Chapter 5 – The First Encounter

The day had passed like any other.
Kanata spent his morning half-asleep through lectures, ignoring the curious glances that followed him since the duel with Celestine. He left the academy at sunset, content that—for once—nothing had exploded.

Maybe this school can be peaceful after all, he thought.
He was wrong.

The marketplace bustled with the scent of grilled food and the chatter of vendors closing shop.
Among the crowd walked Tendou Kaname, her posture calm and deliberate, silver-gray hair tucked beneath a hood. To ordinary eyes, she looked like a graceful older woman shopping for dinner.

But Kaname noticed it—the soft shift in footsteps behind her, the faint pulse of mana hiding in the air.
Someone was following her.

She said nothing at first, pretending to browse through fresh vegetables and knives at a stall. Then, without warning, she picked up a kitchen knife and hurled it toward the dark alley behind her.

CLANG!
The blade was deflected midair, the metal ringing in the quiet.

Kaname’s golden eyes narrowed.

“You there. Come out now—before I come for you myself.”

Her voice was calm, sharp enough to slice through the evening air.

From the shadows stepped a woman dressed in a dark combat coat, short silver hair framing her face, her expression both cautious and familiar.

“You never change, Kaname-san. Even now, you don’t look a day older than when I last saw you.”

Kaname relaxed slightly, though her tone stayed dry.

“Hooh… Sera-chan. It’s been a while.”

Sera Mitsuhane smiled faintly before bowing her head.

“Kaname-senpai, I assume you already know why we’re here?”
“Let me guess—because of that little incident at Tokyo Magic Academy?”
“No. We were sent to investigate something else. A cult calling itself ACID.”

Kaname’s expression darkened, the faint glow of mana flickering in her eyes.

“A cult, you say…”

“They worship the Undead Black Dragon—the same one you destroyed five centuries ago. They see it as their god… and they’re preparing to bring it back.”

Kaname’s hands tightened around her shopping bag.

“…So the boy will be their target.”

“Most likely, yes. They believe his cursed blood is the key to awakening that creature.”

For a long moment, silence filled the street—only the distant hum of traffic dared to move.
Then Kaname spoke, her voice low and trembling with anger.

“If they lay a single finger on him…”
A faint wave of golden energy rippled through the air.
“…I’ll remind them why the name Tendou Kaname still terrifies Nevantrax.”

Sera took a step forward, her tone grave.

“That’s not all. The Nevantrax Council has issued a capture order for Kanata. There’s even a bounty on his head.”

Kaname’s eyes widened—then hardened to steel.
The nearby lamp post cracked as her restrained magic pulsed through the ground.

“If they dare touch him,” she hissed, “I’ll tear down that entire council myself.”

Kanata walked home under the orange glow of the setting sun, one hand in his pocket, his thoughts wandering.
He couldn’t stop thinking about what Celestine had told him.

The Four Witches… the stamps… all of it feels like one big headache.

As he crossed the street, his eyes caught movement—a young boy stepped into the road without looking, a car racing toward him.

Without hesitation, Kanata dashed forward.
WHOOSH!
He grabbed the boy, pulling him clear just as the car sped past, horns blaring.

“Hey, you okay, kid?”
“I’m fine! Thank you, mister!”

The boy’s parents came running, bowing repeatedly.

“Thank you so much! You saved our son!”

“It’s fine, really.” Kanata scratched his head awkwardly. Great, now I’m a hero. That’s definitely not going to help my “low-profile” plan.

He looked up at the fading light, watching the clouds turn violet. Celestine’s words echoed again.
The Four Witches hold the keys to your freedom.

Freedom, huh? Feels more like a cage.

A cheerful voice broke his thoughts.

“Big brother!”

From the gates of a middle school, a girl with flowing blue hair and green eyes ran toward him—Tendou Haqua.

“You’re late! I’ve been waiting forever!”
“Sorry, sorry. There was… a small incident on the way.”
“Hmph! Then you owe me ice cream!”

“You always say that,” he muttered with a faint smile.

The two walked together toward a nearby convenience store, laughter mixing with the hum of streetlights turning on one by one.

By the time they came out, Haqua was happily eating her ice cream while Kanata stared mournfully at his own, now half melted.

“Great. I didn’t even get to eat mine…”
“That’s what you get for being late!” Haqua said proudly, licking her spoon.

Kanata sighed. She really takes after Grandma.

But as they walked past the alley, the air grew heavy.
A sharp chill swept through the street.

Kanata stopped.

From the darkness ahead, a woman appeared—her long red hair tied in a ponytail, eyes glowing gold under the streetlights. Every step she took radiated confidence… and danger.

“Kanata-kun,” she said, her tone smooth yet piercing, “there’s something I need to ask you.”

Kanata blinked.

“Uh… do I know you?”

Her expression turned sharp.

“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly who I am.”

“Sorry, miss, I meet a lot of people. You’re not here for an autograph, are you?”

The woman’s gaze hardened. The temperature dropped suddenly—the nearby soda can hissed, melting into liquid metal.
Even the air felt thinner.

“Don’t joke with me.”

Haqua hid slightly behind her brother.
Kanata raised a brow, sweat forming at his temple.

“…Okay, so not an autograph.”

The woman stopped in front of him.

“My name is Shiranui Itsuha. I’m one of the Four Witches.”

“Oh. That explains the death glare.”

“I came to warn you, Kanata.”

The tone of her voice erased all traces of humor.
The street around them fell silent, save for the hum of a distant streetlight.

Kanata frowned.

“Warn me? About what?”

“About the path you’re walking. You may not realize it yet… but there are forces far beyond this academy watching you.”

Kanata’s golden eyes met hers, the faint echo of that deep, dragon-like voice whispering again in the back of his mind.
For a brief second, the air between them felt electric—charged with something neither could name.

And for the first time since he’d entered Tokyo Magic Academy,
Tendou Kanata felt the weight of true danger closing in.