Chapter 7: Above the Lights

[Scene: Zenrai Institute — Class A Lounge, Afternoon]

The lounge was alive with energy. Not training energy. Not battle energy. Friendship energy.

A dozen students from Class A were sprawled out across couches, mats, and floating rune cushions. Laughter echoed as a mock duel replayed on a hologram in the center.

“You seriously tripped over your own mana barrier?” one voice teased.

“I slipped on a mana glyph, idiot. Big difference.”

Sumiko sat at a corner couch, polishing her blade with steady, elegant strokes. Beside her were two girls, both in uniform but with unmistakable presence.

Reika, a white-skinned girl with copper braids and a wind affinity badge clipped to her coat.

Tama, short, sharp-eyed, and rumored to have scored top marks in elemental theory.

“Sumiko, is it true you beat a second-year during your first week?” Reika asked, grinning.

Sumiko replied without looking up. “They asked for it.”

Tama added, “I heard it was over in ten seconds.”

Sumiko smirked. “Seven.”

Across the room, Kaien sat on a lone chair near the window, arms crossed, face cold as usual. Watching.

Aizen stood against the back wall, quiet, scanning the room.

And that’s when they walked in.

[Scene: Lounge Door — Entrance of Akio & His Gang]

The lounge door slid open, and in came Akio Hoshigane, white-haired, bright-eyed, and dressed like a guy who barely cared about dress codes.

“Sorry we’re late!” he called.

Behind him came his four closest friends:

• Rin, tall and calm, with a claymore on his back and a calm vibe
• Toru, shorter, hyper, electricity sparking at his fingertips constantly
• Mina, the quiet one—purple eyes, black hoodie, creepy smart
• Kazu, the laid-back tank who joked like everything was a game

Kaien raised a brow. “You exist?”

Akio tossed his bag on a chair. “Not only do I exist, I’m way cooler than you.”

Reika whistled. “The legendary ghost squad finally appears.”

Aizen stepped forward and nodded once to Akio. “You’re late.”

Akio shrugged. “Fashionably. Group reputation and all.”

Sumiko looked over. “Just don’t embarrass us tomorrow. Practical class starts early.”

Toru grinned. “Embarrass? We’re gonna make you look like side characters.”

Mina blinked. “Please don’t. That means extra paperwork.”

Laughter filled the room.

This wasn’t a team. It was a family in progress.

[Scene: Academy Tower Rooftop — Nightfall]

Wind howled gently across the rooftop of the tallest tower in Zenrai.

Aizen stood at the edge, coat flapping, eyes on the city lights below.

The streets were lined with glowing runes, mana-charged lamps, and tiny dots of movement—students, professors, drones, life.

Aizen’s voice was quiet, almost to himself.

“It’s been a while since I worked. Looks like I’ll have to start again.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Time to show them I exist.”

He stood there for another breath, serious mode fully activated…

Then—

“Oi, weirdo.”

He froze.

A familiar voice echoed behind him. “What the heck are you doing here? This is my place to kill time.”

Aizen turned slowly to see Sumiko standing behind him, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.

He sighed. “Didn’t see your name on it.”

“It’s spiritual. You wouldn’t get it.”

She walked over and sat on the ledge beside him.

The night was quiet for a while.

“I like it up here,” she said. “No noise. Just the wind.”

Aizen glanced sideways. “And yet, here you are making noise.”

She smirked. “Don’t start. I brought snacks.”

She tossed him a wrapped rice ball.

He caught it. “This has poison, doesn’t it?”

“Only emotional poison.”

They sat in silence.

Underneath the stars, above the city, two stormborn souls paused time together.

[End of Chapter 7]

Next: Chapter 8 — “Riftwalkers: Trial by Elements”