Chapter 6 – The Point of No Return1- Ryoma's Reaction to "Raikano"
Darkness... was breathing.
Ryoma stood frozen, his eyes wide as he stared at the scene before him. This wasn't just a display of power—it was something beyond human comprehension. The "Raikano" that Saito unleashed wasn't mere energy; it felt alive, twisting and pulsing like a sentient being, as if it possessed its own will.
His body shivered involuntarily, a chill crawling up his spine, as though death itself had brushed against him for a fleeting moment. He felt something he had never experienced before—a sensation as if the darkness itself was trying to consume him from within.
Lowering his gaze to his hands, he clenched his fists slowly. He remembered that feeling when he first touched his dagger... that deep void that seemed to pull a part of him away. It wasn't an illusion. Something was wrong—something inside him resisted merging with this darkness, as if his very body rejected it.
"You're afraid, aren't you?"
Saito's voice was calm, but the cold undertone made Ryoma's heart tighten. He slowly lifted his head, meeting his mentor's piercing gray eyes—eyes that saw through people, as if they could uncover their deepest fears before they even acknowledged them.
Ryoma didn't respond. He didn't need to. He knew... what he had just witnessed wasn't just energy.
It was something far more dangerous.
Saito smirked subtly before turning back toward the fading shadows, his voice quiet yet heavy with meaning:
"This isn't just energy… It's a curse. The power flowing within you can devour you at any moment... but that depends entirely on you."
2- Ryoma's Strength Test
The following days were nothing short of torture.
Saito put him through grueling training to test his body's limits against "Raikano". He had to push himself beyond any normal boundaries, to put his body and mind under pressure that no ordinary human could endure.
The training started with long-distance running until his legs felt like they would be torn apart. He endured relentless blows without being allowed to fight back, then was forced to spar without using Raikano. Every time he fell, he had to rise again. And every time he rose, the hits became harsher.
Yet, something felt off.
Every time Ryoma tried to summon his energy, nothing happened. No shadows, no dark aura, no sensation of flowing power.
Nothing.
Saito watched him silently, his brows furrowed. There was a problem.
"Why can't he use it? What's wrong?"
3- The Shocking Truth
Saito decided to test his theory.
Standing before Ryoma, his eyes gleamed with a cold light.
"I'll unleash a small fraction of my power on you. If you can't resist it, you'll die."
Before Ryoma could react, the shadows around him surged forward at terrifying speed. Like a living wave of darkness, they lunged at him like a starving beast seeking its prey.
He tried to step back, but the shadow coiled around his body, seeping into his skin. It felt as if his very existence was being peeled away layer by layer.
But…
Nothing happened.
Ryoma stood amidst the writhing darkness, his eyes widening in shock. He didn't feel fear. He didn't feel weakness… but something else entirely.
He felt that this power… did not affect him the way it affected others.
Saito fell silent for a moment before letting out a light chuckle, shaking his head.
"This is truly interesting... It seems you're not an ordinary trainee."
And at that moment, Saito realized the truth:
Ryoma was the only one who couldn't be consumed by "Raikano" at night. Unlike everyone else, he could only use his power during the day.
4- The Academy and Organization Explained
Saito and Ryoma walked through a darkened street, heading toward the academy.
"Before we arrive, there are things you need to know about the organization and the academy."
Ryoma lifted his head, waiting for an explanation.
"The academy isn't just a school; it's a secret training facility designed to train those who can wield 'Raikano'. But don't misunderstand—this isn't a place for learning, it's a place for survival. Anyone who fails to prove themselves… is eliminated."
Ryoma looked ahead as a massive iron gate came into view, leading into a towering structure that resembled an ancient castle, enhanced with modern technology.
Saito pushed open the gates, revealing a vast courtyard surrounded by massive buildings with darkened windows, dim lights casting eerie glows across the area.
"This is the Shadow Academy… the place where your real journey begins."
5- The Mysterious Girl's Arrival
As Ryoma examined his new surroundings, he felt eyes watching him. He turned, his gaze landing on a girl with long silver hair and violet eyes, standing on the steps of one of the buildings, observing him silently.
Her beautiful features carried something unusual—an expression that hinted at familiarity, as if she had known him long before this moment.
Before he could speak, a small smile formed on her lips, and she spoke in a quiet voice:
"I've been waiting for you, Ryoma-Kaji."
Ryoma froze, his brows furrowing before he tilted his head slightly and responded, his voice a mix of surprise and arrogance:
"What?"
(End of Chapter)