Now, two days after the intense battle, Hiruzen and Kai wake up in their dorm room, fully rested.

  Hiruzen: (stretching) Man, that was a good sleep.

  Kai: (groaning) You’re telling me. I’m still freezing cold from your last attack.

  Hiruzen: (grinning) Your attacks weren’t bad either. You left me with a couple of burn marks, you damn bastard.

  Kai: (smirking) Burn marks? Please. I might have frostbite.

  The two friends burst out laughing, the lingering aches of their battle temporarily forgotten as a budding friendship begins to form.

  Suddenly, the door swings open, and Asura strides in with a wide grin on his face.

  Asura: (booming) Well, well! Look who’s finally awake. You two were out like lights for a full two days!

  The laughter comes to an abrupt halt as shock spreads across Hiruzen and Kai’s faces.

  Hiruzen and Kai: (in unison) TWO DAYS?!

  Asura: (laughing) Yup, you heard me. Two whole days.

  Hiruzen sits up, rubbing his head as he glances around the unfamiliar room.

  Hiruzen: (frowning) Wait a second… Where are we, anyway?

  Before Asura can answer, Kai springs to his feet with an exaggerated flourish and a beaming smile.

  Kai: (dramatically) Welcome to the dorms of the amazing, spectacular, world-renowned CHIKARA ACADEMY!

  Hiruzen: (raising an eyebrow, unimpressed) So this is it, huh? Not bad. I might just enroll if I like the place.

  Asura: (grinning mischievously) Hate to break it to you, but I already took care of that. You’re officially enrolled.

  Hiruzen freezes, his eyes narrowing as he turns toward Asura.

  Hiruzen: (sharply) You did what? Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?

  Asura: (shrugging) Look, I saw your potential. You’re better off here. Plus, you didn’t exactly leave me much room to ask while you were knocked out.

  Hiruzen: (gritting his teeth) Tch. I haven’t even decided if this place is worth my time, especially if it takes away from my goal.

  Kai: (curious) Oh yeah, what’s this big goal of yours, anyway?

  Hiruzen’s expression darkens slightly, but he quickly masks it with a neutral look.

  Hiruzen: (after a pause) To rise through the ranks here so I can meet with Skyzen.

  Asura leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms as he studies Hiruzen closely.

  Asura: (raising an eyebrow) Skyzen, huh? What’s your business with him?

  Hiruzen’s gaze shifts, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. He decides to hold back the full truth for now, unsure if he can trust them.

  Hiruzen: (carefully) I saw him once, back when I was a kid. He was talking to my mom. That same day… she was killed. I need to find out if he knows anything about it.

  A heavy silence fills the room. Asura and Kai exchange brief, concerned glances but say nothing. They could tell there was more to the story, but they knew better than to push.

  Asura: (after a beat, softly) I get it. Losing a family like that... it’s not something you ever let go of.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  Kai: (lightening the mood) Well, if your plan is to rise through the academy ranks, you’ve got a long road ahead, Ice Head. You’re starting at the bottom.

  Hiruzen: (smirking) That’s fine. I’ll freeze my way to the top if I have to.

  Asura: (chuckling) Good attitude! But, fair warning, the competition here is no joke. And speaking of which…

  Asura tossed a folded set of clothes onto Hiruzen’s bed—a crisp, dark blue uniform with silver trim, emblazoned with the academy’s emblem: a stylized phoenix surrounded by swirling flames and frost.

  Asura: Your first day starts now. Orientation is in an hour, and after that, you’ll face your first real challenge.

  Hiruzen: (grabbing the uniform) Real challenge? Like what?

  Asura: A placement trial. Think of it as a chance to show off what you’ve got. It determines which division you’ll join and how serious your training will be.

  Kai: (grinning) Don’t worry, Hiruzen. You’ll probably be fine… unless they throw you in with the top-tier elites. Then you’re toast.

  Hiruzen: (narrowing his eyes) Toast, huh? We’ll see who’s laughing when I’m done with them.

  Orientation at Chikara Academy

  Hiruzen, Kai, and Asura made their way to the academy’s main hall. The building was massive, a fusion of modern architecture and ancient design, with walls adorned with murals depicting legendary battles of elemental warriors. The air buzzed with the energy of hundreds of students milling about, each wearing variations of the academy’s uniform, signifying their ranks and divisions.

  As they entered, a commanding voice echoed through the hall.

  Mai: (standing on an elevated platform) Welcome to Chikara Academy! Whether you’re here to hone your abilities, discover your limits, or surpass them, know this: only the strong thrive here. Weakness is not an option.

  Hiruzen scanned the room, his eyes catching glimpses of other students—some radiating intense energy, others looking as eager and nervous as he felt. His gaze locked onto one figure in particular: a tall boy with fiery red hair and a smug smirk, surrounded by a group of students who seemed to hang on his every word.

  Kai: (noticing Hiruzen’s focus) That’s Kenji. Division leader of the Inferno Unit—top tier. You might wanna avoid him.

  Hiruzen: (grinning) Sounds like someone I should meet.

  Before Kai could respond, Mai’s voice cut through the noise again.

  Mai: Now, for the newcomers: your placement trial will begin in one hour. Prepare yourselves.

  The Placement Trial: Arena of Elements

  The trial was held in a massive outdoor arena, its boundaries enchanted to withstand even the most destructive powers. Hiruzen stood on the edge of the arena, watching as other students were called up one by one to showcase their abilities. Some controlled earth, others summoned torrents of water, while a select few manipulated fire or lightning with expert precision.

  Hiruzen felt a twinge of nervousness but pushed it aside. He knew what he was capable of—or at least, he hoped he did.

  Announcer: Next up… Hiruzen Yuki!

  Hiruzen stepped into the arena, the cold air around him intensifying as his nerves heightened. Across from him stood his opponent: a girl with emerald-green hair and a confident smirk, small whirlwinds dancing around her fingertips.

  Opponent: (smirking) I’m Rika. Don’t hold back, newbie—I sure won’t.

  Hiruzen: (grinning) You’ll regret saying that.

  The Fight

  Rika wasted no time, launching a series of razor-sharp wind blades at Hiruzen. He reacted instantly, conjuring an ice barrier that absorbed the attack before shattering into glittering shards.

  Hiruzen: (thinking) She’s fast. I’ll have to keep her grounded.

  With a swift motion, he slammed his hand into the ground, sending icy tendrils racing toward her feet. Rika leaped into the air, spinning as she summoned a tornado to hurl herself forward like a missile.

  Rika: Tornado Lance!

  Hiruzen barely managed to sidestep the attack, the force of her landing cracking the ground beneath them. He countered with a volley of ice spikes, but Rika spun again, creating a whirlwind shield that deflected them with ease.

  Rika: (taunting) Is that all you’ve got?

  Hiruzen: (gritting his teeth) Not even close.

  He raised his arms, summoning a towering glacier in the center of the arena. Rika’s eyes widened as the massive structure erupted, sending shards of ice cascading down like meteors. She dodged as best as she could, but one caught her leg, freezing it mid-step.

  Hiruzen: Gotcha.

  He dashed forward, encasing his fists in ice as he delivered a powerful punch to Rika’s midsection. The impact sent her skidding across the arena, but she recovered quickly, summoning a gale that blasted Hiruzen backward.

  The Climax

  Both fighters stood, panting and battered, as the crowd erupted into cheers. Rika grinned, wiping blood from her lip.

  Rika: Not bad, newbie. You’ve got some real power behind that ice.

  Hiruzen: (smiling) You’re not so bad yourself.

  The trial master stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the end of the match.

  Trial Master: Impressive. Both of you have shown exceptional skill. Hiruzen Yuki, welcome to Chikara Academy’s Frostfang Division.

  The crowd cheered as Hiruzen stepped out of the arena, feeling a strange mix of relief and excitement. He was in—but his journey had only just begun.

  Back in the dorms that evening, Hiruzen sat by the window, staring out at the academy grounds.

  Hiruzen: (thinking) Skyzen… I’m one step closer.

  The moonlight glinted off the frost on his windowsill as he clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.

  End Chapter