I]Second Academy - Shinphoenix Academy × The Arrival of Black Blade Shinphoenix Academy - the western rival of Higashigumo Academy, famous for its "Close-Combat Burst System" and "Tech-Tactical Engineering". Their students, armed to the teeth, resembled a disciplined military unit.
But today, that fortified defense... was effortlessly torn apart by a single man.
A black figure walked slowly into the central training grounds, his long black hair blowing in the wind, his dark cloak like drifting mist. Behind him, the Inkblade: Silent Severance moved slightly - yet it felt like an abyss ready to swallow everything.
"Come. Show me your so-called... elite."
The Academy's Defense Department urgently dispatched its 7th-ranked warrior, Akane En'ō, a Burst-style pugilist whose palms seethed with rock-splitting, high-temperature flame power.
The battle lasted exactly 27 seconds.
With a single Black Rift Spiral Slash, Black Blade reduced Akane and the ground beneath him to scorched rubble.
Blood splattered on the engraved stone of the plaza as he coldly muttered:
"Next academy."
Shinphoenix Academy falls. The pressure of an alien invader spreads like wildfire throughout the region.
Meanwhile, in the forests surrounding the academy, Night Yomi sat alone in front of a cliff, a single playing card spinning between his fingers.
He had been in seclusion for three days, undergoing extreme survival tests set by the mysterious wanderer Yoru-Fune: Magic Sealed × Face Death Directly.
Yoru-Fune watched him calmly and spoke:
"You have held back too long, Night Yomi. You are not still water... you are a mad blade still sheathed."
Night Yomi took a deep breath.
As memories flashed - Fūkiri Ryou's death, Shirakawa's stabbing, Hakuran's injuries - the Jack of Spades suddenly exploded in his hand!
Light turned into madness.
[Black Jack - First Ability Form - Critical Genesis]
His right eye flashed a strange color. Magic glyphs in the shape of playing card spirals appeared on his right hand. Behind him, his shadow split of its own accord.
"This is... an ability form?!"
Yoru-Fune's voice trembled - but a smile crept across his lips.
Night Yomi stood. His mismatched eyes glowed, his voice distant... detached.
"I finally heard it."
"The voice from deep within the deck - the voice of my other self."
[III]Sayo Hōdō - Forest Rescue Just as Night Yomi was on the verge of completely losing control, a silver flash darted through the trees-Sayo Hōdō.
She jumped at him without hesitation, tackling him to the ground and hugging his trembling form tightly.
"Calm down... You're not alone anymore."
His entire body shook, torn by inner demons - but slowly calmed in her arms.
"I don't want your own magic to consume you..."
The wind whispered. Leaves rustled.
And in that moment, the world fell silent. They just held each other... in silence.
"You've returned." Elsewhere, Mitō Karuma stood alone, guarding the Eastern Gate of the Academy.
He stared at a familiar foe - the Ice General, an otherworldly puppet master clad in glacial armor, spinning a bladed disk with five floating puppets behind him.
The Ice General threw a move: "Puppet Blade": Cyclone Frenzy]-all five puppets charged forward.
But this time, Karuma grinned.
"I'm not the same as before."
He cracked his black whip - and in the sky, three spectral beasts roared into shape: Spirit Wolf, Thunder Hawk, and Shadow Fox!
"Whipbind Pact: Triple Beast Release]!
With a battle cry, he rushed into a fierce battle alongside his summoned beasts.
The battle was brutal. But in Karuma's eyes, there was no trace of fear.
V]Epilogue × The Horns of War Black Blade moves to the third academy.
Night Yomi begins to adapt to his new ability form - but signs of a dual personality break begin to appear.
Hakuran dives into the deepest layer of the research sector... and discovers the embryonic form of an Otherworld Gate.
That night, under the forest stars, Sayo Hōdō watches Night Yomi sleep and murmurs softly:
"If he really changes... will I still be able to hold on to him?"
- Night Yomi's Black Jack has awakened.
And deep in his heart... the future Joker begins to open his eyes.