The sky was soft with fading light as the academy courtyard bustled with energy. Laughter echoed, groups gathered, sparring matches flared. But on the edge of it all, on a worn-out bench beneath the sakura tree, one boy sat alone.
Long black hair tied lazily in a bun, dark strands falling across his sharp blue eyes—Izumi Nakamura. He sucked on a lollipop, arms folded behind his head, not bothering to acknowledge anyone around him.
From across the yard, Ryker leaned against a wall, eyes calmly observing.
"Hey," Sol Yoshida muttered, following Ryker's gaze. "That guy... no one's talking to him."
Ryker didn't respond. His silence was permission enough.
Sol walked over, hands in his pockets. "Yo. Who are you? And why're you sitting alone?"
Izumi didn't even turn his head. "None of your business."
Sol blinked. "Oh. You're one of those types. You kinda remind me of Ryker."
Izumi finally glanced at him, unimpressed.
Sol grinned. "Alright, that settles it. You're gonna be friends with me and Ryker now."
At that moment, Ryker approached, his presence quiet but heavy.
"What is it, Sol?" he asked.
"I just invited him to join us."
Ryker's eyes met Izumi's. "You're Izumi Nakamura, right?"
Izumi stared back, the lollipop stick twitching slightly between his lips.
"And if I am?"
Ryker smirked. "Then it's already decided."
Izumi's eyes narrowed slightly as tension sparked between him and Ryker. The two locked gazes—neither one backing down. The air between them grew heavier by the second.
"Hey! You both don't fight!" Sol suddenly shouted, stepping in between.
Before either could react, Sol grabbed Izumi's wrist with one hand and Ryker's with the other.
"C'mon! Let's go eat!" Sol grinned like a kid as he yanked them both forward.
"H-Hey! Stop—!" Izumi protested, lollipop flying out of his mouth.
"Stop, idiot!" Ryker snapped, stumbling to keep up.
But Sol didn't stop. He dashed forward, dragging the two strongest, most stoic boys like a kid dragging his stubborn pets.
They tore across the academy grounds, past students who could only watch in shock as the Ryker Tensai and the mysterious loner were being dragged like schoolboys.
Finally, Sol skidded to a halt in front of the cafeteria, breathless but grinning.
"We made it!" he said proudly.
Ryker shook his hand loose. "You're insane."
Izumi ripped his hand away too, brushing off his sleeve. "You're annoying."
Sol just laughed. "But I got you two to walk together, didn't I?"
Izumi looked at Ryker, and for a split second, they shared the same thought: This guy's trouble.
Cafeteria – Noon
The cafeteria buzzed with noise—clinking trays, laughter, chatter. Sol, Ryker, and Izumi stepped in, drawing attention instantly. Ryker's reputation alone was enough to hush whispers. Izumi, with his sharp gaze and disheveled black hair, walked like he didn't care who watched.
From across the room, Aisa spotted them.
She stood up, eyes fixed on Izumi.
"…Is that the guy sitting alone this morning?" she muttered.
She walked toward them, brushing past others.
"Hey," Aisa said, stopping in front of Izumi. "You're… Izumi, right? Mind if I join—"
Before she could finish, Izumi walked past her, following Sol and Ryker to their table.
He didn't even glance at her.
Aisa stood there, a little stunned.
"…Tch. Cold guy."
Ryker glanced back briefly. He ignored her? Interesting…
Classroom – Afternoon
The desks were arranged in neat rows. Sunlight poured through the windows. Students buzzed with energy.
Aria-sensei, young and strict, stepped in and clapped her hands.
"Alright, listen up! It's time to form your practical teams. Each team must have four members. Choose wisely—you'll be with them for the rest of the term."
Students immediately began forming groups.
Sol turned to Celica with a hopeful grin. "Celica, wanna team up?"
Celica smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, Sol. I'm already in a squad—Aisa, Yumi, Akira, and me."
Sol sighed dramatically. "Of course the girls make their own team…"
He turned to Ryker and Izumi. "Guess it's us three. We just need one more."
Before they could even look around—
A calm voice broke through:
"You have one place, right?"
They turned.
A tall boy stood by the doorway, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp like he'd been watching everything unfold.
"I'll join."
Just as the room buzzed with shifting teams and whispering students, a confident voice cut through the noise.
"I heard you need one more."
Everyone turned as a tall, athletic boy with sharp amber eyes and a cocky smile stepped forward.
"Name's Tatsuya Jin. Mind if I join?"
Sol blinked. "Wait—you're the Tatsuya Jin? The guy who soloed an entire mock dungeon last semester?"
Tatsuya grinned, slinging his bag over one shoulder. "Guilty."
Ryker raised an eyebrow. "Why us?"
Tatsuya shrugged. "You've got Ryker Tensai and Izumi Nakamura. You're the most interesting team here. I like chaos."
Izumi leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "We're not running a circus."
Tatsuya smirked. "Says the guy who iced three seniors last year for stealing his lunch."
Sol burst out laughing. "Okay, I like this guy."
Ryker sighed, standing up. "Fine. Welcome to the team. Don't slow us down."
Tatsuya slid into the seat beside them like he owned the place. "Wouldn't dream of it."
From the other side of the classroom, Celica glanced over at the forming group.
"Ryker, Izumi, Sol and Tatsuya?" she whispered. "That's overkill."
Aisa's eyes remained fixed on Izumi. "…He still hasn't said a word to me."
Yumi tilted her head. "This year's about to get wild."
After School – Outside the Academy
The four newly formed teammates walked down the stone steps under the setting sun.
Sol stretched his arms behind his head. "Okay, now that we've got a squad, we need a name."
Ryker: "No, we don't."
Izumi: "Hard pass."
Tatsuya: "We definitely do. Something cool. Like Blazing Storm—"
Ryker: "We're not naming ourselves after a shampoo brand."
Tatsuya: "Ouch."
Sol laughed. "I'm voting for The Rising Four."
Izumi rolled his eyes. "Sounds like a boy band."
Tatsuya grinned. "Then we better start singing."
Ryker shook his head, but a tiny smirk crept onto his face. "Idiots."
As they walked off into the training hall.
The massive training hall roared with energy.
Students from all classes filled the space, chatter echoing through the tall, glass-roofed chamber. The air buzzed with anticipation.
At the center stood Aria-sensei, her presence commanding silence as instructors flanked her.
"Today," she announced, her voice amplified with magic, "first-years will observe and later spar. Second-years will demonstrate elite teamwork. Watch and learn."
The first-years stood still, eyes wide, hearts pounding.
The sound of boots striking the polished floor drew everyone's attention.
A squad approached the stage.
There were many second-year teams, all strong, but every eye in the room locked onto one team—the most feared and admired among them.
Team King.