Character Notes
Takishi's team
Taiyou: A free spirit with a mischievous grin. His tousled black hair and vibrant brown eyes match his playful, carefree attitude.
2• Ren: A quiet, unpredictable fighter with dark green eyes and an intense, calculating nature. He has a playful side but is always two steps ahead.
3• Meiko: A petite girl with blue eyes who hides immense strength and resolve behind her soft-spoken demeanor. She uses sound manipulation with precision and has a growing crush on Taiyou.
4• Aya: A tall, silver-haired girl with lavender eyes. She's timid but skilled in creating powerful light-based barriers and illusions.
5• Fumiko: A fiery archer with auburn hair and a competitive streak. Her flame-imbued arrows are deadly and precise.
6• Kaito: A calm and analytical water manipulator. His tall, muscular frame and steady presence make him a stabilizing force in the group.
Hiroshi's team
1• Ryojin: A quiet and unshakable presence, with raven-black hair and dark eyes. His demeanor is cool and collected, masking immense power.
2• Daisuke: A muscular fighter with raw strength and a reckless nature. He charges into battles headfirst.
3• Emi: A calm and focused earth manipulator who balances the group with her steady resolve.
4• Kazumi: A playful strategist who creates illusions to outwit opponents. Her mischievous nature hides a sharp intellect.
5• Haruto: A quiet, brooding wind manipulator with deadly speed and precision.
6• Kenshin: A prodigy with piercing gray eyes and a lean, powerful build. He exudes quiet confidence and unmatched skill.
Hajime's Team
1. Ryosuke: A tall, disciplined prodigy with a quiet, commanding presence. He is often compared to ryojin in terms of being a genius and prodigy
2. Shinji: A hulking, rough fighter with messy brown hair.
3. Miyu: Petite but fierce, with a sharp focus.
4. Eiko: Silver-haired and calm, already in a combat stance.
5. Hiroshi: Lanky and quick-footed, with sharp eyes and a ready smile.
6. Nanami: Serene, with long green hair and hidden power.
Renjiro's Team
1. Daichi: Intense and confident, with a cocky edge.
2. Yuna: Quiet and analytical, with blonde hair and glasses.
3. Kaito: Laid-back but capable, with dark skin and braided hair.
4. Sora: Silver-haired and thoughtful, always observing.
5. Natsu: Red-haired and quick-tempered.
6. Rei: Sarcastic, with jet-black hair and a sharp tongue.
Haruna's Team
Masaru: a playful boy who can stretch his body with brown hairHanae: a girl with pink hair who can use crystals but not on the level of captain kaede. She has clear blue eyes and is extremely smartSayuri: she is a medic and also a poison manipulator, and is chubbyYuta: has shot silver hair and violet eyes but hardly talked, isn't as cool as ryojin but he is similar to him in the sense that he doesn't talkKaizen: squad 3's combatant and lightning userAoi: a blonde boy, 19 years old who acts the most normal in the group
Kaeden's group
1. Riku: A wiry young man with an air of quiet focus. His jet-black hair was tied in a loose bun, and his dark eyes reflected a fierce determination. Riku wielded a pair of short blades strapped to his back and had an uncanny ability to manipulate soundwaves, using them to disorient opponents or bolster his team's morale. His movements were deliberate, and his posture spoke of discipline honed through years of solitary training.
2.Naomi: A vibrant, energetic presence with fiery red hair cut short and an almost constant grin. She specialized in manipulating kinetic energy, able to absorb and redirect the force of impacts. Despite her playful demeanor, there was a sharpness in her emerald eyes that hinted at a dangerous edge. She carried no visible weapons, relying solely on her hands and feet to channel her power.
3.Taro: A towering figure with broad shoulders and a calm, stoic face. His earth-based abilities made him a literal force of nature, able to create barriers or launch devastating shockwaves. Taro's deep voice rarely made an appearance, but when he spoke, his words carried weight. His simple leather armor was scratched and worn, evidence of a fighter who preferred function over form.
4.Kiyo: The smallest and youngest of the group, Kiyo appeared almost out of place among the battle-hardened team. Her white hair framed a round, innocent face, but her golden eyes shimmered with latent power. She was a master of manipulating light, creating blinding flashes or illusions to confuse enemies. She clung to a small staff nearly as tall as she was, her fingers tapping nervously against it.
The air was tense as Takashi led his group up the jagged mountain range, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. "Your task is simple," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet murmurs. "Survive."
Taiyou let out a low whistle, stretching his arms lazily. "Sounds fun."
Ren smirked, his eyes glinting with an edge of amusement. "Fun for you, maybe. Not for the rest of us."
"Speak for yourself." Taiyou's grin widened as he bumped Ren's shoulder playfully, his lighthearted energy contrasting with the weight of the task ahead.
From behind them, Meiko hesitated, her hands adjusting the gloves she always wore. She opened her mouth to say something to Taiyou, then quickly looked away when he glanced over his shoulder at her.
"You okay?" Taiyou asked, his voice softening just a little.
Meiko's face turned pink. "I'm fine," she said quickly, her gaze fixed firmly on her gloves.
Aya nudged her gently, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're staring again."
"Am not!" Meiko hissed, her cheeks burning.
Taiyou tilted his head, clearly confused but amused nonetheless. "What's going on back there?"
"Nothing!" Meiko practically yelped. Ren snorted, clearly entertained, and Meiko shot him a glare.
Ahead, Fumiko and Kaito were already scouting the terrain. Fumiko, ever the competitor, glanced back at Taiyou. "Bet I take down more monsters than you."
Taiyou grinned. "Oh, it's on."
"Focus," Takashi snapped, his voice sharp and final. The group immediately fell into silence, the weight of his authority pressing down on them.
Without warning, the ground began to tremble. From the shadows of the mountain, massive beasts emerged, their roars shaking the air. Each creature was a hulking mass of muscle, claws, and chaos energy.
Taiyou's grin widened as he cracked his knuckles. "Now this is my kind of test."
Hiroshi's Group
In another corner of the academy, Hiroshi clapped his hands together, his voice booming. "Alright, team. Today's challenge: a battle. Defeat your opponents, or deal with me instead."
Daisuke laughed, cracking his knuckles. "Finally, something fun!"
Emi shot him a disapproving look. "Don't let your recklessness get in the way."
Kazumi smirked from her spot at the back of the group. "Let him rush in. Makes my job easier."
Ryojin stood off to the side, leaning casually against a pillar. He barely glanced up, his calm demeanor unwavering even as Hiroshi's words hung heavy in the air.
"Try to look like you care, Ryojin," Hiroshi said with a grin.
Ryojin's eyes flicked up, meeting Hiroshi's gaze for a moment before he returned to his quiet observation. "I care enough."
Hiroshi laughed heartily. "Good enough for me!"
Haruto, standing nearby, shook his head slightly, a faint breeze stirring the hair around his face. "This won't be easy," he murmured.
Kazumi shrugged. "Nothing worth doing ever is."
Yoko's Group
Captain Yoko surveyed her students with a calculating gaze. "This isn't about holding back," she said firmly. "Test your limits. Show me what you can do."
Kenshin stepped forward, his posture relaxed but his eyes blazing with confidence. "I don't need easy."
Yoko gave a small nod, her approval clear. The other students exchanged glances, a mix of nervousness and determination in their expressions. Kenshin's presence was undeniable, and even without words, it was clear he had set the standard for what they were about to face.
"Get into position," Yoko ordered. "The test begins now."
Captain Hajime stood to the right, arms crossed, observing the group under his charge. His heavily scarred face and stoic expression made him appear like a mountain carved from stone. His piercing green eyes scanned the group but lingered on one in particular: Ryosuke.
"Ryosuke," Hajime's voice rang out, "You know how this works. Lead your team and prove you're worthy of what comes next."
Ryosuke gave a small nod, the certainty in his movements reassuring his team. His teammates prepared themselves, knowing they weren't his equals in strength but trusting his leadership. Hajime's eyes briefly drifted to the others before snapping back to Ryosuke.
"Today is about testing your growth. Don't disappoint me."
Captain Renjiro stood farther off, his posture relaxed, though his grip on the maramusa slung over his shoulder betrayed his intensity. He surveyed his team with dark, experienced eyes.
"Daichi," Renjiro said, his voice sharp, "You've proven you're strong. But you're still not strong enough."
Daichi smirked but didn't reply, his attention flicking toward his teammates. Kaito leaned in with a grin. "How hard could this be?"
Renjiro's lip curled. "You little shit, you think it's easy? Good. Your task is simple—attack me. If any one of you lands a single hit, you win. I'll only use one hand."
The team exchanged glances, the tension rising. Kaito laughed, "This'll be fun."
Captain Haruna, poised in the center of a massive training platform suspended in space, addressed her team with a calm yet commanding presence. "Your task is to work as a team," she said, her voice as steady as her gaze. "Your opponent is me."
Masaru stretched his arms with a confident grin. "All of us against you? I almost feel bad."
Haruna's serene smile didn't falter. "You'll change your tune soon enough."
The platform began to shift, energy erupting into obstacles and hazards, creating an unpredictable battlefield. Gravity fluctuated, forcing the team to adapt on the fly. Haruna stood in the center, completely at ease.
"Show me what teamwork truly means," she said, her voice like a calm breeze amidst the chaos.
Kaede stood tall at the edge of the field, her crimson cloak billowing around her as she faced her team. Without preamble, she barked, "Line up."
The group scrambled into formation. Eli and Aira exchanged a brief glance, silent but in sync. Naomi leaned toward Riku. "Ready to get tossed around again?"
Riku smirked. "Just don't throw me into a wall this time."
Kaede's sharp gaze swept over the team. "You're here to become greater than what you were. Forget what you think you know. Up here, the rules are different."
Eli stepped forward. "Captain, Aira and I have worked together. We can handle this."
Kaede's lips quirked. "Confidence is good. But it's meaningless if you can't function as a unit. Let's see if you're as cohesive as you think."
Without warning, the wind picked up, lifting the team into the air. The ground disappeared as they were suspended in the vast expanse of the sky. Kiyo yelped, gripping her staff tightly as she floated unsteadily.
Kaede floated effortlessly, her control over the wind absolute. "There's no comfort here. Only chaos. Work together, or fail."
The group struggled to find their footing—or lack thereof—exchanging nervous glances as Kaede's words sank in.
SOMETIME AFTER THE TEAMS HAD BEEN DECIDED
Hiroshi Kaede leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a smug grin plastered across his face. "I'll be honest," he began, his amber eyes flicking toward the other commanders. "With students like Ryojin under my guidance, I don't see how my team can lose. The kid's a prodigy—raw talent, unmatched potential. It's almost unfair for the rest of you."
His tone was casual, but the boast was anything but subtle. He chuckled to himself, clearly enjoying the ripple of tension that spread around the room.
Hajime was the first to react,. "Tch," he scoffed,. "Your arrogance is as big as your ego, Hiroshi. Talent alone doesn't guarantee victory. My squad thrives on discipline and pure grit. We'll see who comes out on top."
Kaede Morikami's emerald-green eyes narrowed as she tapped her crystalline glaive lightly against the floor. "Strength is more than just raw power," she said, her voice calm but edged with steel. "My students are versatile and focused. Don't be so quick to crown yourself the victor, Hiroshi."
Hiroshi smirked, unfazed. "Of course, Kaede. I'd expect nothing less from you to champion the virtues of versatility. But let's be real—your team's too defensive. Against raw aggression, they'll crumble."
The tension thickened as several commanders exchanged glances. Renjiro his hand gripping the hilt of his cursed blade, Muramasa, which rested against his chair, always the brash one, slammed his fist on the table, a flicker of darkness erupting around his knuckles. "You wanna talk about aggression? My squad eats that for breakfast. Let's settle this. Put our squads head-to-head. Let the results speak for themselves."
Hajime, quiet and contemplative as always, finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "A direct competition would certainly be… illuminating. But it must be structured. Otherwise, it devolves into chaos."
Yoko and takashi just sat and watched them bicker
Haruna Takamura, seated with her arms crossed and her icy blue eyes fixed on Hiroshi, added coldly, "I have no objections. If Hiroshi insists on bragging, let him prove his claims. A tournament could provide an excellent measure of their abilities—and perhaps teach humility."
Hiroshi leaned forward, clearly enjoying the turn of events. "So, are we doing this? A tournament between our teams? I'm all in."
It was then that Takashi Kurozawa, Squad 0's enigmatic commander, finally broke his silence. His deep, resonant voice cut through the room like a blade. "A tournament would indeed provide clarity. But it must be more than just a showcase of strength. The final victor should be the embodiment of strategy, teamwork, and adaptability."
All eyes turned to Master Kohei, who had been silently observing the heated debate with a faint smile. He stroked his beard thoughtfully before speaking. "A tournament, you say?" His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight. "I see no harm in it. Competition fosters growth, and the students could benefit from testing their limits against one another."
Kohei paused, his gaze sweeping across the commanders. "However, I expect this to be more than just a clash of egos. Let this tournament serve as a way for the squads to learn from each other and grow stronger. The final match, as you suggest, will determine which team stands above the rest. I will leave the specifics of organization to you."
Hiroshi grinned, leaning back triumphantly. "You heard the Master. Let's do this."
Yoko finally spoke up. "This is gonna be good. I hope your squad's ready, Hiroshi."
Renjiro's expression darkened, a dangerous smirk curling his lips. "Oh, they'll be ready. You better hope yours can handle the heat."
Kaede shook her head, sighing but unable to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Let's ensure this remains professional, shall we?"
Hajime, as calm as ever, inclined his head. "Agreed. This will be an excellent test for all of us."
Haruna remained silent, but the glint in her eyes spoke volumes.
Master Kohei rose, his presence silencing the room. "Prepare your squads. The tournament will begin in one month. May the strongest team prevail."
The commanders nodded, each already strategizing how to push their students to their limits. As the meeting adjourned, Hiroshi's smirk lingered, but he could feel the weight of the other commanders' determination pressing against him.