Ray moved purposefully, taking control of Kai’s wheelchair. Together, they ascended the stage. Gasps echoed as Justin gestured his hand towards Kai. “Kai Hamada, who topped the entrance exam!”
As the announcement was made, the nobles were in disbelief. “How could someone who had just become a noble top the exam?” Whispers started to form around them. Many were in disbelief; many were not satisfied with the results. Among the student as well, many felt it was wrong of Kai being top, while only few were in awe. The commoner students started to look up to him, wondering if Kai was a genius.
Back in the royal seat, Maximus and Celestina were taken aback, together among the students, Niatina and Mono as well were in shock. “Didn’t he become a noble just a months ago?” The question synced in their mind, wondering what kind of study did he pull, to rank in the top.
But in the stage, Kai was busy in his own thoughts. “Looking at them, I can say for sure… Most of them aren’t satisfied with my first rank. I definitely should have made a few mistakes.” He sighs, as he looks over Ray, who was staring in blank space. He too was having a hard time believing it.
“But I can bet no one was as shocked as him…,” Kai wonders to himself, smiling, recalling the time his rank was announced.
Flash Back:
The hall buzzed with anticipation as Justin's holographic display spoke up. The three—Ray, Hiro, and Sakura—stood together, their hearts racing. Kai just observed, but internally wishing to go back to his room.
“Kai Hamada,” Justin’s voice echoed, “you passed the written exam and aced the magic evaluation. And with both combined, you achieved the highest marks in the entire exam!”
A collective gasp escaped Hiro and Sakura’s lips. Ray’s eyes widened; disbelief etched across his features. “Congratulations, Kai!” Justin continued, his hologram shimmering. “You ranked first among all the students! Get ready to be the center of attention!”
As the hologram vanished, Kai couldn’t help but smile to himself. "Maybe I should have made a few mistakes?" he questioned internally, glancing at the others. But what he saw surprised him even more.
Hiro and Sakura stood there, speechless, still processing the news. Kai gently shook them, pulling them back to reality. “Kai!” they erupted in joy, embracing him tightly. Their warmth enveloped him—the feeling of family.
Yet, Kai’s gaze shifted to the person behind him: Ray. "Uh-oh… Guess he was too shocked," Kai mused, observing Ray’s jaw hanging open, eyes fixed on empty space. Not a blink. Not a reaction.
Kai waved his hand in front of Ray’s face, but there was no response. Sakura and Hiro noticed the change too, their concern growing. They tried to rouse Ray, but it took a full two hours for him to snap back to reality.
Still having a hard time believing, Ray questioned Kai, “How did you top the exam when you didn’t study as I asked?” Kai simply shrugged, while Ray continued to nag him with questions.
Back to Present:
Justin turned to Kai. “Now, young one. I am kind of curious about something,” he said, “Since you were just recently brought back to your family, you must have went to the church to gain your unique skill, right?" he asked, as Kai simply nodded. Justin smiles to him, asking him another question. "Then, why don't you tell us about the unique skill you acquired during your time at the church.”
The question raised curiosity among the crowd, whispering about what he might have got. Kai hesitated. "Should I reveal it?" Ray too looked over him with curious looks.
After a few seconds of thought, Kai smiled. His projection appeared beside him, words forming in it. “Very well,” it read. “My unique skill is called ‘Matchmaker.’”
Confusion rippled through the hall. Parents leaned closer; students exchanged puzzled glances. Maximus raised an eyebrow, while Celestina looked confused. Niatina’s eyes narrowed, and Mono stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“And what does this skill do?” Justin pressed.
Kai’s projection changed. “Well, in simple terms,” it read, “I can determine if a couple is compatible or not. Love matches, arranged marriages, soulmates—I can see the threads that bind them.”
As he explains his skill, a collective gasp swept through the audience. Some whispered excitedly, while others exchanged skeptical glances. Ray’s eyes slightly widened, Maximus and Celestina look at each other in disbelief. Mono and Niatina are speechless, wondering if what Kai said was true. But Hiro and Sakura remained calm, knowing about his skill beforehand.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
But in Kai’s mind, another truth lingered. “I better not tell them about being able to see aura around people as well…”
But this caught Justin’s curiosity. He started to question Kai with many questions-
“So, you can make anyone fall for another person? Does it only work with pairs or random person? Is it only with a girl and a guy, or you can see in other ways as well?”
Questions kept coming at Kai, but all he could do was sigh. Slowly, Kai just politely responded, saying through his screen. “I didn’t really test the skill yet…”
Justin was saddened, not able to get much intel on it, but the orientation went on. After few more explanation by Justin about the classes and dormitory system, his speech ended, as well as the orientation.
Students went around with their friends and family to look around the academy. But Kai and Ray were waiting for the hall to clear up, as Elysia ran up to them, in her new uniform. Ray and Kai both smiled at her, as she proceeded to tell them about being in the same class as her friends. Slowly, Hiro and Sakura came to them as well.
Maximus and Celestina as well came after a while, with Mono and Niatina behind them. Celestina then spoke up, “I didn’t know Kai had such a wonderful skill.” To this, Sakura smiles at her, saying she wanted it to be a surprise. Maximus too asks if he used it before, to which Kai nodded, showing his finger towards Hiro and Sakura as the projection appeared again.
“I checked it on mom and dad, and their compatibility showed up as 98%”
As they read it, Maximus looked at Hiro with a sly smile. Nudging him with his elbow, Maximus whispered to Hiro. “Wow~ Such a loving husband you are, huh~”
Hiro just sighs, slightly blushing, as Celestina asked Kai. “Can you check it on us too then?” To which, Kai nodded, as Maximus paused, turning his attention to Kai. “Wait… what…?”
Kai activated his skill, his eyes formed a few colors in them, before he looked at Maximus and Celestina. Kai observed a few seconds, as the others were observing him. After few seconds, Kai replied, as his projection changed words.
“97%” it read, as Ray, Mono, Niatina and Sakura said in syn. “Wow.” But Hiro got hyped. “Ha!! I won!” Pointing his finger at Maximus, who questioned Kai asking how his score can be lowered than Hiro’s. But Hiro just said to him, “You should accept the reality, Max,” with a mocking smile on his face. They both started to argue, while Sakura and Celestina whispered among themselves. But at that moment, Ray was looking at Kai, in deep thoughts. But after a few seconds, he looked over Niatina, who was also looking towards him. As they eyes met, they quickly looked away. Tension and guilt clear in their eyes.
After some time, Kai and Ray, along with Mono and Niatina went ahead to look at their rooms. Elysia too went along them, after asking Sakura and Hiro. As the five went out, Maximus, Hiro, Sakura and Celestina were left behind, smiling at them.
But as they went out of the hall, the warm atmosphere suddenly dropped. No one was smiling anymore. Everyone had a serious look, as they glanced at each other. Just at that moment, Justin appeared behind them. “Finally got time, huh.” Justin said, walking towards them. The four of them looked over him, as Maximus spoke up first.
“It’s no time for jokes, Justin…” His voice serious, in a cold tone. Justin just gave a small smile, “I know,” he said. “But, let’s go somewhere else.” As he said so, a magic circle appeared below all five of them, as they all got teleported to a huge library.
Many wooden shelves, with uncountable number of books in them. And in the middle, was the statue of the God of Knowledge: Sapuis. Around him, revolved five books. All locked up with magical chains. And in his right hand lifted towards the sky, held a magical watch, that floated above.
The library was silent, until Hiro spoke up. “Where are the records?” he asked, as Justin levitated in the air, smiling. “Right, let me see…” He looked over a few shelves from the distance, until he found a book among them. “Got it!” As he said so, the book started to float towards him, and soon in his hands as he landed back.
“Here’s the book,” he showed it to them. “The one with the record of the previous emperor.” Maximus took the book from him, as a long sigh escapes his lips. His hands shook, as he tried to open the book. But Hiro put his hand on his shoulder, as Maximus looked over him and Hiro nodded.
Maximus took a deep breath, as this time, he finally opened the book. As the book opened, its pages turned, now the book levitating in air. Everyone in the room watched the book floating, as the pages started to scatter around, and one of them landed in front of Maximus, levitating in front of him.
He took the page, as Hiro, Sakura and Celestina, all together looked on the writings in the page. Scanning the page, Maximus started to read it out loud.
“-The Sun gets consumed by evil, its once-golden brilliance faded to obsidian. The land lay shrouded in darkness, hope extinguished like a dying ember. Forgotten demons stirred from their Aeon-long slumber, their ancient chains groaning as time, frozen in the annals of the ancients, began its inexorable march once more-”
Silence fell over them, as Maximus starts massaging his forehead. “It’s the same as the high priest said…” Just then, Celestina gasps, her voice shaking, breaking down. “That means… Mono will…,” panic starts to fill her voice, as a memory stirs in her mind.
On a dark night, lit with fire all around in the palace. Burning anything that comes to its way, leaving no traces behind. The source, in the grand hall of the palace. Celestina sitting down on ground, crying, asking to let her go. But Maximus held her tight, saying everything will be fine, as he could only look in front of them; a little girl, standing at the center of the flames. Her eyes showing a unique glow with the fire around her.
Celestina started to shake, fear evident in her eyes. But Maximus held her hand tight, as he pulled her over, and gave a hug. “It won’t happen again. We already took care of it, remember…” His voice soft, but a slight hint of guilt in it. Celestina sniffled, as she slowly nodded. Hiro and Sakura just looked at them, reassuring each other, as Justin walked up to them.
“Well, it’s good to see you guys were able to solve it.” Smiling, he added. “But right now, shall we discuss about our plan?”
-To be continued