Chapter 1: Kami Academy

BEEP BEEP BEEP.Asahi's alarm screamed like a banshee at war."Ughhh…" he groaned, dragging his body off the bed as if gravity had doubled overnight. His fingers fumbled across the nightstand until the alarm finally went silent with a dull click.

Three months. That's how long it had been since he left the orphanage—though "left" was a generous word. More like exiled. Kicked out with nothing but a duffel bag of clothes, and a warning not to return.

Now, in front of the mirror, he pulled on the sleeves of his crisp, red uniform. The buttons clicked into place, one by one. A glint caught his eye.Not bad, he thought, tilting his head. This uniform looks fly. He adjusted his collar and gave himself a nod.Alright. Let's do this.

The morning breeze greeted him by seeping through the thin fabric of his uniform. It whispered through the alleyways and bit at his ears as he passed the corner store. The wind's stare was less welcoming—more like a dare. Eventually, he gave in and stepped inside.

A little bell jingled overhead. The warm scent of bread and sugary pastries hit his nose like a fond memory. He hovered near the counter, glancing between the star cakes and the healthier options with a look of betrayal.

Maybe I should start eating healthy if I'm really trying to become a warlock. Can't cast spells if I'm fueled by sugar and regret.

"Asahi, why don't you grab your usual?" The shopkeeper's voice cut through his thoughts. The man had a grin that always seemed one joke away from laughing.

Asahi scratched his head, offering a sheepish smile. "Trying to fix my diet, y'know? Gotta live longer than twenty."

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow and slid a bag of mixed greens across the counter. The label read: "Vegetable Surprise." The bag was suspiciously quiet, as if even the vegetables weren't thrilled about what was inside.

Am I seriously giving up star cakes for this?

With "Vegetable surprise" in-hand, the automatic doors whooshed shut behind him. Cold wind outside; colder reality inside. But then, the academy loomed ahead—grand, imposing, alive. His steps quickened.

I can't believe I'm actually here. Maybe today I'll make a friend. Or even talk to a girl. Or… okay, even a nod from someone would be nice.

His thoughts shattered when a voice rang out like a cannon.

"HEY YOU!"

Asahi's eyes raced up, startled.

"Me?"

"I'm pointing at you, am I not?" A finger jabbed in his direction like a sword.

"Oh. O-okay..." he muttered, approaching cautiously.Please don't be an old member from the orphanage.

The boy wore the same red uniform but had a jet-black mop of hair and a wild grin stretched across his face. His energy radiated like a firework just before it exploded.

He took a dramatic breath and yelled:"WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE SUPER DUPER ULTIMATE BLACK-BELT FIGHTING CLUB FOR YOUNG ROOKIES IN TRAINING?!"

Asahi stared at him. Blinking was his only defense. "Uh… what?"

The boy didn't miss a beat. "Didn't catch that? It's cool, I'll say it again—WOULD YOU LIKE TO JO—"

"No, no, I heard you," Asahi interrupted, hands up. "Loud and… clear." He took a small step back, partly to create distance, partly to keep his eardrums intact.

The boy's headband caught the wind, fluttering dramatically. He couldn't have been older than Asahi, but carried himself like a cult leader hosting a recruitment seminar."So you're not interested?"

Asahi forced a crooked smile. "No, I… I might be. Possibly."

The boy grinned like he'd just won the lottery. "OKAY, MAGGOT. FOLLOW ME!" He jabbed a finger down the hallway.

Asahi looked around at the other students giving them sideways glances. "Can you maybe tone it down a bit? I can literally hear the judgment."

"Nah," the boy said with conviction. "Your voice has to be HEARD!"

The judgment got worse. Students whispered. Someone pointed.

"The name's Ryu," the boy added, throwing an arm over Asahi's shoulders. "What about you, new recruit?"

"Asahi," he replied, stiff as a board under the unwanted affection.This guy is a walking fever dream. But… it was the first time anyone had actually invited him to something.

"Alright, Asahi. Since you're new, you follow what me and the crew say, got it?"

"...Got it?"

The clubroom door squealed open like it hadn't been touched in years. Asahi stepped inside and stopped.

Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Dust covered the desks like a second layer of skin. A single window had been boarded up from the inside."This place could double as a haunted house."

"And this," Ryu declared proudly, "is second-in-command—Mr. Stuffles." He held up a ragged pink bunny plushie like it was royalty. "He's a legend."

Okay. I take it back. He's not just weird. He's deranged. tears silently fell down Asahi's face.

Ryu pointed out other "members" of the stuffed army—Sir Meowsalot, Doug Muffins—before the bell finally rang.

"Aw man, I didn't even get to show you Captain Fluffy Wrath."

"I am heartbroken," Asahi deadpanned, inching toward the door.

"Look," Ryu said, a surprising earnestness entering his voice. "No one joined last year. Not one person. So when I saw you, I figured… maybe this year's different. Just give it a shot, and try to recruit at least one more?"

The classroom door creaked open behind them. Asahi gave him a nod, almost imperceptibly. "I'll think about it."

He stepped into Class 1-E, his stomach a tight knot of nerves. The room was already buzzing with activity. Students with wings, tusks, tails, and all kinds of features filled the room. One kid even looked like a walking tree.

They weren't lying. This academy is seriously next-level.

"Pick a seat anywhere!" the teacher called out, pushing her glasses up.

Asahi claimed a corner seat, hoping invisibility came free with enrollment.If no one sits next to me, that's fine. Less explaining to do. Less risk.

But then—

"Mind if I sit here?"

His head snapped up. A girl—tall, elegant, wearing a halo of effortless confidence—was already pulling the chair out. Her eyes met his. Warm. Curious.

Asahi froze.Do something! Anything!

"Uh… hello?" she waved her hand in front of his face.

"H-HUH? OH YEAH—SURE! HAHA!" he blurted. His voice cracked. His dignity cracked harder.

She smiled. "What's your name?"

"A-A-Asahi!" he coughed out. "A-and yours?"

"Eve," she said, resting her chin on her palm.

Sweet mother of Neptune, I'm gonna die right here in this chair.

Is this guy okay? I just asked for his name, he's acting like I just proposed, Eve thought, chuckling to herself.

"Alright, class!" the teacher interrupted, clapping her hands. "Welcome to Kami Academy. I'm Mrs. M. Let's go over today's orientation."

She handed out a list:

Spirit Bubble Technique

In-Galaxy Exploration

Spirit Spells

Combat

History

Mrs. M tapped the board. "These are the first-year standards, and trust me,I know everyone's excited to visit other planets, but without the Spirit Bubble Technique, you'll fall from orbit and burn like charcoal. So I suggest you pay attention."

WHAT?! FALL AND BURN?!

Asahi gripped his hair, wide-eyed.

"Jeez, chill," Eve whispered. "Pay attention and you'll be fine."

He nodded slowly, thankful for the moment of kindness.

RINGG. The bell sounded the end of the day.

Oh no! The club! Ryu's gonna be crushed if I don't bring someone.

He glanced around. His eyes locked with Eve's.Nope. Too intimidating. She'd never say yes. He looked away.

Minutes passed. No recruits. Nothing.

—

"Well," Ryu said with a hollow smile, "we still have one more day."

"What do you mean?" Asahi asked.

Before Ryu could answer—KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. The door swung open.

Three towering, gorilla-like students stood there.

"C'mon, Ryu," one said. "Nobody wants to be in your club."

"Yeah, you should've stayed with us," another added. "We lost the Club Games 'cause of you."

"You've got no one. We said—three members or we take the room," the third growled.

Ryu looked down. His voice softened. "Yeah… I know."

The silence was crushing. Asahi stared at him—this wasn't the loudmouth he met this morning. This was someone trying to hold together something that mattered to him.

And in that moment, something in Asahi snapped.

"He does have three members!" he shouted.

—

Across campus, Eve sat alone in her dorm. The cereal in her bowl floated, forgotten. The TV played quietly in the background. She sighed, curling into her hoodie.

I guess I have to go over there now. She rises from her dorm room couch, grabs a coat, and steps out.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

She swerved to her left. Lifted her head.

"There you are!" Asahi shouted, sprinting down the hallway like a lunatic.

What the hell?!

"We don't have much time!" he yelled, grabbing her hand.

"Wait! What's going on?!" Eve screamed back flustered.

"No time to explain!"

Their eyes met. His were determined. Urgent. Desperate—but not in a bad way.

"But… why me?"

"Because we need you."