Shadows of Destiny!

The eventful day finally came to a close as dusk gave way to nightfall.

The once-bustling streets had quieted, and the warm glow of lanterns flickered in the evening breeze, casting long shadows along the stone pathways.

Ryuu, Ryoko, Seichii, and Masumi stepped out of the Association's gates, exhaustion evident in their postures but determination still burning in their eyes.

The grand arches of the gate loomed behind them, a symbol of the elite status they had just been granted.

The cool night air was refreshing after the trials of the day, but as they began their walk toward their homes, a familiar presence stopped them in their tracks.

Standing in front of them, waiting patiently, were Shigeru and Akiko, their faces illuminated by the faint light.

"Congratulations to you all for being selected as the Elite students,"

Shigeru began, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility that was impossible to ignore.

"But the path ahead is going to be very dangerous."

His normally easygoing expression was replaced with a look of firm seriousness.

The atmosphere tensed as his words sank in.

Masumi, standing at the back, hesitated before stepping forward, her eyes glistening with tears.

"M-Morishita-san..."

she whispered, her voice trembling. The emotion overwhelmed her, and she dropped to her knees, bowing deeply in front of Shigeru.

"Thank you...! Thank you very much for selecting me as the ninth Elite student. I don't know how to repay you for this opportunity!"

Her hands shook, and the tears flowed freely.

This moment was a culmination of all her hard work and determination, but there was still uncertainty in her heart—fear of what was to come.

Shigeru, seeing her vulnerability, gave her a soft, reassuring smile.

"You don't need to bow before me, Sakaguchi-san,"

He said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder to raise her back up.

"This isn't just about what I decided—this is the result of your own hard work and resilience.

Think of it also as my way of repaying you for saving both my and Akiko's lives."

Masumi blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her past actions.

During a mission gone awry, it had been her healing magic that brought them back from the brink of death.

"If it weren't for you using your healing abilities to cure us, we wouldn't be standing here in front of you now. I should be the one thanking you."

Shigeru's words softened the weight Masumi felt, and her tears slowly subsided.

Akiko smiled brightly from beside him, offering her silent support, and Masumi returned a small, hopeful smile of her own.

"But..."

Shigeru's expression darkened, bringing the mood back to a grim reality.

"The road from here will only grow more dangerous. There are things out there that are beyond our understanding.

You may even come to regret this choice in the future.

Fighting demons is not something everyone can do, and I'm afraid you'll all face trials that may be far worse than anything you've experienced so far."

His eyes moved over each of them, landing on Ryuu last.

Ryuu stood tall, confidence practically radiating from him despite the day's exhaustion.

"Master, we'll be fine,"

Ryuu said, giving a firm nod, his tone filled with fiery determination.

"No one can harm us if we stick together!"

His words echoed with a promise. He had faced dangers before—he'd lost and regained so much—but this was a battle that tested not just strength, but heart and spirit.

Shigeru's serious expression softened for a moment, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I hope you're right..."

He murmured.

"But for now, all of you need to rest. Your injuries are not fully healed yet, and you will need every ounce of strength for what's ahead.

In three days, you will depart for Europe. Prepare yourselves. We don't know what lies in wait for us there."

At that, the group exchanged serious looks before slowly dispersing, each heading toward their respective homes.

Shigeru and Akiko watched them as they left, lingering in the silence of the night.

.

.

.

.

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit chamber deep within the heart of the city, a figure sat in a grand leather chair.

The man was well-built, his muscled frame barely contained by the dark robe draped over him.

He gazed out of a window, watching the moon rise over the skyline.

Click.

The heavy door to the room opened, and a robed man entered, his attire grand and imposing.

This was Shinju, the president of the Elite Council. His cold, calculating eyes found the man in the chair—Shigeru—who stood and bowed before him.

"You're finally here,"

Shinju said, his voice dripping with authority and unspoken suspicion.

"You've got some explaining to do, don't you, the greatest scholar, Morishita Shigeru?"

Shigeru, rising from his bow, smiled slyly.

"What could the president want to know from me?"

He asked, his voice deceptively light.

Shinju's expression hardened.

"Don't play games with me, Shigeru. We both know why I'm here.

Why did you suddenly request that Sakaguchi Masumi be made the ninth Elite student?"

Shigeru's grin widened, but his eyes darkened.

"Ah, I thought you might have figured it out by now, President Shinju. But it seems I'll have to explain."

Shinju remained calm, though he didn't miss the subtle tension in Shigeru's voice.

"It's just my personal opinion," Shigeru said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Do you think I'd accept that as an excuse?" Shinju snapped.

"You, of all people, don't make decisions based on personal opinions. Tell me the real reason."

Shigeru chuckled, closing his eyes briefly before turning serious.

"The main reason isn't Sakaguchi-san at all... it's Sengoku Seichii."

Shinju blinked, taken aback.

"Sengoku Seichii?"

He repeated.

"What does he have to do with Masumi being selected?"

Shigeru's expression became grave, his tone dropping low.

"There's something unusual about that boy. You might not have sensed it, but I have.

There's a dark energy around him, something I've never seen before.

He's just an A-rank student, yet he was able to cast a High-level magic spell during the Inter-Division Competition.

Not even Raijin could manage that."

Shinju's eyes narrowed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Are you suggesting that Seichii is connected to the unknown figure?"

"I don't know for certain," Shigeru admitted.

"But today, when that figure appeared and its eyes fell on the students, it lingered on Seichii.

And it wasn't just the figure... Seichii himself has been acting strange.

During the ceremony, he didn't even realize he was selected as an Elite until Aramiya-kun pointed it out to him."

Shinju frowned, unsettled.

"You think this might be connected to the recent surge in demonic activity and that Azure flame of Aramiya Ryuu?"

"I'm afraid so,"

Shigeru replied, his voice heavy.

"Something is changing—rapidly. Ryuu's sudden emergence of the Azure flame, the increase in demon sightings, the appearance of the unknown figure, and now this dark energy surrounding Seichii.

The pieces are falling into place, but the picture they form is something we've never seen before."

Shinju sighed, his concern mirroring Shigeru's.

"And what if these changes... turn them into a threat to humanity?"

Shigeru remained silent, the memories of his time spent with Ryuu and Seichii flashing through his mind. Then, with conviction, he answered

"No. They won't. I've seen their hearts. No matter what happens, they won't let harm come to the people around them."

Shinju paused, then nodded. "Let's hope you're right.".....