(A/N: If you haven't noticed, I changed the cover. Review it here:)
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Magicules didn't drift aimlessly like some mystical fog.
Instead, they behaved more like radiation: particles of light, compact yet potent.
Unlike chakra or cursed energy, which coursed through the body like boiling water or thrived on negative emotions, magicules were remarkably adaptable.
They could be freely shaped and controlled, bending to the will of their user.
Yet their essence remained unchanged—a form of energy as dangerous as it was versatile.
Majins in Tensura wielded magicules as effortlessly as breathing, their very bodies hardened against the corrosive effects of that energy.
Humans, however, weren't so fortunate.
Lacking such resistance, prolonged exposure to magicules led to poisoning—symptoms disturbingly similar to radiation sickness.
With enough time, the damage simply became… cancer. The same grim outcome one might expect from lingering too long near uranium rods in a reactor.
That was what made her achievement so extraordinary.
She had managed to synthesize magisteel—a substance once thought exclusive to the Cardinal World.
A Marvel of innovation… though I doubted they truly understood the magnitude of what they had stumbled upon.
And yes, before you ask—this does sound suspiciously familiar to a certain cinematic universe plotline.
You know, the one where a genius inventor cooked up his own replacement for palladium, nicknamed it "Badassium," and went on to save his own life with it.
To them, magisteel was probably as baffling and impractical as uranium or radium were when first discovered: too volatile, too radioactive, too dangerous to touch.
Yet hidden within it lay potential they had yet to harness.
What set her apart wasn't just the discovery, but how she reached it.
She had taken the principles of mundane electricity—those humble subatomic players, protons, neutrons, and electrons—and somehow bent them into spiritrons.
That leap alone was staggering.
An unexpected gain, yes. But one that might, in the right hands, change everything.
"Yes, I've spoken to my guardians," I said over the phone.
The smartphone, a sleek, modern design, connected me to her secretary.
The woman herself was unavailable, as expected.
After exchanging pleasantries, I provided my address. Apparently, she and her team were planning a visit to "make a better impression."
I doubted their motives were purely altruistic.
"It's not like they'll ever casually meet my family and say, 'Hi, we're the ones sponsoring your child,' as though they're some benevolent businesspeople," I thought.
Still, further confirmations were needed, especially regarding the academy's fees.
"Yes, we'll accept the recommendation offer, but we won't be needing financial assistance. As you said, we'll be waiting."
I ended the call.
A few days passed, and the meeting day arrived.
My family was set to host her for dinner.
"Is this really necessary?" I asked Ruby, who was in the middle of helping me get dressed.
Her version of "dressed" consisted of a plain shirt paired with her school uniform skirt—not overly formal, but polished enough for the occasion.
"Yes, it's necessary!" she snapped, thrusting a ribbon into my hands.
"And for the record, you should be doing this yourself."
In the end, I mimicked Ruby's style: a simple shirt and uniform skirt.
My ribbon, however, was a different color—just distinct enough to stand out.
The doorbell chimed, echoing through the house.
"They're here," Ruby said, her tone growing sharper with urgency.
Miyano Kagurazaka had arrived, accompanied by her secretary.
While this was technically a "meeting," it was more a family-hosted dinner to discuss my future.
Ruby, ever the perfectionist, had ensured I was ready well before their arrival.
Knock, knock.
Aqua's voice came from outside my door.
"Hey, the guests are here."
Ruby opened the door to reveal Aqua, who had transformed into the image of a young executive.
His school uniform had been upgraded with a stylish blazer, and his hair was subtly styled, the soft waves giving him a refined edge.
"Why does he get a blazer?" I asked, casting a skeptical glance at Ruby.
"Because you look cuter this way!" she replied without hesitation.
I rolled my eyes. There was no winning with her.
"Let's go," Aqua urged. "Everyone's already downstairs."
With a sigh, I followed, the sound of murmured voices and clinking dishes filling the air below.
Tonight would set the stage for everything to come.
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Though, I am quite interested in a few things before this dinner started.
When our bodyguards appeared, it seemed like Yoshifumi-san already knew about this Kagurazaka woman.
I read his thoughts via thought communication, and it seems like the agency that our bodyguards are from, it was Miyano Kagurazaka-san's husband who runs it all.
For some reason, I wanted to get out of this situation quickly.
Should I trouble myself with this just because I want to go to a med school?
But again, it's not like my school allows me to skip grades, and it's not like I still want to enjoy my youth—my soul is already old enough.
The warm glow of the dining room chandelier bathed the polished mahogany table in soft light, casting delicate shadows across the plates and glasses.
The aroma of the evening's meal still lingered faintly in the air, though most of the dishes were already cleared.
A heavy air of tension filled the room, cutting through the usual casual chatter that typically accompanied dinners at the Hoshino household.
"I would like to sponsor her, regardless of what you say... Saitou-san."
Miyano Kagurazaka's voice rang with conviction, her sharp tone slicing through the quiet.
She sat with an air of authority, her posture upright, hands folded neatly in her lap, and a serious expression etched onto her face.
The plate in front of her was empty, her meal finished long before she broached the topic.
It was clear she had waited deliberately, ensuring the conversation only began after the food was gone—a tactical move, no doubt.
Her timing was impeccable, ensuring the weight of her words would not be overshadowed by the clatter of cutlery or idle talk.
"Um, like I said, Kagurazaka-san, we don't exactly need help with that right now—" Uncle began, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty.
His usual confidence faltered slightly, betraying his inner confusion at her insistence.
I watched him closely, noting the slight furrow in his brow.
Uncle—my reliable guardian, the head of this household, and the president of our entertainment company—rarely found himself cornered in conversations.
Yet, here he was, trying to compromise with someone who seemed wholly uninterested in negotiation.
Truthfully, with Uncle's considerable fortune and the secret accounts I had meticulously maintained, there was no real need for her sponsorship.
Financially, we were more than secure.
Yet, Miyano Kagurazaka seemed resolute, her interest in me unwavering, even after Uncle explained that all we needed was a recommendation.
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
Ruby continued eating, seemingly oblivious to the charged discussion, her fork moving rhythmically as she cleaned her plate.
Aqua, however, had paused, his fork hovering in mid-air, his plate still half-full.
His gaze was sharp, focused intently on the conversation, as if dissecting every word.
"We understand your concern," came a measured voice from the secretary seated to Kagurazaka's left.
Her presence had been quiet until now, but as she spoke, her tone carried an undeniable authority.
"But may I tell you a few things before you get too hasty?"
"Please do, Takamura-san," Uncle replied, his voice steady but cautious.
The secretary, Takamura-san, adjusted her glasses with a composed air before speaking.
"First of all, this academy was newly built.
It was established through a collaborative agreement under the auspices of the UN."
"UN? You mean, the United Nations, right?" Mom suddenly piped up, her voice breaking through the stillness of the room.
Her remark drew everyone's attention, even Aqua's, whose chopsticks clinked softly against his bowl as he set it down.
"That's right," Takamura-san confirmed, her gaze sweeping across the table.
"Most prodigies from around the world will attend this academy.
It was conceived as a place to foster global harmony among these exceptional individuals—young minds who are likely to become world leaders, innovators, and visionaries in the future.
Initially, it was presented as a platform for unity, a way to bridge gaps and encourage cooperation between nations.
But, in practice, it has become a competition of sorts.
Many students are sponsored by their respective governments, much like international sports programs."
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone absorbed her words.
The weight of what she said hung in the air, thick with implications.
Miyano Kagurazaka chose that moment to interject, her voice commanding immediate attention.
"My sonis set to attend the academy next month," she said, her tone softened slightly but still resolute.
"I was the one who recommended Ame-chan for admission.
Given that, I see it as my responsibility to ensure she is supported throughout her time there.
It's not just about her brilliant mind—though that is undeniable—it's about protecting her from the unnecessary pressures that could stifle her potential."
Her words carried layers of meaning, but her eyes betrayed even more.
It was clear this wasn't just a gesture of goodwill; there was a deep undercurrent of concern in her expression.
Translation:
"Countries across the world will undoubtedly try to claim each other's prodigies once they graduate.
The politics and expectations placed upon these young minds are immense, and I can't let Ame-chan bear that burden alone."
Uncle leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable as he processed the information.
Aqua's sharp gaze flickered between Kagurazaka and Takamura, his usual stoic mask unable to hide his curiosity.
Ruby, oblivious to the tension, had finally finished her meal and leaned forward, clearly intrigued by the mention of prodigies and international rivalry.
I remained quiet, the pieces of this unexpected revelation falling into place in my mind.
This wasn't just about me attending a prestigious academy.
It was about navigating a world far more complex than I had imagined—one where I was no longer just a student but potentially a player in a global game I had no intention of joining.
Miyano Kagurazaka leaned forward, her gaze sharp.
"In return for all the trouble, you'd be able to skip traditional educational milestones," she explained.
"Your admission to the academy would be like completing college.
After graduation, she'll go straight into Clinical Training."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"Imagine a 16-year-old MD student, doing clinical rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics.
Real hands-on experience, diagnosing and treating patients."
She leaned back, a knowing smile on her face.
"That's the difference with this academy.
It's not just about education—it's about fast-tracking your career."
I glanced around, taking it all in.
Part of me wanted to ask why not just call it college, but I held back.
But unlike what she said, this also wasn't just skipping grades; it was stepping into a whole new world, where things moved faster and expectations were higher.
Unlike my school, which didn't allow grade skipping, the academy offered something far more intense.
Many schools were cautious about letting students jump ahead, worried about the emotional toll.
"That is also why I told Takamura here to ask about the details on the phone," Kagurazaka-san said, her voice calm but firm.
"But now that I'm here, I'll ask you directly—do you truly want to come to this academy, Ame-chan?"
The room grew still, all eyes on me.
The question was simple, but the weight behind it was overwhelming.
I could feel the pressure mounting, the gravity of the decision sinking in.
I glanced at Uncle, who seemed lost in thought, and then to Ruby.
Her usual light-hearted demeanor was gone.
She sat up straight, her gaze fixed on me, waiting for my answer.
Even Aqua, usually quiet, was watching closely, his expression unreadable but attentive.
"Well?" Kagurazaka-san prompted again, her voice insistent.
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Hesitation stopped me.
After all the chaos I caused yesterday, there was no fixing it.
Still, this might be a chance to connect with the researcher who discovered how to synthesize magisteel.
No... that's just an excuse.
Deep down, I wanted this all along.
"I can take it."
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