Chapter 2 – Dimensional Trigger Arts
The next morning, sunlight streamed into Blackgate Academy, hitting Daisuke's desk as he opened his notebook. It looked ordinary, but inside were his notes: diagrams of stances, seals, and glyphs that seemed unreal.
Last night, he'd fully used the Dimensional Trigger for the first time. His hands still tingled, like his body was out of sync. He remembered the fight: everything slowed down, his counter-strike was perfect, and reality bent just enough for him to move faster than his challenger.
But there was something else.
When he used the Trigger, he felt… doors. Real doors. Lots of them, all around him. He'd touched one before the power faded. Inside was a dojo under a weird sky with a black sun. It haunted him.
"Daisuke," someone said.
He looked up. Mina Asakura was next to him, her dark hair shining. She was the best in their class, and always seemed ready for a fight.
"You've been staring at that page for a while," she said, teasingly. "Planning out your day or plotting something?"
"Neither," Daisuke said, closing his notebook. "Just going over skills."
"Skills you can't use in class," Mina said with a smirk. "The instructors get jumpy when you make up your moves. They still remember what Kaito did."
"I'm not Kaito," he said.
"Maybe."
Before he could answer, Renji Takahara—loud, big, and always trying to be heard—spoke up from behind.
"What are you two whispering about? Love stuff or fight stuff?" he asked. "If it's fight stuff, count me in. I need to get warmed up."
Mina rolled her eyes. "If you want to fight, find someone who's awake."
"Don't worry. I'll let him eat first," Renji said, grinning.
Classes dragged on. Daisuke was losing patience. They had lectures on combat law, rift safety, and weapon checks. Necessary, but boring. When they finally got to the training yard, he went to his usual corner to work on his Dimensional Trigger Arts.
He couldn't learn this at a regular dojo. It came from mixing martial arts with what he saw behind those "doors." He called the first move Frame Step. It shifted your view, letting you strike before your challenger could react.
Daisuke took a breath, focusing on the air in front of him. He stepped forward, lowering his body. The world slowed for a second before snapping back to normal.
Better, but not good enough.
"Trying to cheat physics again?" Mina asked from behind. She was leaning against the fence.
"You followed me," Daisuke said.
"Easy to do. You look like you're up to no good. So, what's this? A new move?"
"…Something like that."
She stepped closer, ready. "Show me."
He hesitated. He hadn't shown anyone Frame Step, not because he didn't trust Mina, but because it was hard to explain.
"Okay," he said. "Come at me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Feeling bold."
She attacked fast, kicking at his ribs. He used Frame Step, and reality flickered open. Mina's kick slowed, her muscles stretching.
He moved, got behind her, and tapped her shoulder. When the world went back to normal, she stumbled, surprised.
"…Okay," she said. "That wasn't speed. That was… something else."
"Dimensional Trigger Arts," he said. "It's not about speed, it's about moving between moments."
Mina sighed. "That's dangerous, Daisuke."
"I know."
Before Mina could say anything else, Renji walked into the yard, cracking his knuckles. "Perfect, you're both here."
"We're busy," Mina said.
"Not for long," Renji said, getting ready to fight. "I saw that move of yours. I want to see if it works when someone's trying to hit you."
Mina looked at Daisuke, warning him. He sighed and tightened his gloves.
Renji charged in, throwing punches. He was strong and loud, meant to beat you down. Daisuke dodged the first few, getting a feel for Renji's rhythm.
Then, on the fourth punch, Daisuke used Frame Step.
Renji's fist slowed. The air shimmered around it. Daisuke moved and hit Renji's chest. Renji barely moved, and grinned.
"Not bad," Renji said. "Now my turn."
He came in again, faster. Daisuke tried Frame Step again, but the air felt different. It was… harder.
Renji's fist hit his jaw.
So I can't use it twice yet.
The fight went back and forth. Daisuke used Frame Step when he had to, and Renji adjusted. By the end, they were both tired, and the students watching were talking.
"You've got skills," Renji said. "Keep practicing. I'll be back for another round."
That night, Daisuke sat in his room, focusing on the feeling under reality. The doors were there again. He reached for the one with the black sun.
As soon as he touched it, his room disappeared. He was in a silent dojo, polished and dark. The sky was wrong, red clouds moving across a black sun.
A figure stood at the end of the hall, hidden in white robes.
"You opened the door," the figure said, its voice echoing.
"What is this place?" Daisuke asked.
"This is the first hall. Each door will take you to a different place, each holding a piece of the Dimensional Trigger Arts. But be careful—every skill has a price."
"What price?"
The figure tilted its head. "You will find out. Or you will stop opening doors."
Before Daisuke could speak, the world disappeared, and he was back in his room, sweating.
He opened his notebook and wrote down everything. Frame Step was just the start. The first door was open. The others were waiting.