Chapter 5: The Lone Genius
The academy's courtyard buzzed with activity. Students gathered in small groups, discussing strategies, forming alliances, and getting to know one another.
But Rei Kurogane stood alone.
Most students were athletes, fighters, or physically gifted individuals—their strength was obvious in the way they carried themselves. Unlike them, Rei looked thin, fragile, and unremarkable.
As he approached different groups, it became painfully clear—no one wanted to associate with the weakest student.
Rei spotted a group of students from the Martial Arts Division—a mix of karate, taekwondo, and judo practitioners discussing their training.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer. "Mind if I join the conversation?"
A tall, broad-shouldered student, Kenji Arata, glanced at him.
Kenji scoffed. "You? What's your specialty?"
Rei hesitated. "I… analyze things."
Kenji smirked. "Analyze? Oh, so you watch fights from the sidelines?"
The group laughed.
Rei kept his face neutral. "I mean, I can break down movements, predict—"
"That won't help you when you get punched in the face," another student cut in, flexing his arms.
Kenji clapped Rei's shoulder hard, making him stumble slightly. "Try not to get crushed in the exam, 'Analyzer.'"
Rei exhaled slowly and walked away.
Chapter 6: The Lone Wolves and the Unexpected Alliance
Rei sat at the edge of the academy courtyard, watching the groups form around him. No matter how many times he tried, no one wanted to befriend him.
But there were others—students who also refused to form alliances.
Not because they were weak.
But because they were too strong to need allies.
Rei approached three of them, each standing apart from the crowd.
🔹 Daigo Shiranui – A silent, battle-hardened martial artist with scarred arms and piercing crimson eyes. His aura alone made others keep their distance.🔹 Elias Krow – A towering student dressed in black and silver, carrying himself with calm precision, rumored to have defeated multiple upperclassmen before the ceremony even started.🔹 Lina Veras – A cold, calculating girl known for her near-perfect reaction speed and agility, rumored to have never been hit in a fight.
Rei approached them carefully.
Rei: "If we work together, we could—"
Daigo: "Not interested."
Rei: "But—"
Lina: "I don't carry dead weight."
Rei stood there, speechless as one by one, they turned away, choosing to fight alone.
"Tch... Great. Even the loners don't want me." Rei muttered under his breath.
But just as Rei was about to give up, a new presence entered the courtyard.
A tall, charismatic young man with wild silver hair and sharp golden eyes walked in, his very presence shifting the air.
Souta Arclight.
A highly skilled warrior from a famous family, and one of the most anticipated new students.
He walked past the groups but stopped when he saw Rei, standing alone.
Souta smirked. "You. You're different."
Rei blinked. "What?"
Before he could react, another figure approached.
A girl with long black hair and icy blue eyes—Akari Kisaragi.
She crossed her arms. "You two look interesting. I'll join."
And just like that, the most unexpected alliance in Aether Academy was formed.