[Scene – Morning Briefing]
The grand training hall of New Era Academy is filled with murmurs as students gather for their first practical mission. Professor Raiden stands at the front, a large map projected behind him.
> Raiden: "Today, you will assist Haratsu's border watch. Reports of magical beast activity have increased near the Fogveil Forest. Your task is to patrol and report — do not engage unless necessary."
Umei glances at Shin, her expression uneasy.
> Umei: "The Fogveil… it's dangerous, even for senior students."
Shin just nods.
---
[Scene – Into the Forest]
Shin's assigned group consists of himself, Umei, and two nobles loyal to Haya. They clearly dislike Shin, keeping their distance as they walk under the dense, misty canopy.
> Noble 1: "I don't see why the so-called 'transfer student' is even here."
Noble 2: "Let's just make sure he doesn't get us killed."
The air is thick with mana. The distant sound of branches breaking echoes from deeper in the forest.
---
[Scene – The Ambush]
Without warning, a Dire Horned Lizard — a beast the size of a carriage, its scales glimmering like steel — bursts through the mist, roaring.
The nobles panic, casting hasty spells that bounce harmlessly off its armor.
Umei steps forward, summoning a spiral of frost to slow the creature, but it shatters her ice with a single charge. She's thrown to the ground, winded.
The beast turns toward her — ready to strike.
---
[Scene – Shin Breaks His Rule]
Shin moves.
One step — and the world seems to freeze.
His hand rises, no chant, no visible spell circle. The air around him distorts violently, the ground cracking beneath his feet.
A single pulse of his mana slams into the beast like an invisible wall, hurling it backward into the trees with a thunderous crash. The forest falls silent.
The nobles stare, pale-faced.
> Noble 1: "What… was that…?"
Shin says nothing, simply offering Umei a hand to stand.
---
[Scene – The Clue]
As the group inspects the fallen beast, Shin notices something strange caught between its scales — a fragment of cloth, embroidered with an ancient crest.
He knows this crest. It was on the blanket of his sibling when they were born.
Shin pockets the fragment, his expression unreadable.
---
[Scene – Return to the Academy]
Back at New Era, the nobles can't stop talking about what happened — though their story is a confused mess of fear and awe.
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, Kenjiro Akibara receives a sealed letter.
He opens it, frowning as he reads:
> "The Akehara boy has begun to move. The one you seek… is closer than you think."
The camera lingers on his eyes — calculating, dangerous.
[To be continued…]