SHOCKING NEWS

Today I went to class with Sakura expecting nothing but pain in today's practical training.

Just as we sat down, Miss Clarissa entered looking quite serious.

"There will be no practical training today."

I should feel relieved, but something tells me there's something greater up ahead.

"As you all know, every year the best school in each of the powerhouse countries takes part in a competition to showcase the power of their first years."

I can sense work up ahead.

"I hope this doesn't concern us."

"What do you mean you hope it doesn't concern us? We have training to do!" Sakura shouted.

"Keep quiet and listen, both of you," Miss Clarissa snapped. She looked dead serious.

"There are two exorcist schools in Japan: Aether Academy and Emo-tech. We compete each year to decide who represents Japan in the international competition."

Talia raised her hand.

"Miss Clarissa, what is the name of this competition?"

"It's known as Tenka Seihai here in Japan, but internationally it's called Conquest of the World."

"Thanks for the clarification."

"Now, you and the other first-year classes are going to compete to decide who faces Emo-tech. I'll be using today to prep you to compete against the other classes."

It's been five hours. Miss Clarissa has explained everything about the competition with the other classes.

In short, the competition will be based on eight areas:

Combat.

Defense.

Speed.

Aerial mobility.

Stealth.

Rescue.

And finally, Sensory abilities.

These areas are based on the eight types of exorcists:

Investigative exorcists.

Rescue type exorcists.

Combative type exorcists.

Defense type exorcists.

Speed type exorcists.

Sensory type exorcists.

Aerial type exorcists.

Assassin type exorcists.

The sensory type and investigative exorcists use a type of aura called spirit aura, which allows them to use mental abilities such as sensing aura. The others use manifestation aura, which gives physical abilities. Some investigative exorcists use manifestation aura as well.

The class that wins the most areas will pass. At first, two classes will be paired to compete: Classes F and E will face each other, Classes C and D will also face each other, and then Classes A and B will face each other. Points will be awarded to each class. At the end there will be three classes, and the class with the lowest points is automatically disqualified. The last two classes then face off.

The competition is the day after tomorrow.

head back to the dorms with Sakura and Mikio. We've actually been getting along a bit and by that, I mean me and Mikio teaming up against Sakura.

"Hira-kun, we are going to win this!" Sakura declared, fists on her hips.

"No, we won't," I said flatly.

"Have some hope!" she snapped.

Mikio wrote. "She's right, you know."

"Finally, you agree with me!" Sakura said proudly.

Mikio pointed at me. "Yeah, because he'll be the first one to get eliminated. Which means we have a better chance."

I glared. "I hate you both."

Sakura patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, Hira-kun. We'll carry you."

"Like baggage," Mikio added.

"Exactly!" Sakura said, nodding.

I sighed. "Why am I surrounded by idiots?"

Sakura gasped. "Hey! I'm not an idiot!"

Mikio leaned in. "Prove it."

She stomped her foot so hard the dorm floor shook. "Fine! Tomorrow, I'll beat both of you in training!"

"Good," Mikio wrote. "I've been meaning to use you as a test dummy."

Before Sakura could punch him, she swung so wildly that she accidentally smacked me in the face instead.

"Ow!"

She froze. "…Oops."

Mikio wrote "Hikaru got friendly fire!"

"That was an accident!" Sakura protested, flailing.

"Sure it was," I muttered, holding my nose. "You're both idiots."

"Correction," Mikio wrote. "We're winners. You're just our punching bag."

"Keep talking," I said. "If we lose, I'm blaming both of you."

And just like that, the three of us walked back bickering the whole way.Me with a sore nose, Sakura fuming, and Mikio enjoying the arguments.

If this was supposed to be the team representing Japan… well, the gods were clearly playing a prank.

Today is the day of the competition.

We're in the training gym, waiting for Class E to show up.

They're late. Probably on purpose, thinking it'll intimidate us. Not me. Maybe the others, but honestly I couldn't care less.

"Hira-kun, I'm nervous," Sakura whispered, clinging to my arm.

Of course she's nervous. She's always nervous. Her grip tightened, but when I looked into her eyes, I saw it the usual act. Pretending. I should've noticed earlier. We were childhood friends, after all.

She wanted a response. I gave her the usual.

"Deal with it. It's not my problem and I..."

"I know," she sighed. "You don't care. Your famous catchphrase."

"Everyone in our class knows you like to say that," Mikio added casually, scribbling in his notebook without even looking up.

Tch. Irritating.

"Both of you, shut up. Especially you, Mikio."

He smirked like he'd won something.

Sakura opened her mouth to argue, but she didn't get the chance. The gym doors creaked open.

A wave of arrogance and pressure spilled in with the footsteps.

Class D had arrived.

Author’s Note:

Hikaru: Five hours of Miss Clarissa talking about competitions, powers, and some “international” nonsense… and for what? I still don’t know half of what she said. I just know I’m surrounded by idiots and yes, Sakura, that includes you.

Sakura: Hira-kun! Idiot? Me? Please. If anything, you’re the one whining like a baby about everything. Admit it, you were secretly impressed with me when I almost punched Mikio.

Mikio: scribbles in the air “Impressed? Nah. Entertained, maybe.”

Hikaru: …Entertained. Right. Because having a sore nose and being used as a punching bag is super fun.

Sakura: He’s exaggerating! Sort of.

Mikio: writes “Hikaru exaggerates everything. Except his grumpiness.”

Hikaru: …I stand by that.

Sakura: And yet, somehow, he’s the one we’re counting on for this competition. Poor Hira-kun, the fate of Japan’s first-year team rests on your shoulders. Not that you care.

Hikaru: Care? Me? I’m just here to survive the chaos. That’s it.

Mikio: scribbles with a smirk “Survive, huh? Sure, buddy. Keep telling yourself that when Class D shows up.”

Hikaru: Don’t remind me…

Sakura: See, even Mikio knows this is going to be wild. But don’t worry, readers—we’ll try not to get completely annihilated… hopefully.

Hikaru: mutters Yeah, “hopefully” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

Mikio: flames flicker around his words “Buckle up, everyone. This is just the beginning.”