Four years had slipped by since the fateful proposal. Now, at the age of fifteen, Verte stood shoulder to shoulder with her older classmates, her teacher, and Furia. The group faced Taiyo, who was clad in the imposing regalia of a general. His uniform was sharp and authoritative, a symbol of his current position.
Taiyo Hikari - The Head of Negative Point Military
Taiyo cleared his throat, his voice steady and commanding as he addressed the gathered students. "We've refrained from telling you about the war before you were ready to join it yourselves. I've given this same speech to the other classes. This war has been raging for the past twenty years. The Negative Point is under attack by a small kingdom known as Mimasu. Don't let their size deceive you; their forces are formidable, bolstered by many Purotekuta-level fighters, including the traitor Fuyu Hinansho."
Verte's thoughts raced. Hinansho... like Mr. Hinansho?
She cast a sidelong glance at Yoraki, whose face had twisted into a scowl at the mention of Fuyu's name. His anger was palpable.
Taiyo continued, his voice unyielding. "The enemy forces have gone silent on the battlefield. However, scouts have reported their troops moving through the forests of the Negative Point. This means they are closing in on the main city. You all live in unfortunate times because your first mission as students under the N.P.D.O. is to face those very troops in the forest. They aren't strong enough to pose a serious threat to you, so you should have no trouble eliminating them. To ensure your safety, Purotekuta Furia Raivoa and your teacher will accompany you."
The gravity of his words hung in the air as ten tense minutes passed. Soon, the group was making their way toward the forest, the atmosphere charged with a mixture of anticipation and unease.
Kaito broke the silence, his tone lighthearted. "Anyone else excited for this?"
Yunqi shot him a sharp look. "Why would anyone be excited? Any one of us could die out there."
Kaito shrugged with a cocky grin. "You really think some low-level troops who can barely handle students like us stand a chance?"
Furia, walking at the front of the group, turned her head slightly. Her voice was steady and calm, with a hint of amusement. "You talk like you're a season student. Those who earn that title can handle hundreds of soldiers without breaking a sweat. There's a vast difference between a normal student and a season one."
Kaito scoffed but couldn't hide his grin. "Well, we're not far off from the next generation of season students, are we? We'll outshine the next ones, no doubt about it."
Furia chuckled. "Confidence is good, kid. Just don't let it get you killed."
Verte glanced at Juyo, who was unusually quiet. "Juyo, you don't seem worried about this at all," she said, curiosity coloring her tone.
Juyo gave her a reassuring smile. "Why would I be? Furia's here. We're safe."
Verte blinked, intrigued. "Who is he, anyway?"
Juyo's expression turned thoughtful. "He's one of the oldest people in the Negative Point, if not the world. He was around during the unification of the continent. A seasoned warrior, powerful and wise beyond our understanding."
Verte's eyes widened in awe. "Wow. Did he gain immortality through the Zero Point wish?"
Juyo shook his head. "No."
She frowned, puzzled. "Then how—"
Before she could finish, Furia stepped between them, a sly smile playing on his lips. "It's a fun little secret," he teased. "I'll tell you both when you're older." With that, he strode ahead, his gait purposeful.
The forest loomed before them, its dense canopy casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the forest floor.
Kaito broke the silence. "So, what exactly are we supposed to do here?"
Yoraki crossed his arms, his voice calm but firm. "Splitting up would be best. They'll want to fight us one on one, not all at once."
Furia nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "I don't sense anyone nearby, but they could be masking their mana."
Yoraki began assigning pairs. "Juyo, you're with Vant. Kaito, go with Sumajo. Thom, you're with Kibi. Yunqi, you'll partner with Verte. Judin, you'll stick with Furia and I. Got it? Scatter."
The group dispersed without hesitation, leaving Yoraki, Judin, and Furia in the heart of the forest, the eerie stillness pressing in around them.
Meanwhile, Juyo and Vant navigated through the thick woods, their footsteps muffled by the dense forest floor. The air was laden with the chirps of hidden insects, yet an unspoken tension lingered between the two.
Vant broke the silence, his voice light but curious. "What if there's actually nobody in this forest? Maybe we're just walking around for nothing."
Juyo, always pragmatic, didn't look over. "You can never be too sure. Assuming there's no one is the quickest way to fail."
Vant smirked mischievously. "So, brother—"
Juyo cut him off sharply. "Never call me brother."
Undeterred, Vant grinned wider. "But one day, I'm gonna be your future brother-in-law!"
Juyo sighed, his tone exasperated but tinged with amusement. "You're ten years too early for that."
"Anna would disagree," Vant teased, folding his arms confidently.
Juyo chuckled faintly, his expression softening. "Alright, I'll wait. I'm curious if you'll actually go through with this."
"You'd be surprised," Vant replied confidently.
But before their lighthearted banter could continue, the forest seemed to shift. In an instant, they were surrounded by dozens of men cloaked in black kimonos, their faces obscured by crimson masks.
Juyo's expression didn't change. His voice was calm and dry. "As I expected."
With a snap of his fingers, the tension in the air erupted. The masked assailants fell simultaneously, their bodies crumpling to the ground in grotesque disarray—necks twisted unnaturally, gaping holes puncturing armor and flesh alike.
Vant's eyes widened as he pieced together what had happened. "Timestop?"
Juyo nodded curtly. "Timestop."
From the shadows, a voice cut through the stillness, steady and ominous. "So they were right. The Negative Point has a time magic prodigy. You'll only become more of a nuisance in the future."
Vant's head snapped around. "Where is he?"
Juyo's gaze narrowed, scanning the area. "He's masking his mana. I can't sense him."
A figure descended from the canopy, landing gracefully before them. The man's blindfold billowed gently in the breeze, and above him, a glowing blue orb pulsed faintly.
"Here I am," the stranger said with a mocking smile. "Your name is Juyo, right? I'm here to assassinate you."
Vant stepped forward, his voice defiant. "That's an impossible task."
Juyo's expression grew serious. "Save your breath, Vant. He's one of the strongest members of Mimasu."
The stranger chuckled. "So you've heard of me?"
Juyo didn't hesitate. "Yes, Dareen."
Dareen's grin widened. "Impressive. Maybe if you were taller, less thin, and not a kid, I'd find you intimidating."
Juyo's eyes didn't waver. "Enough talking."
The blue orb above Dareen flared brightly. Juyo's gaze sharpened as his lips parted in surprise.
"You just tried to freeze time on me," Dareen taunted. "None of your time magic will work, thanks to this little friend of mine."
Vant clenched his fists, stepping protectively in front of Juyo. "Then we'll just take you out the old-fashioned way!"
Dareen smirked. "Go ahead. Show me what you've got."
Vant's hands ignited with a fiery orange glow as he shouted, "Condensed... Blast!"
A blazing beam of energy tore through the forest, obliterating trees in its path. As the dust settled, Dareen was nowhere to be seen.
"He's behind us!" Juyo warned.
They spun around to see Dareen standing smugly, untouched by the chaos. "Nice explosive power," he sneered, "but do they make it for men?"
Vant stood firm, his voice steady. "A man is already using it!"
Dareen's smile twisted. "Soul Magic: Soul Bullet."
A streak of green mist shot from Dareen's hand, shaped like a bullet. It pierced through Vant, striking Juyo in the chest and sending him sprawling backward. Blood blossomed from the wound as Juyo hit the ground with a thud.
"Juyo!" Vant shouted, panic rising.
Dareen didn't let up. "Soul Magic: Soul Shock."
A spectral green chain shot out from Dareen's hand, connecting with Vant's chest. Electricity surged through the chain, wracking Vant's body with violent convulsions before he collapsed beside Juyo.
"No," Juyo gasped, his voice weak but resolute. In the blink of an eye, both he and Vant vanished.
Dareen narrowed his eyes. "He used time magic to hide. Clever boy."
Juyo and Vant reappeared behind a dense bush, their breathing shallow.
"You've figured out the limits of your magic," Dareen mused. "Time manipulation may not work on me, but you can still use it on your allies. Impressive. And masking your mana so effectively? Even more so."
He reached into his coat, withdrawing a strange box adorned with warped, grinning faces. "Magical Weapon: Arukana No Dekki," Dareen intoned as he opened it.
From the deck, he pulled a single card and held it up with a grin. "XII, The Hanged Man."
The card floated into the air, transforming into a towering monstrosity. Its elongated neck bent unnaturally, its lifeless eyes glistened as if on the verge of tears, and "XII" was grotesquely stitched across its chest and forehead. Its hands were massive guillotine blades, and its movements radiated an eerie menace.
"There's no point in hiding now," Dareen said smugly.
The Hanged Man tilted its head, its gaze locking directly onto the bush. Its presence was suffocating as it loomed over Juyo and Vant.
Dareen's voice carried a note of satisfaction. "It can sense your fear."
Juyo and Vant dashed out of the way just as The Hanged Man swung its guillotine blade-like arms, slicing through the bush and toppling dozens of trees behind it in a single, monstrous arc.
Dareen smirked at the display, his confidence unshaken. "Still mobile? Let's change that. Soul Magic: Soul Surge!"
Juyo's body spasmed as countless holes appeared across his flesh. Blood erupted from the new wounds, and he collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe.
"Juyo!" Vant shouted, rushing to his friend's side. His eyes locked on Dareen, whose grin widened smugly. "What did you do to him?!"
Dareen chuckled, folding his arms. "I momentarily grew his soul, causing it to pierce through his body from the inside. Painful, isn't it?"
Juyo gritted his teeth, coughing up blood. "Vant… leave me. Save your own life."
"Juyo, I can't just—"
"I said leave me!" Juyo snapped, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. "Do you think Anna would want both her boyfriend and her brother dying today?!"
Dareen yawned, clearly bored. "Hanged Man, finish them off. Once you're done, return to me. The job's done." With that, he vanished into thin air.
Juyo coughed violently, his voice fading. "Run… Vant…"
The Hanged Man's watery, lifeless eyes turned to Vant. "You would put your life before his?" it asked in a deep, unsettling voice.
Vant froze. "It can talk..."
The creature tilted its head, the stitched "XII" on its chest gleaming faintly. "Since you choose sacrifice, I'll worsen your fate... to save his."
"Vant!" Juyo shouted, struggling to lift his head. "Run, you idiot!"
Vant turned to escape but found himself face-to-face with The Hanged Man, who had materialized before him in an instant.
Elsewhere in the forest, Judin, Furia, and Yoraki moved cautiously.
Furia suddenly stopped, his voice tense. "Yoraki… do you feel that?!"
Yoraki's eyes narrowed as his hand reached for his katana. "Vant! He's dead!"
In a blur, Yoraki leapt into the air, only to be yanked back down by an invisible force. He hit the ground with a loud thud, his body pinned. "What the—gravity magic?"
Suddenly, a spear hurtled through the forest at blinding speed, threading perfectly between the trees toward Judin. Just as it was about to hit, Yoraki broke free from the unseen force and intercepted the spear with his katana. Sparks of magic flew in every direction as the clash reverberated through the forest.
The spear vanished as two figures emerged from the shadows—Fuyu, clad in a black kimono and red blindfold, and Sonora, standing calmly beside him.
Fuyu's tone was mockingly calm. "You're quick to assume the worst. My colleague made a foolish mistake, forgetting there's still a kid who can nullify magic."
Yoraki's voice was cold. "Fuyu."
Sonora raised an eyebrow. "That's your brother?"
"Yes," Fuyu replied with a smirk. "Younger and dumber."
Yoraki's fists clenched. "So you're saying Vant's alive?" His voice cracked with restrained rage. "That can't be true. His life force went critically low before vanishing."
Furia chimed in. "Yoraki, Juyo's mana disappeared at the same time." Furia's eyes burned with determination. "So he stopped time to hide. If Vant's alive, he's critically injured and unconscious."
"That better be true," Yoraki growled, his katana igniting with hot pink flames. "Because if it isn't, I'm wiping out your entire nation. No ifs, no buts."
Fuyu chuckled darkly. "He said 'butt.'"
In an instant, Yoraki appeared in front of Fuyu, his blade crashing down. Fuyu summoned his double-edged spear just in time to block the strike. The two engaged in a ferocious clash, Yoraki's relentless offense forcing Fuyu into a defensive stance.
Meanwhile, Furia turned his attention to Sonora. "So, you're the one using gravity magic."
Sonora smirked. "Impressed?"
"Gravity magic? I call it crutch magic!" Furia spat, unleashing a flurry of red magic spheres.
Sonora waved his hand, redirecting the spheres skyward. "Strong words from someone so easily outmaneuvered. Gravity is far more versatile than you think."
Furia's eyes gleamed red as he bulked up, flying toward Sonora with immense speed. "Let's see how you handle this!"
But just as Furia moved, he found himself back where he started.
"What the hell?" Furia growled, confused.
A figure landed gracefully on Sonora's shoulder—Ijoto, now an adult. Four glowing purple orbs floated on his face, serving as eyes.
Ijoto grinned mischievously. "Deja vu?"
Sonora's smile widened. "Together, we're an unstoppable duo."
Ijoto held up two fingers, one on each hand. "Duo."
Behind the bush, Juyo crouched low, his breathing shallow.
In front of him lay Vant's mangled, almost unrecognizable body. What remained of him was grotesque: intestines spilled onto the dirt, his brain exposed, and only a fraction of his head intact. The rest of his body was a horrifying display of destruction. Despite the carnage, Juyo himself appeared fully healed.
Juyo's trembling hands clenched the ground. How could I forget this…? It's happened so many times… His eyes watered, but he bit his lip, forcing the tears away.
The thing only tracks those who feel cautious… I can't let myself be scared. As long as I keep my emotions in check, it'll take longer to find me.
He glanced at Vant's corpse-like state. I'm barely keeping him alive with healing magic. It's draining me… and because of that, I can't use time magic right now.
The sound of heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed nearby. Juyo's heart pounded as The Hanged Man stomped closer, searching.
What did that thing do? Juyo thought bitterly. It healed me completely, but the moment it touched Vant… this.
The Hanged Man's hollow, resonant voice broke through the silence. "I feel your caution."
The creature loomed over the bush, its stitched mouth curving into a faint semblance of a smile. Juyo's expression remained stoic, but his thoughts raced. He found me!
Before The Hanged Man could strike, the sky suddenly blazed with intense light. A fiery beam shot down from above, slamming into the earth behind the creature. From within the radiant column, a figure emerged.
Taiyo.
The Hanged Man turned, its head tilting. "Another sacrifice—"
Before it could finish, Taiyo had already closed the distance, appearing in front of it in an instant. With a single, devastating kick, Taiyo sent The Hanged Man sprawling.
"Silence!" Taiyo roared, his voice filled with authority.
The Hanged Man staggered to its feet, cracks of light spreading across its body. Its eyes and mouth leaked streams of golden radiance.
Taiyo extended his hand, light gathering in his palm. "Sunlight Magic—"
The creature convulsed as the light burned through its "XII" stitching.
"Daylight Banish."
The Hanged Man exploded in a burst of sunlight, reduced to nothing but dust.
Taiyo turned to Juyo, his sharp gaze softening at the sight of the young boy. But his expression darkened when he saw Vant's dismembered body. Taiyo staggered, covering his mouth before vomiting to the side.
"To a child?" His voice cracked with horror.
Taiyo's hair ignited, glowing a fiery yellow, his eyes ablaze with orange light. Flames enveloped his body.
"TO A CHILD!?" Taiyo's fury erupted as he rocketed into the air, leaving a streak of light behind.
At the battle between Fuyu and Yoraki…
Taiyo's enraged voice echoed through the forest. "FUYUUUU!!!"
He hovered above them, his hand raised. In his palm, a massive sphere of fire began to form, dwarfing everything below. The surrounding trees shriveled and disintegrated from the sheer heat.
"HEARTLESS BASTAAAARDS!!!" Taiyo bellowed as the fiery mass unleashed waves of searing heat.
Yoraki immediately rushed to shield Judin, positioning himself between the firestorm and his ally. "Taiyo, calm down!"
Fuyu smirked faintly. "Guess it's time to leave."
"Fuyu, don't—" Sonora began.
"I've got it." Fuyu interrupted, raising his hands. A torrent of ice magic surged from his palms, striking the fireball and encasing it in a massive block of ice. The frozen sphere began plummeting toward them.
Fuyu chuckled nervously. "That… might not have been the best idea."
"Leave it to me." Sonora clapped his hands together, his gravity magic activating. The enormous ice meteor was flung skyward, vanishing into the horizon.
Fuyu raised an eyebrow. "Teleportation spell too?"
Sonora nodded curtly. "Right."
With another sharp clap, dark magic swirled around them, and in a flash, both Fuyu and Sonora disappeared without a trace.
Here's the conversion of your script into a novel format:
The sterile glow of fluorescent lights cast a harsh illumination over the hospital waiting room, emphasizing the stark white walls and the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Verte and Kaito sat side by side, their postures stiff, the silence between them heavier than the antiseptic air around them.
Verte finally broke the stillness, her voice soft but probing. "So, Kaito, why are you here?"
Kaito tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as he deflected, "Why are you here?"
The question hung between them, unanswered. The minutes that followed dragged on, filled only with the muffled hum of distant activity from the hospital staff.
At last, Kaito spoke again, his tone unsteady but resolute. "Vant, you know… Even though you probably don't see it, we're friends—close ones. He was the only person nice to me when no one else was." He paused, his hands clasping tightly together. "You, him, and Juyo—you all hang out a lot because, well, you're all top students. But Vant and I, we have our own time together. Just the two of us."
Verte's expression softened, guilt flickering across her face. "I'm sorry for asking," she murmured.
Silence resumed, awkward and suffocating, until Verte found the courage to speak again. "Do you know what kind of injuries he has?"
Kaito shook his head, his eyes downcast. "No. All I know is that he's hurt badly. Horribly. He's barely clinging to life… and it's only because of Juyo's healing magic that he's still here."
"I hope he makes it through this," Verte whispered, her voice trembling.
Kaito nodded, though his uncertainty showed. "Taiyo got him immediate magical care. Depending on how bad it really is, he should be fine."
Their tense exchange was interrupted as a nurse entered the room. She was an older woman, her face etched with concern. "Are you two here to visit Vant?"
"Yes," Verte answered quickly, rising slightly in her chair.
The nurse hesitated, a shadow of doubt crossing her features. "I'm not sure if you're old enough to see him in this condition…"
Kaito stiffened, his voice rising. "What? How bad are his injuries?"
The nurse's lips quivered as she tried to form the words. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "It's… horrible. Just horrible. I can't fathom how anyone could do something so monstrous to someone so young." Her voice cracked, and she reached for a tissue to dab at her eyes.
Verte leaned forward, her hands clutching the edge of her seat. "Do you think he'll survive?"
The nurse's hands trembled as she wiped her tears. "I don't know. Dr. Deer is overseeing his treatment."
Kaito's expression shifted from alarm to grim realization. "Veronica's mother…"
Before the nurse could respond, Taiyo stepped into the room, his presence commanding.
"Oh, sir," the nurse said, stepping aside respectfully.
Taiyo's sharp eyes scanned the two students. "You're here to see Vant, correct?"
"Yes," Verte answered again, her tone firmer this time.
Taiyo crossed his arms, his voice steady but laden with gravity. "Are you sure you want to see him as he is now? I can assure you that he will survive."
Kaito's gaze sharpened. "I just need confirmation…"
Taiyo's face darkened, and his words came like a knife cutting through the tension. "To paint a picture for you: Vant can only see right now. He has lost all forms of hearing. He can't talk—his jaw is gone. He can't move because his body… most of it… is missing." He paused, letting the horrific truth settle over them. "Dr. Deer is keeping what's left of him encapsulated safely. But for now, Vant won't be able to rejoin your class. He won't be able to do anything for the next five years."
Kaito's breath hitched, his voice breaking. "What…?"
Taiyo pressed on. "Juyo stopped by earlier and managed to sneak in. You might want to check on him—he's devastated."
Without another word, Taiyo turned and left the room, the nurse following closely behind.
Verte sprang to her feet, her urgency palpable. "Juyo!" she cried, bolting toward the exit.
Kaito stared after her, his confusion mingling with helplessness. "Where are you… going?"