The soft hum of the academy filled the air, sunlight spilling through the tall windows and casting a warm glow over rows of focused students. Silence and anticipation hung lightly over the room, broken only by the faint rustle of papers and the occasional scratch of a pen.
Aurelia’s calm voice finally cut through the soft murmur of students. “Izan Arakami,” she called, her tone precise and even.
Izan straightened, his heart thumping nervously. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Aiyana lift her head, her calm gaze fixed squarely on him. She didn’t look away for a single moment, silently observing his every movement as he stepped toward the glowing crystal.
I-it’s my turn…” he muttered under his breath.
Careful not to wake her, he gently lifted Rin’s head off his p and pced it on his bag, which he had set nearby, giving her a soft, temporary pillow until he returned.
For the entire time he stood on the glowing crystal, Aiyana’s gaze remained locked on him, unwavering, as if silently studying every movement.
Multiple computers and monitors lit up in soft blue and white, numbers and readings scrolling rapidly across the screens. Aurelia’s eyes widened slightly as the readings climbed faster than expected.
“Well… Izan,” she said after a pause, her tone calm but tinged with surprise. “You may step off now.”
Aurelia began printing a few sheets of paper as she spoke. “If I were to rank your mana according to the school’s system,” she said, gncing at the results, “you would fall under the ‘Inner Student’ level.”
“there’s a ranking system?” Izan asked, his voice small, a little overwhelmed by all the new information.
Aurelia chuckled softly, pulling a sheet of paper from the printer. “Yes, I’ll expin the ranking system, mission ranks, loot types, and bounty values for all the countries. But don’t overwork yourself,” she added, her tone gentle yet concerned.
Izan nodded, grateful. “Thank you,” he said quietly before returning to his seat.
Aiyana finally looked back down at her own work, her gaze leaving him. Izan carefully pced Rin’s head back onto his p, adjusting it slightly so she rested comfortably. He stroked her hair gently as he turned his attention to the list in front of him, preparing to take notes.
As Izan looked down at the sheet Aurelia had printed, he carefully studied the information. The paper was neatly beled at the top, breaking everything into clear categories:
Points System
Points Range: 0 – 399
Rank Name: Spirit Learner
Description: Just starting out. Learning control and magic theory.
Points Range: 400 – 1,199
Rank Name: Junior Disciple
Description: Understanding core skills and beginning to specialize.
Points Range: 1,200 – 2,499
Rank Name: True Initiate
Description: Gaining stronger internal energy (mana) and technique.
Points Range: 2,500 – 3,999
Rank Name: True Initiate
Description:Can control basic magic and hold their own in a fight.
Points Range: 4,000 – 4,999
Rank Name: Soul Forger
Description: Gaining real skill—can control magic, energy, or a weapon fully.
Points Range: 5,000 – 6,499Rank Name: Description: Refined Elite Faster, stronger, smarter—excels in multiple csses.
Points Range: 6,500 – 7,499
Rank Name: Martial Honor
Description: Respected fighter, known for strong technique and heart.
Points Range: 7,500 – 9,999
Rank Name: King of Magic
Description: Master of their field. Leads or teaches younger students.
Points Range: 10,000+
Rank Name: Celestial God
Description: Only a few ever reach this. Feared and respected worldwide.
Mission Rank-Base Points Earned
F Mission-15 points
E Mission-30 points
D Mission-50 points
C Mission-90 points
B Mission-150 points
A Mission-250 points
S Mission-400 points
SS Mission-650 points
SSS Mission-900 points
Loot Type-Bonus Points
Common Crystal / Item+5 points
Rare Crystal / Itemx1.5 mission points
Legendary Item (ultra rare)x3 mission pointsArtifact / Forbidden Item
x7 mission points (special approval only)Unique Pets / Summons / SpiritsBonus varies (highly restricted)
Bounty Ranking System
D-Rank
Bounty Range: 1,500 – 3,5000 gold
Description: Low-level rogue, minor thief, beginner outw
C-Rank
Bounty Range: 3,500 – 9,999 gold
Description: Local threat, gang leader, novice dark mage
B-Rank (Standard)
Bounty Range: 10,000 – 24,999 gold
Description: Trained killer, experienced dark mage, corrupt noble
B+ Rank (Elite B-Css)
Bounty Range: 25,000 – 49,999 gold
Description: Squad leaders, dark organization captains, cursed weapon users
A-Rank (Standard)
Bounty Range: 50,000 – 79,999 gold
Description: War criminal, assassin master, forbidden arts user
A+ Rank (Elite A-Css)
Bounty Range: 80,000 – 199,999 gold
Description: Ex-royal guards, high-ranking dark guild leaders, demon contractors
S-Rank
Bounty range: 200,000-499,999 gold
Description: Region-level threat, demon generals, ancient warriors
SS-Rank
Bounty range: 500,000-999,999 gold
Description:Nation-level threat, cursed monarchs, elite demon hosts
SSS-Rank (World Threat)
Bounty range: 1,000,000+
Description: Apocalyptic beings, end-of-world threats, Gods
Izan focused intently on the paper, carefully copying the ranking system, mission points, loot types, and bounty ranges into his notebook. He worked steadily and quietly, absorbed in his notes, until the very end of css.
After css ended, Izan hesitated for a moment, gncing down at Rin. He wanted to wake her, but remembered how restless she had been st night. Gently, he gathered her things, slinging her bag over his shoulder. Then, carefully, he lifted Rin onto his shoulder, making sure she was comfortable as he prepared to leave.
Just then, Valeria appeared, her eyes widening slightly at the sight. “Izan… why is Rin sleeping on your shoulder?” she asked, a mix of curiosity and amusement in her voice.
“She fell asleep,” Izan expined quietly, shifting Rin slightly to make her more comfortable. “I wanted to wake her, but… she had nightmares st night. I didn’t want to disturb her peaceful sleep.”
Valeria’s expression softened. “That’s very considerate of you.”
Izan nodded, giving a small smile. “Thanks… but where’s Sayaka?”
“She’s… starting to remember fragments of her past,” Valeria said as they walked. “She’s taking it all in at once. I thought it best to let her process it alone in nature.”
Izan’s mood shifted immediately. “Could I… see her? Or at least check on her?”
Valeria shook her head gently. “I asked her. She said no. She needs space right now. But don’t worry about Rin—I’ll take care of her. Go focus on your studies. You don’t need to babysit.”
“I don’t mind,” Izan replied, handing Rin over carefully.
Valeria accepted her and then gnced at Izan, her tone shifting to serious. “Izan, there’s something I need you to do. Come with me to my office.”
Inside her office, Valeria gently id Rin down on the couch, covering her with a bnket. Izan sat nearby while Valeria took her seat at the desk, her gaze steady.
“As you know,” she began, “Rin comes from the Amagawa cn. When I took her in, I treated her as my own daughter because her family wanted to use her… the same way they did her mother. Now that her mother has passed, she’s a target. That’s why this country is in a minor conflict—people are after her bounty.”
Izan stiffened, a chill running down his spine.
Valeria slid a paper across the desk. “Dead or alive. Look at her bounty—100,000 gold.”
Izan’s eyes widened. “They’re really that… evil?”
Valeria nodded gravely. “Yes. That’s why I need your help. I’ve heard rumors that bandits might be approaching. If things get dangerous, retreat. Don’t hesitate to call Sayaka—even if she’s still emotionally fragile. She’s your guardian spirit, and she’ll protect you. But don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.”
Just then, a cheerful voice interrupted. “I’ve arrived to help!”
A furry boy strutted into the office, grinning proudly. He struck a martial arts stance. “Daiki Kazama, Rank 4 of the Commanding Students, at your service!”
Izan blinked, tilting his head. Is he… serious, or just posing like an actor?
Valeria smirked, clearly enjoying the dispy. Izan chuckled quietly, and Daiki’s grin faltered. “Don’t ugh!” he barked, embarrassed by his own theatrics.
“You two will get along,” Valeria said, sliding a map across her desk. “This is a D-rank mission for both of you. If a rger threat appears and you defeat it, I’ll reward you handsomely. But do not take on someone stronger than you—especially you, Daiki.”
Daiki chuckled nervously.
Valeria pointed to the map. “Go northwest. There should be a mountain with a cave underneath. Check both areas thoroughly.”
As they left the office, Daiki jabbered nonstop about his own skills, clearly enjoying his moment of self-importance. They walked toward the school’s back gate, showing the guards the permission note Valeria had given them. The gates swung open, and they stepped outside into the evening air.
“So, how many points do you have?” Daiki asked, gncing at Izan.
“Points?” Izan replied, shrugging. “I’m new… none, really.”
Daiki whistled. “None? Huh… so what were you doing before you came here?”
“Training… and taking down bad people,” Izan answered simply.
Daiki’s eyes sparkled. “Now that’s the life! Seriously… you’re the kind of student our teachers would be proud of.”
Izan raised an eyebrow, thinking Is he really that serious?
“So, what’s your rank?” he asked.
“Junior Disciple. Almost up to Inner Student,” Daiki said proudly.
Izan nodded slowly. “Wow… how many students are Inner Students or Junior Disciples?”
Daiki thought for a moment. “Probably just a few of us. The twins, Scarface, and Arashi—the smart guy—are Inner Students. Junior Disciples… me, the Amagawa girl, and Kawa. Everyone else? Spirit Learners.”
Izan frowned. “Everyone else is Spirit Learners? Is it because they don’t train enough, or don’t do missions?”
“Yeah… mostly ziness,” Daiki admitted. “Teachers expect you to master every basic skill as if it’s your st day, just to reach Inner Student. Even adults usually hover between Spirit Learner and Inner Student. True Initiate is rare—the max most reach.”
Daiki let out a quiet sigh, his gaze falling to the ground. “So… that’s why my teachers were so remarkable. They were all above True Initiate… and most students don’t even push themselves.” His voice caught slightly, and his eyes began to water as the weight of the realization hit him. “I never realized just how much they gave, how much they sacrificed… and all the effort most people waste.” He paused, running a hand through his hair, as if trying to make sense of it all. “It makes you feel small, in a way… like no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough… yet they gave everything anyway, without compint.”
Izan noticed the shadow of awe and frustration in Daiki’s eyes and pced a firm, reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Their sacrifices weren’t meaningless. They taught everyone by example—showing that you keep going, that you give your best. That effort… it carries on through all of us, through every choice we make, every mission we take. Don’t forget that.”
Daiki looked up slowly, blinking away the tears forming in his eyes, a flicker of relief mixed with determination. “Yeah… you’re right. I… I needed to hear that. I can’t let their efforts go to waste.”
The two of them continued walking, the sunset casting long, warm shadows across the path. Izan felt a quiet satisfaction—not just from understanding the weight of the world around them, but from knowing he’d helped Daiki turn admiration and frustration into purpose.
Daiki gnced at Izan hesitantly, his usual bravado noticeably subdued. “Hey… can I… share something with you?”
Izan nodded quietly, his expression calm and attentive. “Of course. Go ahead.”
Daiki took a deep breath, as if gathering courage from somewhere deep inside. “It’s… about my past,” he began, his voice low. “The reason I get so emotional over wasted effort… it’s because of my cn, and the way we were taught martial arts. My father… he was the best. The absolute best. And I… I remember when he used to be sad. Sad because not a single student ever graduated his school—not one, in eighteen years of teaching.”
His eyes glistened, the first hint of tears forming. “I… I couldn’t enter his school before he died,” Daiki admitted, his voice breaking slightly. “If only he’d lived a little longer…”
He swallowed hard, trying to maintain a straight face, but the memories were too vivid, too raw. “He went through so much, especially after my mom passed… I… I couldn’t bear seeing him suffer. And then…” His voice trembled, tears spilling down his cheeks as he struggled to continue. “He… he sughtered the entire cn.”
Izan’s eyes widened slightly, but he stayed silent, giving Daiki space to speak while offering a steady presence.
Daiki’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I remember… I remember his face when he saw me enter the room.” His voice cracked as he spoke, raw and trembling. “Blood everywhere. Bodies… half-destroyed. It was… it was like his soul broke right there. And he… he apologized to me. While tears streamed down his face… he… finished himself in front of me.”
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. Daiki’s sobs shook his body, but he struggled to continue. “That… that’s why I hate seeing wasted effort. That’s why… why I can’t stand seeing someone go through the same pain he did… and fail after giving everything.”
Izan finally spoke, his voice calm and steady, as simple as it was meaningful: “You’re still his son… and his student. So… how about this? You keep going. Become just as strong… or even stronger than him. Graduate this school. Show him—no, show the world—that his teachings weren’t wasted. I think… he’d accept that. He’d be proud of that.”
Daiki blinked, the words sinking in. A small, shaky smile broke through his tears, though a few still dripped down his cheeks. He felt a spark of belief—tentative, fragile, but real. “Y-You really think… I could do that?” he whispered.
Izan gave a slight nod, encouraging without fanfare. “I know you can.”
Daiki blinked, a mixture of relief and disbelief in his eyes. “You… you’ll be with me?” he asked quietly, as if afraid the support might vanish.
Izan smiled gently, pcing a reassuring hand on Daiki’s shoulder. “Of course. I’ll be with you. Every step of the way. You won’t have to face this alone.”
A small weight lifted from Daiki’s chest, and he let out a shaky breath. “Okay… okay. I can do this. I’ll keep going… with you.”
Daiki let out a shaky ugh, half disbelief, half relief. His chest felt lighter than it had in years, the knot of grief and frustration loosening. Even with tears still running down his face, he allowed himself to believe—truly believe—that he could rise, surpass his past, and honor the man who had taught him so much.
The two of them continued walking slowly, side by side, the warm glow of the sunset stretching across the path. Daiki’s steps were careful but steadier now, each one a quiet testament to his resolve, and Izan stayed close, silently supporting him, letting him heal at his own pace.
