The sun had yet to rise, casting a tranquil hue over the morning horizon. With school set to begin at 8, I decided to seize the opportunity to train and hone my abilities. The echoes of my physical education teacher's words from the previous day lingered in my mind.
'You seem weak. Fragile. Do you even engage in any form of exercise?' The teacher's blunt assessment still resonated with me.
I realized that my lack of physical training was a glaring issue I needed to address. Prior to enrolling at Boreal Hill High, my activities rarely extended beyond venturing from my apartment to indulge in the latest MMORPG sensation.
For now, harnessing the might of [Brilliant Break] was a distant goal. While the technique granted me incredible power and the ability to surpass my limits, the toll it exacted on my body was staggering.
The cost of unleashing such potential was three days of grueling recovery, not to mention the instances where I found myself rendered unconscious.
Yet, if I aspired to evolve into a force to be reckoned with, someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with my peers and contribute meaningfully, I understood that an intricate understanding of my abilities was paramount.
However, my immediate concern was fortifying my physical form. Amai's insights into specific techniques were essential in this pursuit, although my body struggled to keep pace.
In the midst of my thoughts, Amai materialized before me, her presence punctuating the quietude of the early hour.
"Isn't it a bit too early for this?" She mumbled, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
I offered a wry smile in response. "Early mornings are going to be my training regimen from now on. A run around the school grounds followed by a series of sword technique drills."
Her protest was immediate. "Ugh, can't I catch a break?"
I chuckled softly. "Sorry, Amai, but this is important. Also, I need your guidance with Magic. There's a disconnect between my intent and my body's response when I attempt to release it. What am I missing?"
Amai exhaled in a way that only a virtual companion could. "To put it bluntly, you're not physically capable enough."
My shoulders sagged, a mix of disappointment and understanding coursing through me. Her assessment stung, but deep down, I recognized its truth. The question that lingered was whether it was truly my limits or a reflection of my own unwillingness to push beyond them.
I left Amai in my dorm, letting her sleep more.
As I descended the dormitory stairs, my footsteps carried me toward a secluded park nestled within the sprawling campus.
The sheer grandeur of this school never ceased to amaze me. It stretched out like a self-contained universe, a vibrant tapestry of knowledge and ambition.
Whispers of its self-sustaining economy, complete with grocery stores and malls, underscored its opulence, though I often ventured beyond these bounds.
Yet, a perplexing enigma gnawed at my thoughts. How could an institution of such affluence and resources remain devoid of an S-class Battle Maiden?
The conundrum baffled me. While other schools flourished, our hallways remained untouched by the renowned aura of an S-class presence.
A surge of curiosity blended with determination ignited within me, urging me to plunge headlong into the heart of this mystery.
What was the rationale behind this glaring disparity? Why did our school, despite its wealth, falter in the realm of Battle Maidens?
Amid these ruminations, a daring notion emerged from the depths of my mind, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of doubt.
What if I, against all conventions and norms, became the first S-class student here?
The idea was audacious, a fantastical reverie that painted vivid images of incredulous faces, both amazed and disbelieving, as they beheld a male contender ascending the ranks to the hallowed S-class status.
An impish grin curved my lips at the thought. It was a challenge that transcended mere aspirations; it was a gauntlet thrown into the ring of destiny.
If I could stand among the S-class Battle Maidens, then surely it would shatter preconceived notions and reshape the very landscape of our institution.
The prospect was intoxicating, energizing my very being as I jogged through the campus, the rhythm of my feet pounding in time with my ambition.
As my feet pounded against the track, a fleeting shadow darted past me, catching my attention. A smaller figure, yet her aura was undeniably potent, radiating a palpable strength that even reached my senses without the guidance of Amai. My curiosity piqued, and I wondered about her identity.
Round and round, I pushed myself through the laps, my breath coming in ragged gasps as the intensity of my workout tested my limits. Seeking respite, I leaned against a sturdy tree, its comforting shade providing a moment of solace.
To my surprise, the very same girl I'd seen earlier sought refuge under the same tree. She wiped the sweat from her sports shirt, each breath a gradual recovery from the exertion. And then, as if noticing me for the first time, she uttered a single word.
"...Men?"
A ripple of confusion washed over me, but it swiftly transformed into something else entirely when her posture shifted abruptly, a defensive stance that sent a jolt of panic through me.
"Wait! Hold on! I'm a student here!" I protested, my voice tinged with urgency as I raised my hands in an attempt to quell her vigilance.
Her response was silence, a scrutinizing analysis that left me on edge. My heart raced, the seconds stretching into an eternity as she assessed me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine.
"Uh, look, I can show you my ID," I stammered, retrieving my identification card from my shorts pocket. As I presented it to her, her gaze fixed upon it with an unyielding focus, each second feeling like an eternity.
With an unexpected twist, she withdrew her own phone, thrusting it toward me. My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me. My name, Yami, appeared adjacent to hers on the squad roster. A revelation cascaded over me, crashing like waves against my consciousness.
We were in the same squad?
Her nod confirmed the revelation, and yet, her gaze remained piercing, her eyes seemingly devoid of emotion.
"No mana?" Her voice held a monotone quality, devoid of inflection.
"Weak," she declared, her words cutting through the air like a blade.
For a moment, time seemed to pause, the weight of her assessment striking me with an impact that shook my very core. The sound of shattering glass echoed in my mind, a poignant metaphor for the fragments of my confidence breaking apart.
In an instant, the same aura that had struck me before enveloped the scene. Recognition dawned upon me; she was present when Oharu attempted to take my life.
Shizue had been lurking beside Hisako, concealed by the dense bushes. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized the extent of their involvement. Had Hisako been new recruit then? I had only caught a fleeting glimpse of her, an impression etched in my memory.
Silence lingered between us, her analyzing gaze once again locking onto me. I could almost hear the gears turning in her mind, the questions she harbored about my victory over Hotaru. She hailed from a renowned Battle Maiden Clan, a lineage of formidable power and wealth.
"How...?" Her inquiry emerged as a mere murmur, barely audible.
"Hmm?" Her voice was a distant whisper, lost amidst the wind.
"How did you defeat a Yoshitaka?" The words gained clarity this time, her curiosity driving the question forward.
Before I could craft a response, Amai's sudden movement caught me off guard. Like a streak of lightning, she dashed toward my abdomen, causing me to collapse onto the ground, robbed of my breath.
Hisoka's reaction was nothing short of stoic, her demeanor unchanged as if she regarded such events as mundane occurrences, her focus unwavering.
"I'm hungry...please come back and feed me," Amai's protest carried a hint of pleading, her voice a stark contrast to Hisoka's composure.
And then, like a sudden resurgence of vitality, my aura surged back into existence as Amai playfully clamored for attention.
Hisoka's demeanor shifted subtly; a tinge of surprise flickered in her eyes as she sensed the renewed potency of my mana. The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a testament to her subtle acknowledgment.
"I see..." The words slipped from her lips in a hushed whisper, a solitary utterance that held the weight of her comprehension.
"Oracle-sama, Divine Sword of Memoria, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Hisoka's voice resounded, a melodic blend of formality and underlying strength.
In an instant, her body sprang into motion, leaping with an almost ethereal grace. The air around her crackled with magic as she summoned a massive hammer, an instrument of both destruction and precision.
Executing a seamless front flip, she harnessed the momentum of her jump to channel into her impending strike.
Witnessing her approach, I summoned Amai into my grasp, her presence reassuring. My stance shifted in preparation, every muscle poised for the impending impact.
As Hisoka's hammer crashed down with staggering force, I met her blow head-on, Amai colliding with her weapon.
The sheer power behind her attack reverberated through the ground, the earth groaning beneath the strain.
Yet, amidst the tumultuous clash, I held my ground, a bastion of unwavering resistance.
"What the hell?!" My voice erupted, fueled by a mix of incredulity and anger. Had she, too, joined the ranks of those who sought to end my life?
Amid the chaos, Amai's ethereal presence resonated with mine, conveying knowledge—a technique that could potentially aid me in my current state of vulnerability.
Guided by her insights, I anchored Amai in one hand and extended my left hand to intercept the oncoming hammer.
The memory she had shared became a tangible reality—a fusion of magic and willpower. With two fingers extended, I directed my focus, channeling my energy through my hand and into the hammer's colossal form.
In a swift, calculated maneuver, I lunged forward, my fist connecting with the weapon's surface, a fracture racing through its core.
The display of power and strategy exhilarated me, drawing an exuberant shout from within my mind.
The sensation was reminiscent of a certain mighty warrior hailing from a race known as 'saiyans.' The memory teetered on the edge of my mind, the name just out of reach...
"Watch out, Idiot!" Amai's urgent cry pierced through, jolting me back to the present. A chilling realization gripped me as a short sword materialized in the hands of my opponent, poised perilously close to my throat.
"Fast!" The exclamation tumbled from my lips as I marveled at the swiftness of her movements.
Her twin tails seemed to trail behind her like vibrant banners, a blur of motion that brought her form beside me in the blink of an eye. Within moments, she vanished from my line of sight, leaving me momentarily awestruck by her speed.
"Hmph." Her blade dissolved into motes of arcane energy, her lips curving into a mischievous grin that practically taunted, "See that? I bested you."
Then, a change in demeanor—a bow of contrition, a gesture unexpected in the aftermath of our fierce exchange. "I'm sorry," her voice carried the sincerity of an apology, leaving me perplexed as I struggled to piece together the puzzle.
"Hu-huh?" A bemused confusion tugged at me as I raked my hand through my hair, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions and signals she was sending.
"She was testing you, idiot," Amai's impatient voice echoed in my thoughts, a layer of annoyance coating her words.
In an instant, she coalesces above me, her form materializing with swift precision as her hand connects with a sharp impact against the crown of my head.
"Ouch!" A reflexive yelp escapes me as I instinctively clutch my throbbing scalp, my eyes shifting to Amai who alights gracefully upon the ground.
"You lowered your guard! Idiot, Idiot, Idiot!!" A cascade of chiding words pour forth from Amai's miniature form, each one a stinging reminder of my lapse.
Her reproachful outburst momentarily leaves me stunned, like a deer caught in headlights, the vehemence of her admonishments almost palpable.
"Distractions will kill you, always stay focused in battle, Yami-san," Hisoka's voice interjects, the usual monotone layer of her speech carrying a hint of earnest concern as she offers her advice.
"Y-yeah," I murmur in response, the weight of her words settling upon my consciousness. As Hisoka departs, her presence dissipating, I allow my body to relax, absorbing the wisdom in her counsel. With nothing else to be said, I take a deep breath and turn my focus back to the training at hand.
With an abrupt about-face, she briskly paces toward me, her comically hushed voice barely audible.
"Where's the library?"
A soft chuckle escapes me; it seems our team has come together at last.