I]The Broken Blade Awakens -- An Abandoned Facility Outside the Academy The wind swept through the ruined training field. Alone, Shirakawa stood in the middle of a steel wasteland, the black uniform of the Tōun Academy still stained with fresh blood.
"This... is our enemy?" he murmured softly, receiving no answer.
There was no backup for this mission - only a cryptic order from a mysterious figure high in the school's hierarchy:
"Go to the 'Lost Station' and test the power of your first stage awakened ability."
He looked down at his palm, where fine black patterns had begun to spread-the mark of Black Blade Awakening: Phase One.
A gust of wind whispered through.
The Otherworld Striders surged forth.
Shirakawa raised his hand, eyes cold, blood on his lips:
"I'm not here to run... I'm here to slaughter you all."
[II]Yoru Mikage - Trial of Departure Under the moonlight, the bell of the Tōun Academy rang solemnly.
He said no goodbyes.
Silently, he slipped his magic cards into the scabbard at his back.
-Black Jack awoke.
It was a domain deep within the realm of illusion magic, known among the mysterious Striders as the "Card of Resolution" - each card a wager of life itself.
Yoru turned back to look at the top of the Academy Tower, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes.
"Sayaka... wait for me."
He stepped forward, onto the lonely path of the mage's trial.
[III]Hakuran - Infiltration Commenced Beneath the night, a lone figure slipped into an abandoned research lab under the control of the Financial Consortium.
Completely shrouded in a perception-negating veil woven from misdirection magic, Hakuran advanced in silence.
A terminal flickered to life.
A name appeared on the screen:
Experiment No. 54 - Otherworld Strider Replication Project Hakuran's eyes narrowed.
His lips moved in a whisper:
"So this... is their true ambition?"
"The warriors of Tōun Academy... are only the beginning."
Standing on a mountaintop, the Black Godblade unfolded a list in his hand - a list of those marked for battle.
Challenge Order:
Cinderflame Academy - Storm Captain Grayveil Academy - Illusion Commander Crimson Sun Academy - S-Rank Twins Tōun Academy - Yoru Mikage × Kyōichi Tendō (Final Duel) "I will make the world remember - why the 'Otherworld' was called Forbidden."
His smile was no longer human.
V]Sayaka Hōdō - The Will to Follow Before Dawn.
She stood at the north gate of Tōun Academy, suitcase in hand, dressed casually.
Her long black hair fluttered gently in the morning breeze.
She tucked a playing card into her breast pocket - the one Yoru had left behind: a spade ace.
"You're always one step ahead, Yoru."
"But this time... I won't be behind."
Sayaka looked up, her gaze soft yet determined: "When you look back... I'll already be standing beside you."
Extra: Kyōichi Tendō - Path of the Mind Blade - [Time] Three days after the Otherworld Iron Fist Duel - [Location] Tōun Academy, Lower Level of the Ryūga Arena, Restricted Dojo This chamber was once reserved for the Academy's strongest - accessible only to the one recognized as the Blade of Tōun.
Kyōichi Tendō sat in silence in the center.
Eyes closed, sweat dripping to the ground.
Around him, hundreds of ethereal swords, forged of pure mind, floated - spinning, slicing the air, testing the limits of his consciousness.
"The Mind Blade... is not for cutting enemies."
"It's for... cutting myself."
He whispered hoarsely.
Suddenly - an illusionary sword went out of control, slashing a wound across his chest.
"Kh...!"
Blood spilled from his lips, but he didn't move.
He just stared at the rogue blade, teeth clenched, swallowing his own fear.
"Black Godblade... you were once my friend."
"Now... you are the test I cannot avoid."
In his mind, the cursed blade of black mist reappeared - the day the Godblade returned.
The power that no longer belonged to man.
-Otherworld Striders... are no longer human.
Kyōichi stood.
The phantom swords burst apart and then reassembled to form a single Violet Flame Longsword.
He raised the sword and whispered:
"Mind Blade: Amaterasu, Phase One Release-now begins."
"Wait for me, Yoru..."
"I will grow stronger."