[Vol 1.] Chapter 3: Titles and Fated Bonds

The sun barely pierced through the lavender mist of early morning as Lunaria Hero School towered ahead, its crystalline towers gleaming with a soft lunar glow. First-year cadets poured through the wide silver gates, their chatter echoing between the arched walls and floating runes overhead. Yuki Takahashi walked in alone. No wide eyes. No excitement. No nerves. Just silence, and a steady pace. Inside the grand dormitory hall, students gathered around a hovering projection board listing housing assignments. Lunar glyphs shimmered across the screen, names shifting into place like puzzle pieces. “Dorm 4-C… 4-C…” Yuki murmured, scanning quickly. There it was: Takahashi, Yuki — Dorm 4-C. Isami, Ren — Dorm 4-C. Liorin, Kaia — Dorm 4-C. With a soft exhale, she turned toward the eastern hallway. The dorm wings curled like crescent moons, lit by blue sconces and sleek crystal tiling underfoot. The air held a light hum of enchantments — protection wards and lunar magic woven into the walls. Yuki stopped in front of her door. A glowing plaque marked 4-C. At her presence, the panel scanned her ID chip and slid open with a soft ping. The room inside was simple and polished: three beds arranged in a semi-circle, three desks, and a shared lounge at the center with a crescent-shaped couch and a floating tea orb. Lunar insignias were etched faintly on the walls, softly pulsing. A girl was already there — kneeling on her bed and unpacking a box of flower-shaped pins, tiny vials of glowing mist, and a plush, leaf-eared creature that bounced as she moved. Her hair was ocean green, short and playful, and her coral-colored eyes lit up when she saw Yuki. “Oh! Hi!” she said brightly, hopping to her feet. “You must be Yuki! I’m Kaia Liorin — Waxing Crescent Bloomcaster!” She extended her hand enthusiastically. “Healing, stamina boosts, emotional recovery — I do it all! Kinda. Still training.” Yuki gave a short nod and brushed past her. “Yuki Takahashi.” Kaia tilted her head as Yuki walked to the far bed. “What phase are you?” she asked casually. “...Null.” “Oh.” Kaia blinked. “Well, that’s totally okay! Some of the best heroes started out as Nulls, y’know? No crest doesn’t mean no potential!” Yuki tossed her bag onto the bed and began unpacking in silence. No response. Just methodical movement. Kaia smiled awkwardly, then sat back on her bed to finish decorating. A few minutes passed before the door chimed again. A tall girl entered — her steps crisp, uniform perfect, long dark braid swaying behind her. She scanned the room quickly before giving a slight bow. “Ren Isami. Bladeborn. Last Quarter Moon.” Kaia lit up. “I’m Kaia! Bloomcaster — Crescent Phase!” She gestured dramatically. “And that’s Yuki! She’s suuuper fast. I peeked at her combat scores!” Ren looked toward Yuki but made no comment. “Good to meet you both.” Yuki didn’t turn. Just kept unpacking, unreadable. Ren moved to the remaining bed, unpacking with silent precision. Every fold, every placement, exactly where it belonged. Kaia sighed dramatically, flopping onto her own bed. “Soooo… icebreaker game?” “No,” Yuki and Ren said at the same time. Kaia groaned, pulling her pillow over her face. “Ugh, you two are the most dramatic roommates ever.” Ren raised an eyebrow without looking up from her folded tunic. “We’re just not interested in pointless games.” “It’s not pointless,” Kaia said, voice muffled under the pillow. “It’s bonding. Teamwork. Emotional synergy. You know, the stuff that stops us from murdering each other during finals.” Yuki sat down on the edge of her bed, arms crossed. “I think silence works just fine.” Kaia peeked out from under the pillow. “You're both seriously allergic to fun, huh?” “I’m not allergic,” Ren said plainly. “I just don't waste energy.” Kaia let out a long sigh and flopped onto her back dramatically, arms outstretched like she was dying in the desert. “Note to self… bring emergency chocolate. I’m gonna need it.” Yuki glanced at her, lips twitching ever so slightly. Maybe it wasn’t a smile, but something lighter flickered in her expression for a split second. Kaia sat up, noticing it right away. “Ohhh my stars. Was that… a smirk? From the great ice wall that is Yuki Takahashi?” Yuki rolled her eyes, turning her back to hide the faintest curve of her mouth. “You’re imagining things.” Ren didn’t look up but added dryly, “Document it. Historic moment.” Kaia gasped. “I will. I’ll carve it into the dorm wall.” Yuki tossed a pillow at her. It missed. Kaia caught it dramatically anyway. “See? This is how it starts. Next thing you know, we’ll all be braiding each other’s hair and crying about our tragic backstories.” Yuki’s gaze lingered on the window for a moment, her expression darkening ever so slightly. Kaia noticed but said nothing this time. A quiet fell over the room—not cold or tense, just… still. Settling. Ren finally spoke. “Lights out is at ten. Don’t get us written up on the first day.” Kaia gave a lazy salute. “Aye, captain.” Yuki laid back, staring at the ceiling as the faint hum of magic from the walls pulsed gently around them. Tomorrow, classes would begin. And maybe… just maybe, this wouldn’t be so bad. The soft chime of the dorm’s wake-up crystal pulsed through the room like a gentle breeze. Yuki’s eyes fluttered open before it could finish its second tone. She sat up immediately, already dressed in her cadet uniform, the dark gray jacket clipped neatly over her shoulders and the academy’s lunar crest shimmering faintly on her chest. Kaia groaned from the opposite bed, hair a tangled mess of seafoam curls. “Five more minutes... the moon isn’t even fully set…” “You snooze, you scrub,” Ren said crisply, already lacing her boots at the edge of her bed. She looked like she’d been awake for an hour. Yuki grabbed her satchel and swept her long black hair into a loose tie behind her neck. The strands shimmered faintly under the soft dorm lighting, falling like ink down her back. With one last glance at the mirror — more to check her uniform than her expression — she turned and headed for the door. The halls were already bustling with first-years in matching uniforms, many chatting nervously or trying to act cooler than they felt. Some clutched orientation pamphlets while others scanned the floating directory glyphs above the hallway intersections. Main Classroom: Lunar Division 1-A The glowing letters flickered into view as Yuki followed the crowd up a sweeping staircase and through a corridor lined with enchanted windows. Outside, floating gardens shimmered with levitating stones and softly glowing orbs dancing above the courtyards. She stepped into the classroom, which resembled a miniature amphitheater. Seats circled a wide, elevated stage made of crystal and moonwood. A massive mural of the lunar phases rotated behind the instructor’s podium like a celestial clock. Yuki found a seat in the second row—alone. Whispers floated around her as more students filed in. “Is that her? The Null with the top reflex score?” “I heard she broke one of the aura readers during testing.” “No way. Nulls don’t even have aura.” Yuki said nothing, her eyes forward, her expression unreadable. Moments later, the classroom lights dimmed as a tall figure strode onto the central platform. Their cloak flowed like liquid starlight, and their voice echoed with calm authority. “Welcome, Cadets,” the instructor began, his voice steady and clear as he faced the room. His silver hair caught the light, and his calm demeanor commanded attention. “I am Instructor Orien, a Full Lunar. This classroom will be your base for the upcoming term here at Lunaria.” He gestured to the glowing board behind him, where names were neatly listed in groups of three. “On that list, you’ll find your assigned teams. Once you find your group members, you must decide together who will be the captain of your squad.” The cadets looked around, murmuring softly as they searched for their names. “Afterwards,” Orien continued, “I will hand out whiteboards and markers. Your first task is to write down your hero name—the identity you will carry here. When you’re ready, each of you will present your name to the class. Remember, this name is more than just a label; it’s your symbol, your reputation.” He gave a small nod. “Any questions?” Silence. “Very well. Please find your groups and choose your captains.” The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as cadets found their groups. Yuki’s long black hair trailed behind her as she approached the spot where Kaia and Ren waited. Kaia grinned, bouncing on her toes. “So, who’s the captain?” Yuki looked between Kaia and Ren, then met Ren’s calm gaze. Neither of them said a word. Yuki took a steady breath and said, “I’ll lead.” Kaia’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly smiled. “Alright! Team Yuki it is!” Ren nodded once, respect clear in her expression. “Very well.” Instructor Orien gave a small approving nod from the front. “Good. Leadership is a responsibility, Cadet Takahashi.” He began handing out whiteboards and markers. “Now, write down your hero name. This is your identity here at Lunaria.” Yuki’s hand hovered over the whiteboard, her mind racing. Then, with quiet confidence, she wrote her chosen name — the first step in claiming her place. nstructor Orien paced in front of the classroom, hands behind his back. “Let’s begin. One by one, you’ll come up, state your name, moon phase, and your chosen hero name.” He gestured to the first row. A boy with copper-toned skin and windswept hair stood confidently. “Rai Tenjou, Waxing Gibbous — Stormstep.” Next, a girl with sharp red eyes and ember-like freckles rose. “Nira Volen, Full Moon — Emberlash.” One after another, cadets stood and introduced themselves: “Lennox Dreyer, Last Quarter — Ironhowl.” “Mei Aira, Waxing Crescent — Petalflare.” “Korin Vale, Waning Gibbous — Shadecoil.” Then it was Kaia’s turn. She stood with a proud twirl, placing a hand on her chest like she was on stage. “Kaia Liorin, Waxing Crescent — Verdance!” Some of the class chuckled softly, but Orien gave an approving nod. “Creative.” Ren rose next, her stance crisp and composed. “Ren Isami, Last Quarter — Nightreign.” There was a quiet pause after her name — short and powerful. The kind that lingered in the air for a moment too long. Orien’s gaze landed on the final student. “Takahashi.” Yuki stood slowly, her long black hair cascading past her shoulders like ink. Her boots echoed against the floor as she made her way to the front, expression unreadable. She took the whiteboard and marker from Orien’s outstretched hand, uncapped it silently, and wrote in clean, bold strokes. When she turned it around, a single word stared back at the class: “Shadow.” A hush fell over the room. Some students leaned in, exchanging quiet glances. Others just stared — curious, uncertain, maybe even impressed. Orien raised a brow but didn’t question it. “Yuki Takahashi. Hero name: Shadow.” Yuki gave a curt nod and returned to her seat beside Ren and Kaia. Kaia leaned over with a grin. “Kinda dark and dramatic… I like it.” Ren said nothing, but her eyes followed Yuki with sharp curiosity. Orien stepped forward again. “Very well. Now that all hero names have been registered, we move to the next step — squad formations and early mission simulations. Your choices today will shape your journey here at Lunaria.” Orien clapped his hands once, and a new set of names appeared on the glowing crystal board behind him. Rows of lunar text shimmered, sorting the students into trios. “Your squads have been pre-selected based on your entrance evaluations, affinity tests, and observed synergy. You’ll train, fight, and grow together,” Orien explained. “Approach the board and find your assigned team.” The classroom erupted in motion — scraping chairs, muttered names, excited exclamations. Yuki stood up quietly and scanned the list. Her eyes quickly landed on her name: Squad 7: Yuki Takahashi, Ren Isami, Kaia Liorin. She blinked once. Same room, same team. Fate really wasn’t letting her breathe. Kaia squealed. “Yes! Roomies and teammates? That’s fate, right? Destiny! Stars aligning! We’re gonna be amazing!” Ren glanced at them both. “Works for me.” Once the commotion settled, Orien raised his voice. “For the next phase, each squad will be given a mock mission simulation. These will test your coordination, instinct, and ability to lead under pressure. Your performance will determine access to specialized training tracks next term.” He stepped aside and gestured toward the doors. “Proceed to Simulation Hall 3. Your mission parameters await.” Simulation Hall 3 The simulation dome shimmered with faint light as Squad 7 stepped onto the field. The environment flickered — an ancient forest cloaked in fog, overgrown ruins tangled in vines, and moonlight filtering through cracks in the dome’s illusion. A glowing interface pulsed on a nearby pedestal: SIMULATION MISSION: Code Name: Moonveil Recovery Objective: Retrieve the stolen Lunar Core hidden deep within enemy-controlled ruins. Hazards: Surveillance wards, patrolling constructs, environmental traps. Bonus Goal: Remain undetected. Kaia peeked at the console. “Stealth mission. This sounds intense…” Ren calmly drew her practice blade. “Then we move quiet and clean. Stick to cover. No wasted movements.” Yuki tightened her gloves and scanned the area ahead, already calculating the terrain. She had no powers — no illusions, no elemental tricks, nothing that lit up crystal readers — but she’d made it this far with reflexes, speed, and something else no one could measure: Instinct. “We move clockwise,” Yuki said quietly. “There's more cover along the left flank. Kaia, middle. Ren, rear guard.” Ren’s brow lifted slightly. “Taking point with no powers?” Yuki didn’t flinch. “Try to keep up.” Kaia grinned. “Ooh. She's spicy under all that brooding.” The gate shimmered open. They stepped through — immediately swallowed by cold fog and flickering moonlight. Inside the Simulation It was quiet. Too quiet. Mechanical chirps echoed from somewhere up ahead — a sentry construct sweeping the path with a pale beam of blue light. Yuki dropped to a crouch behind a broken statue and motioned for the others to hold. She studied the patrol’s rhythm. Five seconds between sweeps. Enough. She darted forward, fast and silent, vaulting over rubble and sliding beneath the watch beam just in time. She held up two fingers, signaled a path — and Ren and Kaia followed flawlessly. They repeated the pattern through collapsed corridors and false illusions. Ren neutralized a tripwire with precision. Kaia pulsed a faint aura mend when Ren grazed a spike trap. Yuki stayed on the move — leading the team like someone who knew the shadows, even if she didn’t yet command them. At last, they reached the core room — a massive glowing orb suspended above a spiked pit. Another construct, this one humanoid and armored, paced before it. Ren looked to Yuki. “Call it.” Yuki whispered: “Decoy sweep left. I drop in from above. No time to overcomplicate.” Kaia blinked. “You're gonna what?” Yuki was already gone — climbing silently across a cracked pillar above the construct. Ren stepped out and clanked her boot against stone. The enemy turned — just as Yuki dropped from the shadows, landing squarely on its shoulders and jamming a mock blade between its armor plating. The construct sparked and froze. Mission complete. Minutes Later The simulation ended with a blinding white pulse. Squad 7 stood still, catching their breath as the environment faded back into a dome of silver and glass. Instructor Orien’s voice echoed over the intercom: “Squad 7 — bonus success achieved. Stealth rating: 94%. Mission efficiency: 97%. Squad synergy: Unusually high. Well done.” Ren nodded toward Yuki. “That was bold.” Kaia added with a smirk, “Yeah… for someone with no powers, you’re seriously starting to freak me out.” Yuki looked down at her gloves. Yuki’s heart was still racing, but she smirked and crossed her arms. “Yeah? Well, good luck keeping up with me.” Kaia raised a brow playfully. “Oooo, look who suddenly found her voice.” Yuki rolled her eyes. “Let’s just go to the cafeteria. I’m starving.” Ren chuckled under her breath, unusually light for her. “Look at that. The quiet, brooding Null is cracking.” “What’s so funny?” Yuki muttered. Ren shot her a glance. “Nothing. Just… you’re not as ice-cold as you act.” Kaia giggled. “Yeah, give it a few more days, you’ll be making friendship bracelets with us.” “Doubt it,” Yuki said — but the faintest smile touched her lips. The three made their way down the curved halls, sunlight pouring in through glass arches above. Lunaria Academy’s campus stretched around them like a city of light and moonstone, filled with students in uniforms, instructors in silver robes, and floating arcane drones scanning everyone’s badges. The cafeteria doors opened automatically, revealing rows of floating food trays and crescent-shaped booths built into glowing platforms. A large mural of the moon phases slowly rotated above, casting faint lunar glows across the ceiling. Yuki grabbed a basic tray — rice, miso broth, and some kind of strange glowing fruit she didn’t recognize. Nothing too flashy. She avoided the shimmering elemental dishes, not wanting a reminder of what she lacked. Kaia piled her plate high with glowing dumplings and herb-laced veggies. “I don’t care what anyone says, Bloomcaster food is the best. Tastes like springtime.” Ren’s plate was balanced: grilled fish, greens, and rice — efficient and plain. “Don’t eat too heavy. Trial exercises start next week.” “Didn’t we already do evaluations?” Yuki asked, glancing up from her tray. “We did,” Ren replied, setting her cup down neatly. “These trials aren’t for ranking — they’re designed to test how we work as a team. How we adapt under pressure.” Kaia nodded, her eyes bright. “They use the results to prep us for the big training camp. It’s a whole week off-campus — survival zones, team missions, the works.” Yuki blinked. “Survival?” “Don’t worry,” Kaia said quickly, waving her chopsticks. “It’s not danger-danger. More like puzzle zones, mock missions, forest simulations. Kinda exciting, right?” “Sounds annoying,” Yuki muttered, stabbing at her rice. Ren raised a brow. “Teamwork will be mandatory. Every squad needs coordination, trust, and strategy.” Kaia grinned. “So no lone-wolf routines.” Yuki scowled. “I’m not a lone wolf.” Both girls gave her the same deadpan look. “…Fine,” she muttered. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of clinking trays and chatter surrounding them — along with the occasional magical burst from a student trying to show off in the corner. Kaia leaned forward again, her voice lower now. “I heard something earlier. Some of the Full Lunars are going to be watching the trials personally this year.” Yuki looked up. “Why?” Ren’s expression darkened slightly. “Because last year’s training camp didn’t go as planned.” Kaia lowered her voice. “A squad went missing during a mission — gone for three hours. Rumors say they got caught in a real breach, not a simulation.” “A breach?” Yuki asked, serious now. “No one confirmed it,” Ren said. “The school covered it up fast. No announcements. Just silence.” Kaia forced a weak laugh. “I mean… I’m sure this year will be totally fine. Right?” Yuki didn’t answer. She stared out the nearby window where upper-year students sparred in the distance — lightning arcs, flaming strikes, energy shields rippling on impact. Everything she didn’t have. She looked down at her plate. She didn’t have powers. She didn’t have magic. But something deep inside whispered that this year’s trials… were going to change everything. Even for someone like her. Even for a Null. The sun slipped behind the tall spires of Lunaria Academy, painting the sky in soft purples and golds. The courtyard slowly emptied as students made their way back to their dorms, voices fading into the evening air. Yuki stood alone for a moment, the cool breeze tugging gently at her long black hair. She pulled her sleeves over her hands, feeling the lingering chill—but also something else, a faint pulse beneath her skin she couldn’t yet understand. From behind, Kaia’s cheerful voice called out, breaking the silence. “Hey, Yuki! Ren and I are making tea back at the dorm. Come join us?” Yuki hesitated, then nodded quietly. “Yeah… I’ll come.” Together, they walked back under the rising moon, the crescent glowing softly above them. The months ahead were uncertain and long—but Yuki knew that somehow, this place, and these new bonds, would shape what was to come. For now, she just needed to find her footing.