The past timeline - Three years before Ryoto and team rescues Aem and friends. ❤️ - represented by this symbol

The present timeline - Ryoto and team rescues Aem and friends. 🟥 - represented by this symbol

The future timeline - one year after Ryoto and team had rescued Aem and friends. ♦️ - represented by this symbol

***

❤️....

In the prestigious halls of the Hillaria Academy (HA), first-year student Remeshi has become a name synonymous with excellence and unparalleled skill. The corridors of HA are abuzz with the news of Remeshi’s recent triumph in the academy’s rigorous competition, a feat that has not only brought honor to the institution but also highlighted the extraordinary talent housed within its walls.

A vibrant banner adorns the entrance to the academy: "First year student Remeshi makes us proud in the HA competition," it proclaims in bold, celebratory letters. This simple yet powerful statement reflects the pride and joy of the entire academy community, recognizing the remarkable achievements of one of their own.

Meanwhile, the International Elite Academy (IEA) student board proudly announces: "Student of HA - Remeshi, an Argon claims the best student title and seats in the sword master squads. IEA is proud of this achievement." This accolade from the IEA underscores the significance of Remeshi’s victory, as it is a testament to the student’s exceptional abilities and the rigorous training provided by HA.

At the Starlight Academy (SA), the student notice palette echoes the same sentiment: "Remeshi, student of HA class 1-B claims an important spot in the sword master teams." This announcement has stirred a sense of admiration and aspiration among SA students, who view Remeshi’s success as a benchmark of excellence in sword mastery.

The impact of Remeshi’s achievements reaches far beyond the academic institutions. The national newspaper’s headline reads: "THE SWORD MASTER SCHOOLS TAKE ANOTHER LEAP - IMMEDIATE SUCCESS OF HA." The article details how a student from HA has emerged victorious in one of the most challenging competitions of the esteemed sword master schools, securing a coveted position in the elite sword master squads. This accomplishment not only elevates Remeshi’s status but also enhances the reputation of HA as a leading institution in the field of sword mastery.

On the internet, to whom technology was available, a plethora of videos celebrate Remeshi’s prowess. Titles such as "Impressive skills by Remeshi. Review," "Match between Remeshi and Mahono. Review," "Match between Remeshi and Jiro," and "Overtaking another student - Remeshi" highlight various aspects of Remeshi’s journey and skills. These videos garner thousands of views, with audiences captivated by the fluidity and precision of Remeshi’s movements, the strategic brilliance displayed in each match, and the unwavering determination that led to such remarkable victories.

One video, in particular, titled "Winner of the best student title HA," captures the moment of triumph when Remeshi is awarded the best student title, an honor that cements their place in the annals of HA’s history. Another video, "Fighting skills - Remeshi from HA," offers an in-depth analysis of the techniques and training that have shaped Remeshi into a formidable sword master.

[Location: Fujima's house]-❤️

Konosa sighed, glancing at the latest headlines and thinking of the internet videos he had watched back in school celebrating Remeshi's achievements. "Wow. He is everywhere."

Oya, who had been silently reading beside her, nodded thoughtfully. "That was an important competition."

"Yeah, every HA competition is important," Konosa replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Oya looked up, studying her senpai's face. "Senpai, do you hate Remeshi?"

"What? Why would you ask something so bizarre, Oya?"

"Well... because... I have noticed things. During the examination on the hills, you didn't want Remeshi to talk to Ayeta-sama. And even when he was talking to me, there was bitterness in the way you behaved. Not just this, but when the masters were selecting teams, you gave Remeshi looks – looks that said he is just one person and nothing more."

Konosa shifted uncomfortably, but Oya pressed on. "Later, when all of us teams were together, you muttered under your breath... something about Remeshi being annoying. It's become so obvious these days, Senpai. The way you look at him and behave around him, did he irritate you in some way?"

"Observant," Konosa muttered.

"Senpai."

"Right. Uh, well... it's more complicated than you think, Oya."

"Just tell me. We are in the same team. If you both start having arguments, what will we do?"

Konosa sighed again, deeply this time, and looked away. "You know... I saved him from... I mean... I just saved him, okay? And made him sure of himself... but he has been making friends left and right... talking to other people... getting close to people immediately like you and Ayeta. It just hit me that it took so long for us to talk and understand each other... he doesn't remember even himself but people still want to talk to him, be with him."

Oya listened intently as Konosa continued. "Remeshi doesn't know about his own powers and yet he wins everything so easily like it is just meant to be that way... and the worst part, Oya, is that even I hate myself for thinking this way. I envy him. I hate every single person who cheers for him. I hate his friends. Everything about him makes me feel useless about myself."

Oya was silent, absorbing Konosa’s words. The room seemed to grow still, the weight of the confession hanging heavily in the air.

"And you know what else is weird?" Konosa added, almost in a whisper. "When he used to talk to that Ayeta dude. Their relationship annoyed me, Oya. It's like I have this thing where it feels like Ayeta is and never will be a good person and yet Remeshi keeps giving him too many 'second' chances."

"You envy him," Oya said softly.

"Not just Remeshi. I envy his powers, his sword, the fact that he is an Argon, the fact that he is born strong... everything."

"I see," Oya said, understanding dawning in her eyes.

"Well, that is that. Don't tell him all this," Konosa requested, his voice almost pleading.

"No, it's for you to tell him, Senpai," Oya replied firmly.

"Right. Thanks," Konosa murmured, his eyes distant as he contemplated the difficult conversations that lay ahead.

With their conversation concluded, Konosa and Oya left the hallroom, the heavy silence of their confession lingering in the air. The house remained still and quiet throughout the day, as if absorbing the weight of their discussion. As evening approached, the tranquility was broken by the sound of the front door sliding open.

"Ugh. I'm home. Even weekends seem exhausting," Remeshi said, placing his books on the tatami mat. His weariness was evident, but there was a familiar comfort in returning to this place.

Amash greeted him with a warm smile, handing him a cup of water as he settled under the blanket of the kotatsu. "We are glad you still come visit during weekends," she said, her voice gentle and welcoming.

Remeni entered the room from the inner part of the house, a playful glint in her eyes. "This reminds me of the examination days, when you were getting beaten up by your senpais because you couldn't get the answers right," she teased, sitting next to Remeshi.

As if on cue, the rest of the team followed Remeni into the room, gathering around the kotatsu. The small, heated table became the center of their camaraderie, a place where they could share stories and laughter.

"Oh lord, let's forget all that," Konosa said, waving his hand awkwardly in front of him. His attempt to dismiss the memory only added to the humor of the situation.

Miyazono, unable to contain her amusement, asked with a giggle, "What about that day when we all went shopping to buy things for dinner?"

Remeni’s eyes lit up with the memory. "Oh right, yeah. Man, that was funny," she replied, her laughter infectious.

The room filled with warmth and laughter as they reminisced about their shared experiences.

The team’s thoughts drifted back to the day they went shopping, a particularly memorable day that took place shortly after they arrived at the Fujima residence.

"Students, what do you all want to eat today?" Fujima asked, his voice echoing in the modest kitchen.

"How about rice, eggs, and soup?" Konosa suggested, his tone casual.

"We had that yesterday," Oya pouted, her dissatisfaction evident.

"Okay, then you decide," Konosa retorted, his voice tinged with irritation. Oya quickly scurried behind Remeni, seeking refuge. Remeni sighed consecutively, clearly feeling the weight of the decision before putting forward her own suggestion. "How about fish cakes?" she proposed, her voice calm and collected.

The team nodded together almost instantly, their agreement unanimous.

"Okay then. Go buy the ingredients," Fujima said, walking away abruptly. They were too dumbfounded to act right away, standing in the kitchen with confused expressions. Eventually, they collected themselves and headed out of the house, still wearing the same bewildered look as they made their way to the store.

The marketplace was bustling with activity, filled with the vibrant sounds and smells of the various stalls. Vendors called out to them with all sorts of intriguing offers: "Fresh fish! A lot of fish! Cheaper price! Premium fishes that are hard to come by!" These enticing calls had an effect on their decision-making, and they found themselves unable to come to a consensus.

"Okay, rock, paper, scissors. Whoever wins decides where to buy fish from," Konosa finally suggested, exhaling in exasperation.

The team nodded in agreement and began warming up in the middle of the street. Passersby smiled at the sight of the excited children, amused by their enthusiasm. They stretched their fingers thoroughly, glaring at each other with playful intensity and grinning from ear to ear.

"Me first," Konosa declared, breaking the stretch routine. "And me against you," Miyazono responded, stepping forward.

Konosa and Miyazono faced off with just one match to decide. As Miyazono turned up an open palm and Konosa revealed a pair of scissors, he began jumping up and down, celebrating his victory. "Yes! I won! I did it!" he exclaimed.

Miyazono scoffed playfully and moved to the sidelines. Oya stepped forward to challenge Konosa next.

"Oh my god, I'm a god!" Konosa proclaimed proudly after another victory. Oya, head hanging low, joined Miyazono on the sidelines. Miyazono patted her back gently, empathizing with her defeat.

"Me next," Remeni said, stepping up to the challenge.

"I'm on a roll today," Konosa boasted, but his streak came to an abrupt end when he faced Ayeta.

"What the hell? You definitely used magic!" Konosa whined in surprise at his sudden defeat, having been winning all rounds only moments ago.

"I can't see the future, Konosa," Ayeta replied with an awkward smile. Remeshi laughed loudly at Konosa's misfortune, prompting a glare from Konosa before he joined the girls.

"You and me now," Remeshi said, stretching his fingers.

"Oh. I won. Heh," Ayeta said slowly, staring at his closed fist while Remeshi had pulled out two fingers. Konosa laughed at Remeshi this time, his laughter louder than ever as a form of revenge. "Okay, okay, I get it," Remeshi said, moving to stand next to the rest of the team.

A few moments later, as they made their way back with their chosen fish, Konosa couldn’t help but yell towards Ayeta, "No fair! You had won!"

Ayeta only shrugged at his comment and pointed towards Remeshi with his eyes. "He was pouting," he explained.

Remeshi, skipping ahead with a playful grin, twirled the bag of fish in his hand while Konosa engaged in a mock argument with Ayeta.

As they walked back to the Fujima residence, the earlier tensions and conflicts seemed to fade into the background. The simple act of shopping together had turned into an adventure filled with laughter and camaraderie, strengthening the bonds between them. The memories of that day, filled with playful banter and shared experiences, became a cherished part of their collective history, a reminder of the friendship and unity that held them together.

"Yeah, in the end we ate the fish you picked," Konosa said, sighing as he glanced at Remeshi.

"Haha, I remember too," Amash chimed in. "You all came home and began complaining about Ayeta until my ears bled." She laughed lightly.

"What about that day when we had to do laundry?" Konosa asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Oh yeah. Laundry day," Remeshi said, almost choking with laughter.

"Pfft. That was some day," Oya mentioned, shaking her head.

The laundry day incident happened five days into Fujima's training.

"Okay, so what's going on today? Why are we all gathered here?" Remeshi asked, yawning widely.

"I don't know. Sensei asked us to come here instead of the grounds," Konosa replied.

"Here? This is his room, though," Remeshi said, looking around with a puzzled expression.

"Yeah, and he isn't even here yet," Ayeta added, his eyes half-shut with annoyance.

"My apologies, students. It took a while to gather these," Fujima said, entering the room and tossing a bunch of blue and red bundles onto the floor.

"What are those?" Oya asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Look for yourself," Fujima replied, stepping aside. Remeni, ever the proactive one, undid one of the bundles. Inside were clothes—clothes tied up within a huge drape. Some of them she even recognized as her own.

"Uh... Sensei... these are—"

"Clothes, Remeni. Your clothes. Their clothes. Everyone's clothes," Fujima clarified.

"Uhm...?"

"And outside the shoji door in the garden is a huge wooden water bucket with silver lining. You'll find it immediately. It is kept right under the handle pipe. Well then, good laundry. See you at lunch." With that, Fujima stepped out of the room, sliding the shoji door closed behind him.

"Wait. Wait a second. We are supposed to wash all these?" Konosa said, his trembling fingers pointing at the five bundles.

"By the way, the red bundles are for the girls and the blue ones for boys," Amash informed them before she quickly scurried out of the room herself.

"Why are there three red bundles?" Miyazono yelled in frustration.

"Because there are three of us. Ugh. Let's just finish this," Oya said slowly. She lifted one of the bags, tossing it heavily over her shoulder, and walked out of the shoji towards the mentioned water bucket. "Why is there so much? Was he collecting them all for this day?" Konosa muttered as he sorely followed Oya along with the rest of the team.

The bucket itself was huge, like a well. They undid the bundles lazily and began washing what belonged to them and the others.

"Oh wow. Who wears whale-designed underwear here?" Remeshi said, lifting the mentioned shorts from the bundle he had voluntarily picked.

Konosa immediately snatched the cloth from his hands and hid it behind his back, his face flushing. "Some people are just fashionable, okay?"

"Okay, okay, jeez." Remeshi nodded, snorting all along. Konosa shoved his shorts into the bucket. He picked up the hose from the ground and turned the pump on. Water gushed out from the pipe and right onto Remeshi's purple hair.

"Argh! Cold!" Remeshi exclaimed, standing up and brushing his hair with his hands.

"This is what you get for laughing at me," Konosa said with a devilish snicker.

"Senpai! Stop now, it's cold!" Remeshi pleaded as the water continued to shower over him. "Enjoy the cold," Konosa retorted.

Remeshi jumped around for a while before pulling Ayeta in front of him. The next second, Ayeta was entirely drenched. "Uhm... I'm sorry—" Water rained down on Konosa before he could apologize to Ayeta.

"Hey! You can't use magic like this!" Konosa shouted, seeing as Ayeta held no hose but water showered on him well enough. Remeni stood up, enraged, having had enough of the boys' antics.

"What are you boys doing, seriously? Can't you guys finish one work without—ahhh!" As she plodded towards them, she slipped on the tiny muddy puddle created by the force of water on the earth and fell flat on her face, sliding in the very same puddle. She lifted her head, covered in wet sand, glaring at the boys altogether.

"Pfft," giggled Oya.

"You!" Remeni stood up, brushing her hair behind her ears. The boys went silent. She quietly advanced towards Konosa and snatched the hose from his hands, pointing it straight at Oya.

"Ah! Oh my god, Remeni!" Oya laughed, wiping her eyes with her hands. Miyazono voluntarily jumped into the little puddles created by the chaos, splashing everyone with muddy water.

As they reminisced about the past, Remeshi spoke up. "And you remember what happened after that?"

"Ah yeah. We were screwed so badly when Sensei came back out to check on us," Konosa said, trembling at the thought of the punishment they had received.

"I can't believe he stood there and asked us to wash all the clothes thrice and then clear the garden," Oya said, smiling despite the painful memory.

"He was harsh, man. I washed the same things thrice," Konosa added, fuming.

"Well, that's that, but it was fun, yeah?" Miyazono interjected.

"Of course. You had the most fun jumping around like that," Remeni said, nodding.

"Ahaha, sure," Miyazono scoffed playfully. They continued laughing at the tale until Grace and Tadaki showed up in the hallroom. They made frequent visits to Fujima's house because Remeshi often asked for their help to learn about mana and other related topics.

As the group shared laughter and stories, Grace approached, squeezing herself between Oya and Remeni, while Tadaki took a seat beside Miyazono, positioning herself between her and Konosa.

"What are you all laughing about?" Grace inquired, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Ah. Good afternoon, Senpai," Konosa responded, bowing deeply. To him, they were already his idols.

"Yeah, afternoon. What's funny?" Grace pressed, her eyes twinkling with interest.

"Oh, we were just being nostalgic," Remeshi explained, a smile lingering on his lips.

"Nostalgic?" Grace repeated, her curiosity piqued.

"Are there any memories you want to share?" Konosa asked, leaning forward eagerly.

"Hm... I can tell you how we all met," Grace said thoughtfully, her mind drifting to the past.

"Oh," Konosa nodded, eager to listen.

"First, how did you guys meet?" Grace turned the question back to Konosa.

"Ah, I met Remeshi near Hassadera Temple. We fought Totasha there. He met Remeni before all of us when he first realized where he was. And Oya, me, and Remeshi met her in a dragon riders' restaurant. Ayeta on the examination hill. Miyazono in the center of the village after the examinations," Konosa recounted.

"Oh wow. You all seem to have had quite an adventure," Grace remarked, almost too stunned to use any other words.

"Haha... how many of you were in the team?" Konosa asked her, curious about her own experiences.

"Hm. Me, Tadaki, and Reichi," Grace replied, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and regret. The name Reichi struck a pin in Remeshi's chest. He knew that name and the rumors surrounding it from what Chiasa had told him, yet he felt like he knew much more than that.

"Just the three of you?" Remeni asked, her eyes wide with interest.

"Yeah," Grace confirmed, her gaze distant as she recounted their story. Grace and Tadaki went way back. They had been friends since childhood, and sword masters had always fascinated them. None of their family members were sword masters because it was a dangerous job for humans, but the two girls found it amusing. The swords and the uniforms were like watching their favorite superheroes on television. They thought they should try it too, and since they were hardly five-year-old girls, their families just agreed to their little promises, thinking it would fade away as they grew older.

But their will to become sword masters only grew stronger and stronger as the days passed. One had to enter the examination hills by the age of thirteen at the latest. When Grace and Tadaki turned thirteen, they ran home after school to announce their decision to give the exam. Their families didn't say anything. Nothing. Not yes. Not no. They just told them to look after themselves. The next day, they skipped school and went for the exam. At that time, the exams weren't held on the hills like they are now. Instead, they were conducted in the village itself.

They were supposed to fight against the trainers. The trainers would then decide the power each one had based on the combat and accept or reject them. Grace and Tadaki fought too. They also thought they did pretty well, but they failed. Grace wasn't sad in the least, which troubled her. Tadaki, on the other hand, was bawling. She had wanted to be a sword master, but her sheer will wasn't enough to make her one.

As Tadaki continued the story, Grace remained silent, her eyes lost in memories. "We went home, defeated, of course. Our families didn't console us, they didn't scold us, they didn't even ask what happened in the exam, and we didn't tell them anything either. We went to school the following day, like normal students. We attended classes, then came back home, had our food, studied a little before going to bed, and repeated the same thing the next day."

"Nothing seemed worth it to me anymore," Tadaki admitted, her voice heavy with the weight of the past. "My mind was too set on becoming a sword master. When it didn't happen, the value in my life was gone. Everything went to naught. Nothing drove me to do something. And Grace, although she didn't seem like she cared about the exam, cared about the sword. Our meaningless lives went on, and we turned fourteen. The failure lingered in the back of our minds."

"Junior high years," Grace said, picking up the thread. "Everyone in our class figured we gave the exam and failed. No one deliberately dissed us. No one bullied us. But we could see their excited pity eyes. It was... not likable. Then, one day during our gym class, we met him."

"Reichi Hayakari," Tadaki said, uttering the name that seemed to spin Remeshi's head.

"You okay?" Tadaki asked, noticing his reaction.

"Yeah. Please continue," Remeshi urged, his curiosity outweighing his discomfort.

"Okay," Tadaki continued. "Reichi was the best student in the gym class. We never noticed him because he never spoke to us, but that day after gym class, he suddenly struck up a conversation."

[The past. (Grace and Tadaki 's past)
Location: school in the district of Tadaki and Grace's homes
Gym class
1:40 pm]-❤️

The gym class had just ended, and Grace and Tadaki were gathering their things when a cheerful voice interrupted their routine.

"Hey. You girls are the ones who gave the exam, right?" Reichi asked, his tone bright and friendly.

Grace immediately stepped in front of Tadaki, shielding her friend protectively. "So? What do you want?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at the boy.

"Who did you battle against?" Reichi continued, undeterred by her defensive stance.

"Master Kei. Why do you care?" Grace responded curtly.

Reichi's face lit up with genuine excitement. "Whoa! Awesome. You girls are so cool, man!"

Grace and Tadaki exchanged puzzled glances. "What?" Grace asked, her confusion apparent.

"I wonder. You guys must be awesome if you could battle against a master of that caliber. So cool. My friends all look up to you," Reichi explained, his admiration clear.

Grace raised an eyebrow, still wary. "Excuse me?"

"I'm Reichi, by the way. Hayakari Reichi," he introduced himself with a friendly smile.

"Grace. Neomono Grace," she replied, surprising herself with her willingness to engage. Usually, she and Tadaki kept to themselves.

"Yeah, I know. Everyone does. You are both so cool. I even have your sword cutouts," Reichi said, his enthusiasm almost tangible.

Grace was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.

Reichi continued, "Oh, actually I am going to give the exam this year too."

"This year?" Grace asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Mm-hm. Since the last age to give the exam is fifteen, I thought I'd give it a year earlier so I can have another chance, no risks," Reichi explained casually.

"You guys are giving it too, right? The exam?" he asked, looking from Grace to Tadaki.

Grace felt her throat tighten. This cheerful boy, with his good reputation in sports class, didn't seem to view failure as the end of his abilities. It made her chew on bitterness.

Tadaki, sensing Grace's struggle, spoke up slowly. "Not everyone is like you. For us, the one chance was everything."

Reichi nodded, his expression serious. "I know. Me too. But I am only human. There is only so much I can do."

Tadaki's eyes narrowed. "Humans are capable too—"

"Yeah. Who said they are not? But people can do only so much," Reichi interjected, his tone gentle but firm.

Grace and Tadaki fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

"Well, I'm going. Tell me if you are too. See you around, girls," Reichi said, waving as he walked away.

The next day, the atmosphere in the village was charged with anticipation. Candidates for the sword master exam gathered, their expressions a mix of determination and nervousness.

"Hey. Reichi, right?" Grace called out, her voice carrying over the chatter of the crowd.

Reichi turned immediately, his face lighting up with joy. "Grace! You are here—"

"Uh-uh. Hold your horses, boy," Grace interrupted, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Hm?" Reichi looked confused.

"I didn't come here to give the exam," Grace clarified.

"Then why?" Reichi asked, his excitement dimming slightly.

"To cheer you. At least one of us can be a sword master if not all of us," Grace said, her tone earnest.

"You know you can try right now?" Reichi suggested, his eyes hopeful.

"You try. We'll watch. Good luck, Reichi," Grace replied, her voice filled with genuine encouragement.

"We?" Reichi asked, looking around.

"You didn't think I came without Tadaki, did you?" Grace said, motioning to her friend who stood a few steps behind, giving a supportive wave.

Reichi laughed, his nervous energy dissipating. "Haha. Thanks, guys. I can't believe I'm one of you now!"

As Reichi walked towards the exam area, Grace and Tadaki exchanged a look of shared understanding. This was a new chapter, not just for Reichi, but for them as well. Watching him, they felt a flicker of hope reignite within themselves. Maybe, just maybe, they too could find their path again.

"Whoa. He liked you guys a lot," Konosa said, breaking into the narrative with a look of surprise on his face.

"Yeah. Weirdly," Tadaki replied, shaking her head with a small smile.

"I have never heard you talk so much," Remeshi mumbled, looking at Tadaki with curiosity.

"Continue, Tadaki Nee-chan," Miyazono said excitedly, leaning forward in anticipation.

Tadaki chuckled softly. "Haha, yeah," she said, preparing to delve back into the story.

Reichi attended the exam with the same enthusiasm that seemed to define his character. His luck, however, did not favor him that day. He came across the strongest of all the trainers, a formidable opponent who had bested many before. Despite his cheerful demeanor and reputation for skill, Reichi failed the exam.

The Hayakari Reichi who had once sliced a neat sliver of another classmate's nail during a first-year match in their hometown had failed. The sight of his defeat was a blow to Grace and Tadaki, who were watching from the audience seats. They had placed so much hope in him, believing that if Reichi could win, they too could try again next year, regardless of the outcome. His failure left them shattered, plunging them back into the despair they thought they had begun to overcome.

As the final results were announced, Reichi approached them, still wearing his characteristic smile. Tadaki felt a surge of bitterness. His apparent indifference to failing only fueled her frustration. He shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Hah. Who knew the strongest of all would want to fight against me."

Grace, struggling to understand, asked, "Why didn't they take you in?"

Reichi pondered for a moment before replying, "Hm. Maybe my technique was weird. Or maybe the skill set wasn't enough."

Tadaki's frustration boiled over. "Why!" she shouted, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why are you still acting like this?!"

Reichi looked genuinely puzzled. "What do you—"

"Reichi! I'm sick of this attitude of yours! Why are you never serious?!" Tadaki's grip tightened on his shirt, her knuckles turning white.

"Tadaki. Calm down. Let go of my shirt and then we can talk—"

"Talk? You still want to talk? I wanted you to win so bad, Reichi!" Tadaki's voice broke as tears streamed down her face. "You gave us hope. It was you! Reichi, if you don't win then..." She slumped down, her body wracked with sobs as she clung to his shirt, pouring out her anguish.

Reichi stood there silently, letting her cry into his shirt. He offered no words of comfort, knowing that sometimes, silence was the best support. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Tadaki's cries eventually subsided.

With her face still pressed against his chest, Tadaki finally mumbled, "Reichi. I am going to try again next year."

Reichi's face brightened. "Oh! That's nice."

Tadaki sniffled and gave a weak laugh. "I knew... you'd say this."

"I'll try again too. I know someone who can train us as well," Reichi said with a determined glint in his eye.

Tadaki lifted her head, looking at him with curiosity. "What? What do you mean?" she asked.

Reichi's smile widened. "I told you. We are only humans. And luckily, we are fourteen. Let's train like our life depends on this. The entire year."

Tadaki stared at him for a moment before a smile broke through her tear-streaked face. "Haha... Reichi, you. You will never change." She lightly pounded his chest with her fist.

Reichi laughed softly, his optimism infectious. "Hehe."

After that pivotal day, Tadaki and Grace made a pact to train with Reichi and never looked back. They skipped classes daily, entrusting their friends with school responsibilities—attendance, notes, and exam preparations. Each morning, they raced to Reichi's house at the break of dawn, their resolve unwavering. The routine became their new normal: practicing with Reichi's uncle until lunch, then continuing their training alone until dinner. Despite the grueling schedule, they squeezed in time to study at night, determined to keep up with their academic duties.

When Tadaki struggled to wake up early, Grace would hoist her friend over her shoulder and carry her to Reichi's house. If Tadaki dozed off during practice, Reichi would rouse her with a gentle slap of the sword on her head. This relentless routine carried on for a year, each day a testament to their dedication.

At last, the day of the examination arrived. Now fifteen, they were ready. Armed with their swords, they marched to the village with a newfound confidence. As they approached the examination site, they encountered the formidable Sento Fujima, the strongest of all trainers.

Reichi squared off against Fujima once more, determined to succeed this time. Tadaki faced Master Kei again, while Grace was pitted against Vanessa. Their preparation and resilience paid off; each emerged victorious. The trio was inducted into rigorous training, spending six months under Fujima Sensei’s tutelage before moving on to other trainers and missions. Eventually, they joined the elite ranks of the sword masters unit.

"Wow," Konosa murmured, his jaw hanging open in awe. The story was far more indulging to him than he had imagined.

Grace laughed heartily. "Everyone training under Fujima is always known as the monster team. Monster master, monster team. And my teammates and I were all humans at that."

"Oh! Thank god! I thought people hated us," Miyazono exhaled in relief.

"Haha, no," Grace laughed.

Remeshi, intrigued, asked, "Where is Reichi Senpai now?"

Grace’s expression turned somber. "Hm. I don't know. We didn't see him after the green leaf incident, right?" she asked, looking at Tadaki.

Tadaki nodded. "Mm, yeah. He just disappeared."

"Yeah. He disappeared after the green leaf incident," Grace repeated, her voice tinged with sadness.

Remeshi’s curiosity was piqued. "What green leaf incident?"

Grace took a deep breath before recounting the tale. It was a mission assigned to them by their sword master unit. They were sent to the inner districts of Tokyo to investigate the mysterious disappearances of children who had just turned thirteen.

Their investigation revealed a bitter truth. The perpetrator was a man who had been rejected from the sword master teams. Consumed by a desire for revenge, he had developed a unique and powerful sword technique, so precise it could slice through a leaf without leaving a trace. This earned the incident its name—the green leaf incident. 'Green' referred to the man's hair, and 'leaf' to his impeccable sword technique.

The team engaged the man in a fierce battle and emerged victorious. But as they escorted the criminal back to their quarters, they noticed Reichi was missing. The two girls searched frantically but found no trace of him. Back at the quarters, their master and the dispatch team conducted a thorough search in the following days, but Reichi remained unaccounted for. Eventually, the unit had no choice but to abandon the search.

"I've heard of the green leaf incident before," Konosa said, nodding thoughtfully.

"Yeah. It created a huge havoc in the history of sword masters and..." Grace's voice trailed off.

"And what, Grace Nee?" Oya asked, leaning forward with interest.

"And the green leaf incident will give you answers to your magic-related questions," Grace explained.

Konosa and his friends exchanged puzzled glances.

"That man used magic to capture children, enclosing them in a cage of aura. A strong aura which normal swords couldn't cut through," Grace elaborated.

"That's why it was one of the most dangerous incidents written down in the early sword master era," Tadaki added. "That man used some kind of magic that was supposed to have been buried ages ago along with the ancestors who owned it."

Remeshi, still processing the information, asked, "How did you capture such a man? How did you defeat him?"

Grace smiled, a mix of pride and humility in her expression. "We are not a shabby team ourselves. Our skill sets with our swords were higher than his and he didn't even use a sword to begin with."

The team’s ability to deflect magic rays and obstacles with ease made them formidable opponents. The criminal used a binding magic to restrain his victims within an invisible cage of aura, but Tadaki, Grace, and Reichi fought back with unmatched determination.

Reichi, despite his youthful cheerfulness, was exceptionally powerful. He became the first sword master trainee to battle and win against magic. The team captured the criminal and imprisoned him in an underground facility, a place so deep that escape was nearly impossible. The criminal attempted to break out multiple times, but each time, he was thwarted. Eventually, he was secured in a special cell within the higher grounds of the quarters by Hizakun, who used her own magic to ensure he remained contained as she emerged.

"Oh...so he used magic. This was the first case with magic after magic was completely gone, right?" Miyazono asked, wide-eyed.

"Mm-hm, yeah," Grace nodded.

As Grace recounted the capture of the criminal, Remeshi’s eyes were distant, lost in thought. His mind wandered to places known only to him.

By now, Remeshi was well-practiced in entering the headspace where he could converse with his sword. As he concentrated, the dark red, eerie space began to form around him. This space was both familiar and unsettling, a realm where his deepest thoughts and his weapon’s consciousness intertwined.

"What have you come to seek this time?" a voice echoed, one Remeshi knew all too well.

Remeshi remained silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts.

"Master. I shall be of service," the voice continued, a snicker lacing its tone.

"What do I call you?" Remeshi asked, his voice steady. He had never felt the need to ask his sword its name until now.

"Aw. You forgot the name of your faithful companion?" the voice teased.

"Say it," Remeshi demanded, his patience waning.

"Iron Oni."

"Huh. Tacky," Remeshi muttered, unimpressed.

"It's a birth name. Can't change that," Iron Oni replied, a howl of laughter following.

"Guess so. So, Iron Oni, I need some answers."

"Hm? What might those be, master?"

"I handed you two spirits, remember?" Remeshi pressed.

"I told you their share—"

"Yeah, save it. One spirit, one secret," Remeshi said, his tone turning cold and commanding.

There was a moment of silence. "Iron Oni. One more secret left."

"Hah. You are slowly turning into what you were. Oni likey," Iron Oni remarked, an unsettling pleasure in its voice.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Ask away, master."

"So, Iron Oni, I am going to ask you three questions—"

"One secret per spirit, master."

"I'm the master. I make the rules. Just answer," Remeshi retorted, walking purposefully in the crimson void.

"….What do you want to know?"

"Is there any way I can tell if a person has magic or not?"

A pause. "There is a way."

"And?" Remeshi demanded.

"Ugh. I hate this side of you. Well, it's called aura process. Just say the words and you can feel if a person channels normal aura or magical."

"Oh, amazing. Next question. How many spirits can I capture?"

"Oh, my favorite. It actually depends on your skill set with your sword. With handling me, hehe. So, according to your current skill set, it should be a good, solid 147."

"Oh lord. Your food will increase if my powers increase?"

"Mm-hm."

"Oh well, something. Finally, how do I use the spirits I have captured?"

"Oh. You sure I don't just eat them and they never come out?"

"Talk, Oni."

"Ah, master. You are annoying sometimes."

"Likewise."

"Say the words."

"Same for everything?"

"Just think about what you want and say the words."

"...Okay, goodbye."

"Master, wait."

"What?"

"Don't you want to know about Reichi? Like maybe asking me to play a part of your memory for you."

"If you could do that everything would be over in a second. I'll be going, goodbye."

"It's not easy to snap out of this bloody red headspace you know, master Remeshi."

"Uh-huh, sure." With a bright flash of light, the crimson space shattered, and Remeshi was back to reality.

Remeshi blinked as he returned to the present, his head throbbing slightly. "Wow. It always gives me a headache," he muttered, shaking his head lightly.

"Remeshi," a voice called out.

"Uh. Yeah. What's up, Remeni?" Remeshi replied, looking up to find her standing before him.

"I called you out twice already. What were you thinking so deep about?" Remeni asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"No, nothing. It was nice to hear that we have some lead, that's it."

"Yes. So, as I was saying, SA has a trip to the headquarters. Maybe we girls can sneak around and get to the man to talk?"

"Oh sure. Good luck."

"Okay," Remeni nodded, her determination evident.

As Remeshi watched her walk away, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The answers he had received from Iron Oni were both enlightening and troubling.

[Location: Fujima's house Remeshi's room
1:00 am]-❤️

Tossing and turning on his mattress, Remeshi winced slightly as he struggled to catch some sleep. He sighed, his thoughts swirling in the dimly lit room. The simple room, adorned only with a small wooden table and a corner for his belongings, was suffused with the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the shoji screens.

Yawning, he sat up when he heard a soft knock on the door. He stood up, shuffling his feet and stretching his arms. "It's one in the morning, for crying out loud," he mumbled as he slid open the shoji. The girls were off on their trip already, leaving him and Konosa as the only ones apart from the master and Amash in the house.

"Hey," Tadaki bowed slightly, standing in the doorway.

"Eh? I thought you left?" Remeshi asked, stepping aside impulsively to let her in. He slid the door shut as she entered, shaking her head slightly in response to his question.

"Please, sit," Remeshi gestured towards the mattress, lighting the candle on the small wooden post. They then sat on the mattress, facing each other.

"Uh... what's the reason—" Remeshi began.

"For me to come here at this hour?" Tadaki completed his sentence.

"Right," he nodded.

"Remeshi, do you switch between reality?"

"What?" he asked, confused.

"You zoned out a lot in the middle of the conversation today," Tadaki explained.

"Oh. I was just out of it, I guess?"

"Guess not. What is it? Do you talk to yourself in your head or something?"

"Ah. You meant that. It's just Iron Oni."

"Iron Oni?" Tadaki looked puzzled.

Remeshi's Etoile sword flew from the corner of the room and into his hands as soon as he extended his empty open palm.

"Whoa!" Tadaki exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.

"He is Iron Oni," Remeshi introduced.

"You named your sword?" she asked, incredulously.

"It's his birth name or something. My sword talks to me in my head space. He tells me about me little by little in exchange for spirits that I store in it."

"Well, I knew Argons are spirit holders, but this is wild..."

"You tell me. This stupid sword thinks it owns me."

"Wow. Must make you crazy. No wonder Argons have a temper."

"Yeah, I guess Etoiles are one of the reasons. Or maybe the only one," Remeshi said, glaring at the sword now peacefully resting in his hand.

"This is what I wanted to ask. And I figured you weren't sleeping soundly yet. Guess you were."

"Oh, no, not really. This sword has me on edge every day. If I sleep, he sees a chance to call me into that space to talk. So I'm awake even when I'm not awake," Remeshi said, snorting slightly.

"Haha...uhm, there is something you should know, Remeshi. Me and Grace aren't human... I mean we were but not anymore..."

"...what does that mean?" Remeshi asked, leaning in slightly.

"It means that we became demons later. To be exact, after the green leaf incident."

There was confusion etched on Remeshi's face but he waited patiently till her narrative was over.

"Remeshi, people can gain magic as well. For us, since we knew Ayeta through connections, we asked him to turn us. But not everyone has magical friends."

"What's your point, Tadaki Neechan?"

"Since Reichi just disappeared, we figured our team was weaker than before and earned magic from Ayeta. But other people... Who knows what they do. Remeshi, magic may have never come back or may have never gone. But it is increasing. Even humans are turning. From experience."

Remeshi remained silent as Tadaki continued.

"That man will tell you where he got his magic from if he will. And after that, this one." Tadaki handed him a glowing jade necklace. Its green light alone illuminated the room, overshadowing the light from the candle completely.

"What is this?" Remeshi asked, taking it in his hands.

"Piertese Avon Hanamae," Tadaki uttered the name. Remeshi's eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned. He had heard of this person, an Argon, just like him. The name 'Avon' was significant, as narrated by Ishoya and the others.

"It belongs to Piertese. The person who was with the first council head and the secretary who was a Jaine."

"What?" Remeshi's voice was barely a whisper.

"You'll know the story someday. But for now, Piertese is the only man who can answer your questions. He is an Argon from the Avon family."

"And you're telling me he is alive?"

"Haha. He or his children or his children's children. Any pure Argon on their land knows much and all of him. Just show this jade as proof that you know him closely."

"But—"

"Say it was passed down."

"Why do you have something like this anyway, Neechan?"

"When we earned powers from Ayeta, he gave it to us."

"...I don't know why he had something like this..."

"I could have asked Ayeta the same thing too, but I just couldn't, and now I can't even...you know what I mean, right?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Remeshi, Piertese was a dictator. A bad blood man. But there was one thing for sure. During the first mana break in Japan, his ancestors were there. Somehow, they were there. In fact, it is rumored that his ancestors are the first people who had mana. Piertese. This name will give you more answers if not all and get you much closer to this magic mystery..."

"Thank you, Neechan."

"Yeah. Happy to help."

"And," Remeshi paused before continuing, "I'll look around for Reichi too." Tadaki didn't speak a word. She only stared at the jade necklace in his hands.

"He dropped out of HA, and I want to know why."

"Oh yeah. He was in HA."

"You said you were classmates..."

"Yeah. Same class. Different schools."

"Where did you and Grace nee chan go?"

"Ukai Academy."

"Wow."

"Heh. Thanks. For Reichi too. Thanks. But I don't think you'll find him. It's been five years since he disappeared. If he wanted to come back, he would have. The green leaf incident occurred five years ago when we were seventeen..."

"Oh...and he is still not here."

"...yeah."

"Did something happen during the incident, Neechan? Something you missed that happened to him or around him?"

"Nothing, to be honest. We had issues trying to win against that man, but there was nothing out of the ordinary."

"...Tadaki nee sama. He meant a lot to you, didn't he?" She didn't reply to his question but smiled faintly instead.

"We'll try. Me and my team will definitely try to find him," Remeshi said, determination evident in his voice.