanging laundry paused and stared. Someone sitting on the upper floor leaned over the rail to see what the noise was about.
Yamato noticed the attention and sighed softly.
Then suddenly—
He leaped backward.
His feet landed lightly on the balcony rail as he squatted there effortlessly, both hands tucked into his pockets.
"Lumei," he said calmly, "we're not going to a parade."
The wind brushed past them.
"We're supposed to be elites."
He paused briefly.
"We should make use of nature."
His eyes sharpened.
"Not rely on supplies."
Another pause.
"Use what you find along the journey… not what you bring."
Lumei stepped forward slowly.
"You…"
His voice dropped low.
Yamato suddenly jumped down from the railing and landed lightly on the ground, hands still inside his pockets.
"And besides," he added with a grin, "those things will slow you down."
Lumei stared at him in disbelief before shaking his head.
He turned and walked down the steps.
Yamato followed.
The two of them left the dorm area together.
---
They walked past several dorm buildings as the morning light slowly spread across the academy grounds.
Soon they stopped in front of another dorm building.
Sora's room.
Since it was on the ground floor, Yamato walked up to the door and knocked.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Sora! Are you in?"
A few seconds passed.
Then a faint voice came from inside.
"Just one more thing."
Moments later the door opened.
Sora stepped out and shut it behind her.
She wore knee-length shorts and a round-neck shirt. A small backpack rested lightly on her shoulders.
Yamato glanced at the bag and sighed.
"Really?"
Sora chuckled and walked toward Lumei.
"What's his problem?"
Lumei laughed.
"He says we shouldn't carry bags."
Sora's eyes widened.
Then she burst into laughter.
"HAHAHA!"
Yamato crossed his arms.
"Yeah, laugh all you want."
Sora wiped her eyes.
"So what exactly is your plan?"
Yamato grinned.
"Yen Yen Yen. Laugh now."
The three of them continued walking, joking and teasing each other as they headed toward the academy gate.
The mood between them was light and warm.
They were almost at the gate when Lumei suddenly stopped.
"Let's stop by Master Ozaki's house first."
Neither Yamato nor Sora objected.
They simply followed.
A narrow path ran beside the school fence, leading away from the main road.
It was something Yamato had once told them during training—
Trust your instincts.
So they did.
After about seven minutes of walking, a large house appeared before them.
It was enormous.
Large enough to house a family of sixteen.
Wide windows, tall wooden doors, and plenty of open space surrounded the building.
Flowers grew all around the house, forming a colorful fence.
As they walked along the flower fence, Yamato suddenly slowed.
So did Sora.
Three stones were planted in the ground.
They stood in a straight line.
Fresh flowers rested before each one.
Sora gently tapped Lumei.
"Hm?"
He didn't turn, but the sound acknowledged he was listening.
"What are those?"
Yamato stepped beside him.
"Yeah… what are they?"
Lumei tightened his grip on his backpack.
"I don't know."
He paused.
"I asked once… but Master never answered."
His voice lowered slightly.
"All I know is they're headstones."
He glanced at them briefly.
"Maybe his parents… maybe a brother."
"I don't really know."
They continued toward the front entrance.
Just as Yamato stepped onto the footstand—
The door opened.
Master Ozaki walked out.
He wasn't facing them at first. He seemed to be speaking to someone behind him.
He wore a sleeveless fitted shirt tucked neatly into his trousers, with a belt around his waist.
Then he turned.
His eyes met theirs.
"Lumei. Yamato. Sora."
He smiled.
"We were just about to head to the school."
Two figures stepped out behind him.
Ichiha.
And Chella.
Ozaki looked at the five of them.
"Well," he said with a smile, "since everyone is already here… why don't we begin the journey?"
Ichiha looked at Yamato and laughed.
"Hey Yamato, how are you feeling?"
Meanwhile Chella had already grabbed Sora's arm and pulled her away from the group.
"So tell me," she whispered excitedly, "anything new between you and him?"
Sora immediately blushed.
She brushed her hair behind her ear.
"Him? I don't know what you're talking about."
Chella grabbed her shirt.
"Hey girl, don't play with me."
"You know who I mean."
"Ooooh… Yamato?" Sora teased.
Chella smirked.
"Who else?"
Sora smiled.
"Nothing much. But I plan to do my best on this journey."
Chella hugged her tightly.
"Leaving me behind, huh?"
She leaned closer.
"Well… I think I'm bonding a little with Ichiha."
Sora gasped loudly.
"WOW!"
All the boys turned toward them.
"What are they talking about?" Ichiha whispered.
Chella quickly covered Sora's mouth.
"Shhh!"
"Keep it down!"
Sora giggled.
"No problem."
They walked back toward the group.
---
Ozaki cleared his throat.
"Lumei."
The boy straightened immediately.
"I chose you among them because you are my student."
Ozaki glanced briefly at the sky.
"I need to push you further."
His eyes returned to the group.
"After all… you are meant to become a prodigy."
Then he noticed the backpacks.
"…But why the bags?"
"HUH?"
They all looked confused.
Ozaki repeated calmly.
"Why the bags?"
Behind them, Yamato suddenly burst into laughter.
He began walking backward.
"I told you!"
He pointed at himself proudly.
"Who's the man?"
"I'm the man!"
Ichiha frowned.
"But we're going on a mission."
"We need supplies."
The others nodded quickly.
"YES."
Ozaki chuckled.
"If you were Grade Three or Four, I would agree."
"But you are Grade Five."
"You must learn to use your surroundings."
Yamato continued walking backward.
"There's a river about thirty kilometers from here."
He pointed toward the distance.
"We can get fish and water there."
He smirked.
"And we can reach it before nightfall."
Ozaki's eyes narrowed slightly with interest.
Who exactly is this Yamato kid…?
He nodded.
"Yes."
"What he said."
"We can reach it before nightfall."
He stretched his hand out.
"Now give me the bags."
"I'll store them in my Realm."
They handed the bags to him.
Ozaki lifted his hand toward empty air.
Nothing changed.
No ripple.
No crack.
No energy.
His hand simply slid forward—
And disappeared.
Half his arm vanished into nothing.
Then he pulled it back out.
The bags were gone.
Sora stared in shock.
"S-Sir… your hand just… disappeared."
Ozaki began walking toward the flower fence.
"Yes."
"My Realm style."
As they walked, Chella suddenly stepped forward.
"Wait!"
"What should we call ourselves?"
Ozaki laughed.
"You decide."
Chella placed her hand on her chin in thought.
Then her eyes lit up.
"I got one!"
Everyone leaned closer.
"Let's call ourselves…"
She raised her hand proudly.
"TEAM OZAKI!"
Ozaki burst into laughter.
"Good one!"
Lumei and Sora groaned.
"Come on! That's the best you could do?"
Ichiha grinned.
"Damn girl, you rock."
Chella blushed.
"Stop it…"
Ozaki laughed loudly at their conversation.
Everyone was smiling.
Everyone except Yamato.
As they approached the three headstones again, Yamato spoke.
"Master Ozaki…"
Ozaki turned slightly.
"What are those headstones?"
The laughter stopped instantly.
Ozaki froze.
The warmth in his face faded.
His expression hardened.
Cold.
Silent.
The man who had just been laughing moments ago now looked distant.
When he spoke, his voice was deeper.
"I don't want to talk about it."