The academy felt calmer that evening.
The excitement from the arena demonstration had faded into low conversations across the dormitory halls. Students reviewed their notes, practiced breathing exercises, or simply rested after the long day.
In one of the smaller practice rooms behind the dormitories, Kairo sat cross-legged on the wooden floor.
The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of energy lamps mounted along the walls.
His notebook lay open in front of him.
On one page he had written the three basic energies again and again:
Reikou — Life force
Yami — Destructive energy
Hikari — Light energy
He stared at the words, thinking about what Takahano had said in the arena.
Energy is not a weapon you simply pick up.
Kairo slowly closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Just like they were taught in the first meditation class.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then he felt it again.
A faint vibration in his chest.
Not strong… but steady.
A thin ripple of blue light flickered across his palms.
Kairo opened one eye carefully.
The Reikou glow appeared for a moment then faded.
He sighed.
"At least it's something…"
A wooden sword suddenly tapped the floor beside him.
"Your breathing is uneven."
Kairo jumped slightly and turned around.
Kimimaru stood near the doorway, holding two practice swords.
His expression was calm as always.
"I didn't hear you come in," Kairo said.
Kimimaru shrugged.
"You were concentrating."
He tossed one of the wooden swords toward Kairo.
Kairo caught it awkwardly.
"What's this for?"
Kimimaru stepped into the center of the room.
"Energy control isn't only meditation."
He lifted his own sword.
"Sometimes your body understands faster than your mind."
Kairo slowly stood up.
"You want to spar?"
Kimimaru nodded.
"Light practice."
Kairo wasn't convinced it would be light, but he stepped forward anyway.
They circled each other quietly.
Kimimaru moved first.
His wooden sword swung down quickly.
Kairo blocked it, barely keeping his balance.
The impact vibrated through his arms.
Kimimaru stepped back.
"Again."
Kairo attacked this time.
His swing was clumsy, but Kimimaru deflected it easily.
Their wooden blades clacked against each other several times.
Kimimaru's movements were precise.
Controlled.
Every step looked effortless.
Kairo quickly realized something.
Kimimaru wasn't trying to win.
He was adjusting his speed.
Matching Kairo's pace.
"Why are you helping me?" Kairo asked between swings.
Kimimaru paused.
For a moment he seemed to consider the question.
Then he answered simply.
"Because someone helped me once."
Kairo lowered his sword slightly.
Kimimaru continued.
"When I first arrived here, my control was worse than yours."
Kairo blinked.
"That's hard to believe."
Kimimaru gave a faint smile.
"Takahano sensei didn't think so."
The room fell quiet.
Kimimaru rested the wooden sword on his shoulder.
"He made me practice every evening for three months."
"What kind of practice?" Kairo asked.
Kimimaru tapped his sword against Kairo's.
"This."
Kairo looked confused.
"Sparring?"
"No," Kimimaru said.
"Patience."
He stepped forward again.
"Energy flows through motion. If your body is calm, your Reikou will follow."
They resumed sparring.
This time Kairo focused on breathing.
Swing.
Block.
Step.
Slowly… the vibration returned.
A faint blue glow flickered along the wooden sword.
Kimimaru noticed immediately.
"Good," he said quietly.
Kairo blinked.
"You saw that?"
Kimimaru nodded.
"Again."
They continued for several minutes.
Kairo's movements became smoother.
Not perfect.
But better.
Finally Kimimaru lowered his sword.
"That's enough."
Kairo collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily.
"You call that light practice?"
Kimimaru sat down across from him.
"Yes."
Kairo groaned.
After a moment, the door slid open.
Professor Takahano stepped inside.
Both students straightened immediately.
"Sensei," Kimimaru said respectfully.
Takahano looked around the room.
"I thought I might find someone practicing here."
His eyes moved between them.
"Good work."
Kairo scratched his head nervously.
"Sorry if we weren't supposed to use the room."
Takahano shook his head.
"Practice is never a problem."
He stepped closer and looked at the faint blue marks still glowing on the wooden floor.
"You felt it again, didn't you?"
Kairo nodded slowly.
"Yes… but it disappears quickly."
"That's normal," Takahano said.
He knelt down so he was at eye level with Kairo.
"Reikou energy is like a river."
Kairo listened carefully.
"If you try to force it, the current becomes chaotic."
Takahano tapped the wooden floor lightly.
"But if you learn its rhythm…"
A faint golden light flickered in his palm.
"…it flows naturally."
The glow faded again.
Kairo felt strangely calmer just watching it.
Takahano stood up.
"Kimimaru."
"Yes, sensei."
"You've improved your guidance."
Kimimaru bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
Kairo noticed something subtle.
The way Kimimaru spoke to Takahano wasn't just respect.
It was trust.
Like a student speaking to someone he truly relied on.
Takahano walked toward the door.
"Both of you should get some rest."
He paused before leaving.
"The exam is tomorrow morning."
Kairo nearly fell over.
"Tomorrow?!"
Kimimaru nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Takahano gave a faint smile.
"You'll do fine."
Then he stepped into the hallway.
The door slid closed behind him.
Kairo leaned back against the wall.
"I'm definitely failing."
Kimimaru stood up and picked up his wooden sword.
"No."
He tossed Kairo his notebook.
"You won't."
Kairo looked at the pages.
For the first time…
The notes didn't seem impossible anymore.
Outside the dormitory windows, the night sky stretched quietly over Reikosha Academy.
And somewhere far beyond the academy walls…
Something ancient was beginning to stir.