The students of Class S materialized into a dense tropical forest, the air heavy with humidity and the scent of earth. Towering trees stretched skyward, their thick canopies forming a natural roof that blocked out most of the sunlight. The ground was a lush carpet of ferns, shrubs, and moss-covered roots, a chaotic collage of vibrant greens and browns.
A loud, piercing bird call echoed through the forest.
"KEEEEEEEEEE!"
"Ugh," Anatolia groaned as she landed awkwardly on her rear. The rest of the students weren't faring much better, most sprawled in varying degrees of discomfort.
Akshran, however, was already on his feet, brushing off his uniform with an air of calm efficiency. His eyes darted around the environment, taking in every detail. "There's a water source approximately 14 to 15 kilometers from here," he said matter-of-factly.
The statement landed like a stone in a pond, rippling through the group.
"What?" Tatsuyui, the girl known for her exceptional sense of smell and mastery of earth magic, blinked in disbelief. Her bright pink hair, tied up in two buns, bobbed as she turned to Anatolia. "Why'd you bring this weirdo along, Anatolia-san?"
Anatolia groaned again, rubbing her forehead. "I thought he was smart," she muttered under her breath.
Akshran ignored the jabs, his gaze fixed ahead as though mentally mapping the area. "I know it sounds improbable," he said, his voice even, "but I have evidence to support my claim."
The others exchanged skeptical glances.
"First," Akshran began, "it's clear that we're in a tropical rainforest. The tall tree canopies, dense ground layer of ferns and shrubs, and the sheer diversity of plant species all point to this biome. The air is thick with humidity, and the temperature is approximately 26 degrees Celsius. Tropical rainforests typically range from 20 to 30 degrees."
Tatsuyui raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Alright, Sherlock, I'll give you that. But how do you know about the water?"
Akshran turned slightly, his expression calm but confident. "When we arrived, I formed a mental image of our surroundings. Several observations confirm a nearby water source."
He began listing his points with precision,"The terrain slopes gently downhill, likely leading to a stream, river, or lake, as the cooler, fresher air hints at moisture in that direction. A faint glimmer of light filtering through the trees suggests the presence of a sizable water body, further confirmed by the rising mist in the area."
Tatsuyui opened her mouth to counter, but Akshran pressed on, his tone growing more authoritative. "These patterns align with known tropical rainforests like the Amazon or Congo. In such regions, water bodies are often located 10 to 15 kilometers from dense starting points. The faint reflections and mist suggest the water is at that range—visible but not immediately accessible."
The group stared at him in stunned silence.
"You processed all that... in an instant?" Seri Black muttered, breaking the quiet. For someone known for his perpetual deadpan demeanor, the astonishment in his voice was visible.
Akshran glanced at Seri, his face utterly calm. "Yes."
The silence stretched for another moment before Tatsuyui threw up her hands. "Alright, Rainman, lead the way. But if we don't find water, I'm dunking you in the nearest mud pit."
Anatolia snorted, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Honestly, I don't even care if he's right. Watching Tatsuyui lose her mind trying to keep up with his explanations is entertainment enough."
The group began moving, and Akshran's eyes briefly flicked to the canopy above, his thoughts already a step ahead. 'If they think this is impressive, they'll need to prepare themselves for what comes next.'
The group followed Akshran's lead, moving steadily through the dense forest. The humidity clung to their skin as leaves rustled beneath their feet, but soon, they broke through the thick foliage and found themselves standing before a shimmering water body.
"Exactly as he said," Tatsuyui muttered, a mix of awe and irritation in her voice. She glanced at her friend Katryei, a tall girl with a muscular build, her physique-enhancing resonance evident in the way she carried herself.
'Just one glance at the area, and he knew all this?' thought Takahashi, his gaze drifting to Akshran, who stood silently at the water's edge, seemingly indifferent to their reactions.
'Who is this guy?' Takahashi's thoughts lingered as he studied Akshran's calm demeanor.
"Alright, everyone, sit down," Seri Black commanded, cutting through the silence. "We need to pick a class leader and introduce ourselves."
The group settled around the water, the tension giving way to a faint air of camaraderie. Seri stood first, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform before speaking.
"I'll start. I'm Seri Black, and my resonance is Cursed Spirit." His tone was casual, but the mention of his resonance made a few students glance at the faint ghostly shapes hovering around him.
"I'm Anatolia Blue, obviously," Anatolia said with a smirk, flipping her hair. "My resonance is Gem Resonance."
"Takahashi Ouma," Takahashi said nervously, his voice quieter than the others. "My resonance is Dimensional Storage."
"I'm Tatsuyui, and that's Katryei," Tatsuyui chimed in, gesturing to her friend. "I have Earth Resonance, and she's got Physique Improvement Resonance."
"Kanade Khan," came the next voice. A boy with a scar running down his left cheek and a dragon-shaped tattoo around one eye leaned forward, his rough appearance making him look more like a gangster than a student. "I've got Tattoo Resonance. I can bring my tattoos to life, but there's a heavy cost."
"Strong resonance," Anatolia commented, eyeing him with a mix of approval and intrigue.
"Akshran," was all Akshran said when it was his turn. The single word carried an aura of finality, and somehow, no one questioned him—not even Anatolia, who usually had something snarky to say.
"Hajaku Hibe," a massive figure announced next, his martial arts uniform straining against his broad frame. "I have Snowball Transformation Resonance. I can turn into a snowball and change its structure at will."
The remaining two students introduced themselves together.
"I'm Zack Khan, and I control Glass."
"And I'm Kanjak Diptri, with Rock Resonance," added the other, his tone more reserved.
When the introductions were done, Akshran spoke up, his voice calm yet commanding. "Now that we know who's who, let's pick the class leader."
"Obviously, that's me," Tatsuyui declared, puffing out her chest and patting it confidently.
Akshran's sharp eyes turned to her, his gaze steady. "Even if Chatticus didn't explicitly say it, the team leader likely can't betray their class. Think carefully."
Tatsuyui froze for a moment, her confidence flickering. "Whatever," she muttered, flipping her hair dismissively. "Not like I would, anyway."
Before she could say more, a foot connected with her face, sending her stumbling backward.
"Shut it, chihuahua-looking dipshit," Anatolia snapped, rolling up her sleeves. "I'm the class leader."
Tatsuyui opened her mouth to argue but hesitated as Anatolia's menacing grin and poised fists made her think better of it. She crossed her arms with a huff and stayed silent.
Anatolia strode over to Takahashi, who had been holding the class flag in his Dimensional Storage. Without waiting, she grabbed it from him.
"I am the Class Leader," she announced confidently.
The flag began to glow in her hands, sealing her declaration. A faint hum filled the air as the glow intensified, officially designating Anatolia as the leader of Class S.
Anatolia turned to Seri with a triumphant smirk, her blue eyes gleaming. She had expected him to challenge her for the role but was surprised to see him entirely unbothered.
'Probably realized my superiority,' Anatolia thought smugly as she crossed her arms, the flag resting firmly by her side.
_____________________________________________________________
"Where do we plant the flag?" Akshran asked, his tone measured.
Before anyone could respond, his body shifted instinctively to the side, narrowly avoiding a blade aimed for his neck. The air seemed to ripple with the force of the strike as the rapier cut through empty space.
"Tsk," growled the attacker, a man with shark-like teeth and a predatory grin. His rapier gleamed as he straightened. "Wanted to take you out with that one."
Krix Zork. Loyal dog of Ryan Bigman. His reputation for dirty tactics preceded him.
Akshran's gaze flicked to the treeline, sharp and calculating. "Scatter!" he barked, his voice cutting through the tension. "He didn't come alone."
The Class S students moved without hesitation, jumping away from their positions just as arrows and blades sliced through where they had been standing moments earlier. The ambush had failed, but the threat remained.
Krix's tongue clicked in frustration as he lunged toward Akshran, his rapier gleaming in the filtered light of the forest. "You're mine!"
Akshran didn't flinch. Instead, he raised a hand. "Illusion Magic: Illusion to Reality—Giant Spider Trap!"
Krix paused for half a second, his grin widening. "You really think I didn't study you, dumbass? That magic doesn't even—"
His words were cut off by a solid punch to the face. Akshran's fist connected with a sickening thud, sending Krix staggering backward. Before he could recover, two identical Akshrans darted from his blind spots, their movements swift and synchronized.
"Don't talk so much when you fight," Akshran said coldly as one of the clones snatched Krix's wallet while the other relieved him of his rapier.
Krix's shark-like grin twisted into a snarl. "You little—"
The real Akshran stepped forward, now wielding Krix's own rapier. He parried an incoming strike with calculated ease, forcing the attacker back.
'They know about me. They've studied me, my techniques... this is a distraction,' Akshran realized as he deflected another blow. His eyes darted to the edges of the battlefield. 'Their real goal isn't me—it's…'
His thoughts froze as he spun on his heel, but relief washed over him when he saw Anatolia standing among the downed attackers, rolling her shoulders as if the fight had been a light warm-up. The rest of Class S had also regrouped, unharmed.
"Fodder's cleared," Anatolia said smugly, brushing dirt off her sleeves.
"Good work," Akshran said, stepping back from Krix. He turned to Seri, handing him a folded piece of paper.
"What's this?" Seri asked, taking the paper.
"Plans," Akshran replied. "Might be useful for you."
Seri didn't argue, pocketing the note. Anatolia raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her focus shifting back to the retreating enemy.
Krix, realizing the ambush had failed, began retreating into the forest. His shark-like grin was gone, replaced with grim determination.
"STOP HIM!" Tatsuyui shouted, her eyes narrowing as she pointed toward Krix's escape route. "SHARK TEETH IS GETTING AWAY!"
Akshran didn't move, his eyes calculating as he watched Krix disappear into the dense foliage.
'Good. Let him go. He's not important anymore.' Akshran's lips twitched into a faint smirk as he turned his attention back to the team. 'Preparations are already done.'
___________________________________________________
Krix sprinted through the forest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins sharpening his every move. The towering trees blurred past him as his rapierless hand clenched into a fist. He didn't care about his so-called allies still scrambling in the wake of their failed ambush.
'Damn idiots,' he thought bitterly. 'My resonance is a tracking one. That was all we needed. The plan worked.'
His breath came in sharp bursts as the edge of the forest gave way to the enemy's base. 'I just need to get to Ryan. Once he knows, this match is as good as ours.'
Bursting through the base's heavy doors, Krix ignored the stares of his classmates as he made a beeline for Ryan Bigman's quarters. His leader, ever theatrical, sat upon a massive chair that might as well have been a throne, his hulking frame casting shadows across the dimly lit room.
Krix knelt before him, his shark-like grin subdued for once. "My lord," he said, bowing low, "I've brought crucial information."
Ryan's piercing gaze fell on him. "Speak."
"I've marked the entire Class S," Krix announced, his voice steady despite the sweat trickling down his brow.
Ryan leaned back, a booming laugh escaping his chest. "As expected of you, Krix. Excellent work."
But Krix hesitated, his grin faltering as his mind returned to the fight. A knot of unease twisted in his stomach, and the room's air felt heavier.
"Out with it," Ryan said sharply, sensing his subordinate's hesitation.
Krix wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "It's just… I have this gut feeling."
Ryan's eyes narrowed. "What kind of feeling?"
"The guy I fought—Akshran—" Krix began, his words careful, "he beat me. Humiliated me, even. But…"
"But?" Ryan pressed, his tone hardening.
Krix swallowed hard, his gaze flickering to the floor. "But he let me go. He didn't tie me up, didn't even try to seal my resonance. He just… let me escape."
Ryan's lips curled into a sneer, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "And you think that was intentional?"
"It doesn't make sense otherwise," Krix admitted, the memory gnawing at him. "He's sharp. Too sharp to make a mistake like that."
Ryan waved a dismissive hand. "You're overthinking it, Krix. Letting an enemy escape? That's stupid. Even Akshran isn't foolish enough to hand you back to me on purpose."
Krix nodded, though the uneasy knot in his stomach didn't loosen. "I also learned more about their setup," he said, shifting topics. "Their plans are being transmitted through Seri Black, and Anatolia is holding the class leader position."
Ryan's expression darkened, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne. "So Anatolia's guarding their flag, and Seri is their communicator. That's valuable."
He stood, towering over Krix, the sheer weight of his presence pressing down on the room. "Follow the plan. Everything is proceeding as Master Eddie has foreseen. We'll exploit their weaknesses and break them before they even know what hit them."
Krix bowed deeply. "Understood, my lord."
As he left the room, Ryan remained seated, his eyes narrowing as his fingers drummed a slow rhythm against the throne's armrest. 'Still,' Ryan thought, 'if Akshran really did let him go… that's a dangerous kind of enemy. One I can't underestimate.'
_____________________________________________________________
"Did you catch on to anything?" Anatolia asked, her sharp gaze fixed on Akshran. The group had relocated to a new base—distant enough to stay hidden but still close to the water's edge.
"No," Akshran replied flatly, his expression calm, almost unreadable.
"You let him go on purpose, didn't you, Akshran?" Anatolia's voice cut through the silence, sharp and accusing. Her piercing gaze locked onto him, refusing to let him off the hook.
"You could've done so much to stop him," she pressed, stepping closer, her tone laced with frustration. "Yet you didn't. Just what the hell are you planning?"
Akshran's smirk widened slightly, his expression unreadable, a mask of quiet confidence that only fueled her irritation.
"Just saying," he replied, his tone maddeningly casual. "But we will win."
For a moment, Anatolia stared, her fists clenched as his words hung in the air. There was no arrogance in his voice—just certainty, as if the outcome had already been decided, as if he had seen the ending of a story no one else knew they were in.
But his mind was far from still. 'The real enemy isn't Ryan. It's Eddie.' The precision of the earlier ambush, the calculated strikes—it all pointed to something far more deliberate. 'Pre-planned movements. Coordinated attacks. Eddie's fingerprints are all over this.'
Still, the pieces were incomplete. 'I need more information before I can confirm anything,' Akshran thought, his lips twitching into a faint smirk.
'It's time to set the stage... for the First Confrontation.'