"Akira, Akira," a haunting voice called out, echoing through the dark recesses of his mind. The room was enveloped in shadows, and the voice sent shivers down his spine. Yet, an inexplicable force drew Akira towards the sound. Step by step, he moved through the darkness, guided by an ethereal glow that grew brighter with each stride.
As he neared the source of the light, the voice grew louder, almost pleading. Finally, he reached the end of the room and beheld a mesmerizing sight—a radiant blue orb. Instinctively, Akira reached out, hesitating before touching the enigmatic sphere. To his surprise, it morphed into words, each one penetrating his senses, filling him with profound knowledge.
In that surreal moment, Akira witnessed the life of another—the life of Hano. He experienced Hano's memories, emotions, and struggles up to a certain point. The flow of information ceased abruptly, and the orb returned to its original form. Akira realized that the blue bright ball contained Hano's soul, a soul that now resided within him.
The enigmatic figure of Hano appeared before Akira, his long white hair tinged with shades of blue. Hano's voice resonated in Akira's mind, praising him, "I'm impressed, young one. None of my previous reincarnations ever discovered our connection. Your comprehension of the earth aura has allowed us to connect on this level."
Confused and bewildered, Akira mustered the courage to ask, "Where am I, and why am I here?"
Hano explained, "You are in your own mind, but now that we are connected, a part of me resides within you. I shall guide and provide you with knowledge when needed. Our bond as earth auras intertwines, and together, we shall become stronger."
Suddenly, Akira stirred from his trance-like state, realizing he was still in the classroom, but it was late. The jarring sound of the electronic bells pierced his ears, causing them to bleed slightly. Due to the assessment, the students were assigned separate rooms, and since Akira attained the only S-rank, he had a room to himself.
Beside him, Hano manifested as a spectral presence, a wistful grin on his face. "That's what happens when you break the rules, champ," Hano chuckled.
Rubbing his ears, Akira retorted, "This is all your fault! You chose the worst moment to contact me, right in the middle of class."
With a hint of mischief, Hano replied, "Ah, but how else could I get your attention? Don't worry; you'll get used to my company. And don't forget, I'm here to help you."
Akira playfully threw a punch at Hano, only for his fist to pass through the intangible figure. Chuckling, Hano teased, "Silly boy, I'm a spirit now. Your physical attacks won't work on me."
As the days went on, Akira adapted to this newfound connection with Hano's spirit within him. Their bond grew stronger, and Akira began to tap into the vast reservoir of knowledge that Hano provided. With his mentor's guidance, Akira's earth aura abilities expanded exponentially.
In the training grounds and classrooms, Akira's proficiency in magic impressed his peers and teachers alike. The other students looked on with admiration, not fully understanding the mysterious connection that made Akira so formidable.
Yet, despite his newfound strength, Akira remained humble. He knew that his journey had just begun, and that the path ahead was filled with challenges. The memories and experiences of Hano's past served as a guiding light, urging him to strive for greatness.
As Akira and his friends forged ahead, their camaraderie grew even stronger. They supported one another through thick and thin, sharing laughter and determination as they faced the trials of the magical academy.
Together, they would echo the echoes of the past, forging a new future, and becoming legends in the realm of magic.