"Sage Art is the use of the ambient energy in the air and environment," Mr. Hatake explained, his voice carrying clearly through the open-windowed classroom. "Through this energy, one can control the elementals and increase one's physical strength, lifespan, and endurance. To use Sage Art, one must first feel the energy—feel it in their breath, in their bones. Then, through sheer intent and discipline, they must redirect it and bend it to their will." He moved a piece of chalk gently across the blackboard, writing names.
"Once one can truly perceive this energy—see it with the soul, not just the eyes—they can combine it with the elemental fighting arts passed down from Emperor Hane. That is when Sage Art becomes real. That is when you can manifest fire, move with wind, or strike with lightning. And the deeper your bond with this energy, the more it can do for you—replenishing stamina, soothing wounds, and even extending your life."
The room was quiet. Riku sat with his arms folded, eyes focused. His body still ached from his loss, but he was far from defeated.
Rage Art had no techniques, no structure. Just aura. Force. Here, everything had form, theory, refinement.
"The elements of Sage Art are five in total," Mr. Hatake continued, turning back to the board. "Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, and Lightning. Each one has its own fighting style. Not just random movement, but real fighting systems.
Each element has its own offensive and defensive form, designed to bring out its nature."
He turned toward them, his hand tapping each word on the board as he said it.
"Fire's offensive technique is called Karyūken{1}. It's all power and pressure, overwhelming the opponent like a wildfire. Its defense is Shaoyan{2}. Reactive, close-range, redirective."
Riku nodded to himself.
"Water uses Getsuryū no Shisei{3} as its offense. It's about flow, about turning your opponent's force against them. Its defense is Qīngliú Xīnshuǐ{4} Absorb. Redirect. Delay. Survive."
The chalk moved in slow, curving lines.
"Earth is the most grounded, obviously. Its offense is Kōgonken{5}. Unyielding, direct, impossible to fake. Its defense is Dìhǔ Jìnshì{6}. A wall. Not moving with the attack, but stopping it cold."
Riku felt a flicker of excitement. It was like a library of styles.
"Wind's offense is called Tenkazan{7} Moving with Speed. Angle. Precision. Its defense is Fūka Retsushin{8}. Deflective and evasive, never taking the hit directly."
Hatake's voice grew just slightly more serious as he reached the last element.
"Lightning is the rarest and most volatile. Its offensive form is known as Jiinmashi{9} art. It strikes fast, and it leaves nothing standing. Its defense is Raikō Kōshin{10} meant to both protect and counter in the same breath."
Riku leaned back slightly. So many techniques. So many layers. It hit him then—why the Rage Empire had lost. There was no structure. No forms. No language for any of this. Rage Art had been just that—rage. Tangible aura with strength behind it. But here? This was civilization. This was order.
Mr. Hatake stepped away from the board. "These are only names now," he said. "But in time, you will feel what they mean. The more your soul and body are trained to use Energy, the less reliant you become on physical movement. Eventually, you will no longer need to perform full forms or stances to summon your power. You'll only need intent."
He gave a small smile, like a secret shared between warriors.
"For example—"
He continued until the bell rang for break time.
The students stirred, some rising quickly, others sighing at the interruption. Mr. Hatake didn't stop them. He simply turned back to the board and began erasing.
Riku stayed seated a moment longer.
...
..
..
Daz turned in his seat and threw a glance over his shoulder. "Hey," he said, voice casual but with that glint of challenge that never quite left his eyes. "Break time. Wanna come with?"
Riku blinked, then gave a slight nod. His body still felt like it had been through a full war campaign, but the ache was starting to feel more like a badge than a burden.
They stepped out of Class A1 together. The corridor was already humming with movement—students in dark academy uniforms chatting, stretching.
There were ten first-year classes in total. A1 through A10. Two hundred seventy-nine students crammed into the first-year program, and only ten would walk away with the council positions. Ten who stood above the rest, for now.
As they walked academy grounds unfolded before them—like a city hiding in plain sight.
Riku slowed down, eyes widening slightly.
The path in front of them was paved with smooth, dark stone, branching out like a network of veins. Horse-drawn carriages clattered past at a steady pace, ferrying students and instructors to and from distant corners of the massive campus. There were signs at intersections—clean-cut wood marked with names like Libraryies,Training Arenas, and Dining Halls.
The place was huge. It had everything, dorms, dining halls, shops even. And this… was only the first-year section?
Riku's mind wandered.
He thought of what he'd heard earlier—about the top ten.
It was more than a rank. It was a key.
One-on-one instruction from elite Sage Art users. Private sparring with actual masters. Even meetings with the headmaster, if you were sharp enough.
You could enter restricted zones. Then there was the power—the authority.
You were in the First-Year Student Council.
You could request missions, file for exit permission, attend staff deliberations. And maybe most important of all… the faculty watched you. High-ranking officials. Recruitment scouts. Future generals. Even the Empire itself.
Riku exhaled slowly.
He'd placed tenth in the ranking duels.
Just barely made it in. But he made it.
...
..
.
They reached the dining halls just as a crowd was starting to build. The air smelled like freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and something sweet—cinnamon, maybe. A line of carriages stopped at a rounded square, letting students off like clockwork. Daz waved to a couple of guys Riku didn't know and led the way toward Dining Hall B, which had taller windows and a quieter entrance.
Inside, the place buzzed. Long wooden tables filled with students.
They grabbed trays, sliding into the line. Riku glanced at the menu—if you could even call it that. There were options. Dishes from all corners of the empire. Meat buns. Spiced rice. Boiled root vegetables with thick, savory broth.
As they sat down near the back, Riku couldn't help but lean back in his seat and stare through the high glass windows.
"This place is a fortress," he said. He picked up his spoon and dug into his meal like it was a silent promise to himself.
Daz looked at him sideways, half-grinning. "Welcome to the top ten."
__
{1} Tiger Style (Hung Gar)
{2}Wing Chun
{3}Tai Chi
{4}Bagua Zhang
{5}Northern Shaolin
{6}Praying Mantis
{7}Eagle Claw
{8}Jeet Kune Do
{9}Xing Yi Quan
{10}Taekwondo