"...Beautiful…" Ken mumbled to Himself

At the time, Ken didn't know what was more extraordinary, the view of the ocean and city, or the girl known as Hanako Sakura. He couldn't help but smile at the mere sight of her.

"Ummm….you...can let go of my...h-hand now,"

"Oh sorry, I got distracted," Ken replied, letting go of her hand and sitting back down.

"I'm glad you are my first friend, I sense something great in you. From this day on, I'm putting all my faith in you Hanako Sakura"

Hanako immediately covered her face, looking down as her face turned from light pink to a deep red "Y-y-your too...s-s-straight forward …mmm...ehhhh...uhhh" She stuttered with a flustered expression, as she once again forgot how to put words together, seeing this made Ken chuckle.

"Looks like two people who have respect for each other and truly admire one another can oddly get along quickly, even if they just met,"

[We will now be approaching Belthon Station.]

The train soon stopped, its doors opened and all the passengers made their way out, stepping onto a giant platform that was floating in the air. Once everyone was on the giant platform, the train took off, and the platform slowly descended to the ground, where everyone walked off of it and continued with their day.

Belthon was much grander than Cardino Port. The atmosphere was that of a massive festival, everywhere you looked something was happening. The ambient chatter and music brought the city to life. Buildings stood as mountains piercing the sky, with the streets flooded with people who navigated their way through the chaos easily.

"It's so busy, how do people function in such crowds?" Ken's head was on the verge of exploding from how overwhelmed he had become with everything going on.

"Th-this is your first time here…?" Hanako asked.

"Yeah, it is. Good thing I met you, or else I would have gotten lost for sure."

Looking around, Ken spotted things he didn't see at Cardino port, the most intriguing to him was the humanoid robots that walked amongst the group of several other species.

"Those are robots! I used to see them on TV all the time! wow, can't believe I'm seeing them in real life now!"

Seeing Ken excited about everything made Hanako laugh a little "...Did you not have robots where you came f-from…?"

"Well, back where I'm from, all I had there were ferocious monsters who tried to eat me any chance they got…" After saying that out loud, he quickly realized just how irresponsible his Grandfather was.

"I'd love to walk around and explore every corner of this city, but unfortunately I need to get to the Academy before I'm late. I wouldn't want to wait until next year to take the exams."

"...T-Then, let's get going…I'll lead the way."

Ken followed Hanako through the ever-busy city of Belthon.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"You carry that wooden katana– Bokken with you, why not a real one?"

"...It's only a seal for the real one."

"A seal? Why would you need to seal it?"

"I-I’m...sorry, b-but...I don't want to answer that.”

"O-oh, that's okay.”

Changing the question, Ken asked, “It's tradition for an Oni to name their weapon as it's a way to bind their soul with the essence of the weapon, what is the name of your blade?”

“It's, Odayakana Ame…"

"Odayakana Ame?"

"Gentle Rain. That's what it means…I find peace when it r-rains…"

"That's poetic, I think it's a cool name."

"Y-yeah me too."

Hanako and Ken continued walking for a few more minutes before they arrived at a cab stop, which was a small space where people could hire cabs.

"I'll pay for the c-cab," Hanako offered.

"You don't have to, I have money to pay for myself."

"I… i-insist, we just met, but you've made me f-feel… a little more confident in myself… It's the least I can do to th-thank you.”

With a smile of defeat, Ken replied "Sure."

The two got in a cab together, which took them through the city towards the Academy. Looking out the window of the car, Ken admired everything they drove by. Soon the cab drove over the ocean on a bridge leading outside of the City.

"Huh? I thought the Academy was in Belthon?"

"You must be a foreigner, but the Academy is located on an island several hundred meters outside Belthon City. The island is considered as an extension of the city, it's called; Academy Island" The cab driver answered.

"Yeah, the Academy owns the entire island," Hanako added.

"Amazing."

After a few more minutes of driving, they made it onto the island. Driving for a few more minutes through the island's very own miniature city, they finally arrive at the Academy.

"Thank you for the ride," Both Ken and Hanako said before the cab took off.

Standing before the two were the tall gates of Elenora's Academy of Magicka. The entrance of the Academy was filled with many other people who seemed to be around Ken's age, all here to partake in the exam.

"Well s-since you're taking the entrance exams… this is where we go our separate ways, th-thank you...for accompanying me..." Hanako said, giving a little head bow.

"Yeah, of course. It was nice to have you as company as well" Ken replied "Hope to see you soon."

"We will d-definitely see each other again," Hanako replied with a soft smile. "Oh and umm...once you pass the exams, you will be given a...Student Cell."

She pulled out a phone-like device, with an ultra-thin design. The device was around 5-6 inches in size, being mostly a see-through screen, with a metal exterior protecting its sides.

"Once you get given your Student Cell, you can add me, and c-call me…or message me, if you’d like."

"Understood."

"Well then, I'll be off now."

And with that, Hanako left.

Most of the other candidates seemed to have come from rich families, as they were all accommodated by butlers and security guards. Ken wandered aimlessly around the giant courtyard of the Academy as there were no clear instructions of where to go.

While walking, he saw many candidates crying their eyes out as if someone had just died. Confused, Ken approached one of them and asked.

"Why are you crying?”

The kid looked up at Ken with snot running out of his nose "Th-This… e-ex-exa…m… is impossible! I r-r-really, tri..ed… m-my best! I was t-top… of my class, back in sch-school… but that wasn't enough…."

"Is the exam really that hard?" Ken thought to himself as he walked off.

While walking and lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out what the exams could be, Ken bumped into someone.

"Oh I'm sorry" he apologized. Looking up to see a young boy with yellow hair wearing expensive clothing, accompanying him were two security guards who held a stone-cold look and a strong figure.