DIMENSION ECLIPSE – CHAPTER 3
SHIROU'S CONFUSION
Shirou sat alone, his eyes unfocused, his hands gripping the edge of the desk tightly. His brow was deeply furrowed as his mind churned with confusion. He struggled to understand how it was even possible that he couldn't sense Kaede's presence—someone whose aura, under normal circumstances, should have been easily detectable.
SHIROU (thinking deeply):
"How… how could this happen? Why can't I feel his presence at all?"
SHIROU (frustrated, to himself):"This can't be… It's not like he's stronger than me. Even if someone's aura is a few levels above mine, I can still sense it. So what's wrong with that kid? Why can't I feel him at all?"
Shirou's lips tightened. He tapped his fingers against the desk rhythmically, as if trying to force an answer to the surface. His mind raced through possibilities—was Kaede suppressing his aura? Or was there something far more dangerous hidden within him? No matter how long he thought, nothing made sense.
APPEARANCE OF NOXY
Just as Shirou's frustration peaked, a sudden burst of energy announced the arrival of someone nearby. Without warning, a boy with wild, spiky hair and a playful grin appeared beside him. Shirou barely glanced at him, uninterested.
NARRATOR:
The boy smiled widely, but his eyes betrayed nervousness. He exuded forced friendliness.
A GUY N-
"Hey! I'm Noxy!"
SHIROU (without expression):
"Okay."
NOXY (grinning, eager):
"Hey Shirou! That's your name, right?"
SHIROU (coldly):"Yeah… that's my name."
NOXY (cheerfully, ignoring Shirou's attitude):
"Man, why do you stay so alone in this entire class? We're first-year students in Class D after all! We shouldn't be so quiet all the time. After all, we're students of the academy too!"
SHIROU (dry, not paying attention):
"Look, I have no interest in enjoying myself. I'm perfectly fine the way I am."
SHIROU (calm but serious):
"And as far as being an academy student goes… we haven't even officially joined the academy yet."
NOXY (confused, scratching his head):
"What do you mean?"
SHIROU:"To officially become academy students, we have to pass the Aura Inheriting Test."
NOXY (eyes wide):
"Ah… okay… so what are we now then?"
SHIROU:"We're just new students. We haven't fully qualified. Once we take the test and pass, we'll become official academy students."
NOXY (panicking slightly):
"So… when's that test going to happen?"
SHIROU:
"I think… maybe tomorrow."
NOXY (stammering):
"Tomorrow?! What are you saying, man? I haven't even prepared! What do we have to do anyway?"
SHIROU (raising an eyebrow):
"Haven't you discussed it before? Have you even heard about it?"
NOXY (awkwardly scratching his head):
"Actually… no. I don't really know much about aura mechanics."
Hearing this, Shirou sighed deeply, shaking his head in silent disbelief.
SHIROU (thinking to himself, irritated):
"Who the hell is this idiot, and why does he show up around me? If he doesn't even know this much, why does he have to be here… Why is it always me who meets these kinds of people?"
SHIROU (explaining):
"In this test, you basically have to bring your aura out and control it well. That's how you'll awaken your powers. The test will also determine which aura category you belong to."
NOXY (eyes sparkling with excitement):
"Whoa! That actually sounds pretty interesting! Hey… where are you going?"
SHIROU:"I have some work. I'm leaving."
Without waiting for a reply, Shirou stood up and walked away. Noxy's smile faltered for a brief second before he turned and wandered off in the opposite direction.
SHIROU (thinking as he walks):
"Most of the students in Class D are idiots. The farther I stay from them, the better."
SHIROU OBSERVES EMMA
Later, sitting by the classroom window, Shirou absentmindedly observed the school grounds below. His eyes locked onto a girl struggling with her aura. She gritted her teeth, muttering to herself as she tried to form a proper weapon.
THAT GIRL (frustrated, muttering):
"Ugh! Why can't I get this right?! I remember I managed this during the last test… I have to teach this properly, no matter what!"
Shirou studied her quietly, analyzing every movement.
SHIROU (thinking):"Her stance is actually good… but she still can't control her aura properly. Her weapon, a sword, is fascinating… but if she can't use it well, it's useless."
Just then, Noxy peeked over Shirou's shoulder with a wide grin.
NOXY (excited):
"Hey! That's Emma, right? From our Class D!"
SHIROU:
"You know her?"
NOXY (nodding eagerly):
"Of course! We're in the same class! You probably don't know her because you never pay attention to others during class. Also… I suddenly came up behind you and you didn't even flinch… not even a tiny reaction on your face!"
SHIROU (smirking slightly):
"That's because I already sensed your presence before you came. You guys aren't at that level yet to shock me."
NOXY (impressed, eyes wide):
"Wow… seems like you have pretty good control over your aura."
SHIROU:"Whatever. I'm going."
SHIROU (thinking to himself):
"What is wrong with this boy… I know that he does not want to talk to me but still he is coming near me with a fake smile on his face. It's true that there are too many problems for me in this academy, but still this cannot stop me."
NOXY (curious, calling out as Shirou walks away):
"But where to?"
SHIROU (without turning):
"There aren't any special classes today. I'm going to rest in my dormitory."
NOXY (shrugging):
"…Okay, fine then."
KADE'S WORRY
While Shirou wrestled with his own thoughts, Kaede sat alone, troubled and hurt by Shirou's words. His fingers nervously traced patterns on his desk as his thoughts spiraled.
KAEDE (thinking sadly):
"Why… why did he say that? I just wanted to thank him… but he's right too… I am so weak."
At that moment, footsteps approached. It was the Class C homeroom teacher, Miss Lerry. She studied Kaede with concern and a hint of suspicion.
LERRY (looking at him):
"You're Kaede, right? From Class C?"
KAEDE (nervously):
"Y… yes, ma'am…"
LERRY (serious, concerned):
"You do know that the Aura Inheriting Test is tomorrow, right? As far as I know, you're the weakest student in our class. So for formalities, I'll have to check your aura roots."
Lerry's expression softened briefly as she thought about the boy's situation.
LERRY (thinking):
"Poor kid… I know everyone in the class picks on him… but he's still in the academy. If he fails tomorrow's test, he'll have to leave."
LERRY (aloud):
"So, Kaede… come with me."
KAEDE (hesitating, then nodding quietly):
"Okay…"
[THE AURA ROOT CHECK]
Kaede and Miss Lerry walked through the hallway in silence. The corridor echoed with the sounds of students preparing for the test. They entered a small, quiet room, dimly lit by white fluorescent lamps.
LERRY:
"Sit down and focus deeply on your aura flow."
Kaede obediently sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes. He took several deep breaths and tried to channel his aura into the correct pathways, but nothing responded.
LERRY (encouragingly, softly):
"It looks like you're having trouble. Let me help you. I'll open your aura roots."
She extended her hand toward him. But as soon as her fingers hovered near his chest, the air around them darkened unnaturally. The lights flickered once before going completely out.
Miss Lerry suddenly felt herself trapped in an endless void. Absolute darkness surrounded her. She could neither see nor hear anything, except for an overwhelming presence that froze her soul with terror.
LERRY (thinking, shocked):
"I can feel this absolute power… whose presence is this?!"
From within the darkness, a creature emerged—shining with golden radiance. Its form was unclear but powerful beyond measure. Fear gripped Miss Lerry's heart; even the trained instincts she had developed over years crumbled.
LERRY (screaming):
"Ahhh!!!"
KAEDE (alarmed, panicking):
"Ma'am! What happened?! Are you alright?!"
Miss Lerry staggered backward, eyes wide with terror. Though she was a Category 2, Type 1, Peak B-level aura user—among the academy's strongest—she had been paralyzed by the sheer force of that presence.
LERRY (breathless, stammering):
"Y-yes… I'm fine… you… you can go now!"
After taking a few shaky breaths, she forced herself to regain composure. But her mind raced with suspicion.
LERRY (thinking to herself, intensely):
"What was that?! Was it my imagination? No… that can't be possible! Wait… could it be… his aura spirit? But how could a spirit be that powerful?!"
Still confused, she resolved to keep the incident a secret—for now. Her investigative instincts stirred.
LERRY (determined, quietly):
"This boy… Kaede… I need to find out more about him."
[TEST DAY BEGINS]
The next morning, the students gathered in the academy's training grounds. The atmosphere buzzed with tension and anticipation.
TEACHER:
"All students, gather here! The Aura Inheriting Test will start now!"
The grounds had been divided: Classes C and D on one side, Classes A and B on the other. Each pair of classes would be tested together, with their respective teachers in charge.
VICE PRINCIPAL EDWARD (addressing the students):
"All students who have joined this year must go through the Aura Inheriting Test. If you perform well, you can stay at the academy. But if you fail to break through any category, you'll have to leave. Don't worry—you'll get another chance next year! Let's begin the test!"
For Classes C and D, Mr. Siwo and Miss Lerry would oversee the test, while Mr. Bekiyon and Mr. Rolan supervised Classes A and B.
STUDENTS EMOTIONS BEFORE THE TEST
Shirou's eyes blazed with determination. His fists tightened, and he stood with a confident posture, ready to prove himself.
SHIROU (full of energy):
"Finally… the time has come! Now I'll prove myself! I'll become someone no one dares to look down on again!"
In contrast, Kaede's hands trembled as he stood silently, anxiety clouding his eyes.
KAEDE (to himself):
"No… I can't fail.KAEDE Believe in yourself!"
As he whispered those words, a memory from his childhood flashed before him.
A MAN (from Kaede's memory):
"Kaede, never give up on yourself! Always remember—until you admit defeat, no one can defeat you!"
The memory gave him strength. He clenched his fists and stood up straighter, determination replacing doubt.
Nearby, other students like Noxy and Emma nervously exchanged glances. Their expressions showed excitement mixed with fear.
Across the ground, another student stood confidently, burning with focus.
SHRU (smiling, full of confidence):
"I'm a little nervous… but I know I can do this!"
Among the crowd, Miss Lerry's eyes narrowed as they fixed on Kaede, suspicion and curiosity swirling within her.
LERRY (thinking, suspiciously):
"I have to find out more about this boy…"
THE ENDING
The atmosphere was thick with expectation. Every student carried their own hopes and fears as the test loomed before them. Some were eager, some nervous, and some desperate to prove themselves. Amidst it all, Shirou's fire of determination, Kaede's silent struggle, and Miss Lerry's suspicion set the stage for deeper revelations yet to come.
And with that, Chapter 3 ended