The sky was bright, and the wind carried a fresh, cool breath through the open window. For the first time in days, Shinjiro slept without fear—no longer branded a criminal, yet still a marked man in the eyes of the royals. His body lay still, wrapped in the fragile comfort of temporary peace.

  But peace never lasted.

  A knock echoed through the quiet room.

  The knock echoed through the quiet room, sharp against the stillness. Shinjiro stirred, his body heavy with the kind of sleep that came only after days of exhaustion. For a moment, he didn’t move—caught between peace and the world that waited beyond the door. But the knock came again, firmer this time. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes, blinking against the soft light streaming through the window.

  He sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. The past few days played like shadows in his mind—whispers of the trial, the lingering gazes, the whispers of those who still doubted him. Innocent in the eyes of the spell, but still a threat in the eyes of the royals. It wasn’t over. Not really.

  Shinjiro: (groggy) Who is it?

  The knock came again, slower this time. Measured. Deliberate.

  A pause. Then, a voice—calm, controlled, but heavy with something Shinjiro couldn’t place.

  Voice: It’s me.

  He opens his eyes and looks around. He looks at the beautiful tree branches blooming with flowers and birds sitting on them. He gives a faint smile.

  Continuous knocking was heard at the door.

  Voice: We will be late

  He leaves the bed and opens the door. It was Ryuma, who met Shinjiro in the arena. He advised Shinjiro and helped him. They shared a feeling of friendship. Saber and Kenji were also there. Saber was the sword guy, he always had a katana with him. Kenji was the guy Shinjiro saved in the arena.

  Shinjiro: What are you guys doing here? I was about to come to meet you.

  Kenji: I am here to thank you for what you did.

  Shinjiro: I did what I thought was right.

  Saber: (smiling) I was just following Ryuma.

  Ryuma: Will you let me speak now?

  Saber: Yeah.

  Ryuma: (flatly) All the qualifiers have been summoned including you.

  Shinjiro: Where?

  Saber: Training grounds. It’s time for our first lesson.

  Shinjiro: (hastily)Give me a minute. I need to get ready. I will come shortly.

  Saber: You heard him. Let’s go Ryuma.

  (Ryuma and Saber leave)

  He held out the gift, eyes flicking away as if unsure it was enough. His fingers trembled slightly, and his voice came out quieter than usual.

  Kenji: I want to give you something. Here!

  Kenji took an old book which looked centuries old from his jacket and gave it to Shinjiro.

  Kenji: It’s a great book for beginners.

  Shinjiro: What is it about?

  Kenji: The history of Aetherblades and a manual on using aether energy.

  Shinjiro: Aether energy?

  Kenji: You will understand it after the first lecture. My father gifted me that book when I first said to him about becoming an aetherblade.

  Shinjiro: Why are you giving this to me?

  Kenji: (softly)You saved my life.

  Kenji felt indebted to Shinjiro for saving him in the arena. Kenji belonged to a middle class family. His father owned a pawn shop mostly trade of rare antiques was done by him. Kenji had some spent quite a time there. He had great knowledge.

  Shinjiro: It’s Okay. I saw your little sister. It reminded me of my little sister.

  Kenji: Where is she?

  Shinjiro: (with a heavy heart) She died in a fire with my parents.

  Shinjiro’s family died in the fire when he was a kid. It has been haunting him ever since but after all he had gone through now. He has finally accepted it.

  Kenji: (faintly) I am so sorry.

  Shinjiro: It’s okay.

  Shinjiro: You can go ahead. I will be there soon.

  Shinjiro walked through the alley trying to find his way to the training grounds. He was looking around when he saw her. It was Rose Ishizaki. She is a sharp-eyed, determined 16-year-old and the younger sister of Reyna. Though young, her presence is fierce—dark hair cascading down her back, often tied loosely to keep it out of her intense, observant eyes. Her frame is slim but agile, perfect for quick movements and silent steps. Rose carries herself with a calm, guarded confidence, a reflection of the harsh training she endured under Reyna’s watchful eye. While Reyna’s strength is raw and commanding, Rose’s lies in precision and strategy. She rarely speaks unless necessary, but when she does, her words are sharp and deliberate.

  Their gaze met each others.

  Shinjiro took a deep breath, adjusting his stance before calling out, trying not to sound as lost as he felt.

  Shinjiro: Uh… hey. Rose, right?

  Rose turned, her sharp gaze settling on him. For a moment, she said nothing, just observing him, as if deciding whether to acknowledge him or not.

  Rose: (flatly) Yeah.

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  Shinjiro scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward already.

  Shinjiro: Do you, uh… know where the training grounds are? The first lesson is starting, and I—(He stopped himself, realizing he was rambling.) —I got a little turned around.

  Rose blinked once, then tilted her head slightly.

  Rose: You’re lost.

  Shinjiro: (clearing his throat) Not lost exactly… just—yeah, okay, I’m lost.

  Rose sighed, crossing her arms.

  Rose: It’s straight ahead past the main hall, then left after the second archway.

  Shinjiro nodded, trying to remember the directions, but something about the way she said it made him second-guess himself. He hesitated.

  Shinjiro: Wait—so past the main hall, then left? Or—

  Rose: (raising an eyebrow) You really don’t trust your memory, do you?

  Shinjiro: (grinning, embarrassed) Not when it comes to places I’ve never been.

  Rose let out a small breath. She started walking.

  Rose: I was going there myself. Come on. I’ll show you.

  Shinjiro was caught off guard but quickly followed, trying to keep his steps in sync with hers. They walked in silence for a few moments before he decided to break it.

  Shinjiro: So… how do you feel about passing the first trial?

  Rose glanced at him briefly, then looked ahead again.

  Rose: It was expected.

  Shinjiro: (raising an eyebrow) Confident, huh?

  Rose: (shrugging) If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

  Shinjiro chuckled lightly.

  Shinjiro: Wish I had that kind of certainty.

  Rose: (glancing at him again, this time with mild curiosity) You don’t?

  Shinjiro: (grinning slightly) Not really. Half the time, I’m just figuring things out as I go and Half the time I don’t know what’s going on.

  Rose studied him for a moment before shaking her head slightly.

  Rose: That’s reckless .

  A flicker of amusement crossed her face, but she didn’t respond right away. They had reached the training grounds.

  Rose: Here.

  Shinjiro exhaled, relieved but still feeling slightly awkward.

  Shinjiro: Thanks, Rose.

  She walked off, leaving Shinjiro standing there, watching her go. He sighed to himself, then turned to face the training grounds. Time to focus.

  It was a small open ground inside the building. It looked like a garden more than a training ground. Something was kept there , white shiny radiating light. It looked as if it was alive.

  All the people who passed the first trial were there. Shinjiro arrived there and was standing with the others. There were guards surrounding them. A man in a black cloak arrives bringing two guards with him. He was old. He carried a book with him.

  He looks around and speaks , “I am Donius Marshall. I am your first instructor.”

  Donius Marshall was a man carved from time itself. His figure stood tall but worn, the weight of years pressing into the deep lines etched across his pale, weathered face. Long, silver hair—pulled back in a low tie—framed his sharp features, and a neatly trimmed beard traced his strong jaw. His eyes, a piercing steel-gray, were cold and calculating, scanning the crowd with a gaze that seemed to see deeper than flesh.

  He wore a heavy black cloak, the fabric thick and old, embroidered with faded silver runes that hinted at ancient power. Beneath it, his armor was simple but well-maintained—black leather hardened from years of battle. Across his back was strapped a sword, its hilt worn from use.

  In his hands, he carried an ancient, weathered book, its leather cover cracked and scarred by time. The pages within were said to hold the first teachings of the Aetherblades, and he treated it with a reverence that bordered on obsession.

  His voice, when it came, was low and commanding, a tone shaped by decades of experience. Every word he spoke carried authority, as if the ground itself would split open at his command.

  Though old, there was no weakness in him—only a quiet, dangerous strength that made even seasoned warriors stand straighter in his presence.

  “I see quite a lot of you this year. In case any of you is wondering about the training grounds. It has been used by our ancestors and the first aetherblades. That’s why trainees are taught here first. You will be transported to the headquarters tomorrow which will take a month. Now, Let’s begin.”

  Donius : (raising an eyebrow) Aetherblades are same as royal guards and normal people. They are humans so what makes them different.

  Someone answers , “Aether energy!”

  Donius: That’s correct. Aetherblades are masters of aether energy. The question is what is aether and the answer is life. All natural phenomenon are born from aether in this world. It’s the tree of Araxis which generates aether. It is said to be located at a land far away from here. No one has actually seen it. To be able to use aether , you need an activation. Can you see that crystal over there? It is overflowing with aether energy. You need to learn it’s flow. That’s the first lesson. One by one come here and feel the flow inside yourself, remember it and activate it. You have 24 hours. If you activate it, you pass and if you don’t you fail.

  Aether energy was like lifeforce which was found in the nature. It flows in the human body through the nerves. It's source is said to be the tree of Araxis. A mythical tree believed to be hidden somewhere. It is said that the trees roots reached the deepest parts of the world. Aether crystals are formed when aether energy clusters and absorbs aether forming a crystal. Aether can be molded into all kind of forms. Since every natural phenomenon occurs fron aether. It was possible to use aether to cause natural phenomenon.

  “What happens to those who fail?”, a question was raised.

  Donius: They are selected as warriors at headquarters but they can never become an aetherblade.

  One by One, the trainees walked to the crystal. They put their hand on it and felt the energy and flow . Once they remember , they try to activate aether energy in themselves.

  The process of Activation was meant to use the aether energy inside the human body and the surrounding itself.

  There were groups formed. Trainees began to stack with each other. There were only 15 of them. Shinjiro , Saber, Ryuma and Kenji formed a group of their own. Rose was the sole exception, She was the only one without a group.

  They stood in a circle.

  Ryuma: (teasingly)It was a playful act. Too obvious tho.

  Ryuma was talking about Shinjiro’s act in the judicium veritas trial.

  Shinjiro: ( He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away.) Yeah.. That was kind of stupid.

  Saber: (steadily)Did you guys understand the instructor?

  Shinjiro: (puzzled) It’s a lot to process.

  Kenji: It’s not that hard. When you touch the crystal , you will understand everything.

  Ryuma: (stopping his speech) I think it’s my turn now.

  Saber: (mockingly) Good Luck.

  Ryuma: (smiling) Too easy for me.

  The training grounds held a heavy silence. In the center stood the ancient crystal, jagged and towering—its surface dull, like a slumbering beast waiting to be disturbed. The air around it felt heavier, pressing against the skin like mist before a storm.

  Ryuma stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the crystal. Something about it called to him, a whisper in the back of his mind. Each step echoed with a quiet finality, as though this moment had been carved into fate long ago. The others stood back, watching with silent curiosity and caution.

  Ryuma paused, hand hovering over the crystal. The surface seemed to hum beneath his palm, vibrating in rhythm with his heartbeat. For a breathless moment, he hesitated. Then—he grasped it.

  The crystal pulsed violently. Light exploded from its core, a blinding burst that filled the room. Ryuma gasped, his body seizing as raw Aether energy surged into him. His veins burned with power, his chest tightening as though the force might tear him apart from within. His eyes flared with pale-blue light, energy crackling along his skin like lightning. The world around him faded, all sound drowned beneath the roar of awakening power.

  From a distance, Donius Marshall sat alone beneath the ancient archway, his old book resting on his knee. His eyes were half-closed, but they snapped open at the burst of energy. He watched, sharp and calculating, as Ryuma staggered back from the crystal. A breath escaped his lips, heavy and thoughtful.

  Marshall: (to himself, voice low) So… it begins.

  He leaned forward, the weight of years pressing against his bones. His eyes didn’t leave Ryuma—not for a moment.

  Marshall: (muttering) The crystal does not awaken for just anyone. It recognizes power… or purpose. Or danger.

  He sighed, fingers tracing the spine of the ancient book on his lap. His gaze flickered to the group of trainees beyond, watching them with distant interest.

  Marshall: (softly, almost to himself) This year… they are different. Too many with fire in their eyes. Too many who will shape the future... or destroy it.

  His gaze returned to Ryuma, still catching his breath, confusion shadowing his face.

  Marshall: (with a faint, knowing smirk) And you, Ryuma… which will you be?

  Ryuma: (gasping, voice ragged) What… is this?

  His body trembled, but he didn’t let go. The energy pressed deeper, threatening to consume him, but he held firm—willing himself to endure. And then, just as quickly as it came, the light dimmed, leaving Ryuma breathless, trembling, but alive. His hand dropped to his side, his gaze distant, haunted by the force he had just tasted.

  Ryuma: (looks at his hand) Wow!

  He glanced at his fingertips releasing aether energy.

  Marshall: (to himself, sharper now) The crystal does not choose lightly… It awakens only for those bound by fate.

  His voice dropped, barely a whisper beneath the wind’s breath

  Marshall: (smirking) I prayed this would not happen this year. It’s been a while someone grasped it in an instant.