The sky was clear, letting in a bright sun which illuminated the vast courtyard of the academy. Kurayami, with narrowed eyes, observed the scene with curiosity, while the other students chatted among themselves excitedly.
Kurayami: "What is this thing?"
Aiko stood next to him, an amused smile on her lips.
Sending: "It is an annual inter-academy tournament. It helps determine who can be sent to Kinokawa to join the royal army or even become one of the 7 celestial guardians!"
Kurayami: "The royal army? Do you have kings on your continent?"
Aiko nodded with a serious, but slightly playful look.
Aiko: "Yes, each country has its own king, and they are all more or less close to the gods. But most important of all is the king of Kinokawa, the "King of Kings," the one closest to the gods."
Kurayami looked down in thought.
Kurayami (thought): "If I win this tournament I will be sent to the army…"
A sudden vision of an austere military life, filled with orders, battles and suffering, flashed through his mind.
His face turned pale, a bead of sweat running down his temple.
Aiko noticed his troubled expression.
Aiko: "Are you okay, Kurayami?"
Before he could respond, Ms. Kuroda, with her usual mischievous smile, approached them.
Mrs.Kuroda: "I see you worried, my little Kurayami. Don't worry, I will personally enjoy preparing you for this tournament during our evening classes."
Kurayami shivered, a wave of terror coursing through him at the thought of what awaited him.
Aiko placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
Aiko (whispers): "Good luck…"
Ms. Kuroda, cheerful as always, turned to the rest of the students.
Mrs.Kuroda: "Come on, in the meantime, let's get back to class!"
The students resumed their training.
Night had fallen, and the moon faintly lit the academy courtyard.
The students had completed their daily training and were leaving, tired but satisfied with their progress.
However, one student could not leave.
Mrs. Kuroda had designated him.
Mrs.Kuroda: "Okay, class is over for today. You can all go… except you, my little Kurayami."
The other students exchanged sympathetic glances with Kurayami before leaving, Aiko placing a supportive hand on his shoulder before disappearing into the darkness.
Once they were alone, Ms. Kuroda clapped her hands, her energy seeming even more intense than usual.
Ms.Kuroda (enthusiastic): "Now we will begin training… of the ascent from hell!"
Kurayami gulped, his face turning livid at the words.
Ms.Kuroda: "First of all, to cast powerful spells, your frail little body must be able to withstand them. So we will start by strengthening your body…"
She invited him to start by running around the academy, which Kurayami did without asking too many questions. At first it seemed simple, too simple in fact.
Kurayami (thought): "Is this just his training? I expected worse…"
However, his relief was short-lived. Suddenly, Ms. Kuroda jumped on his back, almost making him trip.
Ms.Kuroda: "When you've burned enough calories, you'll understand why it's called the 'hell climb', hehe!"
Kurayami, stunned, continued running with Ms. Kuroda on his back. After an hour, his legs were shaking, his breathing was becoming irregular, and he finally stopped, exhausted.
Ms.Kuroda: "Is it me or are you slowing down?"
Kurayami: "I've been running for an hour!"
Mrs.Kuroda: "So what? It's not my fault you can't run 100 km/h."
Kurayami stared at her, shocked.
Kurayami: "100 km/h?! Does that mean you want me to run 100 kilometers?!"
Mrs. Kuroda burst out laughing.
Mrs.Kuroda: "I always knew you were good at math!"
Kurayami: "But you want me dead!"
Mrs.Kuroda: "No, my little Kurayami. I always wish the best for my students. That's why I always show them the best way, even if it is painful."
Without saying a word, Kurayami continued running, his will pushed to the limit.
After three more hours, he finally collapsed, unable to continue.
Ms. Kuroda: "It's the first time I've seen someone leave after warming up"
Kurayami looked up at her exhaustedly.
Kurayami: "Was that... just the warm-up?!"
Ms. Kuroda: "And yes! Now that you're all warmed up, it will be easier!"
The rest of the night was a real ordeal for Kurayami.
Push-ups with Ms. Kuroda on his back, strength exercises and endless resistance sessions.
His body screamed in pain, but he continued, determined not to give up.
When she finally released him, Kurayami walked with difficulty towards the main building.
As Kurayami walked towards his room, his body aching, he was suddenly interrupted by a soft voice.
Hanae: "You're lucky…"
Kurayami, lost in thought, jumped in fear.
Hanae: "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
Kurayami composed himself, trying to keep a stoic facade.
Kurayami: "You didn't scare me!"
Hanae gave a mocking smile.
Hanae: "So, training with Ms. Kuroda is going well?"
Kurayami: "So what? It's none of your business."
Hanae shrugged, clearly used to his tone.
Hanae: "It concerns the academy, so it concerns me too."
Kurayami frowned, annoyed.
Kurayami: "And who are you, the school secretary?"
Hanae: "Almost. My parents are high-ranking in the academy. They always wanted me to be the best, but unfortunately that's not the case."
Kurayami looked at her, slightly surprised by this revelation.
Kurayami: "You're still in the best class in the academy…"
Hanae (frustrated): "It's not enough for my parents. I have to be the best of the best."
Kurayami sighed, still perplexed.
Kurayami: "I really don't see how this concerns me."
Hanae stared at him, her eyes full of resentment.
Hanae: "This concerns you because Ms. Kuroda is training you personally. She sees the potential in you to become the best. And you don't even seem to realize it. It annoys me a little…"
Kurayami felt his words resonate within him. He had never seen the situation from this angle.
Kurayami (thought): "It's true, I never thought about that…"
Hanae: "I hope this makes you realize how lucky you are. But above all, the hopes that Ms. Kuroda has placed in you."
Hanae walked away, leaving him alone in the hallway.
Kurayami returned to his room after six hours of hellish training. He collapsed onto his bed, thoughts swirling in his head.
Kurayami (thought): "With everything that's happening to me, I've lost the habit of paying attention to what's around me. I didn't even realize what Ms. Kuroda's interest in me meant…"
He closed his eyes, exhausted.
Kurayami (thought): "She's completely crazy… but what she says makes sense. If I am not able to follow his training, then I will never be able to save my friends from demons..."
A week of intensive training passed, each day more grueling than the last. Finally, the long-awaited day arrived: the selection for the Celestial Convocation.
The thirty elite class students gathered in a large room that Kurayami had never seen before.
The ceiling was so high that it seemed to touch the heavens, and a competitive atmosphere filled the air.
The director, standing on a platform, raised a hand to demand silence.
Please, a little silence, thank you.
Hello everyone.
We are going to start the selection tournament.
Mr. Sato will remind you of the process so that it is clear to everyone.
Mr.Sato, imposing and respected, spoke.
Mr.Sato: "Thank you, Mr. Director. For this selection, there will be fifteen fights simultaneously in different arenas. Only the five students with the best abilities will be able to participate in the Heavenly Summoning."
All the students were tense, focused on each word.
Mr. Ken then spoke, with the same usual coldness.
Mr.Ken: "Here are the fights:"
He began to list the pairs, and everyone listened attentively.
— Akihiko Tsukasa contre Yumi Aoyama. Haruto Minami contre Airi Kudo. Rika Fujimoto contre Kaoru Hayashi…
Kurayami listened attentively. Then his name was called.
— Hanae Shimizu contre Kurayami Hoshino.
Kurayami clenched his fists.
He knew this fight wouldn't be easy.
Hanae was one of the best students in the elite class, and he was still far from mastering his new powers.
Mrs.Kuroda: "Take your place in the arena, my little wizards and witches! May fate be favorable to you!"