The chapter began as Shinku continued to train using dual revolver blades for target practice. Ryota left Shinku with a co-worker of his to learn kenjutsu to effectively use his weapons.

After a month of training, he was well known by the other staff members as a prodigy of sorts. “There’s no way he’s only 10 years old,” remarked one. “Never in my life have I met a kid his age so respectful and talented,” added another. “It seems like everything we try to teach he picks up after a few tries,” noted a third.

With his weapon, although he still struggled with his aim, he was going down the right path. With a week before Shinku was readmitted to his new middle school, Ryota sat him down for a serious conversation.

“Shinku, I gotta sit you down and tell you something. This isn’t a normal middle school like the one you went to before. This is Nexus Academy, where magic is everything. But you cannot go around forcing people to do what you want just because you can. You're stronger than most people, so no matter what, you need to control yourself as much as you can,” Ryota explained.

Shinku nodded his head in agreement. In the school, there were different classes and two different departments. The classes ranged from S-F. In the combat course, placement was based on both a written and combat exam. As the day slowly crept closer, Shinku became more nervous. Finally, the day of the written exam arrived.

Shinku stared at the school’s exterior and trembled from nerves. “It’s okay. I’ll ace this test and get into Nexus,” he reassured himself. Shinku looked at his test anxiously until he remembered how intensely he had studied for the written exam. “Oh my gosh, yes! All these questions look easy to me. Thank you, Ryota, for making me study so much,” he thought to himself.

The exam finally came to an end, and the students left the exam room. Before walking off, a school director approached them with information and instructions.

“Hello, children. Glad to see everybody today. I am informing you that after the written exam, there is a week-long gap before combat exams. Use that time to train your magic control. But to finish off the day, we will be having a tour of the school grounds. Now, follow me,” the director announced.

As the students were guided through the school, they were shown the dorms, library, cafeteria, and the main building. On the tour, Shinku heard a small skirmish behind him. Three boys that looked noticeably wealthy were ganging up on a dark-skinned boy wearing a mask.

As Shinku walked closer, he heard the boy accidentally stepped on his foot. “How dare you, a lowly plebeian like you, even touch me, much less step on my shoe! This shoe costs more than your life, you know. You’re going to lick my shoe clean, now!” one of the arrogant boys demanded.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The boy being pinned softly refused, and the arrogant boy insisted he couldn't hear him. He pulled down his mask to reveal a smile with sharp teeth as he replied, “There's no way I’m licking your shoe clean, and I won’t apologize.”

The arrogant boy then threatened him, “Do you know who I am? I’m Kenshin Arrogashira, heir to the Kenshin family fortune. I’m more important and more valuable than you will ever be. I know what to do if you won’t listen. The easy way up. I’ll just have to use my fire magic and burn you to a crisp and wipe the smile off your stupid face.”

The boy responded confidently, “Thank you for giving me a reason to fight!” With his wicked smile, he began to laugh manically. Before Shinku could intervene, he noticed someone around the corner observing the interaction.

Deciding to observe as well, Shinku thought to himself, “Although I do want to help him, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t want to see a bunch of noble jerks like them get beaten up.”

Before their very eyes, the boy disappeared, and one of Arrogashira’s friends was flung into a wall. The boy reappeared, and his other friend tried to land a hit just for the boy to disappear and get slammed into the ground. Then, he turned to Arrogashira who tried to use his magic to burn him.

“You bastard! Don’t think you can take me on. A lowly peasant like you could never hurt me,” Arrogashira shouted.

Before the fire could hit him, the boy used his magic and shot a wind bullet straight through the wave of fire, knocking Arrogashira to the ground. Shinku realized the person was now gone as he looked over to the boy who had beaten Arrogashira with pure admiration of his skill and ability.

The boy looked over to Shinku. Shinku anxiously introduced himself. “Hi there, my name is Shinku.” The boy introduced himself as well. “Takumi Batoru. Nice to meet you. Also, I noticed you watching while those kids tried to beat me up,” Batoru said.

Shinku stumbled over his words trying to apologize for not helping before Batoru stopped him. “It’s fine. I was going to say thanks for not stepping in. I’ve been itching to fight somebody, and that moron just gave me a good enough reason without having to start one myself,” Batoru explained.

Then, Batoru stood straight and walked past him, leaving with a parting remark, “See you again at the combat exams. I hope we get to fight each other.”

Batoru walked away, thinking to himself, “What the hell is up with him? I can feel his magic leaking out of his body. What kind of training has he gone through to become that strong? No matter what, I need to fight him. I can’t think of anything else other than how fun our fight will be. I can’t wait to clash weapons with him.”

Shinku and Batoru finally caught up to the tour group before the day ended, where they were given the last bit of information for the combat exam.

“Listen well, children. Seven days from now, you will all return here for your combat assessment. Do not be alarmed; your acceptance is not based on who wins each fight. This will be based on your magical prowess. What I mean is, even if you lose your battle, if you manage to impress the judges overseeing the examination, you may very well be accepted into the school,” the director announced.

The tour finally ended, and everyone happily left the compound with the new information, excitedly awaiting the day to come to show off their magical abilities.