Three days passed faster than I'd expected.
The time between learning about the Iron Crown incident and our departure had been a blur of packing, final preparations, and trying not to think too hard about the scary story I'd overheard. Whenever my mind wandered back to that Kazuki person and what he'd done, I pushed the thoughts away. Whatever had happened seven years ago was over, and Captain Izuma had made sure the bad guy couldn't hurt anyone else.
That was what mattered.
The morning of our departure dawned clear and bright, with the kind of crisp air that made everything feel possible. I woke to find Mina already dressed and sitting by our window, watching the road that led into the village.
"See anything yet?" I asked, joining her at the window.
"Not yet. But Elder Tanaka said they'd be here by mid-morning." She bounced slightly in her seat, excited energy barely contained. "Do you think the Academy transport will be like the merchant wagons, or something special?"
"Probably something special. Academy people seem to like things that look important."
We finished our final packing in comfortable silence, checking and double-checking that we had everything we needed. Our belongings fit into two small bags—Academy housing was supposed to provide everything else.
The sound of approaching wheels and voices drew us back to the window. A large, well-built wagon was making its way down the village's main road, pulled by four horses and accompanied by several uniformed guards. Unlike the simple merchant transports I was used to seeing, this one bore Academy symbols and looked built for long-distance travel.
"It's here!" Mina squealed, grabbing my hand. "Kaito, it's really here!"
We hurried outside to find half the village already gathering in the square. Word of the Academy transport's arrival had spread quickly, and people seemed as excited as we were to witness the departure.
Elder Tanaka approached us with a warm smile. "Ready for your great adventure?"
"As ready as we can be," I said, though my stomach was doing nervous flips.
"You'll do wonderfully, both of you." He handed me a small wrapped package. "A little something from the village council. Don't open it until you reach the Academy."
Before I could ask what it was, Captain Izuma appeared at the transport, consulting with the driver and checking over some official documents. He looked up and waved us over.
"Mr. Hayashi, Miss Hayashi. Perfect timing. We're ready to begin loading."
As we approached the wagon, I got my first good look at the other Academy candidates. There were six of them already seated in the transport, and I recognized two immediately.
"Kaito!" Daichi called out, grinning widely. "Can you believe we're actually doing this?"
"Barely," I admitted, climbing up into the wagon. Mina scrambled up beside me, her eyes wide as she took in everything.
"Hey," said another familiar voice. Kenji, the prodigy who'd performed so perfectly at the trials, was sitting near the front of the wagon. "Glad you made it. That technique you used at the platform rescue was incredible—I'm still trying to figure out how you did it."
"Just got lucky, I guess," I said, feeling my face heat up. Even now, talking about the Flame Threading made me nervous.
"Luck nothing," Kenji said seriously. "That was skill. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you can do at the Academy."
His genuine enthusiasm surprised me. I'd expected jealousy or resentment from someone who was clearly more talented than me, but Kenji seemed honestly pleased that I'd been selected.
"Let me introduce everyone," Daichi said, gesturing around the wagon. "That's Hana from Westbrook Village—she does amazing earth techniques. Next to her is Ryouta from Millfield, and Saki from Riverside."
The three candidates he'd indicated looked like typical village kids—nervous but excited, probably from farming families like ours. They waved politely as Daichi continued the introductions.
"Those two are from the larger settlements," he said, pointing toward the back of the wagon. "Takeshi from Ironwood, and Yuma from Silverdale."
Takeshi and Yuma looked different from the rest of us. Their clothes were finer, their equipment more expensive, and they carried themselves with the confidence of people who'd never doubted they'd be selected for Academy training. They nodded acknowledgment but didn't seem particularly interested in making friends with village kids.
"And that's Satoru," Daichi finished, indicating a boy about our age who sat alone near the wagon's rear.
Satoru was different from everyone else in ways that had nothing to do with wealth or village status. Where the rest of us showed excitement or nervousness, his expression was flat and serious. His clothes were simple but well-maintained, and his eyes held a weight that seemed too heavy for someone our age.
"Nice to meet everyone," I said, settling into an available spot with Mina beside me.
"Eight candidates total," Captain Izuma announced, climbing up to address us. "That's an excellent number for this transport cycle. The journey to Academy grounds will take two days, with an overnight stop at a way station. Please follow all instructions from the driver and guards—they're responsible for your safety during travel."
"Two days?" Mina asked quietly. "I didn't know it was so far."
"Academy isolation serves multiple purposes," Izuma explained, apparently having overheard. "Distance from populated areas allows for specialized training without civilian interference, and the remote location provides natural security against various threats."
"What kind of threats?" Hana asked nervously.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Izuma assured her. "Academy defenses are more than adequate for any challenges we might encounter."
The driver, a weathered man who looked like he'd been making this trip for years, called out from his seat. "All aboard and secured? We've got a schedule to keep, and the roads can get interesting after dark."
"Interesting how?" Ryouta asked.
"Akuma activity has been increasing in the forest regions," the driver said matter-of-factly. "Not dangerous for a guarded transport like this, but we prefer daylight travel when possible."
A chill ran through the wagon at the mention of Akuma. After what had happened at the trials, the threat felt much more real and immediate than it had before.
"Don't worry," one of the guards said with a reassuring smile. "We've been running this route for years. Know all the safe spots and dangerous areas. You'll be fine."
As the wagon began to move, I looked back at our village growing smaller behind us. People waved from the square, and I could see Elder Sato and Yuki standing outside their library, watching us depart.
"Scared?" Mina asked, noticing my expression.
"A little," I admitted. "You?"
"A little. But mostly excited." She squeezed my hand. "We're really doing this, aren't we? Leaving home, going to the Academy, starting something completely new."
"Yeah. We really are."
The first few hours of travel passed pleasantly enough. The road was well-maintained, the weather stayed clear, and the other candidates gradually began talking more freely. Stories were shared about village life, family backgrounds, and hopes for Academy training.
That's when I learned about Satoru.
It happened during a rest stop when the horses needed water and we were allowed to stretch our legs. Most of us gathered around a small stream, but Satoru remained sitting in the wagon, staring off into the forest with that same serious expression.
"He's been like that the whole trip," Hana whispered to our small group. "Barely said two words to anyone."
"Maybe he's just shy," Saki suggested.
"Or maybe he thinks he's too good to talk to village kids," Takeshi said with obvious annoyance.
"It's not that," Kenji said quietly. He'd been watching Satoru as much as the rest of us, but with concern rather than curiosity. "I know his story. My cousin lives near his village."
"What story?" Daichi asked.
Kenji glanced around to make sure Satoru couldn't hear, then spoke in a low voice. "Akuma attack. Six months ago. His entire family was killed—parents, grandparents, two younger siblings. He was the only survivor."
The group fell silent. Suddenly Satoru's serious demeanor and isolation made terrible sense.
"How did he survive?" Ryouta asked quietly.
"Hidden in a root cellar while it happened above him. When he finally came out..." Kenji shook his head. "Everything was gone. Everyone was gone."
"That's horrible," Mina whispered, her eyes wide with sympathy.
"He's been living with distant relatives since then, training obsessively for the Academy trials. My cousin said he barely sleeps, barely eats. Just practices combat techniques from dawn to dusk."
"Why?" I asked.
"Revenge," Kenji said simply. "He wants to get strong enough to hunt down the things that killed his family."
We looked back toward the wagon where Satoru sat alone, and I felt a new understanding of why someone might seek Academy training. For most of us, it was about opportunity, growth, maybe helping people. For him, it was about something much darker and more personal.
"We should try to be his friend," Mina said suddenly. "He shouldn't be alone all the time."
"I don't know if he wants friends," Daichi said uncertainly.
"Everyone needs friends," she replied with the simple certainty that only seven-year-olds possess. "Especially people who are sad."
As we climbed back into the wagon and resumed our journey, I found myself watching Satoru with new eyes. The Academy represented hope and adventure for me, but for him it was probably something much more urgent—a path to the power he needed to face the nightmares that had destroyed his world.
The afternoon wore on, and the landscape around us gradually changed from familiar farmland to denser forest. The road remained good, but there were fewer signs of regular travel, and the guards seemed more alert as shadows lengthened between the trees.
"Should reach the way station before full dark," the driver called back to us. "Nice safe place to spend the night, then on to the Academy tomorrow."
As if summoned by his words, a long, mournful howl echoed from somewhere deep in the forest around us.
Then another.
Then several more, from different directions.
"What was that?" Hana asked nervously.
"Wolves, probably," one of the guards said, but his hand moved to his weapon. "Nothing to worry about. They don't usually bother large groups."
But the howls didn't sound like any wolves I'd ever heard. They had an unnatural quality that made my skin crawl, and they seemed to be getting closer.
"Driver," Captain Izuma called from his position near the front. "Perhaps we should increase our pace."
"Already on it, Captain."
The wagon began moving faster, horses stepping up from a steady walk to a quick trot. The guards closed ranks around us, scanning the forest with obvious concern.
Another howl, much closer this time. Then the sound of something large moving through the underbrush parallel to our route.
"Those aren't wolves," Satoru said quietly. It was the first time he'd spoken since introductions, and his voice carried absolute certainty.
"What are they then?" Takeshi asked, trying to sound brave but failing.
Satoru's dark eyes fixed on the forest around us. "Trouble."