Vision of Ryuji Takeshi Iwahara
"Now that everyone's here, before we head to practice, let's name your teams." With a snap of his fingers, the entrances to the training areas began to glow. "Each room is set so that only team members can enter—so let's begin. Ryuji Takeshi's team will be called Fire, Lee Min-Jae's will be Lightning, Rei Suzuki's Air, and Haruki Sato's Earth."
As soon as Takeda finished speaking, the doors before us started to light up, and slowly, the Fire symbol appeared on the left.
"Tanaka and I will assist the groups, starting with Fire and Water. The others, wait until we can help. Now, go!"
The room was simple—just a few chairs and armchairs, not much different from the outside. Before the professor arrived, I tried to speak with Hana, but she continued to ignore me, settling onto a small sofa next to Aiko. I decided it was best to let it go for now.
"Shall we begin?" Takeda asked as he entered, receiving an immediate "Yes, sir" from all of us.
"Alright, I can't say much, but your group is unique—nearly everyone here has three or more elements. You have a slight disadvantage: your core isn't yet able to separate the elementals properly, and creating pure mana is much easier by fusing particles of the same element, especially you, Ryu. Tanaka mentioned that you have trouble controlling Darkness." The moment he spoke, I felt Hana's gaze fixed on me. When I turned, I saw a triumphant smile on her face.
"Aiko, step forward." She calmly rose and moved to stand in front of the professor.
"Create an air sphere, compressing it until it's visible." Without waiting for a response, she extended her hand, mimicking what Hana had done earlier. The air in the room began to compress in her palm.
"I see that the two of you are training together. Instead of just launching it, try not to compress it further—instead, fuse the sphere into itself." My colleague exerted a considerable effort; the vortex in her hand gradually diminished in size. But when it was about half its original size, a slight burst of air caused it to collapse to the floor.
"For your first attempt, you did very well. Now, next," Takeda announced.
He then repeated the process for everyone. Daisuke, who went right after Aiko, fared a bit worse—his water sphere leaked slightly. Soon after, Hana—unsurprisingly, having only two elements yet being exceptionally skilled—managed to reduce her sphere to less than half its size. Kenji, on the other hand, could only form a water sphere, and less than five minutes after the demonstration began, it was my turn.
"Ryuji, it's your turn." While I considered how all my colleagues had performed in the test, my body automatically stepped forward toward the professor.
"You may choose, as both Fire and Darkness are suitable for this lesson." His sharp eyes showed he wasn't joking—perhaps from now on I'd have to improve my control over Darkness. But at this moment, Fire was my answer.
I calmed my breathing and visualized every step: forming the sphere using the least mana possible, compressing it just as the professor had demonstrated. With everything planned in my mind, I began.
As always, I strived to sense the elementals leaving my core, moving toward the extremities and materializing as flames. I also tried to feel the pure mana that I was sure was forming in my hand—the sensation was that of a warm flame atop my skin. I then controlled the fire and encapsulated it into a sphere. I must admit, even maintaining it was becoming challenging, but I moved on to the next step.
Fusing the fire initially seemed easy, but it grew increasingly difficult—as if trying to concentrate air in one's lungs. With each passing moment, it felt as though it might explode, that I wouldn't be able to maintain control. Still, I persisted; every time that feeling crept in, I paused the fusion until I regained control. I don't know how long it took, but finally, when the sphere was about half its original size, I sensed my control had returned—then something strange began to happen.
I saw a stone forming in the center of the sphere, merging with the fire. I lost control and stepped back, but the magic persisted. The stone continued to merge with the earth until it fell to the floor. Suddenly, the grass—which had been short—grew rapidly, engulfing the stone like a predator before returning to normal, leaving no trace.
Paralyzed by the shock, I stood there pondering what had just happened when Takeda placed his hand on my shoulder. "This is what happens when one element is too different from the others—the dark particle was present, and when it finally began to fuse with another element, the imbalance occurred. And well, you saw the result."
"But is there any danger in this, General?" I recognized the timid voice of Kenji behind me.
"Given the level of mana you all use, the ground can handle it—even Hana's earlier attack wouldn't have been that big a problem. And here, at this school, I'm just a professor, so don't call me that." Takeda, who rarely carried the air of an army general, seemed better off that way.
"Another thing, Ryuji: how far you go now depends partly on luck, but one thing is clear—you probably won't reach the next level if you continue with the same control over Darkness. Work on that." Removing his hand from my shoulder, he began to head for the door.
"Now, I will assist the other groups. You all remain here until the end of class. Train however you wish, as long as it's mana control, that's acceptable."
As he opened the door, he paused one step from leaving and turned back. "Oh, almost forgot—Hana, remember this: your leader is Ryuji. Keep that in mind." After these words, he finally departed.
A heavy silence filled the room. I didn't dare look at any of my companions; I simply sat down and began practicing Darkness as intensely as I could, channeling it through my hand—at least that's what I intended. Apparently, my colleagues were doing the same, and we spent a long time in that state.
I was sweating profusely; the effort to improve with Darkness didn't seem to compare with the other elements—it was much slower. I always felt that my progress was effortless with the others. "Why did I ever choose something that only holds me back?" I whispered.
"Now you'll just keep lamenting," came a soft yet harsh voice—I knew immediately that Hana had heard me.
I bit my lip, frustration heavy in my tone. "I think I deserve more respect than that." My patience was wearing thin.
"Just because the professor asked doesn't mean you understand why we elected you. You were reliable, you assumed leadership when needed. I don't understand why you've changed so much." Her gaze dropped, but I could feel the weight of her disappointment hitting me like a slap.
"You speak as if you don't know why I'm doing this—I just have to win, and then everything will return to normal. That's how things work." I didn't know why I was repeating it, but it was the only answer I had; my heart felt tight.
"Again, seriously—whether you win or lose, you'll remain our leader, no matter what." My fists clenched as I tried to contain my frustration, but I couldn't.
"I just need to win; that's what my family requires. My mother lost only once, and I never saw her again." The fear I had kept deep inside finally exploded.
Silence returned to the room; Hana looked visibly shocked—I shouldn't have said that.
"You know, Ryu... we care about you," Aiko began, her voice soft with an unfamiliar vulnerability. "I think we've unknowingly placed a huge burden on your shoulders. I'm sorry we never asked how you really feel about it."
As she spoke, I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. Turning, I saw Daisuke's bright smile—he always knew how to lift the mood.
"See, boss? Everyone here cares about you. We want to be a team, to do things together. In class, you naturally take the lead, but if you keep bearing all the weight alone, it will only drive us apart. And honestly, do you think Aiko or Hana could fill your role if that happened?" Their unified exclamation of "Hey!" echoed around the room.
When I looked at the girls, I saw both Aiko and Hana blushing. Aiko tried to mask her reaction as if nothing were amiss, while Hana looked down, clearly embarrassed.
I had never experienced anything like this before. Every friend I'd made had vanished so quickly—I didn't know what it felt like to have this kind of camaraderie. An unexpected laugh escaped me, easing the tension in my chest, and tears of joy welled up as I realized that, in that moment, such a simple interaction helped me understand what they truly felt.
When my laughter finally subsided, I saw Hana standing in front of me. It had been a long time since I'd seen that beautiful smile. "I hope you understand now, Ryu," she said gently, her voice full of warmth. "We just want what's best for you. Training yourself to the point of exhaustion every day isn't good for your mind or body—you need balance." As she placed her hand on my shoulder, I felt the comforting warmth of her presence, like a calming aura. "I know I didn't express it well earlier—I made you relive painful memories—but when you're ready, I'll listen to you. For now, just hear us out."
"I really want you to put an end to that arrogant guy," Aiko interjected, her intensity unmistakable. "But for that, you need to be at your best. We're here to ensure you follow the right path, and when the time comes, you'll crush him."
Daisuke, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward. "Look, boss, I know these two aren't great at showing their feelings," he joked, glancing sidelong at Hana, who gave a slight, unenthusiastic protest. "But the point is—we're all with you. We're a team, probably for the next three years. Wouldn't it be great if we truly became friends? I want to know the real Ryuji Takeshi—the man behind the leader."
His words filled me with a pang of guilt. I had been so focused on myself that I hadn't given them a chance to know me, just as I didn't really know them. I took a deep breath and stood resolutely.
"I grew up surrounded only by family, and as mages, they always kept to themselves. There was nothing but endless training—ever since I lost my grandfather, I was told that was unacceptable. Becoming stronger was the only thing that mattered to me.
Now, I have you all. My desire to grow stronger remains, but now it's for you—to make each of you proud. And when I become the best, I'll also honor my grandfather, my uncle, and fulfill my mother's greatest wish. When the time comes, I'll share everything with you." A small smile formed on my face as I spoke.
"Then, it seems you finally understand," someone interrupted. As if materializing from nowhere, Kenji appeared, his eyes half-closed as usual. "Your grandfather... he must be an amazing man. He's the only one you mention first in your family."
"I'm sorry for ignoring you, Kenji, but a word of support would have been nice," I said, surprised to see him there. He always seemed almost invisible—so quiet that I nearly forgot he was in the room.
"I never thought you needed support. I trust you," he replied directly and honestly.
"Everyone here trusts you, boss—after all, if it weren't for you leading, who would? Not Aiko," Daisuke said, his confident laugh filling me with courage.
"Hey, you don't have to belittle me to compliment him," Hana said sincerely.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
When I looked at Hana, I realized she wanted to say something, so I waited. She hesitated, her face growing even redder as she struggled for the right words. "I…I need to apologize. Attacking you like that was terrible," she finally said, her voice soft and full of remorse. Her vulnerable expression made the pain I'd felt seem worthwhile.
"Well, let's get back to work," I said, feeling a new energy surge within me. "Mastering pure mana is our goal, and we must be ready." Everyone nodded, determination renewed on their faces. Something inside me had definitely changed today.
After that day, my training intensified. Every day, I honed my skills with unwavering dedication. Yet this time, I found balance. Every couple of days, I allowed myself a break to hang out with my teammates. Those moments of relaxation were a breath of fresh air amid the rigor of training. Sometimes even Rei and Katsu joined us in the commercial area. The nights in the city became a refuge—the warmth of popcorn at the cinema, the neon lights, and the laughter of friends made me forget the grueling training. For a moment, I could just be Ryuji, a normal guy.
Gradually, I realized that the calm I found outside the training field reflected in my performance. My body responded better, my reflexes sharpened, yet my control over Darkness remained frustratingly slow—it was as if the shadows mocked my efforts. However, the support of my friends proved invaluable. Knowing that Lee could manipulate any element, they took turns training with me intensively, preparing me for the unexpected.
Three weeks passed, and pure mana pulsed through my veins like a raw, untamed force. Every attempt pushed me forward, while reminding me how much I still had to learn.
Seeing Hana, who had mastered the technique in less than two weeks, was both inspiring and infuriating. She was a natural competitor, and after my duel with Lee, I couldn't help but see her as someone I must one day defeat—even though we'd promised to face off only at the end. There was something both unsettling and motivating in knowing she was always one step ahead; a constant reminder that I could never afford to relax.
In training, my focus was clear: integrate pure mana into combat. I was certain that my adversary fought hand-to-hand—etched into his very being—and that Daisuke and Aiko were my toughest challengers, relentlessly pushing me without a moment's respite.
Under my guidance, Kenji employed the sneakiest tricks that Lee could only dream of, forcing me to react creatively and swiftly. And Hana, as relentless as ever, pushed me to my limits, teaching me how to survive devastating blows with her precise, unforgiving strikes.
Two more weeks passed, leaving only one week until the duel. In the heat of one solitary training session, while I fought desperately to control pure mana, something clicked within me.
I discovered a technique—a trick that had the potential to completely turn the tide in my favor. It would be difficult to execute, but now I had a secret weapon. I dedicated every remaining second to refining it, determined to master its use.
I requested permission to train alone on the most exhausting days—the ones that were as brutal as they were rewarding.
Now, here I stand at the arena's entrance, with my adversary facing me. Glancing back, I see my team, their faces filled with anticipation and confidence. I know that for the next two months, they have placed their faith in me, and I have no intention of letting them down.
"I appreciate all of your support. I know I will win, because every one of you has given me everything you've got."
Lee Min-Jae's smile was a challenge in itself; his eyes blazed with a predator's intensity. "I can't wait to change that," he sneered.