Subaru and Fob strolled through the frosty stone corridors of the academy, their footsteps echoing faintly in the still air. Fob, as usual, was munching on something—a piece of bread he'd sneaked out of the dining hall. Subaru didn't even bother to ask where he'd gotten it this time.
"Ya know," Fob said between bites, crumbs tumbling from his mouth, "I think I aced that wind magic exercise the other day. Got the trajectory perfect. Bet Renwald couldn't do better."
Subaru shot him a side glance, one eyebrow raised. "Uh-huh, sure. That's why Professor Erlon almost had a stroke watching you try to 'perfectly' redirect the wind currents. I'm pretty sure you almost knocked his glasses off his face."
Fob shrugged, unbothered. "Hey, it worked in the end. Style points should count for something, right?"
"Yeah, maybe if this was some Kargaragan circus," Subaru quipped, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You and Tekka could start an act—'The Spirit Arts Duo Who Can Barely Manage A Breeze.' It's got a ring to it."
Fob let out a hearty laugh, his voice carrying down the hallway. "I'd still rake in more applause than you, Natsuki."
Subaru rolled his eyes but couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Dream on, buddy."
As they turned a corner, the sound of chattering voices grew louder. A group of upper-year students passed by, their polished uniforms and confident strides a stark contrast to the more relaxed demeanor of the first-years like Subaru and Fob. The older students didn't even glance their way, too engrossed in their discussions about advanced summoning techniques and competitive duels. Subaru caught a few envious stares from the younger students in the hallway, but he ignored them.
"Hey, by the way," Fob said, snapping Subaru's attention back, "what's up with you lately? You've been all... I dunno, distracted. Is it exams? Or... you got a thing for someone?" His tone turned teasing, his grin wide and mischievous.
Subaru groaned. "Seriously? Do you have to poke into my life like this?"
Fob chuckled, tossing the last bit of his bread into his mouth. "Just curious, man. You've been zoning out a lot. Like yesterday—you were just staring out the window during mana channeling practice. Renwald thought you were broken or something."
Subaru glanced at the floor, his expression momentarily serious. "I've just... had a lot on my mind, that's all. Stuff back at home, the usual. You know how it is."
Fob tilted his head, his carefree demeanor softening slightly. "Yeah, I get it. But hey, don't let it eat you up. We've got exams behind us now. It's time to chill and maybe figure out how to actually enjoy this place for a change."
Subaru snorted. "Enjoy this place? Fob, this is an academy where they make you fight with sticks in the morning and fry your brain with magic theory in the afternoon. If you're enjoying it, you're probably doing it wrong."
"Or I'm doing it right," Fob countered with a wink.
Before Subaru could retort, they emerged into the main courtyard. The cold Gustekan air hit them immediately, and Subaru adjusted his scarf as he looked around. The snow-covered grounds sparkled under the pale sunlight, and clusters of students were scattered across the courtyard, chatting or practicing spirit arts in small groups.
Fob nudged Subaru with his elbow. "Hey, speaking of distractions... there's Jonah. You guys still at each other's throats, or have you made peace?"
Subaru followed Fob's gaze and spotted Jonah Belvoir standing with his usual group of lackeys. Jonah caught sight of Subaru, and for a moment, their eyes met. Jonah's expression was as smug as ever, but there was an edge to his gaze, something calculating.
"Peace? With that guy? Not in this lifetime," Subaru muttered, turning away. "Let's just keep moving before he gets any ideas."
Fob nodded in agreement, and the two continued their walk across the courtyard. But Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that Jonah was still watching him, his presence lingering like a shadow in the back of his mind.
The academy's atmosphere shifted slowly, but perceptibly, over the course of weeks. At first, it was small, almost inconsequential rumors that floated between whispers in the dining halls and muttered conversations in the courtyard. A merchant's son hadn't come home one evening. A classmate's desk sat empty the next morning.
Subaru noticed the way students lowered their voices when they spoke about the absences, the vague and incomplete details whispered under their breath. Fob dismissed it with a casual laugh when Subaru brought it up. "People skip school all the time," he said, gnawing on yet another roll. Subaru wasn't so sure. Something about it gnawed at him too, a little more every day.
The rumors began to pick up speed. One week, it was a young woman from the city who had vanished while traveling home at night. Then it was another student, a boy from the third-year class, who disappeared on his way back from the library after dusk. No one could agree on the details, but the common thread of vanishing without a trace remained constant.
By the second month, it wasn't just whispers anymore. The missing people were the main topic of conversation in the academy halls. Subaru overheard more than a few uneasy murmurs about spirits. "What if it's some rogue spirit going wild?" someone whispered. Another person muttered something about cursed woods near the outskirts of the capital. Subaru wasn't sure what to believe, but he couldn't ignore the tension that was beginning to grip the academy.
Students weren't the only ones noticing. Patrols around the school grounds doubled. The once-lax security tightened, guards posted at every entrance. Teachers, too, seemed more watchful. Professor Erlon's usual scatterbrained demeanor was replaced with a surprising amount of focus during lessons, though his jokes still slipped through now and then. Ms. Maera Vess, however, became sterner than ever, her sharp green eyes scanning every classroom as if daring someone to make a wrong move.
One day, a notice was pinned to the school's announcement board: Mandatory Assembly – All Students and Staff Must Attend.
The assembly hall, grand and filled with the echoes of hundreds of students, was packed shoulder to shoulder. The air hummed with nervous energy as Principal Reginald Harrow stepped onto the stage. His tall, imposing figure loomed over the crowd, the perfectly groomed mustache above his stern lips making him seem even more unapproachable than usual. He surveyed the gathered students in silence for a moment, allowing the restless murmurs to die out.
When he finally spoke, his voice was firm, measured, and resonant. "Students, instructors, staff—I shall not waste time with unnecessary preambles. You are all aware of the troubling reports from within our city, and perhaps even within our academy. Let me be clear: the disappearances are not a matter of idle gossip or paranoia. They are real."
The crowd's murmur returned, louder this time. Maera Vess, standing to Reginald's right, took a step forward, her piercing green eyes silencing the room with a single glare. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her stance as unyielding as her voice.
"You are all to remain vigilant. The academy will now operate under a lockdown. That means no unauthorized trips outside the grounds. No wandering after hours. And no exceptions."
Erlon, standing on the left with his mismatched coat stuffed full of scrolls and tools, scratched the back of his head awkwardly before addressing the students with his usual eccentricity. "Ah, but don't worry too much, folks! We've got layers of magical security on the grounds. Besides, your teachers are highly capable—"
"Focus, Erlon," Maera interrupted, her icy tone cutting through Erlon's words like a blade.
"Right, right," Erlon mumbled, adjusting his thick glasses. "Anyway, just follow the rules, and you'll all be fine." He clapped his hands together as if sealing the matter.
Reginald stepped forward again, his sharp gaze sweeping over the assembly. "Let me emphasize one final point. While you are under our protection, you are also part of this academy. Excellence is not optional—it is required. You will continue your studies, you will focus on your training, and you will maintain discipline. That is all."
With that, the principal turned sharply on his heel and exited the stage, Maera and Erlon following behind him. The crowd remained seated for a moment, buzzing with tension before students began to file out, their conversations subdued and wary.
Subaru walked with Tekka and Renwald back to the dorms, the silence hanging heavily between them. Tekka, uncharacteristically serious, broke the quiet first. "So... it's real, huh? People just... disappearing?" His Kagaragan accent was thicker, a sign of his unease.
Renwald adjusted his coat and muttered, "It's not surprising, given the state of the capital lately. But I don't like this lockdown. It makes me feel... trapped."
Subaru, hands in his pockets, stared ahead as the faint glow of mana lights illuminated the pathway back to the dorms. "Yeah... something's definitely off," he murmured to himself. His thoughts drifted briefly to Elsa, Lublik, and even Irene. Were they safe out there, beyond the academy's walls? And what exactly was causing these disappearances?
The eerie feeling from weeks before returned to him, stronger than ever.
The night had fallen into a quiet stillness, the kind that made even the faintest rustle of leaves sound deafening. Subaru, Tekka, and Renwald had spent the evening grumbling over the new buddy system, a rule they all deemed overly restrictive, though Renwald had pointed out its practicality. Subaru had joked about how it was unnecessary for him—surely the spirits would count as his "buddies," right?
Renwald, always analytical, had taken the moment to quiz Subaru. "Come to think of it," he said, adjusting his glasses, "when was the last time you even summoned a spirit?"
Subaru paused, scratching the back of his head. "I dunno. Probably during the break? I guess it's been a while." He gave a sheepish grin. "Maybe they're on vacation or something."
Renwald sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're unbelievable."
Tekka, lounging on the bed nearby, waved a dismissive hand. "Doesn't matter, yeah?
Subaru's always pulling spirits outta nowhere when things get messy. He'll be fine, and so will we."
Subaru gave him a playful nudge. "That's the spirit!"
"Shut up." Tekka and Renwald agreeing for once.
The banter carried on until they eventually turned in for the night, the tension from earlier dissipating into the comforting normalcy of friendship. All seemed peaceful.
Until the bang.
Subaru jolted upright in bed, his heart pounding. The sound had been loud, like something heavy slamming against wood. The room was still dark, the faint glow of mana lamps from outside barely lighting the space. He glanced around frantically, trying to get his bearings.
"What the hell was that?" Tekka mumbled groggily, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. His messy hair stuck out at odd angles, and his Kagaragan accent was heavier than usual in his half-asleep state.
Renwald was already out of bed, pulling on his coat with the precision of someone who thrived in moments of chaos. "Stay quiet," he said sharply, his voice a low whisper. "We don't know what's out there."
Subaru swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet meeting the cold floor. His pulse raced as he strained his ears, trying to pick up any sounds beyond the pounding of his own heart. For a moment, there was nothing but silence, and then—
Another bang. This time closer.
Subaru's blood ran cold as the sound echoed through the hallways. He glanced at his friends. "Okay, that's not just the wind," he muttered, trying to keep his voice steady.
Tekka, now fully awake, grabbed a wooden practice sword from beside his bed. "What's the plan, then? We gonna investigate?"
Renwald shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. The rules are clear—stay in your rooms unless instructed otherwise. We're not equipped to handle whatever's out there."
"But what if it's something dangerous?" Subaru argued. "We can't just sit here if someone's in trouble."
Renwald hesitated, his icy blue eyes narrowing as he considered the options. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them.
A third bang shattered the silence, this one accompanied by the unmistakable sound of shattering glass.
"Alright, screw it," Tekka said, gripping his makeshift weapon tightly. "I'm not sitting here waiting to be the next target."
Subaru nodded, summoning his courage as he stood. "Renwald, you coming?"
Renwald sighed heavily, muttering something under his breath about reckless idiots. "Fine," he said finally. "But we stick together. No splitting up, no heroics."'
The three boys crept to the door, Subaru leading the way with Tekka and Renwald close behind. The hallway beyond was eerily quiet, the dim mana lights flickering faintly. Shadows danced along the walls, making every corner feel like it was hiding something.
As they moved cautiously down the hall, Subaru couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The air felt heavy, charged with an unsettling energy that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"What do you think it is?" Tekka whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Could be anything," Renwald replied, his tone clipped. "A rogue spirit, maybe. Or worse."
Subaru didn't respond. His mind was racing, his thoughts flickering between the rumors of missing students and the unsettling energy in the air. Whatever was happening, it wasn't normal.
As they reached the end of the hall, they froze. The door to one of the classrooms was ajar, faint light spilling out into the corridor. The three boys exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear.
Subaru took a deep breath, his hand reaching instinctively for the pendant around his neck. "Alright," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest. "Let's see what's going on."
Subaru's hands trembled slightly as he held the two summoned spirits—one a flickering fire spirit, the other the bright and vibrant yang orb. He crouched slightly, keeping his voice low so only his companions could hear. "Alright, little guy," he whispered to the fire spirit, "go check out whatever's out there, but be quick about it. I need a report."
The fire spirit flickered in response, giving off a crackling sound that almost resembled laughter. Despite its playful demeanor, it shot forward, disappearing through the ajar classroom door with an intense glow. Subaru watched it go, his heart pounding as he waited for it to return.
Renwald crossed his arms, unimpressed. "This is ridiculous," he muttered. "We're sneaking around the halls, and now we're relying on spirits for reconnaissance? You're making a big deal out of nothing."
Tekka, on the other hand, leaned in closer, his eyes darting around nervously. "Don't be so sure, Renwald," he whispered, his Kagaragan accent thicker than usual in his unease. "This place feels... off, yeah? Besides, the pipsqueak here usually knows what he's doin' with those spirits of his."
Subaru ignored their bickering, his focus entirely on the fire spirit as it returned. The orb zipped back into the hallway, spinning rapidly as if to relay its findings. Its glow flared brighter, the crackling sound intensifying as it spoke in its unique spirit language.
"What?" Subaru whispered, his face paling. He glanced back at Renwald and Tekka, his voice shaking slightly. "It says... it says there's a mabeast outside."
Renwald raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A mabeast? Here? In the academy? That's absurd. Do you have any idea how unlikely that is?"
Tekka, however, tensed immediately, his hands gripping the wooden practice sword tighter. "Hey, don't just brush it off, Renwald. If he's sayin' there's a mabeast, then maybe there's somethin' out there."
Subaru held up his hands, trying to calm them both. "Look, I'm just telling you what the spirit told me, alright? It said there's something nasty out there—a mabeast. And considering the stuff that's been going on lately... I don't think we should take any chances."
Renwald sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is ridiculous. Mabeasts don't just waltz into the academy grounds. It's probably just some stray animal or something."
Subaru shook his head vehemently. "No, the spirit was clear. This isn't just some stray. This thing is dangerous."
Tekka glanced between the two, clearly torn. "Alright, so... what do we do? Do we tell the teachers? Do we go check it out?"
Subaru hesitated, his eyes darting toward the ajar door. "We can't just ignore it," he said finally, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. "If there's a mabeast out there, we need to make sure it doesn't hurt anyone."
Renwald groaned. "You're insane. Absolutely insane. But fine. If you're so determined to get us killed, let's at least be smart about it."
Subaru nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He glanced at the yang spirit still hovering by his side. "Alright, you're with me. Let's figure this out." He then turned back to Tekka and Renwald. "You two coming, or are you gonna leave me to handle this on my own?"
Tekka sighed, stepping forward with a resigned grin. "Guess I can't let you get all the glory, yeah?"
Renwald hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and stepping forward as well. "If this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you."
Subaru gave them a crooked smile, his heart pounding as they prepared to face whatever was waiting for them. "Fair enough. Let's go."
The boys skidded to a halt as they turned the corner, and what they saw sent chills down their spines. A grotesque, faceless mabeast, with its uneven frame and unnatural gait, loomed in the dimly lit hallway. For a split second, they all just stared—before the mabeast jerked toward them with a horrifying screech.
"AAAAHHH!" Tekka screamed, his Kagaragan accent exaggerated by pure terror.
"RUN!" Subaru shouted, and the three of them bolted like their lives depended on it—which they very well might.
The mabeast lunged after them, its limbs moving erratically but gaining ground faster than they could have anticipated. Subaru's mind raced as he ran, barely registering Renwald's panicked mutterings or Tekka's gasps for breath beside him.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Tekka shouted.
"A mabeast!" Subaru yelled back. "What else would it be?!"
"Why is it here?! In the academy?!"
"Do I look like I know?!"
The faceless creature let out a guttural screech behind them, making all three boys scream in unison like a poorly synchronized choir. Subaru skidded to a halt, turning to face it with trembling hands.
"I'll stop it!" he shouted, summoning a handful of minor spirits. A trio of red fire spirits materialized, their small forms zipping around Subaru with crackling energy. He pointed at the mabeast. "Go get it!"
The fire spirits darted forward, releasing small bursts of flame at the creature. But the mabeast hardly flinched, its grotesque body shrugging off the attacks as it continued to barrel forward.
"It's not working!" Renwald cried, his face pale as he clutched at the wooden staff he carried for training. "We're going to die!"
"Not yet!" Subaru growled. His mana reserves were draining fast, each small attack from the spirits sapping his strength. His breaths were becoming ragged, and the necklace around his neck felt like a heavy weight dragging him down.
"Screw it!" Subaru shouted, grabbing the crystal pendant around his neck and ripping it off with one quick motion. The moment it came free, an overwhelming surge of mana coursed through his body, almost knocking him off his feet. He gasped as dozens—no, hundreds—of spirits began to materialize around him, their glowing forms swirling like a vortex.
"Subaru?! What the hell are you doing?!" Tekka yelled, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Shut up and keep running!" Subaru barked, his voice laced with both fear and determination.
The spirits seemed to respond to Subaru's rising desperation. Their collective energy accumulated into a massive ball of fire that hovered above him, growing brighter and hotter with each passing second. Subaru raised his hand and pointed at the mabeast, his voice echoing through the corridor.
"Burn it to ash!"
The spirits obeyed without hesitation. A colossal beam of fire erupted from the amassed energy, blasting forward with a deafening roar. The mabeast screeched one final time as the beam consumed it, the sheer force of the attack obliterating both the creature and the section of the hallway behind it.
The boys froze, their eyes wide as they stared at the smoldering remains of the mabeast and the charred hallway. The air was thick with heat and the smell of scorched wood.
"What... the hell..." Renwald stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"Subaru, what the hell did you just do?!" Tekka shouted, his voice a mix of awe and panic.
Subaru didn't have time to answer. A low growl echoed from the shadows, and they all turned to see several more mabeasts emerging from the side corridors, their distorted forms illuminated by the flickering flames.
Subaru's heart sank. "You've gotta be kidding me," he muttered, his body already trembling from the massive amount of mana he had just used. He gritted his teeth, summoning every ounce of willpower he had left.
"Stay behind me," Subaru said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. The spirits swirled around him again, their glow intensifying as they prepared for another round.
The boys had no choice but to trust him. This was far from over.
The mabeasts began to gather, their grotesque forms amassing like a tidal wave of malice. Subaru stood firm, sweat dripping down his face as he commanded the spirits with precision. Red and yellow orbs zipped through the air, launching fiery projectiles that struck the advancing creatures with ferocity. The air crackled with heat, and the flickering light of the spirits illuminated the fear-stricken faces of Renwald and Tekka behind him.
But as powerful as Subaru's spirits were, the endless wave of mabeasts seemed insurmountable. Deep within himself, Subaru had made a subconscious decision—he wasn't drawing mana from the environment. He was pulling directly from his own od, the spiritual core within his body. To any observer, this might seem like a reckless choice. Using personal mana reserves was dangerous and draining, especially at this level. But to Subaru, it was a calculated necessity. If he were to draw this much mana from the environment, the resulting shift in the flow of spirits and mana would undoubtedly reveal his secret: he wasn't just another spirit arts user—he was the Spirit King.
The Spirit King. Subaru shuddered internally at the thought, dismissing it as quickly as it surfaced. There was no room for hesitation. His secret was his burden to bear, and he couldn't let anyone know—not even Renwald and Tekka. Especially not here, in the academy, where whispers spread faster than wildfire.
But the toll was beginning to show. Each beam of fire that struck the mabeasts chipped away at Subaru's stamina. His breaths came faster, his arms shook, and the once-flawless coordination of the spirits faltered. The mabeasts, sensing weakness, pressed forward with renewed vigor. Subaru clenched his fists, forcing himself to stand tall despite the growing fatigue.
"Subaru!" Renwald shouted, his voice trembling. "You're overdoing it! Stop before you collapse!"
"Shut up!" Subaru barked back, his tone harsher than he intended. "Just stay behind me! I've got this!"
But even as he said it, doubt crept into his mind. He could feel his od thinning, his body screaming in protest as the mana reserves dwindled. The spirits, ever loyal, continued to fight, but even they seemed to flicker faintly, their vibrant glow dimming.
Behind him, Tekka and Renwald watched helplessly. Renwald gritted his teeth, gripping his wooden staff so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Tekka, ever the optimist, looked pale and shaken, his usual quips absent. But both of them knew they couldn't do anything—Subaru was the only one capable of standing against this onslaught.
Suddenly, a shadow darted past the fiery barrage, too fast for Subaru to react. A mabeast, larger and more grotesque than the others, lunged toward them, its jagged teeth bared and claws gleaming in the flickering light. Renwald and Tekka froze, their eyes wide with terror as the creature closed in.
"NO!" Subaru shouted, whipping around and reaching out with a trembling hand. But his body was too slow, his mana too drained.
Time seemed to slow as the beast closed the gap. Tekka braced himself, and Renwald instinctively stepped in front of him, ready to take the hit.
But the attack never came.
A deafening crack of lightning split the air, illuminating the hallway in a blinding flash. The mabeast howled in agony as the bolt struck it mid-leap, its body convulsing violently before collapsing to the ground in a smoldering heap.
Subaru, Renwald, and Tekka stared in stunned silence as the lingering light from the lightning bolt faded. From the shadows, a familiar voice broke the tension.
"Well, well, well! Look at this mess," Professor Erlon's eccentric voice echoed through the corridor. "And here I thought I'd have a quiet night grading papers."
Subaru turned his head, his legs trembling from exhaustion. Standing at the far end of the hallway was Professor Erlon, his mismatched coat fluttering slightly from the residual charge of his spell. The round glasses on his nose gleamed as he adjusted them, his expression a mix of amusement and irritation.
"You boys really know how to cause a scene," Erlon said, striding forward. His hands crackled faintly with residual lightning magic as he surveyed the charred remains of the mabeasts. "Next time, maybe try screaming a little louder. I almost didn't hear you."
Renwald and Tekka collapsed onto the floor in relief, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Subaru, still standing, let out a weak laugh, his body slumping slightly as the spirits around him began to fade.
"You sure took your time, Professor," Subaru muttered, his voice shaky but laced with his usual sarcasm.
Erlon smirked, his eyes narrowing as he looked directly at Subaru. "And you sure took a lot of liberties with that little mana pool of yours, kid. We'll talk about that later."
Subaru gulped, his fatigue momentarily overshadowed by a sense of dread. But for now, they were safe, and that was all that mattered.