"Aramiya Ryuu! The commander-in-chief has requested your presence."
An officer stood behind Ryuu, and the sudden invitation startled him.
Confused and apprehensive, he wondered why the chief would summon him so unexpectedly.
"Why? What does the chief want from me?"
Ryuu asked the officer, his mind racing as he struggled to comprehend the situation.
The officer responded with a straight face, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"That cannot be discussed here. The chief wishes to speak with you in private. Please show your cooperation."
A murmur of confusion rippled through the gathered crowd. Ryoko stepped forward, her protective instincts kicking in.
"I will go with Ryuu-kun. I will protect him if anything happens."
"No one except Aramiya Ryuu is permitted to accompany him. If you attempt to defy this order, you will be removed from the session,"
the officer stated with a formal and unwavering expression. Ryoko's anger flared at his response.
"I SAID I WILL COME ALONG WITH—"
"Ryoko-san, it's okay. I will be fine; you should return to the dorm with the others,"
Ryuu interjected, sensing her anxiety. He looked into her eyes, seeing the deep concern reflected there.
To calm her nerves, he offered her a reassuring smile.
"Do not worry; just believe in me. Everything will be alright."
Ryoko hesitated but began to calm down, comforted by Ryuu's steadfastness.
"Officer, let's go," Ryuu said, his voice steady.
"Follow me," the officer instructed, leading Ryuu through the corridor toward the chief's office.
As they approached the door, the officer knocked firmly and announced,
"Sir, Aramiya Ryuu is here. I shall take my leave now."
With a respectful bow, the officer stepped away, leaving Ryuu standing nervously in front of the door.
"Come in!" a voice called from inside, its authority clear.
With a deep breath to steady himself, Ryuu entered the room.
The Chief was seated at his desk, facing the window, his silhouette outlined by the fading light.
"Aramiya Ryuu, have a seat," the Chief commanded, gesturing toward the chair in front of him.
Ryuu complied, settling into the chair, his heart racing as he began to speak.
"Good evening, Chief in Command. My name is Aramiya Ryuu."
"Good evening, Aramiya-kun! Do you know why I have called you here?"
The Chief greeted him back with an inquisitive look, turning slowly in his chair.
"No, sir. Why have I been summoned?" Ryuu responded, confusion still etched on his face.
"As you are aware, you are a unique individual who has discovered a new form of magic. Unfortunately, we do not fully understand this magic or its effects,"
The Chief explained, his tone serious.
"We also lack the means to teach you how to control this magic effectively.
Therefore, the main purpose of this meeting is to gather more information about your abilities and to find a way to help you master them."
He paused, allowing Ryuu to absorb this information.
"To this end, the board of education and I have reached a conclusion: we will assign you a personal mentor."
Ryuu's heart skipped a beat. "Who will it be?"
"You will be trained by the most experienced individual, a scholar who has devoted his entire life to the study of magic: Morishita Shigeru."
"WHAT?!" Ryuu exclaimed, utterly stunned by the revelation.
(Morishita Shigeru is the brightest scholar Japan has ever seen.
He devoted his entire life to studying the elements and mastering the control of magic.
His groundbreaking discoveries have significantly contributed to the war against the ASURAs.
He was the first person in the world to create magical weapons inspired by the ASURAs, enhancing the capabilities of militaries worldwide.
For his monumental achievements, he earned the title 'THE SCHOLAR ABOVE SCHOLARS.')
The idea that he could meet Morishita Shigeru had always seemed like a distant fantasy.
But now, he was being granted the extraordinary opportunity to be guided by this legendary figure.
Ryuu was overwhelmed, his mind racing as he tried to process this unexpected turn of events.
Suddenly, a smooth and melodious voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Oh! I see you are surprised to have me as your teacher. I apologize if my presence causes any discomfort."
Ryuu turned around, eyes wide in astonishment.
Standing before him was a man with long, silky blue hair cascading down his shoulders.
His elegant demeanor and respectful tone reflected a noble character; this was indeed Morishita Shigeru.
"My name is Morishita Shigeru, and I will be accompanying you for these three months.
I sincerely apologize if my reputation has intimidated you," he said, a hint of warmth in his voice.
Ryuu's jaw dropped in disbelief. He stood up from his chair and knelt, overwhelmed by a mix of reverence and awe.
"Good evening, sir. I'm honored to meet you. I could never have imagined that I would have the privilege of learning from you.
Please do not misunderstand my surprise; I am simply in shock at the opportunity to study under you."
"My my, no need for such formalities. I'm honored as well to teach a student like you.
Because of you, I may be able to learn more about this world and the magic that resides within it,"
Shigeru responded gently, extending a hand to help Ryuu to his feet.
"It's late now; you should head back to the dorm and get some rest. We will discuss the details of your training tomorrow."
"Yes, Master. I will take my leave now!"
Ryuu replied with a newfound sense of purpose as he exited the office.
Inside the room, Morishita Shigeru remained alongside the Chief.
"Sir, what do you think of this child?" the Chief inquired, standing up from his chair, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Haaa... Chief, this child is indeed mysterious. When I looked within him, I sensed a tremendous power, something I have never encountered before.
I do not know what it is, but I feel it deep within him."
Shigeru paused, collecting his thoughts. "Now I understand what the president meant by his words.
We must uncover the root of this power as quickly as possible.
If this power were to be unleashed, no one can predict the consequences."
He sighed deeply, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead, but the bright smile never left his face, indicating his unwavering optimism.
The Chief was taken aback, having never witnessed Shigeru in such a state of concern before.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, Ryuu was on his way to the dormitory, his mind still reeling from the evening's events.
He approached the door and noticed Ryoko sitting on the steps, her head bowed, lost in thought.
"Ryoko-san?"
he called softly, his heart warming at the sight of her...