Monday, August 12, 3074 AE - Morning
Blaze wandered through the labyrinthine corridors of Aurora High, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. He sought a secluded corner where he could delve into his research on the Kōsō, those enigmatic beings whose origins remained shrouded in mystery.
“It should be around here somewhere,” he mused aloud, his voice barely more than a whisper. As he ventured deeper into the narrow hallways, his gaze fell upon a pair of imposing doors. “Looks like I found it.”
With a slow creak, the doors swung open, revealing a vast room brimming with rows upon rows of books. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper and ink. Shelves stretched to the ceiling, and the titles on their spines ranged from guides on Seiki, the mystical energy wielded by its users, to extensive chronicles on the history of the world, and, most importantly, the Kōsō.
Blaze approached the young librarian, a woman in her late twenties or early thirties, who was absorbed in her own tasks. He inquired about books related to the Kōsō. With a patient smile, she directed him towards a particular section of the library.
Armed with a few randomly selected volumes, Blaze made his way to a table in a quiet corner of the room, far from the prying eyes of others. He settled into a chair and opened the first book.
“Let’s see here,” he muttered, his fingers brushing the dust off the cover.
The book detailed the first invasion of the Kōsō, a time when humanity was yet unaware of Seiki's existence. As he delved deeper, Blaze read about the early guardians—humans who had founded the very principles upon which Seiki was based.
“I wonder what happened to these so-called guardians,” he mused aloud. “The book just ends abruptly, as if their history has been erased.”
He turned to another volume, this one detailing the first encounter with the Kōsō. The text described a time around 2,000 years ago, at the dawn of creation. Humans, newly introduced to the mystical power of Seiki, had risen to defend their homes against the monstrous Kōsō.
The battle was fierce and unforgiving. A mysterious figure, clad in leather armor etched with faint runes and a tattered cloak, emerged as humanity's last hope. At the climax of the struggle, this lone hero sacrificed his life, expending all his power to create a fractured dimension. In this rift, he sealed the Kōsō and their source of power, preventing their return.
“If that’s true, then why are the Kōsō able to return now?” Blaze pondered, his frustration mounting. “Has the seal weakened, or are there Kōsō strong enough to bypass the dimensional barrier?”
The book ended there, the remaining pages left blank—perhaps a deliberate effort to conceal information from those who might misuse it.
“What now?” Blaze sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I have more questions than answers.”
At that moment, a voice spoke softly behind him. “Fade into the shadows, stay unseen, until the time to strike arrives.”
Startled, Blaze spun around to face a girl around his age. She was dressed in a deep navy oversized hoodie, its edges frayed and worn. Slim-fit slightly faded black jeans, and plain black sneakers completed her ensemble. A simple black beanie covered her head, and a small silver chain necklace peeked out from beneath her hoodie. A small, worn backpack hung from her shoulders, and she wore a thin silver ring on her left hand.
‘Who is she, and how long has she been there? I didn’t sense her,’ Blaze thought, a tinge of unease creeping into his mind.
“Who are you, and how long have you been there?” he demanded, trying to mask his irritation.
“Since the very beginning, veil,” she replied vaguely. “I see you are curious about the Kōsō. I could shed some light if you wish.”
“Shed some light? What do you mean? I doubt you know anything; you don’t look older than I am,” Blaze said, his skepticism evident.
“I may be younger, but I assure you, I am wiser.”
“Are you calling me stupid?” Blaze's tone sharpened, his patience wearing thin.
“Are you not, veil?” She looked him up and down, her gaze assessing. “You also seem quite weak.”
The insult was the last straw. Blaze’s anger flared, and he leaped toward her, pulling out his scythe, prepared to strike. But as he swung, a wall of darkness materialized before him, blocking his attack.
“Is that all?” The girl’s voice was calm and detached. With a casual wave of her hand, the wall transformed into a massive fist, which collided with Blaze and sent him sprawling across the floor.
‘What? I didn’t even see her use her powers! Just who is she?’ Blaze thought, struggling to his feet. He sheathed his scythe and addressed her once more. “If you have information about the Kōsō, I’m willing to listen.”
“Good. As you know, the Kōsō are ranked from Class E to S, but do you understand why they are ranked in such a manner?”
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“No clue. I just know that one is weaker than the other, but I don’t know how much so. So, why don’t you get to the point?” Blaze said, his tone impatient.
“Alright, veil. For Class E, the Kōsō pose a minimal threat to humans. They can be defeated by someone with average strength. Class D, however, are much stronger. Even someone who is reasonably adept in using Seiki would struggle in a one-on-one fight.”
“They aren’t that strong. I beat them when I was a child,” Blaze remarked, recalling his past victories.
“Yes, but those are the two weakest. Now, Class C Kōsō can destroy entire human settlements with little effort. Class B Kōsō are even stronger, capable of obliterating whole towns and cities. Taking them down requires multiple Seirei, which is what we call users of Seiki.”
“Class B, huh? There are quite a few who are difficult to take down. I still struggle, even though I’ve become stronger,” Blaze admitted.
“And then there are the last two classes. Class A Kōsō are far stronger than any others before them. They can cause mass destruction across continents. Class S Kōsō possesses god-like power, capable of wiping out entire civilizations and, in some cases, destroying the planet.”
Blaze’s eyes widened. “Wait, planet-wiping power? Are you serious?”
“Very serious. Most of the Kōsō you’ve faced are powerful but manageable for most Seirei. However, what the school doesn’t tell you is that there are two more ranks.”
“Two more ranks? What are they?”
She raised two fingers. “These are Class U and Class U+. You’d better hope you never encounter them.”
“How come? They can’t be that much stronger than Class A, can they?”
“These two classes are far beyond anything you can imagine. Class U alone can end all life in the universe, requiring unprecedented measures to combat.”
Blaze’s sweat began to bead on his forehead as he absorbed the magnitude of such power. With a gulp, he asked, “What about Class U+?”
“Well, this class, veil, is capable of erasing entire multiverses, rewriting the rules of existence itself, and collapsing all timelines into nothingness.”
“Impossible. How is anyone supposed to defeat them? Is there even someone strong enough to fight them?”
“So far, there is only one known being who might stand a chance: Aeloria, the strongest human in existence. If anyone could compete against them, it would be her.”
Blaze’s mind reeled as he processed the girl’s revelation about the Kōsō. The sheer scale of their power—Class U and Class U+—was beyond anything he had ever imagined. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. ‘Wait, Sensei is that powerful? I know she’s strong, but I doubt she could be that strong,’ he thought, grappling with the weight of her words.
Before he could question her further, she vanished into a shroud of darkness, leaving behind only her cryptic parting words: “Fade into the shadows, stay unseen, until the time to strike arrives. Until we meet again, Blaze.”
Blaze was left in stunned silence. He stared at the spot where she had stood, his mind racing. How did she know all that classified information? And how did she know his name when he had never revealed it? His gaze fell on the remnants of their brief but intense scuffle—furniture overturned, papers scattered. He quickly decided to leave before the damage attracted unwanted attention.
As he walked through the deserted hallways, Blaze’s thoughts were consumed with one burning desire: “I have to become stronger. If any of those Kōsō come, I need to be strong enough to defeat them.” His hand clenched into a tight fist, his resolve hardening with every step.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind, calm and reassuring. ‘If that is what you wish, then why don’t you focus on mastering my power?’
Blaze’s eyes widened in surprise. “Master your power? What do you mean?”
‘Once you master the form you have now achieved, you will be closer to unlocking the true form of my power,’ the voice of Ēteru no Eikō explained.
“And how do I know there’s no catch? Like you taking over my body or destroying the world?” Blaze pressed a hint of mistrust in his voice.
‘Simple,’ Ēteru no Eikō replied, ‘our souls are linked. If I were to kill you, I would die as well. And I don’t know about you, but I do not wish to die yet. There are quite a few things I still wish to do.’
Blaze considered this, his doubts beginning to wane. “Fine, so what should I do to master this form?”
‘I will have you fight a clone of yourself. It will help you train and practice against your own abilities,’ Ēteru no Eikō instructed.
“And how do I create this clone?” Blaze asked, his curiosity piqued.
‘Use your mind. You will burn it into being, using your flames to forge a sentient being.’
Blaze furrowed his brow. “You make it sound easier than it is. Creating a sentient being takes a lot of control and power.”
‘Which is why you will be using my power. As for control, practice some meditation. I’ll be back soon,’ Ēteru no Eikō’s voice faded away, leaving Blaze alone with his thoughts.
Determined to follow through, Blaze made his way to a secluded training area where he wouldn’t be disturbed. He sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes and focusing inward. He took deep, steady breaths, channeling his thoughts towards the goal of mastering his power.
As he entered a meditative state, Blaze concentrated on the fire within him, visualizing it growing stronger and more focused. His mind was a tumult of flames and energy, swirling around his intentions and desires. The more he focused, the clearer his vision became.
‘To create a clone,’ Blaze thought, ‘I need to harness every bit of control and strength I possess.’ He imagined his flames taking shape, molding them into a tangible, sentient form. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he pushed himself, the exertion evident in his strained features.
Gradually, he felt a shift. His flames began to coalesce, forming the silhouette of a figure. The clone took shape, its fiery form mirroring Blaze’s own. It stood before him, eyes glowing with a fiery intensity, ready to engage in the training Blaze had envisioned.
Blaze opened his eyes, seeing the clone standing before him. A sense of accomplishment and apprehension mixed in his chest. “Alright,” he said, determination in his voice. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The training began in earnest. Blaze and his fire clone sparred, each movement a test of his control and mastery over his powers. The battles were intense, with Blaze pushing himself to the limit, learning more about his abilities with every clash. The meditation had paid off; his control was sharper, and his flames burned with greater precision.
As the training session drew to a close, Blaze was drenched in sweat, but a newfound confidence burned in his eyes. He knew he had taken a significant step toward mastering his powers. The path ahead was daunting, but with each challenge, he was growing stronger, inching closer to the strength he needed to confront the Kōsō and whatever other threats lay ahead.