I walked toward the qualifiers' gate, each step echoing in the vast, dimly lit hall. As I got closer, the massive doors swung open, revealing long hallways painted a dark, muted blue. The light inside was dim, casting everything in shadows that stretched like claws across the walls.
"Come on… another hallway?" I muttered, my voice carrying a mix of annoyance and exhaustion. My face reflected it too, tight with frustration.
I stepped into the corridor. With each step, the light behind me slowly disappeared as the gate closed with a low, grinding hum. I turned briefly to watch the arena vanish from sight—then focused forward. Minutes passed, my steps echoing along the seemingly endless hallway. This wasn't just a straight path. It twisted and turned, winding left, then right, then left again, as if the hallway itself was trying to disorient me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a gray gate appeared in the distance. I sprinted toward it, my legs burning, adrenaline pushing me forward. As I drew closer, the gate opened slowly, revealing a large room. Inside, a dozen qualifiers were already gathered, each with the same mixture of exhaustion, excitement, and determination etched into their faces.
Among them, I spotted the orange-haired guy with the fire ability. He was sitting on the ground, leaning back against the wall as though resting. Near him were two others. One was a tall, imposing figure with short, wavy black hair and striking golden eyes, exuding confidence and seriousness. The other was a girl with long silver hair, a black hairclip glinting against her pale locks. She radiated elegance and quiet strength.
I scanned the room, searching for Kagetsu, but there was no sign of him.
"There's still a chance he'll make it," I whispered under my breath, though my chest tightened with unease.
I examined the six gates in the room, counting the one I had entered through. Each had a screen at the top, displaying the range of zones they corresponded to, just like the massive room at the start of the exam. I looked back at my gate—"Zones 1 - 3" glared down at me, a reminder of the journey I had just survived.
One gate stood out. Its screen was larger than the others, but it was completely black, showing nothing. Across from it, another gate lacked a screen entirely. My curiosity and nerves collided as I glanced between them.
Minutes passed in tense anticipation. Then, the gate with the screen reading "Zones 9 - 12" began to open. My heart jumped.
"Come on, Kagetsu," I muttered, clenching my jaw. My pulse raced with hope… only to crash when an average-looking guy with red hair stepped through.
The female announcer's voice echoed, calm but final.
"12th zone exam has officially ended."
I looked down at my shoes, a hollow emptiness settling over me.
"This was supposed to be our dream," I whispered, the words barely audible, but carrying the weight of disappointment. My chest felt heavy, and a shadow of sadness passed over my face.
Minutes stretched on. New qualifiers filed into the room, their faces a mixture of triumph and exhaustion. I counted, and by the time the announcements had ended, 48 people—including myself—stood in the room.
Then, the big black screen flickered to life. Principal Gregores appeared, seated elegantly in a gray suit that blended with the background, his expression calm, almost serene.
"Congratulations on passing this entrance exam. This is just the beginning of your story," he said, his voice steady and authoritative.
"Here at Tsubasa Academy, you will learn to perfect the power you hold within and how to deal with real-life situations. Each of you will be given a rank based on how you handled the challenges during this exam," he continued.
"In one hour, three more examinees will join you. Afterward, this gate will open, and you may return home," he concluded. The screen went blank, replaced by a countdown clock—one hour until the next stage.
Elsewhere, in a different zone, Kagetsu lay sprawled on the fresh green grass, surrounded by trees. Blood and bruises marked his body, and his right arm covered his eyes.
"Over and over again… I always end up losing, no matter how hard I try," he murmured, voice breaking, tears streaking down his face.
He lifted his head slightly, pain and frustration etched across his features.
"I get it now… It's become so clear… why I lost."
He pushed himself up, wincing at every movement.
"All these prodigies are born with strength. I… I've never had that. But if strength is what I need to win, then I'll get it. No matter who or what stands in my way… I won't ever lose again."
Wiping tears from his eyes with the back of his arm, he slowly began limping toward the "eliminated gate," determination burning in every step.