. . . 2 Months have passed since. . . "-nu, Yonu!"'Mmpf… hmm?' I woke up to Kana shaking me vigorously. "Next station is it."'Alright…' I sat up on the seat, rubbing my eyes as I looked out the window. A familiar scenery flashed through my mind as I imagined a silhouette of myself once frolicking amongst the trees and bushes. How I used to play with fire along the road and got scolded by our neighbors…."Yamanashi, Yamanashi," the announcement repeated. I stood up and grabbed my bag and Kana's, passing it to her before we both walked to the exit of the train.'Nervous?'"Ahhhhh, you sure your parents are easy-going? I'm some tomboy, do you think they will accept me?"'Relax, it's been a while since I've seen them but, I am sure they won't mind,' I said, intertwining my hand with hers. Our matching dragon tattoos coiled around our forearms, the dragon's mouth ending at our hands, somewhat symbolizing our bond and shared strength, or at least that is what I like to think. The sight of the tattoos gave me a sense of reassurance of our relationship even though I do not have a large enough mana pool to use any of these 'blueprints'.Of course, I've met Kana's parents already. We're engaged now. Haha, yeah. In fact, it was her father's suggestion. But because of that, my last half-year was hell—training, training, and more training! The head of the family, Matsuda, decided, that I would be the heir to the Hino family from that moment on, at least until Kana's brother, Konro, matures enough.Anyway, back on topic… according to Kana's father, there's more to being the heir of a top 4 family than just training. It involves having proper social etiquette and various social skills. It's not just about strength but also about how you present yourself and navigate the complexities of high society. It's a lot to take in, but I'm trying my best to adapt.. . . Ding Ding"Coming!" As the door opened, I stood there, and my mom's eyes swirled with tears. 'I'm home! Haha!' I opened my arms, and she came in for a hug alongside my father."It's good to have you back!" she said, letting go and looking to the side to see Kana. "You must be Kana! Thank you for saving my son," my father said as he shook her hand. "Haha… I didn't do anything! Your son was the one who saved me!"An awkward silence settled in front of the door."Come in, come in!" my mother said, breaking the silence. 'Of course... have you guys packed your luggage, by the way?' I asked."Yup… haven't said goodbye to the house yet, though… it's been with us for so long," my father said, oddly sentimental. "Understandable… you've been with this house even before I was born!"'Hahaha! Back in the old days!'. . . "Oh my god! Did you see the new magazine?!""Yeah! Yonu is so handsome! I can't believe how lucky the daughter of the Hino family is," she exclaimed, holding up the magazine. The front cover featured Yonu Hachinan, with bold text beside his picture: 'The Handsome New Heir?!'Yonu's image was striking. His hair, a vibrant orange with subtle stripes, framed his face. He wore gray pants and a white shirt under a slightly oversized black overshirt. With his hands in his pockets and his head tilted upward, his eyes closed, the photo captured a moment where his slightly parted lips revealed a breath of blue fire.The article detailed Yonu's role in the subjugation of a mana beast, earning him the title of the next heir of the Hino family—at least until Kana's younger brother came of age. Yet, despite the praise, Yonu always found this public glorification uncomfortable.Inside the magazine, there were more pictures, including those from Yonu's marriage, along with interview questions and answers. Since that pivotal day, Yonu's fame has skyrocketed, alongside other notable students like Jin, Kami, Hyun, Jun, Mizu, Fuji, and Arashi Yunosuke. Each had their moments of recognition in various magazines, becoming household names throughout the country. Now, it seemed everyone knew Yonu Hachinan, and his Advertising plastered around the city, with huge screens and boards displaying their faces, advocated for state-of-the-art hunter technologies. Jun, Mizu, Jin, Fuji, and Hyun have all quit school to start working. With the uptake and improving job prospects of hunters in recent months, they struck while the iron was hot. They were recruited by the best hunter companies which allowed their reputation to skyrocket further.Others from the great families continued on missions behind the scenes without exposing themselves more to the public. Maintaining a degree of confidentiality regarding their skills and techniques.. . . "How's the new house, Mother and Father-in-law?" Kana asked respectfully. Her white dress waved in the wind as she gestured toward the inside of their new humble abode. Kana looked a bit out of place in such a feminine dress, considering she was more of a tomboy. I always thought she'd prefer wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but I respected her choice nonetheless.As they entered, I could clearly see the shock on their faces. It was probably the first time they'd seen such a huge house."No way…" they murmured, standing at the door to the mansion."Yonu, tell your father-in-law this is a bit too much," my mother whispered."Haha, I'm sure it'll be fine," Hino Matsuda said with a reassuring smile.I bowed subtly to him. "Oh! You must be Kana's father. Hi, thank you for treating my son so well!" my mother said, extending her hand."No problem at all. This is just another gesture of kindness. I hope you don't mind living in a place like this. It's just a better environment so Yonu can feel more secure about his family while training. Besides, you'll be able to see each other more often," he replied warmly."Haha, thanks. We really appreciate it," my father said, stepping forward."Oh, and I'm sorry about all the tattoos your son has had to get. It's…""Yeah, I heard it's part of what he needs to inherit," my father continued. "Is he coping well?""Coping well? Haha, your son is a true talent. I really appreciate him joining our family. I'm even learning things from him these days, you know? Haha!" Hino Matsuda exclaimed."Hahaha! I saw it all over the magazines! Yonu, did you really create the Ignition Pill?" my father asked, beaming with pride. Of course, with the invention being something that revolutionized fire manacians, it is definitely something I should find pride in, but truth to be told, I invented something better.'Yup! I even created this…' I said, pulling another pill out of thin air.A hush fell over the room as they stared at the pill crackling with energy."Your son has brought about a new era for fire manacians," Matsuda said, breaking the silence with a tone of awe.. . . "Alright class, today we have two transfer students from the Elite Mana Academy, along with several others joining different classes. Please welcome Yonu Hachinan and Hino Kana.""Yonu Hachinan?! No way!" some of the girls gasped as Kana and I walked in."It's Kana!" the boys whispered."Wait, Yonu, show us the flames!" one of the guys said excitedly.I nodded, took a deep breath, and exhaled a short burst of mana. Blue flames streamed from my mouth, slowly dissipating upwards."Wow, it's really him," the girls murmured, impressed.I thought Kana would be more popular with the guys, but I guess her tomboy look, with studs and tattoos, isn't everyone's type. Not that it mattered much to me; I had tattoos too."His tattoos are so cool!" some of the students said, though I didn't think much of them."Alright, settle down, class!" the teacher continued. "Please take those two seats at the back of the class.""Alright," Kana said as we walked to the back. As lessons began, many students around us started conversations, asking about the incident and how I came up with the Ignition Pill. I just described what I felt at the time, and that seemed to satisfy their curiosity. "Third-year Shimino Suzume is challenging the transfer students!" someone announced."Yonu?" Kana asked."I'll go watch her face off against Yunosuke or maybe Inio," I replied."Alright, I'll follow you," she said as the class emptied, everyone heading to see the challenge."I can guide you guys there," offered Kohane Kouga, the class president."Thanks!" Kana said as we followed Kohane.. . . "Damn…" muttered Yunosuke, wiping the sweat from his brow."Haha! So much for elite students!" she taunted, dashing back into range. Yunosuke raised his shield, anticipating her strike. She swung her fist, aiming low. He blocked the liver punch with his shield, but the impact shattered it. Reacting instantly, Yunosuke liquified the remnants to absorb the shock, then leaped backward, gathering the water into a swirling ring around him. Water manacians weren't meant for close combat, and this senior relentlessly invaded his danger zone with ease.Yunosuke clenched his fists, sending a volley of icicles from the water ring as he sprinted toward a nearby water source."Predictable!" she yelled, dodging the icicles effortlessly as gusts of wind propelled her forward. Yunosuke watched in frustration as his attacks missed.As she lunged for another punch, "Sakata Technique: Spinning Compass!" With a swift motion, he swung his arm, and the water around him surged forward, forming a spinning barrier that absorbed the impact of her punch and disrupted the wind currents she controlled."A top 4 Family has nothing on me! HAHAHAHHA!!!" she boasted."She's insane!" Yunosuke yelled, diving into the water. In the blink of an eye, he transformed the water beneath him into a sleek slide of ice, riding it upright. He sped across the battlefield, the icy trail behind him glistening."Sakata Technique: Flowing Ice," Yunosuke muttered as he tried to circle around her."Not a chance," she said, suddenly leaping over him."HUPH!" He immediately liquified all the water, raising it into a pillar right where she was about to land. But as she was in the air, she punched toward the ground, creating a gust of air that pushed her over the pillar."Skadoosh," she said, executing a kick."It's a bla—" Yunosuke instinctively raised his hands to block. The kick connected, slashing a wound into both his hands."Where is she—" he started, but the next moment, a kick landed right on the wound."ARGHHHHKKK!!!!" he screamed as he flew into the wall. The round was over."This top four family…""AH, FUCK!" Yunosuke yelled, slamming his already bloodied fist into the ground, making it hurt even more. The sharp pain that pierced his arm was still incomparable to the guilt and helplessness he felt."Too easy," she continued. "Who's next?""Senior, it's this girl named Hino Kana, and the last one is Yonu Hachinan," someone replied."HAHAHA!! Yonu! HAHAHA! It's impossible to beat Yonu," Yunosuke stated matter-of-factly as he wiped a drip of blood off his mouth. "It is impossible, as he has reached the peak of fire," he continued."Shut up, you useless pig. Stop gloating about your friend that I'm about to destroy. But since you like this boyfriend of yours so much… I'll take on this Kana person first.""Alright, I'll bring her in, Senior.""Oho," Kana muttered, her eyes glowing with a burst of fiery mana as she peered down at Shimino from the observation deck, a smirk playing on her lips.. . . "Hinora Matsuda.""Hinoka Yousuke." Matsuda greeted as the other person entered his opulent study, the soft glow of antique lamps casting warm shadows on the mahogany walls. His voice resonated with authority, tempered by years of leadership in the prestigious Hino family. "What brings you here?"Yousuke, clad in a white button-up strode across the room with measured steps, his expression a mix of concern and consternation. "Expressing disapproval over your choice of the next head…it has never been like that for decades, Matsuda. We have never had a head that wasn't a direct descendant."Matsuda leaned back in his high-backed chair, fingers steepled in thought. The room's atmosphere serene from the dim moonlight. "Well now is the time to change that.""I don't know what you see in that kid but the rest of the sub-families are in uproar. We do not stand for this. At least make Kana the head…or…""Yousuke…this boy is brilliant," Matsuda muttered, his gaze drifting to the expansive view beyond the ornate window, overlooking the family estate bathed in moonlight. Yousuke mirrored his contemplative pose, his fingers idly tracing the intricate designs of his family crest on the armrest of his chair."More brilliant than your own son?... I know your son is not old enough yet but surely you can wa-""No…he will never beat Yonu…I can barely do it before I learned it..""Learnt what.""I can't tell you…we're keeping this for the main family only." Matsuda's voice lowered, a hint of secrecy underlying his words, contrasting with the open, ancestral honesty of his family's traditions."Haha…that's going too far, Matsuda" Yousuke's tone grew stern, reflecting the weight of centuries-old customs. "Never in decades have there been restricted information in this family and even worse, AN OUTSIDER as our head!""I understand your concern how-" Matsuda tried to negotiate but suddenly felt a fiery presence behind him, a subtle shift in the air that bespoke of someone commanding yet deeply troubled."Don't…do this.." Matsuda sighed, the faint scent of sandalwood mingling with the charged atmosphere. He turned to face Yousuke, the lamplight glinting off his glasses. In a swift, controlled motion, he ignited his body, a display of mastery over fire mana that spoke volumes of his prowess, hoping that the fight won't come to fruition.