The sky above Kaminari City blazed with shades of coral and rose as dawn broke, casting shimmering reflections across the Academy's glass-paneled towers. A hush blanketed the vast campus before the day began, interrupted only by the distant chirping of boltbirds nesting atop the energy conductors. Today marked the beginning of a new session—and for Shinji and Denki, it was the first step into a world they had only dreamed of.
Shinji adjusted the strap of his black satchel as he stepped off the transport rail, his violet eyes wide as they scanned the massive gates before him. Denki, with his bright yellow hoodie and unkempt hair, whistled low.
"Dude… this place is insane."
"Try not to draw too much attention," Shinji said, brushing his midnight-black bangs out of his eyes. "We're new here."
"Exactly! So let's make a splash!"
Before Shinji could respond, the gates creaked open with an audible hum of energy. Blue lightning traced along the metallic hinges, crackling with ceremonial grandeur. Dozens of students, dressed in various uniforms marked by rank and division, flowed inside. Among them were upper-year elites, visible by the silver crests embroidered on their collars.
"Let's go," Shinji muttered, tugging Denki forward.
The entrance hall was even more stunning up close. Crystal pillars pulsed with light, rotating glyphs floating midair. Holograms of past Academy champions shimmered along the sides, frozen in poses of valor and defiance.
A tall woman with sleek black robes and glowing tattoos on her arms stood on a hovering platform above the main floor. Her voice boomed without a mic.
"Welcome, Initiates! I am your principal Keira Kaminari ,an Umbra rank Shadowblade. You've been chosen because your potential is dangerous enough to either change the world—or destroy it. And that makes you perfect as a Kaminari Shadowblade"
Her tone silenced even the most energetic students. Denki elbowed Shinji. "Well, that's not ominous at all."
"You'll attend three orientation sessions today," Keira continued. "History of the Shadowblades, Combat Protocol Basics, and Core Fusion Calibration. You'll be ranked based on your skill and thunder element application."
The crowd shifted nervously. Shinji's hands clenched. His affinity had always been strange—he wasn't a thunder elemental wielder like Denki and everyone else, who crackled with raw lightning. Shinji's element was fire.He didn't know if that would make him stand out or be discriminated.
Keira snapped her fingers, as a wall emerged with all their names and classes glowing on it with a dim yellow light.
"Group 7B," Shinji read aloud. "Denki, we're together."
"Nice!"
"Also with someone named Hinari," Shinji added, squinting at the luminous display.
Almost on cue, a girl with short yellow hair, tied in two uneven buns, bounded over. She wore her uniform a little crooked, one sleeve rolled up to reveal an arm covered in quirky patches and charm bracelets. Her bright teal eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Group 7B? That's me too! I'm Hinari. Hinari Kaminari!" she chirped, extending a hand dramatically. "Nice to meet ya!"
Denki grinned. "I like your energy already."
Shinji shook her hand a bit more cautiously. Her grip was surprisingly strong.
"Thunder application?"
"I specialise in animal moves like the thunder eagle. Pretty rare , right?" She twirled, and a breeze kicked up her skirt slightly. "Mom says I have too much energy and not enough direction. Maybe this place will help with that."
With introductions made, their group headed to the first session—History of the Shadowblades.
The lecture hall resembled a war room more than a classroom. Massive stone tablets lined the walls, etched with battle maps and shifting images from ancient wars. At the front stood an elderly man in robes of cobalt and obsidian, his left eye replaced with a glowing lens. His voice crackled with age and static as he began.
"I guess that's our teacher,but look at his hair,it's black,he's a civilian"Denki whispered to Shinji who said"Yeah"
"The Shadowblades are not merely warriors," he said. "They are architects of balance. The elements we humans are blessed with is not just a natural ability.It is gotten from our ancestors known as the Guardian Gods
The Flame Deity-Katsuragi,controller of flames that burn everything in it's path,he wielded the legendary Twin swords called Sokajiken,The Thunder Guardian-Kaminomori,he controlled the clouds and could use the ligthning and thunder as he wished,he wielded the legendary blade called Raijinjin, The Terra Guardian-Daichirou,controller of the earth,he wielded the Giant hammer called Tsuchitsuchi ,The Aqua Guardian-Mikazuki, controller of the water element,she wielded the trident called Mizukiba, The Sonic Guardian-Haruhiro ,she controlled the sound element and wielded the ultra fast arrow called Otokodachi and The Gale Guardian-Haruhiro, he controlled the wind and wielded the axe called Kazekiri. The guardians appeared suddenly 400 years ago when the entire human race was almost annihalated by the Shadow King ,Daimao Maoshi and his forces.They managed to succesfully seal him after a long battle but his shadows still run ramapant and cause havoc,so these 6 guardians reproduced to form the Kaminari ,Mizutani,Otozawa,Rengoku,Sora and Iwamoto clans which are the 6 shadowblade clans that fight against the shadows and are headed each by a Socho.Every 66.7 years,the seal weakens and the Shadow King is set free again but the souls of the guardians are reincarnated into individuals who are their offspring and acquire their weapons who seal Maoshi again,almost66.7 years have passed since the last sealing of the Shadow King and it won't take long before he is revived again,the reincarnations of the guardians are already born , we just don't know who they are yet"
A dramatic projection of everyting he said was shown.
"They are divided into ranks," the professor continued. "Novice, which is the rank you all are at. Acolyte which you'll reach after learning for a while. Hunter is a rank where you're ready to battle shadows after you graduate. Nightshade, which you'll reach when you gather more experience and skills.Darkstar is a high rank a shadowblade reaches after having many accomplishments.Umbra is a very hard rank to get into as you must have a lot of skill and excellent control over them like our Principal . Kaiser, only a few can enter this rank and only those with extremely high power levels.Paragon, the highest rank of all reserved for those with unmatched strenght and skill like the Sochos."
"That one…" he whispered.
The professor noticed. "Yes, student?"
The three of them began scribbling notes as the lecture delved deeper into the philosophies of balance, sacrifice, and secrecy that the Shadowblades lived by.
As the session ended, the professor left them with this line
"Becoming a Shadowblade is not an easy task,which one of you will rise up to the task"
Their second class—Combat Protocol Basics—took place on a skydeck platform high above the academy grounds. Training drones buzzed in the air, and students were paired for sparring. Their instructor, a grizzled ex-Darkstar named Raike, barked orders while adjusting the bandage on his left arm.
"Shinji vs. Denki! Let's see if friends hit each other as hard as strangers!"
The two boys exchanged nervous looks, then took their stances. Denki crackled with energy, arcs of electricity dancing between his fingertips. Shinji summoned a wisp of crimson flame, flickering low and steady in his palm.
"Begin!"
Denki lunged forward with a bolt of lightning. Shinji rolled to the side, his flame leaving a trail of crimson embers that hovered midair before exploding in a burst of smoke. Denki coughed, blinded momentarily, and Shinji used the opening to sweep him off his feet with a shadow tendril.
Raike raised an eyebrow. "Impressive control of an unstable element."
Denki grinned from the ground. "Not bad, Shinji. I didn't even feel that fall. Much."
They both laughed and helped each other up.
Hinari's match followed, and she moved like a cyclone—leaping, flipping, and launching animals formed by lightning that knocked her opponent clear off the platform. Safety nets caught him mid-air, but Raike seemed pleased.
"You three might just survive this year," he muttered.
The final class, Core Fusion Calibration, was perhaps the strangest. Each student was brought to a chamber filled with glowing crystals. A serene woman with silver hair guided them.
"This is where you align with your inner core, your inner energy called Jinki ," she said. "All power has a cost. You may already know how to launch attacks but to wield it without understanding it is to invite ruin."
They were instructed to place their hands on the largest crystal—called the Jinki stone. As Shinji did, a vision exploded in his mind.
An ominous scene where a short red haired man is shown floating naked in a purplish liquid without his face shown.
Shinji yanked his hand back, panting.
"Are you okay?" Hinari asked, touching his arm gently.
"I… I saw something, someone" he whispered.
"You're not alone," Denki said. "Mine wasn't all flowers either."
As they exited the chamber, the silver-haired instructor called after Shinji.
"You may be the last Rengoku but that doesn't make you different," she said softly. "So focus to continue your clan's legacy."
He nodded, unsure if he felt reassured or more afraid than ever.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the mountains, the trio sat on the Academy's rooftop garden, sharing snacks from the canteen.
"You know," Hinari said, kicking her feet, "I think we make a good team."
Shinji looked up at the stars. "Maybe. Let's make a promise ,to do this again sometime"
"Sure," Denki said.
"Yeah" Hinari said
[A/N:I'm very sorry my updates have not been consistent,i've not really had time but now i'll try to focus on this,thanks for your support
So if we can reach 50 power stones before next week monday,I promise a double release ,so please STONES]