After passing through the city gate, Hotaro and Yukino threaded their way through the waking streets of the Royal Capital. Morning rays danced off polished rooftops, and the air was alive with voices—street vendors hawking exotic produce, apprentices hurrying with spellbooks tucked under their arms, and nobles in ornate robes surveying the bustle.
Yukino Tsuyuki (quietly):
"It's so big… every building feels like a castle."
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"The capital's always been this grand. But today, it feels different."
He guided her through a winding side street, past a marble fountain where water shimmered with faint magic.
Within minutes, they stood before the soaring gates of the Ryou Royal Magic Academy—the second largest and most prestigious school of sorcery in the world. Towering ivory pillars flanked a great iron portcullis, above which the academy's crest—a pair of crossed wands beneath a starburst—gleamed in the sun.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"That sign… it's even more beautiful up close."
They stepped through the gates together. Inside, a vast courtyard opened before them: marble tiles etched with arcane sigils, walking automatons tending to magical plants, and banners from every kingdom fluttering along the walls.
Beyond the courtyard lay a grand registration hall. Its double doors carved with dragon motifs swung open to reveal a flood of applicants—humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and more—lining up at desks manned by stern-faced scribes.
Hotaro (whispering): "Look at all these NPC… they're so kevin."
Yukino Tsuyuki (in awe):
"I never imagined magic could unite so many…"
They joined the back of a long queue. Ahead, hopeful faces exchanged anxious smiles while scribes stamped forms and handed out numbered tokens.
Yukino: "What if we don't pass the exam?"
Hotaro placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Hotaro: "We will. Together."
The line inched forward. Beyond the marble columns, sunlight streamed through stained‑glass windows, painting the floor in shifting colors. The distant hum of magical wards thrumming through the walls filled the air.
As they approached the front desk, Hotaro held his token high—and with that, their true trial at the Ryou Royal Magic Academy began.
---
The grand registration hall fell silent as the first round of testing began. A long row of polished orbs sat upon pedestals, each waiting to reveal its wielder's true power.
Examiner:
"Next candidate, please place your hand on the orb."
One by one, students stepped forward: a tall elf whose orb glowed emerald green; a dwarf whose orb hummed with fiery red sparks; a human whose orb shone golden as sunlight. Each aura unfolded gently, enchanting the hall.
Then it was Yukino's turn. She stepped up, heart pounding but chin held high. She placed her palm atop the smooth surface of the orb.
Immediately, it burst into brilliant azure and pure white light. The aura flared so brightly that the entire hall was bathed in a soft, frosty glow. Gasps echoed as every eye turned toward her.
Examiner (eyes wide):
"Amazing… never have we seen such clarity and strength in so young a candidate."
The examiners conferred in hushed tones before announcing,
Examiner:
"Yukino Tsuyuki—you are admitted to Class 1."
Class 1—reserved for only the most gifted mages with immense magical potential.
Applause followed her as she stepped aside, cheeks flushed with pride.
Next, Hotaro approached. A hush fell over the hall as he placed his hand upon the orb.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Bruh, really?"
Then-
CRACK!
The orb turned jet black and shattered into pieces, shards clattering across the stone floor. A shockwave of dark energy rippled through the hall, rattling windows and sending scrolls fluttering.
Silence. Then stunned whispers.
Examiner (staggering back):
"This… this hasn't happened in five years!"
Another examiner, composed yet grave, raised a hand to still the murmurs.
Examiner:
"Hotaro Tsuyuki—you are admitted to Zero Class."
Zero Class—a group of only five students whose magic is so abnormal, so potentially destructive, that no teacher dares to enter their chamber.
As Hotaro bowed, the air around him still hummed with residual darkness. Yukino watched him with a mixture of awe and concern.
Yukino Tsuyuki (softly):
"Onii‑chan… are you all right?"
Hotaro met her gaze, expression solemn yet determined.
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"Dont worry, I'm fine"
Behind them, the shattered orb was swept away. The crowd began to disperse, talking in hushed tones about the brother and sister who had just made academy history.
Together, Hotaro and Yukino stepped out of the hall—each bound for a different class, each carrying the weight of their own extraordinary destiny.
Yukino Tsuyuki:
"Alright, I'm gonna go to my class right now "
Hotaro Tsuyuki:
"k, take care"
Hotaro Tsuyuki sighed as he trudged down the silent corridor toward the heavy iron door marked "Zero Class." He'd only enrolled to keep his sister company—any notion of prestige felt a world away this morning.
Pausing at the threshold, Hotaro inhaled. A pulse of dark, oppressive energy rolled out from within.
Voice (muttering): "No wonder this class is full of monsters."
Hotaro smirked to himself and pushed the door open.
---
Inside, only four students waited:
Shizu Fumiko, the bubbly class leader, bounced to her feet the moment she saw him.
Torren Quelly, the hulking powerhouse, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
Ariel Hexaroty, quiet and aloof, sat with ebony-and-white hair falling over pale eyes.
Kitsune Akiko, a silver-haired half-fox maiden, sat in the corner, nine white tails curled around her.
Shizu was the first to greet him, all energy and smiles.
Shizu:
"Yo! You must be Hotaro, right? For a beginner, you're ridiculously talented!"
She gripped both his hands in excitement.
Hotaro managed a polite nod and smile, though his mind raced.
If Torren punched me once, I'd never breathe again, he thought, glancing warily at the giant. Torren merely offered a small, understanding grin in return.
A chill ran down Hotaro's spine as Ariel's gray eyes met his.
Ariel (quietly):
"Don't get carried away with her,"
he added, nodding toward Shizu.
Hotaro inclined his head, suppressing a laugh at the understated warning.
Finally, Kitsune Akiko stood, bowing slightly. Her cheeks were flushed as she offered a shy:
Kitsune:
"W-Welcome, Hotaro-san."
Her nine white tails flicked gently, and Hotaro felt a warm flicker of camaraderie.
---
Hotaro straightened his shoulders, taking in the unlikely group.
Hotaro:
"I'm Hotaro Tsuyuki. Glad to meet you all."
Shizu clapped her hands, eyes sparkling.
Shizu:
"Zero Class, assemble! We may be 'monsters,' but together we're unstoppable!"
As Torren's deep chuckle, Ariel's faint smile, and Kitsune's nervous giggle filled the room, Hotaro realized—this was the family he'd chosen. And their real work was only just beginning.
The next day, light filtered through the Academy corridors as Hotaro strode toward the training grounds, his cloak sweeping behind him.
Hotaro (muttering):
"A day off and everyone's still asleep… might as well invent a new skill."
Rounding a corner, he nearly collided with a group of students.
Yukino (brightly):
"Ohayō, Onii-chan! You look well."
Hotaro smiled, tousling her hair.
Hotaro:
"Yeah thanks. Don't forget to Study hard, Yuki. I'll catch up later."
He slipped past her friends, their jaws dropping.
Ayane (whispering):
"Is that your brother? His aura… it's so intense... And so kind."
Maria:
"Yeah, Unbelievable. He's also Zero Class's student."
Adrianna:
"Hope he didn't have gf tho."
Yukino:
"Bro tf."
Adrianna:
"Chill, it's just a joke."
Hotaro shook his head and pressed on. Moments later he arrived at the empty practice field.
Hotaro (scanning the vacant turf):
"Where is everyone? Guess they're too lazy to train."
He drew his sword, fingertips crackling with mana.
Hotaro:
"Just practicing basic skill..... Special Skill: Multiple Slash!"
He darted around a lone Practice Dummy, slashing from every angle in a blur. The dummy rose into the air, spinning helplessly.
Hotaro:
"Not done yet—Fire Magic: X Phoenix!"
Two fiery phoenixes materialized overhead, swooping down in an "X" pattern to scorch the dummy until it collapsed into smoldering embers.
Hotaro (wiping soot from his brow): "Damn… that burned through my mana faster than I thought…"
He stretched, preparing for another round—when a distant explosion cracked through the morning calm.
Hotaro(sigh):
"Seriously? What now…"
Invoking his fire magic, Hotaro sprouted blazing wings and launched skyward.
Hotaro:
"Special Skill: Hawk Eyes!"
From above, he scanned the city outskirts.
Hotaro:
"oh shit… there's a Dungeon Break over there huh."
Without hesitation, he rocketed toward the smoke and terror below.
---
Back on the streets, students and teachers fled in panic as monstrous creatures poured out of the shattered Dungeon gates.
Teacher:
"Move—no dawdling!"
Monster (roaring): "GRAAAH!"
Spells and screams echoed as magical wards snapped and fell.
Teacher 2 (cursing):
"These demons just keep coming!"
Amidst the chaos, four dark silhouettes watched from a rocky ledge overlooking the battlefield:
Marry (perched on her scythe):
" What a beautiful views, isn't it? Julian-sama~"
River (arms folded):
"Why aren't they fighting back? They're just defending and run away...."
Bvrouz (in black armor):
"Patience, Rizer. The plan unfolds as intended."
At their center stood Julian, half-demon commander of this onslaught. His crimson eyes gleamed.
Julian (Looks annoyed):
"Humanity has grown weak. This era deserves purging."
Bvrouz:
"Shall we linger here?"
Julian:
"Not much longer. Wait until the city descends into true despair."
They shared a cold smile.
Marry:
"I can't wait for our guest of honor to arrive."
Below them, the capital's defenders reeled. And high above the fray, Hotaro's resolve sharpened—he would be that "guest of honor" who turned the tide.