As Kimikage stepped onto the grounds of Kage no Daigaku, he was immediately struck by the vibrant energy that filled the air. Students were scattered about, diligently training in their shadow techniques, their movements fluid and precise under the watchful eyes of their senseis. Among the bustling crowd, a girl with bright eyes caught sight of him and approached with a friendly smile.
"Hey! Are you new here?" she asked, her enthusiasm infectious
"Yeah, I am," Kimikage replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Great! I'll show you around," she said warmly, and without hesitation, she led him through the campus, pointing out various training areas and facilities.
Eventually, they arrived at the classroom, where a multitude of senseis awaited. The atmosphere shifted as Sensei Masaki, a tall man with a commanding presence, addressed the students. "Welcome, both new and returning students, to Kage no Daigaku!"
"Today, we have many new faces joining us, so please come forward and introduce yourselves," he continued, gesturing for the students to share their names and aspirations.
One by one, students stepped up, sharing their dreams and ambitions. When it was Kimikage's turn, he spoke about how Gaki had saved him and his determination to ensure that no child would ever face a shadow demon alone again. Gaki, seated at the back, smiled at the mention of his name, pride evident in his expression.
The last student to introduce himself was a brooding figure who declared his intent to kill a woman from the Mitsuki clan. The room fell silent, shock rippling through the students, but the tension quickly dissipated as he took his seat.
Kimikage leaned toward the girl beside him and whispered, "Damn, I feel sorry for that guy."
"I know, right,don't mind him" she replied, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Anyway, class," Sensei Masaki resumed, "Grade 1 will be paired with a senior to learn the basics of shadow style. You'll head to Room 2, where Master Akashi will guide you." He continued explaining the arrangements for the other grades
Kimikage turned to the girl and asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
"It's Nozomi," she replied with a smile.
"Thanks for helping me, Nozomi," he said, feeling grateful as she waved goodbye and headed off to her Grade 2 class. Meanwhile, the serious student, now identified as Katakiuchi, followed Master Akashi, who instructed the Grade 1 students to follow him. As they walked, the students chatted about the challenges ahead, but Katakiuchi remained focused, his demeanor intimidating Kimikage.
Upon reaching Room 2, Master Akashi commanded, "Now, silence and listen closely."
"You will be divided into two groups, each led by a sensei. Let me announce the groups," he said. A student piped up, "But I thought you would be teaching us, Master Akashi?"
"I'm a higher-up; my teaching is reserved for the special grades," he replied, dismissing the question. After announcing the groups, Kimikage found himself paired with Katakiuchi under the guidance of the young Sensei Shidou. Katakiuchi seemed displeased, wishing for a more compatible classmate, while Kimikage felt a mix of apprehension and determination.
As the students shuffled out, Kimikage found himself walking alongside Katakiuchi, the tension palpable. "Just so you know," Katakiuchi said, his voice low and gravelly, "I don't care about making friends. I'm here for one reason: to get stronger. Don't get in my way."
Kimikage nodded, trying to mask his unease. "I understand. I want to get stronger too—for my village and my parents. You're not alone in this."
Katakiuchi scoffed, brushing him off. "Hmph."
They arrived at Room 3B, where Sensei Shidou greeted them with a playful grin. "Welcome, my underlings! Just kidding—welcome!"
Katakiuchi remained stoic, his mind set on his goals, while Kimikage chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Let's start with something simple. Take a deep breath and relax," Sensei Shidou instructed. They followed his lead. "Now, envision your shadow as a living extension of yourself, a sentient entity. Connect with it and find harmony."
As they began, Kimikage found himself making steady progress, while Katakiuchi struggled, his negative emotions holding him back. "Katakiuchi, try to calm down; your negativity is blocking you," Sensei Shidou advised.
"Hey, do you need help?" Kimikage offered, genuinely concerned.
"Why would I need help from someone like you? You're all soft and clueless. Just leave me alone," Katakiuchi snapped, his frustration evident.
"Uh, I—" Kimikage started, but Sensei Shidou interrupted, "It's okay, Kimikage. Let him find his own way."
While Kimikage succeeded in connecting with his shadow, Katakiuchi continued to struggle. Sensei Shidou approached him, his tone encouraging. "Listen, Katakiuchi, your negative thoughts are getting in the way. Let them go and imagine something positive. Connect with your shadow."
With a reluctant sigh, Katakiuchi replied, "Fine." He took a deep, steadying breath, focusing on the instructor's words. Slowly, he began to visualize his shadow as a living entity, and to his surprise, he felt a flicker of control. The shadow responded, shifting slightly as if acknowledging his presence.
"Great job, Katakiuchi! I knew you could do it!" Sensei Shidou exclaimed, a playful grin on his face. "How about a hug now, hmm?"
Katakiuchi shot him a glare. "No."
"Aww, you're no fun, Katakiuchi," the sensei teased, chuckling. "Anyway, let's move on to the next exercise. Follow me outside."
The students followed him, curiosity piqued. Once outside, Sensei Shidou turned to face them, his expression serious. "This is the hardest exercise for a beginner. Why, you ask? Because it requires you to confront your greatest fears."
He gestured dramatically, and two shadow barriers materialized, one enveloping Kimikage and the other surrounding Katakiuchi. "You must face your fears to fully tame your shadow extension and rid yourself of the negative emotions holding it back."
Kimikage's heart raced as he realized what this meant. His greatest fear was clear: the thought of his parents being killed by shadow demons haunted him. He had witnessed their terror firsthand, and the memory still lingered like a dark cloud over his heart.
Katakiuchi, on the other hand, stood rigid, his expression unreadable. As the shadows closed in around him, his backstory began to unfold in his mind. He had been betrayed by someone from the Mitsuki clan, and the fear of betrayal loomed large in his heart. The thought of being let down again was a wound that had never fully healed.
Both boys gasped, realizing the weight of the exercise. They hadn't expected to confront such personal demons so soon.
"Now, start," Sensei Shidou instructed, his voice steady and encouraging.
Kimikage closed his eyes, focusing on the shadow barrier surrounding him. He could feel the darkness pressing in, the memories of his only' fear flooding his mind. "I won't let this fear control me," he whispered to himself, summoning the strength he had gained from his training and the support of his friends.
Meanwhile, Katakiuchi stood still, his fists clenched at his sides. The shadow demons whispered to him, taunting him with visions of betrayal and loss. "No!" he shouted, fighting against the darkness. "I won't let you win!"
As the two boys faced their fears, the atmosphere around them shifted. Kimikage felt a surge of determination, while Katakiuchi's resolve began to crack under the weight of his past.