Chapter Seven: My First Time

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S.T.A.R.S Development Base Alpha, Forest of Ice

January 8th, 2026

Ten Years Ago – Yozora, Age 7

The frozen wind howled through the barren, desolate Forest of Ice, cutting through the towering trees covered in frost. The ground crunched beneath every step, echoing with the sound of boots pressing into thick snow. The trees, weighed down by icicles, groaned as the wind tugged at their frozen branches. Snowflakes drifted through the air, carried by the relentless cold that gripped the forest in an unforgiving embrace.

A commanding voice sliced through the icy air.

"Attention!" the voice boomed, causing the small group of recruits to halt. "You will address me as Captain. I won’t give my name to the unworthy."

Among the group, Yozora stood, just seven years old. The cold seemed to pass right through him, unnoticed. His expression was calm, his starry eyes half-lidded, and his face unaffected by the biting wind that stung the others. His nonchalant gaze settled on the Captain, as though the frigid atmosphere and the importance of the moment barely registered. Around him, the others shivered, their breaths visible in the icy air.

Today each of you will undergo the Control Test," the Captain continued, his voice hard as steel. "This test will determine your Class Type and assign you a Grade Rating, from D to S, based on how well you control your powers as Tuners."

Yozora’s heartbeat steadily, his breathing calm, even as his mind began to stir beneath the surface. He listened intently, though his outward appearance remained one of boredom. His senses were sharp, quietly absorbing everything, while the rest of the recruits stood stiff with anticipation, their nerves almost palpable. Even the wind seemed to pause as the Captain’s words settled over them.

"Class types are as follows: Augmenter/Reducer, Cemi/Vector, Benders, and the legendary Beyonders,"the Captain said, pacing before the group.

"But before we begin the test, you must first understand the Toro.

The Captain’s gaze swept over the recruits, landing briefly on Yozora, who remained unfazed, hands buried in his pockets. Yozora yawned, seemingly uninterested, though beneath the surface, he was already calculating.

"The Toro is divided into three sections: the Gaisō, Naisō, and Chūshin."

Yozora’s gaze drifted toward the snowy treetops, his ears still capturing every word. His calm demeanor masked the intense focus within him, unsettling the other recruits, who struggled to grasp the gravity of the test.

"The Gaisō is the outermost layer," the Captain explained. "It’s your shield, protecting you from external threats and allowing you to detect danger. Your ability to block attacks and sense danger comes from here."

Yozora’s eyes briefly flickered with understanding. So that’s what this field around me is, he thought, recognizing the invisible barrier he’d always felt but never fully understood.

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"The Naisō is the inner layer of the Toro," the Captain continued. "This is where your true power lies. It generates Hindo, the energy that fuels your abilities. However, using too much Hindo without control can lead to Conversion Loss, damaging your Toro and leaving you vulnerable."

Yozora instinctively brushed his chest, feeling the quiet hum of Hindo within. The balance, he realized, was key—too much or too little would lead to collapse. His thoughts deepened, already aligning his Toro, preparing for the test ahead.

"To manage this, we have the Moderari," the Captain added. "It regulates the flow of Hindo, ensuring that your Toro doesn’t overextend. It keeps you in control."

The Captain’s voice dropped slightly, growing more intense. "And then there’s Keijo, meaning ‘to form.’ This allows you to manifest abilities based on your Toro’s rotation. Your Keijo will evolve with you—shaped by your experiences, emotions, and even trauma."

Yozora, though outwardly indifferent, felt his own Toro quietly responding. Each layer, each function, aligned within him, slowly and steadily.

"The final section is the Chūshin, the core of your Toro," the Captain said. "This is where your offensive and defensive abilities are born. Skills like Kakusu, Ririsu, Raimu, Fumi, and your unique Torozon come from here."

The Captain’s eyes narrowed as he continued. "The Kakusu ability conceals your Toro, allowing you to become invisible to others—perfect for stealth, evasion, and even assassination."

"Ririsu releases sub-skills from your Toro—elemental attacks, defensive shields, or specialized techniques, depending on your Class Type."

The Captain paused before adding, "And then there’s Torozon. This ability is unique to each Tuner. No one can teach you your Torozon. You must discover and master it on your own. It will be your greatest weapon."

Yozora’s mind buzzed with the potential lying dormant within him. His Toro quietly hummed, layers falling into place like puzzle pieces. Even at seven, he could sense the immense power waiting beneath the surface—silent, but ready to be unleashed.

The Captain moved the recruits toward the heart of the test, where the shimmering Perfect Cube hovered, gleaming in the cold light. Blair, a vibrant figure with a teasing smile, had created it. Her hands worked effortlessly, channeling her Toro to form the Cube, a flawless block of pure diamond designed to respond to the Toro energy. It was the ultimate challenge.

"Each of you will make contact with the Cube," the Captain instructed, his tone sharp. "How you interact with it will reveal your Class."

Blair grinned, her voice playful despite the tension in the air. "You ready for this, kiddos? Don’t worry, the Cube’s tougher than it looks."

Yozora eyed the Cube, his expression cool. He could feel the energy pulsing from it, beckoning him to engage. Around him, the recruits shifted nervously, but he remained still.

The Captain began explaining the outcomes of the test.

"Causing the Cube to it multiply, grow smaller or bigger, and then resetting it to its original form, means you’re an Augmenter/Reducer."

Augmenters/Reducers have the power to enhance or reduce anything they touch rather it be matter, emotions, even concepts. They could augment their own abilities, making them devastating in combat and masters of adaptation.

"If you phase through or levitate the Cube, you’re a Cemi/Vector," the Captain continued.

Cemi/Vector Tuners could manipulate the flow of matter and energy, bending physics to their will. They were strategists, controlling the battlefield with their minds rather than brute strength.

"Next, if you cause the Cube to change its state of matter—solid to liquid, gas, or plasma—you are classified as a Bender."

Benders manipulate elements and matter at the atomic level.

Finally, the Captain’s tone darkened slightly.

“The Beyonder”

Beyonders are legendary, transcending the boundaries of a single Class. They wielded abilities from multiple disciplines, blending their powers to rewrite the rules of the Toro. They were rare, powerful, and feared. “none of you here to know much about Beyonders until later in you life.”

Yozora, his Toro swirling quietly beneath his calm exterior, prepared to make his move. But nearby, T.LAC, already an anomaly, stood with a quiet intensity, his energy buzzing differently than the others. Yozora glanced at him, sensing something beneath the surface—something powerful, perhaps even greater than what the Captain had outlined.

The Perfect Cube waited, shimmering with potential, and Yozora knew this test would reveal far more than just their Class Types.