It was a new day and a new morning for Apiru Naderamu. Not once did she ever believe that anything beyond simple cooperation would stem from her classmates—throughout her whole life, the blonde scoffed at the idea of bonding. She had heard of stories where people lost someone they loved dearly and how it changed them.
The only people Naderamu allowed into her life were her parents; other than them, not a single soul stayed around her. However, then the advent of her academy year arrived, where she briefly met a fellow blonde—Akogare—and swiftly encountered a jet-black-haired boy immediately afterward.
Tanjo Nozomu; the boy was odd—abnormal in most academic cases, but as functional as a schoolboy in today's time. He enjoyed time with his friends, appreciated what he had, but never once opened up to others.
But then it happened: the day of the invasion, the moment the village went haywire on the boy who harnessed the power of every Aura Sense feasible. Naderamu questioned what Tanjo's issue was, and why he never maintained control over his own power—he didn't even have an aura print!
When Naderamu first heard about the 'Aura Amalgamation,' she thought it was strange; the ostensibly mature blonde went to see Tanjo herself to inquire about the situation, but she never received a satisfactory response. It only took one invasion to reveal that secret, which Naderamu desperately wanted to keep hidden.
"Why did he have to leave? I'm sure there could've been another way…." Naderamu bickered with nobody but herself.
Currently, she traversed across the paths of her village to Buraunmajikku, the last place she spotted Tanjo. It was a rough patch for her and everyone else in Class 1AB. It felt like a hole had been blown through the students, a breach in their security. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least.
It took her several minutes to walk to the academy. On her way, the blonde took a quick detour down a particular path—Tanjo's old home. A new structure was being built in the place where the house once stood. Naderamu pushed herself forward, her gaze fixed ahead of her.
XXX
Naderamu eventually arrived at the academy, where she situated herself in the classroom named 1AB: first year; blue Aura Sense. When she walked in, her eyes glossed over the room. As per usual, she made it there later than most, similar to how Akogare and Tanjo would. But since Tanjo's departure, not a single door has been slammed open or shut, even on Akogare's part.
"Naderamu," Mr. Oshieru called out from behind his desk. "I'm aware that you tend to make it here relatively last, but there is only a minute until the bell. I recommend trying to leave slightly earlier; your mornings will improve if you do."
Naderamu nodded, refusing to retort. Mr. Oshieru was right, anyway. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Oshieru kept a keen eye on Naderamu, then sighing. He hated the feeling of gloom so very much. "All right, now that everyone is here, I wish to split this day into two parts: academics for a few hours, then nothing but outdoor training later on. You guys are to be expected to assist low-class warriors on missions fairly soon; the experience is needed."
"Assisting? So we're leaving the village again?" Akogare asked, his head perking up.
Mr. Oshieru moved his head from side to side. "Yes, but only for a cinch. You guys need some out-of-village experience; experience without bloodshed involved. Not everything outside these walls is murder, and we need that ingrained in your minds. Who knows what all the system has informed you guys of…"
With the pregnant silence ensuing throughout the classroom, Mr. Oshieru coughed into his hand to create noise.
"Okay, then—new lesson: Focal Points for the Aura Sense!"
XXX
After the morning passed, the backdoors of the academy opened, and the sound of numerous footsteps clapping against the ground followed.
"Finally! My legs were really cramping up in there!" Akogare hollered, stretching his arms over his head. "I don't know how you all can be so concentrated."
Meisei ambled behind Akogare and said, "Well, when our position as warriors is on the line, I deem it fit to sacrifice all of my time into my mental efforts as equally as physical training."
"BAH!" Akogare blurted. "When did you start talking so much?"
Meisei scowled. "Since you first started annoying me—!"
"Okay, class, you are to resume your regular training. I'm only going to be having you do this a few more times—make sure everything you're learning is sticking with you! I'll be around to help you if need be." Mr. Oshieru informed, his arms crossed over his blue vest.
Akogare lifted his arm. "Uh, instructor! Can we continue our—!"
"Yes, anything else?" Mr. Oshieru interrupted nonchalantly, his eyes scanning the students intently. "Good. Now go!"
After the order from Mr. Oshieru, each of the students scattered to their own sections of the training grounds. The blue-haired instructor wasn't all too fond of basic training such as this; he felt lazy and negligent. However, the students needed to get a grasp of their abilities as fast as possible before missions.
Who knows what might occur when they leave? Their luck was already bad as it was.
But, now was not the time to think about such things—he had a frivolous blonde to spar with!
XXX
Kronos was delighted to see Tanjo narrowly escape death. The god had witnessed Yuso's power before, his terrorizing acts reaching Kronos every so often. The god was thankful that Yuso did not go all out, as he wanted nothing but information—but Kronos was also glad that Asami had arrived on time.
The elegant god floated above Earth, his eyes scoping out the view. "From what I've seen, with my own eyes and from other sources, Yuso will be a threat, too. Tanjo's idea of freedom and happiness will be the deciding factor if he is put down or not."
The god then extended his hand outward, his palm flat. In a second, rifts in the space above his hand appeared, each crack revealing a particular boy with black hair.
"I can only see so many future's at a time, Tanjo—don't lead me into the bad ones. Your life is as valuable as all of existence as of right now; stay alive as I can only interfere so much." Kronos murmured, retracting his arm.
*KRRRRK!*
An abrupt noise reached Kronos' ears, prompting the god to shift his hovering body around, his eyes instantly locking on to a visible portal forming. Within moments, a new figure emerged.
Kronos remained cool, his features steeled. "Hello, Hades."
A figure with lava-orange hair floated out in space along with Kronos. He wore a sleeveless black robe, red markings outlining his arms.
Hades' eyes darkened. "Kronos. You're needed back in the Realm."
XXX
Hey! I don't tend to skip an entire day, but I needed a shift in time for this next part! But, hey—you got to see a new character! I started taking a break and playing some new games to relax my mind, so I apologize for the laziness! I hope you enjoyed it and stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_