The sun had long since set by the time Rin Feles bid her farewell to Hikari, her tail swishing as she grinned up at him with a satisfied look, no doubt from the skewers she had devoured.
"I'll find you again when you return," she had said, her red eyes glowing in the dim evening light before disappearing into the crowd.
Hikari lingered for a moment, taking in the sights of the Golden Sanctuary one last time.
The city still buzzed with life, glowing storefronts flickering with neon signs, and students weaving through the streets, some using their Irregular abilities to jump between rooftops or zip past on currents of wind.
It was a world unlike anything he had ever known, yet something about it felt oddly natural, as if he was meant to be here.
Still, fatigue gnawed at his bones, and his body begged for rest. The weight of the day, from the fight with the Headmaster to the overwhelming introduction to the academy's hierarchy, settled heavily on his shoulders. He exhaled and stretched his arms over his head, rolling his stiff neck. "When am I even supposed to sleep if school happens at night?" he muttered to himself. The thought gnawed at him, but he knew there was no point in dwelling on it now. He needed to head back.
As if on cue, Master Ryu appeared from the shadows, waving casually. "Ready to go?"
Hikari nodded. "Yeah. Let's get out of here."
The journey back to the portal was quieter than Hikari expected. Perhaps it was because the sheer vibrancy of the city had finally started to settle in his mind, or maybe it was the weight of Master Ryu's presence beside him.
They stepped into the shimmering portal, and in an instant, the world around them warped, twisting into a spiraling tunnel of dark purples and blues before spitting them out into the abandoned warehouse near home. The familiar scent of dust and metal filled Hikari's nose, a stark contrast to the rich, fragrant air of Golden Sanctuary.
Together, they moved swiftly through the city, their steps barely making a sound as they glided through the night, rooftops blurring past them. The stars stretched above them, glistening like scattered diamonds against the dark canvas of the sky.
As they moved, Master Ryu spoke. "There's a lot you need to understand before you start at Golden Sanctuary. It's not just a school; it's a battlefield where power determines status. There's a ranking system and it's not just a way to classify students—it dictates everything. The noble class has control, and they keep it that way. The lower you are in the hierarchy, the harder it is to rise."
Hikari listened intently. "So what you're saying is... I should lay low?"
Master Ryu nodded. "Precisely. There are a few notable Irregulars you need to be aware of, students you shouldn't cross paths with—at least not yet. Some of them come from families with long histories of power. Others are just that strong. And then... there's Kirihara."
Hikari caught the shift in his mentor's tone. "Kirihara. That name again. Is that your... previous successor?"
Master Ryu hesitated before answering. "Someone you're not ready to face yet." He responded, not denying what Hikari had questioned him about.
That response only made Hikari's curiosity burn brighter. "What happened to him?"
For the first time, Master Ryu's expression hardened, and the air between them grew heavier. "That's a story for another time."
Hikari could see that there would be no prying that information out of him tonight. He let out a breath and shifted his gaze ahead, watching the Kurayami household come into view.
"For now," Master Ryu continued, "we have training ahead of us. We'll process your paperwork, and you'll officially be a student of Golden Sanctuary by next week. That means you need to be ready."
Hikari nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "I will be."
The moment they entered the house, a deep sense of exhaustion settled over him. The familiar scent of home filled his lungs, and for the first time that day, he allowed himself to feel the weight of everything.
His mind replayed the events—meeting the Headmaster, dodging attacks from that blonde noble, learning about the academy's ranking system, and, of course, the odd yet intriguing Rin Feles.
He could feel it. This was only the beginning.
Yet, despite the exhaustion, sleep refused to come. Hikari lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his body still buzzing from the day's events.
"Strong enough..." he murmured to himself. "I need to be strong enough."
His fingers twitched, and with a flick of his wrist, a dark mist coiled around his hand, writhing like living shadows. He clenched his fist, feeling the energy pulsate beneath his skin. It wasn't enough. Not yet.
Determined, he pushed himself up and walked to the training area in the backyard. The night air was cool against his skin, the wind rustling through the trees as the world remained eerily silent. He took a deep breath, then plunged his hands into the shadows beneath him.
Instantly, they responded. The darkness twisted and formed into shapes, tendrils slithering like serpents, wrapping around his arms. He focused, trying to sharpen his control, trying to push beyond his limits.
His legendary sword of the shadow flickered in and out of existence. He gritted his teeth. "Come on."
The blade solidified for a moment before dissolving into smoke. Again and again, he tried, pushing his focus to the limit, but something was off. His breathing was uneven, his mind scattered from the overwhelming day. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling inside him.
"Not good enough..." he muttered.
Again, he tried. Again, he failed.
Sweat dripped down his brow, but he refused to stop. If he wasn't strong enough now, then he'd become stronger. If there were people out there who looked down on him, then he'd make them see. Golden Sanctuary wasn't just a school—it was a battlefield. He needed to be ready.
And so, under the silent gaze of the moon, Kurayami Hikari trained. He didn't care how late it was. He didn't care that exhaustion threatened to pull him under. He would keep pushing until he could no longer stand, until his shadows obeyed him without hesitation, until he could truly call himself Master Ryu's successor.
Sleep could wait. Strength couldn't.