《Nehora》


 Chapter 1

    The dimly lit room buzzed with tension as shadows flickered across the walls. Inside, a group of figures stood huddled around a large table, their faces obscured by dark cloaks. The air was thick with the scent of anticipation and the promise of danger. In the center, a lone figure, their face barely visible beneath the hood, leaned over the table, hands steepled in thought.


    "So, how are you planning to succeed this time?" a gruff voice broke the silence, its owner standing near the corner of the room, arms crossed. The man''s posture was defensive, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Every time we try to infiltrate the Academy, that guy Kagea always shows up out of nowhere and ruins everything."


    The figure at the table slowly raised their head, revealing a pair of piercing eyes. "He won''t show up this time," they said, voice calm but carrying an unmistakable confidence.


    A collective pause filled the room as the others exchanged skeptical glances. One of the figures, a slender woman with sharp features, stepped forward, her expression doubtful. "Eh? What do you mean by that?" she asked, voice dripping with skepticism. "Kagea''s always there, watching from the shadows. How can you be so sure he won''t interfere this time?"


    The leader of the group smirked, a glint of mischief flickering in their eyes. "Because this time, we''re not just going to charge in recklessly. We''re going to use their own system against them." They tapped the table, a map of the Academy spreading out across its surface. "The entrance exam is coming up."


    At the mention of the entrance exam, the room fell silent. The members of the group exchanged quick, sharp glances, a mix of surprise and understanding crossing their faces. The entrance exam was the Academy''s most secure event, a time when hundreds of hopeful students flocked to the gates, each one vying for a coveted spot in the prestigious institution. But more than that, it was a time when the security and surveillance at the Academy were relaxed under the guise of welcoming newcomers.


    A thick tension filled the air as the leader leaned forward, voice low but clear. "We use that opportunity. We infiltrate during the exam. Once we''re inside, we can carry out the mission without Kagea even knowing what hit him."


    The man in the corner grunted in acknowledgment, his suspicions easing slightly. "So, we''re going in as students?"


    "Exactly, one of our comrade have power change an appeance of himself and others we use his ability to get inside the acadmey" the leader confirmed, a cold smile spreading across their lips. "We''ll slip in undetected, blend in, and wait for the perfect moment. By the time Kagea realizes what''s happening, it''ll be too late."


    The woman who had spoken earlier tilted her head, considering the plan. "But Kagea is a genius, always a step ahead. Even if we infiltrate during the exam, he''s bound to sense something''s off. How do we deal with him?"


    "That''s the beauty of it," the leader said, their voice laced with a dangerous calm. "Kagea''s power relies on his ability to control the situation. But when he''s distracted by the chaos of the entrance exam, he won''t have time to track all of us."


    Another figure, a tall man with a long scar running down his face, spoke up. "But what if we don''t make it inside? What if the secuirty is harder than we expect?"


    The leader stood up, hands still clasped. "We will. We''ve prepared for this. You''ve all trained for so long. "


    A dark silence followed, and then a low murmur spread through the group. The plan was audacious, reckless even. But there was no turning back now. The leader''s confidence was infectious, and for the first time in a long while, they felt a glimmer of hope¡ªa real chance to succeed where they had failed before.


    The woman smirked, her sharp eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright, then. Let''s make sure we don''t let Kagea ruin it this time."


    The leader turned, their voice quiet but filled with conviction. "This time, we win."


    The sky was overcast, the morning light dull and washed out by a blanket of clouds that hung heavy above. It wasn''t the kind of day Nehora had hoped for, but then again, nothing ever went according to plan in his life. Today, of all days, was important. The exam for Country No. 1 Academy was today¡ªthe place everyone talked about, the place everyone dreamed of.


    My name is Nehora, and I''m going to start my new life. That was the thought that had been keeping him steady as he stood at the gates of the Academy, heart pounding. Every year, thousands of students lined up to take the entrance exam for this prestigious institution, but only a hundred ever made the cut. It wasn''t that the Academy didn''t want more students¡ªit was just that the exam was brutal. Only the truly elite could pass.


    The written exam was the first hurdle. The questions were grueling, covering everything from power theory to tactics, survival skills, and knowledge of the wild creatures that roamed the dangerous forests surrounding the academy. But even that wasn''t the hardest part. The real test came after.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The moment Nehora had dreaded for months was finally here: the Physical Test.


    All the students who passed the written exam would face the three-stage physical challenge. The first stage was a 5km race. A test of speed and endurance, the course would push every student to their limit. But that wasn''t the worst part.


    Stage two came next: a 3km course while carrying a 10kg weight on their back. It was designed to test strength and stamina, and for many, it was the point where their bodies gave out.


    But the final stage? The living hell.


    All the remaining students would be dropped into a massive forest, one known for its deadly creatures and the wild dangers that lurked beneath its dense trees. There, scattered throughout the forest, were badges that each student needed to steal. The badges were guarded by some of the most dangerous animals in the world¡ªeach creature stronger, faster, and deadlier than the last. It was a test of survival, wit, and strength.


    If you could make it out of that forest, if you could steal the badge and make it back to the starting point, you could finally call yourself a student of Country No. 1 Academy.


    Nehora took a deep breath as he stood before the towering gates of the Academy, a massive structure of glass and steel that reflected the looming gray skies. It was an intimidating sight, but not as much as the thousands of students standing in the courtyard around him, all with the same goal in mind.


    To get in.


    "Today''s the day," he murmured to himself.


    The gates opened with a low groan, and the sea of students surged forward, eager and nervous. Nehora stepped in line, his bag slung over his shoulder, his expression calm but his mind racing. His first test would be a written exam, one of the hardest part.


    The exam hall was suffocating with silence. Nehora sat at his desk, his palms clammy as he adjusted his grip on his pencil. His eyes flicked over the paper, scanning the questions quickly, but nothing seemed familiar. Power theory, tactics, survival skills, and the creatures of the wild¡ªthe questions felt like they came from another world. His stomach twisted.


    The room was tense. The students around him sat like statues, their pens moving with mechanical precision, the only sound the faint rustle of paper and the steady ticking of the clock. The air felt thick with the weight of the exam.


    Nehora''s gaze shifted toward the front of the room where the invigilators stood, watching. No one was allowed to speak, to glance at each other for comfort. No one dared break the silence. The pressure felt almost suffocating.


    He glanced down at the first question. What''s the primary function of arcane energy in combat situations? His mind blanked. He had studied it. He was sure he had, but now it all seemed irrelevant. Panic flared, and his hand shook.


    Focus, focus!


    The other students were in a rhythm now, scribbling away, some even flipping through pages with ease. Nehora tried to steady his breathing, but his head spun. He wasn''t prepared for this. Not like this.


    Taro was sitting to his right, the boy who always seemed so confident, so sure of himself. Taro''s pencil moved like a storm¡ªfast, sure, and unyielding. Nehora couldn''t help but glance at him. Taro didn''t even seem to pause. Nehora swallowed hard and glanced back down at his paper. Stop looking around. Don''t think about him. Think about the questions.


    But it was no use. The words on the page refused to make sense. His mind was racing. His eyes darted to the clock¡ªtwenty minutes gone already, and he had barely filled out the first question.


    Then, a sudden sound broke the silence¡ªa soft, audible thud echoed from the back of the room. Nehora''s heart skipped. One of the students, Ryo, had slammed his pencil down, his face contorted in frustration. He shot a glance at the invigilator, who was already moving toward him. The tension thickened.


    Nehora''s heart pounded harder. It can''t be like that. I can''t fail. Not here. Not now.


    He looked back at his paper. The second question was about wild creatures¡ªmore specifically, how to survive an encounter with a chimera. This he knew. His mind snapped into focus for a brief moment, recalling everything from the textbooks to his practical lessons. He scribbled down a few points about agility, misdirection, and using the environment to gain the upper hand.


    Yes!


    But that moment of triumph was fleeting. The next question was about tactical formations in battle¡ªsomething Nehora had struggled with. He stared at it, his hand hovering over the paper, knowing that the clock was ticking. He had to write something. Anything.


    The room seemed to close in on him, the quiet pressing harder against his chest. Nehora looked up again, his eyes scanning the room.


    What if I fail?


    But as he turned his gaze across the room, he noticed something: the others weren''t perfect. Some were pausing, glancing nervously at their papers, their brows furrowed in concentration. No one was flawless. Even Taro, the one he had envied earlier, was taking long moments to think, his pen tapping against the desk in deep thought.


    For the first time since the exam started, Nehora allowed himself to breathe. It wasn''t just him. Everyone was struggling. This was hard for everyone.


    Nehora shook off the last of his panic, refocusing. He looked back at the page, moving past the impossible questions and focusing on what he did know. Survival tactics. Arcane energy. Wild creatures.


    One by one, the answers began to come together, shaky at first, then with more confidence. He scribbled faster, pushing himself to answer each question, even if he wasn''t sure of the specifics.


    The clock ticked on. The pressure was unrelenting, but Nehora wasn''t frozen anymore. He was moving forward.


    As the final minute approached, Nehora took one last deep breath, then hurriedly filled in the last few blanks. His hands were trembling, but his mind was clearer than it had been since the exam started.


    He wasn''t finished. Not perfect, but he had done what he could. He looked down at his paper one last time, and for the first time in what felt like hours, a small sense of calm washed over him.


    The first round was over before he could fully process it. Nehora had passed with a score that placed him among the top 10 in the written exam. But that was just the beginning.


    Nehora watching the students going home who failed in exam he go even more nervous then before he don''t want to become one of them.


    To be continue......

 Chapter 2

    The second part of the exam was the physical trial. The instructor stood before the gathered students, her silver hair gleaming under the dull sky. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the nervous energy and the flickers of self-doubt on the faces of many. As the students fidgeted, some adjusting their gear, others checking their surroundings, the instructor remained silent for a moment, allowing the tension to settle.


    She waited for the last whisper to fade, the last nervous shuffle to quiet down. Then, when she knew the students were listening, she spoke.


    "Today, you''re about to face something that will challenge you in ways you can''t imagine. Some of you are here because you''ve been told your whole life that you are destined for greatness. Others are here because you chose to be. For some, this Academy is a dream, a goal that''s been burning in your heart for years. For others, it''s a way to escape from the life you thought you were trapped in."


    Her gaze swept across the group, making eye contact with a few of the students, lingering just long enough to see their nervousness.


    "But let me tell you this," she continued, her voice hardening, her tone unwavering. "None of that matters right now. Not your background, not the power you were born with, not your past victories, not your failures. All of it is irrelevant. You''re all here for one reason ¡ª because you were chosen to prove that you belong in this Academy.


    And the only thing that will define whether you make it is what you do next. It doesn''t matter how fast you are, how powerful you are, or how many people you''ve defeated in the past. What matters is your will.


    The will to push forward when your body screams for rest. The will to stand tall when the world tries to knock you down. The will to keep moving, even when you feel like you''re already falling behind."


    The instructor stepped forward, her gaze piercing as she looked into the eyes of the students, one by one.


    "Do you know what separates the elite from the rest of the world?" she asked. "It''s not talent. It''s not skill. It''s determination. The ability to keep going when others stop. The heart to keep fighting when others give up. The resolve to look failure in the face and say, ''Not today.''"


    A few of the students shifted nervously, the weight of her words beginning to settle in.


    "Some of you are going to doubt yourselves," the instructor said, her tone softer now, but no less powerful. "You will see someone pass you in the race, someone with more ability, more talent, more power. You''ll wonder why you''re even here. You may feel small, insignificant, like maybe you don''t be here in the first place."


    She paused, allowing the students to digest her words. There was a noticeable shift in the air, a collective tightening of shoulders, a subtle determination building up.


    "But let me make something clear," she said, her voice suddenly fierce, like the crack of thunder. "You belong here. Every single one of you. You''ve made it this far because you have something that no amount of power or talent can give ¡ª heart. And heart, my students, is what will get you through. When your body is screaming at you to stop, when your legs ache, when your breath is shallow, when your mind tells you that you can''t go any further ¡ª that''s when your heart must take over. That''s when you dig deep and find the strength to move forward."


    She took a step back and turned to face the large track that lay ahead of them, the path they would soon run, the obstacles that would block their way.


    "Today is about more than passing a test. Today is about proving to yourself that you can push past the limits you''ve set for yourself. It''s about conquering the doubts in your mind, the fears in your heart, and pushing through no matter how hard it gets.


    You will face obstacles. You will face creatures that want to tear you apart. You will face other people who are faster, stronger, more gifted than you. And it will feel unfair. It will feel impossible. But that''s where the true test lies. How far will you go when the world is against you? How hard will you fight when it seems like the fight is already lost?"


    The instructor turned back to the students, her eyes alight with passion.


    "So don''t worry about what others can do. Don''t worry about who''s faster, who''s stronger, who has more power. You are here for you. To prove to yourself that you are capable of more than you ever thought possible. This Academy doesn''t just take in the gifted. It takes in the resilient. The ones who can endure.


    Remember, the race isn''t over until you cross that line. And the one who crosses that line? The one who doesn''t quit? That person is the one who earns their place here.


    And that person is you."


    She paused, her voice quieting as the weight of her words settled over them.


    "Now go, show us who you really are."


    The Race Begins


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.The whistle blew. Nehora''s heart leaped into his throat, but the instructor''s words rang in his mind, steadying him.


    "How far will you go when the world is against you? How hard will you fight when it seems like the fight is already lost?"


    The words seemed to echo through him, sparking a fire inside. He wasn''t the fastest. He wasn''t the strongest. But right here, right now, Nehora had something that mattered more, determination.


    His legs moved before his mind could catch up. The ground felt hard beneath his feet, but his rhythm was steady, controlled. His breath came in deep, steady breaths, and each time his foot struck the earth, it felt like a promise to himself.


    You can do this. Just one step at a time.


    As the other students surged ahead, powered by their abilities, Nehora stayed grounded. He didn''t try to keep up with them ¡ª he focused on his own pace. One foot in front of the other. Keep moving. Don''t stop.


    Alright, don''t think about the others. You''re not racing them. Just keep your feet moving.


    The path stretched on, twisting through the dense fields around the Academy. Nehora kept his eyes forward, the instructors'' voices a faint buzz in the background. His focus was sharp, fixed only on the finish line, which seemed so far away yet so close at the same time.


    Nehora heard the thunderous footsteps of students with powers, their strides outpacing his. He glanced over his shoulder and saw a girl glowing with soft blue light, gliding effortlessly past him. Another boy, rocks floating around him, telekinetically speeding ahead.


    Stop looking at them. Focus, Nehora. Focus on your own pace.


    The exhaustion crept in, the ache in his muscles, the sharp bite of wind against his skin. His legs were starting to feel heavy.


    No. Not now. Don''t think about the pain. Keep pushing. Move your feets.


    At the 3-kilometer mark, Nehora''s vision began to blur, and the world felt like it was spinning. But he didn''t slow down. The ground beneath him felt like it was slipping away, but he held on tight to the rhythm.


    The finish line is close. I can''t give up now. I came this far.


    His legs burned, his chest felt tight, but he refused to stop. Not yet.


    The final stretch appeared ahead ¡ª just 1 kilometer to go. His body screamed in protest, but his mind was set.


    Just a little bit further. You''ve got this. You won''t stop now. Keep moving, don''t give up.


    With every ounce of energy he had left, Nehora surged forward. His feet pounded the earth in a last burst of speed, his chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face.


    And then, at last, he crossed the finish line. The world blurred in front of his eyes, but he felt it ¡ª the rush of victory, the sweet taste of achievement.


    He stood there, breathing heavily, his body screaming for rest, but his heart was lighter than it had ever been.


    The instructors stood by the sidelines, watching. Nehora caught the briefest nod from one of them ¡ª a small sign of approval. That was all he needed.


    He had passed the first stage.


    The Second Stage, Weight Test


    The second stage arrived almost too quickly. Nehora''s muscles were still burning from the first race, his body weary, but there was no time to rest. The instructors quickly gathered them and led the students to the next test, another three-kilometer run, this time with a 10-kilogram weight strapped to their backs.


    The weight felt oppressive as it settled across his shoulders. For a moment, Nehora thought he might buckle under the pressure, but then the instructor''s voice echoed in his mind.


    "Heart. Heart is what will get you through."


    He tightened his grip on the straps, feeling the weight dig into his shoulders. He didn''t let it overwhelm him.


    I''ve been through worse. This is just another hurdle.


    Around him, other students were already gaining speed, some moving with ease despite the extra burden. But Nehora wasn''t looking at them. His focus was inward ¡ª on the weight, on his body, on the pain.


    The race started. Nehora gritted his teeth, forcing his legs to move despite the overwhelming pressure. Each step felt like a struggle, the weight pressing down on him like a mountain. His legs burned, and his chest was tight from exertion, but he refused to stop.


    You don''t get to quit. Not today.


    The weight made every step feel like it was dragging him backward, each stride an uphill battle. His breath was shallow, his heart racing, but Nehora kept going. One step, then another. He couldn''t stop. Not yet. Not when he was this close.


    The other students were still ahead of him, gliding past like they had no burden at all, but Nehora didn''t falter. He passed one, then another. Not because he was stronger, but because he refused to give up.


    Pain doesn''t last. Only the will to fight does.


    The finish line came into view, but with every step, his legs felt weaker, his body screaming for rest. His head spun, but he pushed it all away. There was only one thing that mattered.


    Just a little bit more. Come on, Nehora. You''re almost there.


    With the last of his energy, he pushed forward, crossing the finish line with everything he had left.


    The instructors were silent for a moment, but then they nodded in approval. Nehora had passed the second stage.


    Then third stage right after Nehora crossed the line.


    The towering gates of the Academy creaked open, and the remaining students stood in a grim circle before their instructors. The atmosphere was thick with tension, every student keenly aware of the challenge ahead. The instructors stood in a row, their faces stern, their eyes locked on the group of students who would face their final trial.


    "Welcome to the third stage," Katsegawa, one of the instructors, announced, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "You''ve all come this far, but now, you''ll face the true test ''The Forest of Shira Tsuru''. Home to creatures both terrifying and magnificent. To succeed, you must collect badgees. But remember," she added gravely, "not all creatures you face will let you walk away."


    Nehora''s breath hitched in his chest. This is it. This is where it all falls apart, he thought, his palms sweating as he tried to calm his racing heart. There were no tricks here. No shortcuts. The forest was brutal, and every inch of it was filled with threats waiting to claim their next victim.


    The instructors continued their briefing, outlining the rules students had one hour. Their objective was simple: retrieve the badgees from the creatures of the forest. There were four types of badgees: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and the most coveted, the Diamond badge.


    Nehora''s gaze drifted across the group, his mind processing the implications. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond. He had heard rumors of the ferocity of the creatures here¡ªthe most dangerous of which wore the Diamond badge. But those were just stories. Stories told by students, by instructors, by anyone who had survived the forest.


    To be continue......

 Chapter 3

    He swallowed hard. This was his moment, but the pressure was intense. I''ve made it this far without powers, Nehora reminded himself. It''s not about strength. It''s about heart. I can do this.


    The instructor''s words echoed in his mind. "It''s not about power. It''s about heart. And will. And determination."


    One step at a time. That was all he could focus on.


    The gates to the forest opened, and the students surged forward, eager to face whatever lay within. The air was thick with the scent of moss, decay, and something far more primal¡ªdanger. The dense trees loomed like dark giants, their gnarled branches tangled overhead. Shadows slithered through the underbrush, and distant growls sent chills down Nehora''s spine. But he wasn''t here to run.


    Nehora''s eyes narrowed, his heart beating faster. He pushed forward into the forest, each step heavy with the weight of the challenge. There was no turning back.


    The deeper he went into the forest, the more eerie it became. The air was thick with the scent of moss and decay. The trees grew taller, their canopies blocking out most of the sunlight, leaving the forest floor in semi-darkness. Every step he took seemed to echo, a reminder that he was alone in a dangerous place, surrounded by predators.


    Suddenly, a low growl cut through the silence. Nehora froze. His senses heightened. Something was nearby. He slowly turned, his eyes scanning the underbrush. There, in the shadows, he saw it ¡ª the first creature of the forest.


    Out of the shadows emerged an animal like nothing he had ever seen before. It was tall and graceful, its fur a silvery-gray, and its eyes twinkled with an odd, intelligent gleam. But what struck Nehora most was the shiny silver badge pinned to the creature''s chest.


    It was a badge of authority, a symbol of strength¡ªsomething that could only be earned by surviving the most dangerous of creatures.


    Nehora couldn''t help but smile. His heart surged with excitement. A silver badge. This is my chance.


    The creature eyed him cautiously, as if it was sizing him up. Nehora held out his hand, steadying his breath. Just one shot. One moment to connect.


    For a long, tense moment, they simply stared at each other.


    The creature''s massive frame stood tall, easily towering above him. If Nehora were to mount it, his feet would dangle far from the ground, the size of the animal making him feel small in comparison. But surprisngly that animal let silver badge to animal so easly. animal showing no sin of danger to him.


    "Go, Jimi, go!" Nehora shouted, laughing as the wind whipped through his hair. Nehora tamed that animal. He could feel the thrill of the ride coursing through him, the bond between him and the creature growing with every stride.


    But the peace was short-lived.


    A sudden disturbance up ahead broke Nehora''s concentration. A girl came charging toward him, her eyes wide with panic. Behind her, a massive creature¡ªa towering behemoth¡ªfollowed. Nehora''s instincts kicked in. Something wasn''t right.


    The girl locked eyes with Nehora, her gaze flickering to the silver badge in Nehora hand. Without warning, she rushed forward and swiped a silver badge from Nehora hand.


    "Hey! That''s mine!" Nehora shouted, immediately reaching for his badge.


    The girl smirked, holding it high above her head. "Catch me if you can!"


    "Jimi, after her! She can''t steal another student''s badge!" Nehora ordered, but Jimi didn''t move. The animal froze, trembling as it stared at something just ahead.


    Nehora followed Jimi''s gaze. The massive creature¡ªthe one that had been chasing the girl¡ªwas now standing directly in front of them. It was unlike anything Nehora had seen before, its body massive, its eyes glowing with a cold, menacing intelligence. What was this thing?


    "Jimi?" Nehora asked, his voice full of confusion. "What''s wrong? Let''s go. She''s getting away."


    Jimi was shaking, clearly terrified. The beast was far too powerful for Jimi to face down.


    Nehora''s expression hardened. "Hmm, Jimi, are you scared of him?" He turned to the imposing creature and shouted, "Hey, move away. You''re scaring Jimi."


    The creature didn''t flinch.


    Nehora stepped forward, his heart racing. He was running out of options. Without thinking, he yelled right into the creature''s ear, "Can''t you hear me? MOVE!"


    Jimi freaked out even more, giving Nehora a desperate look as if pleading for him to stop. A small piece of paper fell from the creature''s fur and fluttered to the ground. Nehora picked it up and read it quickly.


    "Hira Second most dangerous creature in the forest. Avoid at all costs. Does not bear a badge."


    Nehora''s face went pale. Hira¡­ he thought. This is bad. Really bad.


    He took a step back, trying to gather his thoughts. "Hira, huh... I... I''m sorry to bather you, buddy."


    The creature didn''t budge.


    "Jimi, let''s go!" Nehora urged, but Jimi remained frozen. "Jimi, please! We need to move before we get¡ª"If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Before he could finish his sentence, Hira let out a bone-chilling roar, shaking the very air around them. Nehora didn''t wait another second. He scooped Jimi up and bolted, running as fast as he could.


    "Ahhh! Jimi, why didn''t you tell me he was Hira?!" Nehora panted as they sprinted through the dense trees, Hira''s roars growing louder behind them.


    Nehora ducked behind some bushes, trying to hide. "Looks like we lost him," he whispered, his chest heaving. Jimi, still on edge, sat beside him, its fur bristling.


    Suddenly, a bottle of water appeared in Nehora''s hand. He took it, confused, and drank deeply. "Thanks, Jimi," he said. But when he looked, he realized that Jimi wasn''t the one who gave a water botle to him.


    Nehora''s eyes widened in horror. "Wait. You''re sitting on the left side. So who gave me this water?"


    Slowly, Nehora turned his head, and his stomach dropped. There, sitting quietly beside them, was Hira¡ªthe same massive beast that had been chasing them moments ago.


    "Jimi! RUN!" Nehora yelled, panicking.


    But Hira didn''t move. Instead, it just watched them, its gaze unreadable.


    "Why won''t he leave us alone?!" Nehora muttered as he picked Jimi up again and started running. The roar of the beast echoed through the trees, a relentless pursuit.


    As they ran, disaster struck. The ground suddenly gave way beneath them, and Nehora and Jimi plunged into a deep valley. They fell for what seemed like an eternity, screaming as they descended.


    "WAAAH!" Nehora yelled as they hit the ground with a bone-shattering thud.


    "Damn, my whole body feels like it''s been crushed." Nehora groaned, trying to push himself to his feet. "It''s dark¡­ really dark here."


    He looked around, desperately trying to find some light. "Jimi, do you have anything to light this up?"


    Without hesitation, Jimi picked up a stick and set it alight with a flicker of flame.


    ." Jimi set fire on stick. " Good work Jimi " as the space lighten up Jimi freaked out. " What''s wrong Jimi." As nehora looked back he freaked out as well.


    They were standing before them was the most terrifying creature they had seen yet: Karo, the King of the Forest.


    "I¡­ It''s Karo! Jimi, run! Why is this happening to meeee?" Nehora''s heart raced as he ran, after runing little far , when he glanced back, he realized that Jimi was no longer with him.


    "Hmm, Jimi, where is Jimi?" Nehora called out, his voice filled with panic. "Jiiiimiii!" But there was no response.


    "Wait¡­ don''t tell me Jimi got caught?" Nehora''s worry deepened as he turned and started running back.


    "Wait for me, Jimi! I''m coming to save you!" His feet pounded against the ground, desperation driving him forward.


    When Nehora finally returned, he was surprised to see Jimi standing calmly, face-to-face with the massive beast Karo, staring up at it with what almost looked like reverence in his eyes.


    "Jimi, what''s wrong? It''s dangerous here. Let''s go back!" Nehora called out urgently.


    But Jimi didn''t budge. Instead, he took a slow step closer to Karo.


    "Jimi, what are you doing? It''s dangerous!" Nehora shouted, his voice filled with fear.


    Jimi, however, gestured for Nehora to come closer.


    "What''s wrong, Jimi?" Nehora asked as he cautiously approached.


    Jimi then showed him something¡ªKaro was wounded, its massive body riddled with deep injuries. The blood was staining the earth beneath it. Nehora gasped.


    "He''s hurt..." Nehora muttered, his heart sinking.


    Jimi''s eyes softened with empathy, and it was clear that he wanted to help. "You want to help him?" Nehora asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "Okay, then¡­ let''s start. I don''t know much about these kinds of things, but I''ll do my best."


    And so, with Nehora''s guidance and Jimi''s care, they began tending to Karo''s wounds. Jimi brought fresh water, while Nehora carefully washed the bloodied wounds.


    "This should do, right, Jimi?" Nehora asked, his hands trembling as he worked.


    Jimi shook his head gently, indicating that more needed to be done. Nehora nodded and kept working, his determination never wavering.


    As they finished their work, Nehora and Jimi sat down to rest. The exhaustion from the day''s events caught up with them both. Their stomachs growled in unison, reminding them that they had neglected to eat.


    Nehora sighed, glancing around the dense forest. "Guess I''ll have to forage," he muttered. With that, he stood up and wandered off, returning after a while with an assortment of grass, fruits, and vegetables in his arms.


    "I don''t know what you guys eat," Nehora said sheepishly, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But I brought everything I could find."


    The trio ate together in silence, the bond between them strengthening as they shared this quiet moment in the midst of chaos. The forest around them seemed to pause, the sounds of nature momentarily muffled. But as the makeshift meal came to an end, Nehora''s exhaustion finally caught up with him. His eyes grew heavy, and despite the circumstances, he collapsed onto the ground, falling into a deep sleep.


    He had forgotten¡ªhe was still in the middle of his exam.


    Meanwhile, Karo¡ªas if understanding Nehora''s fatigue¡ªcarefully picked him up, elevatoring him gently and placing him atop Jimi''s back. The enormous creature then took a moment to look down at Nehora with an almost respectful gaze before leaning forward and, with a surprising delicacy, placing the Diamond Badge on Jimi''s collar.


    The scene was quiet for a moment, until, eventually, a group of students gathered at a distant clearing, their badgees collected. They had made it through the trials, but it was clear that Nehora''s trial was far from over.


    Katsegawa, the instructor, surveyed the scene. "Are only these students making it to the final?" she asked, her voice laced with authority.


    Instructor Katsegawa''s voice rang out across the field: "Last 60 seconds remain! All students, please make your way to the designated spot."


    A girl student, looking toward the horizon, suddenly gasped. "Hey, look! It looks like something is coming!"


    The other students and teachers turned to look. A wave of panic spread as the creature grew larger, its shape becoming clearer with each passing second.


    "It''s a Citok!" one of the students screamed.


    The students froze, eyes wide with fear. The creature charging toward them was a Citok¡ªthe animal Nehora had named Jimi. But its true name was Citok.


    Citok wasn''t known for being an overwhelmingly powerful creature, but it was still dangerous¡ªits strong teeth and crushing grip made it a formidable threat in any encounter.


    The girl gasped again, pointing. "It''s coming straight for us!"


    The teacher''s expression hardened. "Prepare for the attack!"


    But then, one of the boys squinted, noticing something unusual. "Hey, wait a minute. Looks like someone''s on its back."


    Another boy laughed nervously. "Are you crazy? Why would anyone sit on the back of a Citok?"


    The first boy shook his head. "No, really! Someone''s on its back!"


    As the Citok drew nearer, the students and teachers saw the unmistakable figure of Nehora atop the animal. The creature halted a short distance away from the group, gently lowering Nehora to the ground, just inside the qualification line. With a final, soft nudge, Citok rubbed his head against Nehora''s shoulder in a gesture of farewell before turning and vanishing into the distance.


    For a long moment, no one spoke. The students and teachers were left in stunned silence.


    "What¡­ what just happened?" one of the teachers muttered.


    To be continue...

 Chapter 4

    The students cautiously approached Nehora, their confusion only growing when they noticed the glint of something unusual on his chest. One of the boys whispered, "Wait... How does he have a Diamond Badge?"


    Another student''s voice shook with disbelief. "But there''s only one Diamond Badge in the entire forest! It''s only awarded after defeating Karo, the strongest animal in the forest!"


    A girl student''s voice trembled. "So, you''re saying that¡­ he defeated Karo?"


    The boy shook his head, eyes wide. "That''s impossible! No one has ever defeated Karo¡ªnot even the most experienced hunters."


    The other boy frowned, considering the possibility. "What if he did?"


    Another student nodded, his face serious. "Then he must be incredibly strong and talented."


    "But wait," the girl cut in, "what was that about the Citok? Why did he carry him here?"


    "I don''t know¡­" The words hung in the air, unanswered.


    A moment later, a doctor arrived to check on Nehora''s condition. He examined him carefully, listening to his heartbeat and checking for injuries.


    Katsegawa, the instructor, stepped forward with a concerned look. "How is he, Doctor?"


    The doctor nodded, reassuring them. "He''s fine. He just fell asleep. No injuries, at least none that are visible."


    The instructor turned to face the students. "Times up," she announced. "Alright, students, attention!"


    There was a collective murmur of confusion, but Katsegawa raised her hand to quiet them. "These are the students who made it to the final selection this year. You are now officially the final students of this academy."


    One of the boys spoke up, his voice full of disbelief. "Final? It''s over?"


    A girl stepped forward, still confused. "But... ma''am, what about the badge counting? Didn''t the results come from the badge counting?"


    Katsegawa smiled, though there was a seriousness in her expression. "Your badgees have already been counted. You''ve earned enough badgees to qualify for selection. Only those with the passing badgees are allowed to cross the line. Anyone with fewer badgees is blocked by the invincible wall."


    The girl blinked, then nodded, the realization dawning on her. "Oh, okay."


    The faint hum of the Academy''s speakers buzzed to life, filling the air with a crisp, formal tone. A voice echoed across the hall, cutting through the buzz of anxious students, all wondering what awaited them in the next phase of their trials.


    "Congratulations to all students for passing the test. From this moment forward, you are officially students of CON Academy." The voice paused as if allowing the gravity of the announcement to settle in. "You may now see the Clack."


    The students, still recovering from the intensity of the forest test, exchanged confused glances.


    "Clack? What is that and where is it?" one girl whispered to her friend, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    "Is it another creature from the forest?" another girl muttered, her brow furrowed.


    The voice from the Academy''s speakers continued, unfazed by the murmurs. "Clack is a robot, standing before you. Please follow it to your dorms and get some rest. Classes will begin tomorrow."


    "Robot?" A boy in the back, who had been zoning out, snapped back to attention. "A robot?"


    The realization struck the students like a wave of confusion. The test had been brutal, and now, the mention of a robot? Some thought it might have been a trick, another test of sorts.


    "Huuu," another girl sighed, rolling her eyes. "I thought the test wasn''t over yet."


    The voice on the speaker didn''t wait for the students'' further confusion. "Clack will guide you to your dorms. After your medical check-up, follow it to your rooms, and get some rest. Your classes start tomorrow."


    The students, still blinking in a haze of exhaustion, reluctantly followed the instructions, many too tired to even fully comprehend what was happening. They lined up, one by one, heading toward the automated guide¡ªthe "Clack"¡ªwhich stood like an indifferent sentinel at the edge of the hall.


    The medical assistants checked over the students as they filtered through the facility, ensuring everyone was in a stable condition. After the grueling trial in the forest, it was no surprise that some students needed immediate attention, though most were simply fatigued.


    Nehora, still in a daze, followed the flow of the crowd, his mind racing with fragmented memories of the trial. He could barely remember the events that led him here. He had barely managed to stand up after the fall in the valley. And yet¡­ he had a Diamond badge now? How had that happened?


    Before he could contemplate further, a metallic voice broke through his thoughts.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Follow me," Clack said, its voice unnervingly calm and robotic, but there was a subtle authority to it, as if the tiny robot considered itself above everyone else. It gestured toward a corridor with an elegant motion of its tiny mechanical arms. "You''re lucky to be in my presence. I don''t waste time on the unimportant. So, don''t delay."


    Without thinking, Nehora followed, his exhaustion weighing heavily on his legs.


    As a few other students hesitated or attempted to argue, Clack''s head swiveled toward them, its eyes glowing brightly, filled with disdain.


    "Well, what are you waiting for?" Clack asked coldly. "Do you think the rules are different for you? I''m invaluable here. The fact that I''m wasting my time on you should be enough of an honor. Follow me now, or I will leave you behind¡ªit''s not my job to babysit."


    One of the students, a tall boy with an arrogant air, tried to speak up. "Who do you think you are, telling us what to do like that?"


    Clack''s mechanical eyes narrowed, and its voice dropped lower, colder. "Who am I?" it repeated, as if the idea of explaining itself was beneath it. "I''m Clack. You''re lucky to even be addressed by someone of my caliber. You think I have time for your questions? I''m here to guide you, not hold your hand. Keep testing me, and you''ll find out how quickly I''ll end this little charade for you."


    Another student, a girl this time, shook her head in disbelief. "This is ridiculous. You can''t just talk to us like that!"


    Clack didn''t even flinch. It simply tilted its head, the light in its eyes intensifying. "Oh, I can. I''m not here to indulge your fragile egos. If you want to get anywhere in this academy, you''ll follow my lead without questioning. Believe me, you''re not important enough for me to explain myself any further. So either keep up or stay out of my way. Your choices are your own, but don''t waste my time."


    The student who had been arguing fell silent, clearly taken aback by Clack''s arrogance.


    Clack turned back toward the corridor, its tone returning to a more clipped, dismissive tone. "It''s simple: follow the instructions and don''t make things difficult. I don''t expect you to be able to do anything on your own yet, but at least follow the basic rules."


    "I have far more important things to do in the academy, but every year, I''m stuck babysitting these amateurs humans. such a pain in the charger." clack.


    " Hey you human heads see that place over their go right their that is your dorem go and rest your butt''s over their tonight " clack.


    The morning sun pierced through the high windows of the dormitory, casting long shadows across the tiled floors. The air was thick with anticipation, students gathered in clusters, murmuring about the strange new rules of the academy.


    "Whaaaat!? We have to share the dorm with boys?"


    Lisha Keata, a tall girl with sharp eyes and an icy demeanor, slammed her fist down on the wooden table. Her usually cold expression was now a mix of disbelief and frustration.


    Her outburst didn''t go unnoticed. A few boys exchanged glances, some snickering under their breath.


    "What!? I have to live with those girls?"


    Seko, a lanky boy with an unmist air of arrogance, stood up dramatically, shaking his head in mock horror. "I''d rather live with the animals in the forest than share a dorm with them!"


    His exaggerated reaction made a few of the boys laugh, but in reality, it was all a lie. Seko, despite his harsh words, was the biggest pervert among them, and his mind was already imagining... less-than-innocent scenarios.


    "Why is he overreacting?" Hiro Eiko , a quiet and unassuming boy with a mild demeanor, thought to himself as he watched Seko flail his arms. "Isn''t it just a dorm? We''re here to study, right?"


    "Like we agree with that." Keata muttered, clearly not willing to entertain the idea any longer.


    Seko raised his hand with a dramatic flourish. "Alright, boys, raise your hands if you agree with me."


    His voice dripped with overconfidence, as if he had already won the battle in his mind. "Then I''ll head to the forest, and the girls will beg me to stay."


    In the back of his mind, Seko was already imagining the scenario unfolding exactly as he had planned¡ªhis departure to the forest would send the girls scrambling to convince him not to leave. They would need him, after all.


    The girls, on the other hand, weren''t amused.


    "Please stop. If you leave, all the boys will go with you, and if that happens, the teachers will expel us all from the academy! We don''t want that, do we?" Nisa pleaded, her voice soft but urgent.


    "No, just as I said, I can''t stay here." Seko''s voice was firm, almost dismissive.


    "We can do anything!" The girls'' voices rose in unison.


    "Okay, fine, but there''s one condition." Seko''s eyes glinted mischievously as he crossed his arms.


    "What? Just say it. We can do anything." Nisa replied, exasperated but clearly willing to do whatever it took to avoid conflict.


    Seko''s smirk widened. "Show me your panties."


    "What panties!? But that''s¡ªanything else?" Akasin balked, clearly uncomfortable with the request.


    "Okay then, I''ll take my leave. Boys, let''s go!" Seko turned toward the door, ready to make his exit.


    "Wait! Only one time, okay?" Nisa''s voice softened, realizing she had no choice.


    "It''s fine. Just show me already." Seko replied with a grin.


    In reality, not a single hand was raised. The entire scene had been a game to Seko, a way to assert dominance in a situation where he had no real power. He had hoped to provoke the girls into begging.


    Seko, having momentarily enjoyed the chaos, leaned back against the wall with a lazy smirk on his face. His mind wandered into its usual perverted territory as he imagined all sorts of unpleasant scenarios.


    "Hehe..." Seko chuckled under his breath, his grin widening as he let his thoughts run wild.


    The other boys around him exchanged wary glances, knowing full well that the smile on Seko''s face wasn''t just because of the dorm arrangement.


    "He definitely imagining something pervert right now." One of the boys whispered to another, rolling his eyes as he glanced at Seko.


    "We don''t have a problem with that." Eiko said stepping forward.


    "Yeah, same here." Nisa added, . Unlike the others, she seemed completely unbothered by the whole situation.


    For Nisa, the idea of sharing a dorm wasn''t an issue. After all, they were all here to study, right? And it wasn''t like the academy was going to provide personal housing for each student.


    "Just what''s the problem with sharing the dorm? We''re here to study, aren''t we?" Nisa''s voice was calm, yet firm. She didn''t see why this was such a big deal. "And it''s not like the academy''s going to give a personal house to every student. I don''t see any problem with sharing a dorm with boys, right girls?"


    Keatadidn''t say much, just an almost imperceptible shrug. The rest of the girls in the room, nodded along.


    "Yeah, same for us." Eiko added, his voice neutral, like he really couldn''t care either way.


    Orasaki, however, was a different story. She wasn''t about to let anything slide without her opinion being known. Orasaki was known for her seriousness, and she took every situation like it was a matter of life and death. Especially in her case, being a top-tier Karate student. Her sense of discipline and control over the situation was practically palpable.


    "As long as they don''t peek at our side, I agree." Orasaki''s voice was low, but everyone could hear the dangerous edge to it.


    The others didn''t need her to elaborate. The warning was clear. Orasaki had no patience for perverted boys who didn''t know their place.


    To be continue......

 Chapter 5

    "Why would we do that?" Eiko asked, genuinely confused by the concern. In truth, he had more faith in the other boys than to imagine they''d go that far.


    Orasaki''s eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting to Seko in particular. "If you ever think about peeking to our side , I''ll crush you all." Her tone was as cold and sharp as a blade, and there was no doubt in anyone''s mind that she meant every word.


    Inside, Seko was having a different kind of conversation with himself. "What, where is your manlyhood go? I think I''m the only real man here. This is my luck, isn''t it?" His thoughts echoed in his head like a self-satisfied chant.


    Nehora walked into the scene, still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes as he made his way toward the fridge.


    "Hey, it''s him!" A boy whispered, pointing toward Nehora.


    "Yeah, isn''t he the one with the diamond badge?" Another boy chimed in.


    "Yeah, and Citok brought him from the forest."


    Nehora paused, looking around the unfamiliar dorm room with a sense of confusion. Something felt off, like he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.


    "Emm..." Nehora mumbled as he grabbed a water bottle and took a long drink.


    He suddenly choked on the water, spluttering as it spilled from his mouth. "Who the hell are you?"


    Keatashot him an irritated look. "Emm, we''re classmates. And with that tone, we''re not off to a great start."


    "Classmates?" Nehora blinked, still trying to make sense of his surroundings.


    "You''re in the dorm." Ejiro added, stepping forward with a casual smile.


    "Dorm? Whose dorm?" Nehora asked, his voice full of confusion. "Where am I?"


    "Your dorm¡ªour dorm." Ejiro chuckled, clearly used to Nehora''s disoriented state.


    "My dorm?" Nehora''s brow furrowed deeper. "Wait... where am I really? What''s going on?"


    "You were asleep yesterday. You probably don''t remember anything." Onaks spoke up from behind him, her voice softer, more considerate than most of the others.


    "Yeah, you''re right." Eiko nodded, trying to be helpful.


    "Wait, listen. You''re in the dorm of the academy. You''re now a student here ." Nisa said firmly.


    "Student?" Nehora repeated, still processing the strange turn of events.


    "You took the test yesterday. Don''t you remember?" Ejiro''s tone was gentle, almost like he was trying to jog Nehora''s memory.


    "Test yesterday?" Nehora furrowed his brow, trying to recall the events. His mind raced, but nothing clicked. The last thing he remembered was a forest, an exam... and then... nothing.


    Suddenly, his face went pale. "Wait¡ªJimi?" He stammered, looking around frantically. "Where is Jimi? What happened to him?"


    "Jimi?" The students exchanged confused glances.


    "If you''re talking about that Citok, he was back in the forest," Onaka assured him. "He carried you on his back and dropped you off at the location with the rest of us. He''s fine."


    "Jimi carried me..." Nehora murmured, relieved but also puzzled. "But wait, what about the badge? I had a bronze badge before, but it was stolen by another student. How did I pass?"


    "You had a badge?" Keataasked, raising an eyebrow.


    "What?" Nehora replied, now fully confused.


    "You had the Diamond badge," Myra said, his voice soft with disbelief.


    Nehora''s eyes grew wide. "What?! Diamond badge?"


    "Yeah, there was only one diamond badge during the exam, and you had to fight Karo to earn it!" Ejiro said with excitement in his voice. "Tell us! We all want to know!"


    "Defeat Karo?" Nehora repeated, still in shock. "I didn''t fight anyone."


    The students blinked in confusion. "So, how did you get the Diamond badge, then?" Keataasked, clearly struggling to wrap her mind around it.


    "I don''t know," Nehora admitted, his voice quiet. "I didn''t defeat Karo. He was injured, and Jimi and I helped him. After that, we shared a meal together, and I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I woke up here... with this Diamond badge, you''re talkingg about."


    "So, you''re saying you got the Diamond badge not by defeating Karo, but by helping him?" Keata asked, her disbelief palpable.


    "Maybe..." Nehora said, shrugging. "I really don''t know how I ended up with it."


    A strange silence fell over the room as the students tried to comprehend what Nehora had just said. The entire academy had been under the impression that he had fought and defeated Karo, earning the badge through sheer strength. But now, the truth seemed... more complicated.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Leave me aside, what are you guys talking about?" Nehora asked, still adjusting to the environment around him, his brow furrowing slightly as he tried to catch up with the conversation happening around him.


    "Nothing inappropriate, actually," Nisa replied.


    Nehora didn''t quite catch the full context, but he felt a strange tension rising in the air, and it wasn''t just because of the missing key anymore. Seko, however, saw an opportunity. His lips curled into an internal grin.


    Now''s my chance... Seko thought, eyes glinting with mischief as he pushed off the wall and sauntered over to Nehora, taking the opportunity to speak up.


    "Actually, we were talking about something and it was very serious," Seko said with exaggerated seriousness.


    Nehora raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "Em, serious? What are you guys talking about?"


    "The girls are saying we have to share our dorm with them."


    A few of the girls, including Nisa, immediately bristled at the comment.


    "So what''s wrong with that?" Nehora asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "You''re not getting it," Seko snapped. "We have to share our personal space with them."


    "Personal space?" Nehora frowned. "Every student has their own room. How is that sharing personal space? And we all came here to study, not to be cramped together.".


    a rock fall on seko as dfeated in the conversation.


    "No, you," Orasaki said with a flat, unamused expression, her gaze sharp like the edge of a blade. she punched seko "Now it''s time for you to stop. Nobody here is agreeing with you. If you have a problem with sharing the dorm, go ask the teachers for help. Got it?"


    Clearing her throat, Nisa shifted the atmosphere back to a lighter tone, standing straight and pulling the attention back to the group. "We haven''t introduced ourselves yet, have we? Let''s start with me, then. I''m Sneha Nisa, it''s nice to meet you all."


    Nisa nodded, giving a friendly but firm smile to the group.


    "I''m Hana Sino," one of the girls chimed in next, her voice soft but clear.


    "I''m Yuki Orasaki," came a third voice, a little more blunt but full of confidence.


    "I''m Mei Seira," another girl said with a quiet voice, a slight blush creeping onto her face as she spoke.


    "Mei?" All the students looked at her, almost in unison, as they repeated the name.


    "Eh? Why''s my name weird?" Seira asked, tilting her head, clearly caught off guard by the attention.


    "No, no, it''s just... this the first time I''ve heard a name like that," Nisa replied quickly, waving her hand as if to dismiss the awkward moment. "It''s beautiful."


    "Yeah, it is!" echoed the others, some of the boys included, nodding in agreement.


    "Hey, tell us, who gave you this name?" Onaka asked curiously, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.


    Seira blushed slightly, looking down at the ground before she answered. "Ah, my mother gave it to me."


    Then introduction contiued.


    "I''m Rina Onaka," said another girl, smiling warmly.


    "I''m Lisha Kaira," added a tall girl with dark, braided hair, her voice easy and friendly.


    "I''m Tessa Kalina," said another girl, with a soft laugh, "It''s a pleasure to meet you all."


    The boys were next, and Nehora couldn''t help but notice the way they stood, each one presenting themselves with varying levels of confidence.


    "I''m Hiro Eiko," a tall boy with light brown hair introduced himself, flashing a friendly smile.


    "I''m Satoshi Myra," another boy said, his dark hair falling over his eyes in a way that made him look both mysterious and approachable at the same time.


    "I''m Toshi Ejiro," a quieter boy spoke up, his expression calm and reserved. "Nice to meet everyone."


    "I''m Daichi Senaro," a boy with a slight grin on his face said, looking as though he was ready for whatever challenge the academy could throw at him.


    "I''m Yuta Tanaka," said the final boy in the group, a playful smirk on his face. "Let''s make this year one to remember."


    "And I''m Nehora," Nehora finally spoke, his tone lighthearted as he added with a grin, "It''s very nice to meet all of you. Hehe."


    Just as the introductions were wrapping up, two teachers entered the dormitory. Everyone''s eyes shifted toward the doorway as they heard the sound of footsteps.


    "Girls, behave yourselves," Nisa muttered under her breath, her tone suddenly serious as she glanced at the others. "I don''t want our class reputation to go down before we even start."


    "Got it," the girls replied in unison, their voices suddenly more composed as they straightened up.


    The two teachers stopped in front of the students. One was a tall, poised woman with long dark hair and a confident smile. The other was a man with a sharp expression and an air of authority that was hard to ignore.


    "So, you''re the new students this year," the woman said, her voice warm and welcoming. "Nice to meet you all. I''m Hikiana Katsegawa."


    "Yes, ma''am, it''s nice to meet you too," the students replied, some more formally than others.


    The woman chuckled lightly, waving her hand dismissively. "Hey, relax. No need to be so formal. Just act like you usually do, alright?"


    "Yes, ma''am," the students responded, their tension easing ever so slightly.


    Katsegawa smiled. "Good. I''m your teacher, Katsegawa. And this is Aeka Kagea. He''s also your teacher." She motioned to the man beside her. "Did you all get a good rest?"


    "Yes, ma''am," Orasaki answered.


    "Good to hear," Katsegawa continued. "Today is your day off, and your belongings are outside the dorm. Now, all of you take your stuff to your rooms... Tomorrow we start your classes. Enjoy yourselves and get along with each other."


    The students nodded, a mixture of excitement and anxiety building in their chests.


    "Don''t fight," Kagea spoke up, his voice cold and commanding. "If I catch anyone fighting, you''ll be expelled from the Academy, understand?"


    A chill ran through the group. Everyone straightened up, trying their best to seem calm despite the intense pressure Kagea''s words brought.


    "No need to worry, sir," Nehora spoke up, trying to sound confident. "I assure you, nobody in this dorm is going to fight."


    Kagea turned his piercing gaze to Nehora, eyes narrowing. His voice dropped to a dangerous level. "Did I ask for an answer? Look like someone''s already looking forward to being expelled." His voice was like ice, his words laced with a quiet threat. "That was a warning, not a question."


    "Come on, don''t scare the students on their very first day, Mr. Kagea, sir," Katsegawa interrupted, smiling with exaggerated cheer. "Let''s go. Bye, students. I hope you''re ready for your classes tomorrow."


    The students let out a collective sigh as the teachers left, the air of tension elevatoring somewhat.


    "That was so scary," Nehora muttered, wiping his brow. "I thought I was done for back there."


    "You are," Onaka said, her tone dry. "If it wasn''t for Katsegawa-sensei, you''d be on your way home right now."


    Just as he relaxed, a fist suddenly made contact with Nehora''s head. "Ow! What was that for?" he yelped, rubbing the spot where the punch had landed.


    "Who told you to answer Kagea-sensei back there?" Orasaki''s voice was stern, her eyes glinting with irritation.


    "Sorry, that was my bad," Nehora replied quickly, holding his head with both hands. "I didn''t mean to get carried away."


    Orasaki shook her head, clearly not satisfied, but she didn''t press the matter further.


    "Now then," Seira said, her voice light and cheerful as she clapped her hands together. "Everyone, let''s move our stuff to our rooms."


    "Yeah, let''s go!" Nehora said, his mood lightening a bit as he motioned for the others to follow.


    "It''s nice that they''ve separated the boys'' and girls'' stuff," Kaira commented, glancing down the hallway. "Makes it easier to find everything."


    "Yeah, definitely," Nehora agreed, relieved that things were finally moving forward. The group began to move their belongings to their rooms, settling into the dormitory with a mix of excitement and anticipation for the days ahead.


    After a short while, the group gathered again in the hall, ready for whatever was to come next.


    To be continue.......

 Chapter 6

    "Ahhhhhhhhh!" Nehora burst into the hall, breathless and visibly agitated, his voice a mix of panic and frustration. His usual calm demeanor was shattered, and it was clear that something was seriously wrong.


    Myra looked up, startled by his sudden appearance. "What''s wrong, Nehora?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.


    Nehora took a quick, sharp breath before speaking, his words coming out in a rush. "Does anyone have an extra box in their stuff?"


    The group looked at each other, confusion spreading across their faces. The question seemed strange.


    "No... why would we?" Myra asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked him over, trying to gauge his urgency.


    Nehora''s voice was frantic now, every word laced with tension. "I''m missing something important¡ªreally important. We need to check everyone''s rooms, just in case."


    One of the boys, still skeptical, sighed loudly. "Come on, Nehora, really? You lost something and you want us to turn over the whole place just to find it?"


    "It''s not just something," Nehora snapped, his eyes flashing with desperation. "It''s my most important thing. Please, we need to check. It could be anywhere. I have to find it."


    The boys exchanged looks, sensing the urgency in his voice. The atmosphere had shifted; what had started as a simple request now carried a heavy weight.


    "Alright," one of the boys finally relented, his tone reluctant but serious. "If it''s that important to you, we''ll help you check. But this better be worth it."


    Nehora nodded quickly, grateful but still on edge. The group moved in a hurry, with the girls trailing behind the boys as they made their way from room to room, searching for anything that might be out of place. Time seemed to drag on as they turned over every drawer, every corner of the rooms¡ªuntil, eventually, they regrouped in the hallway, all looking just as frustrated as Nehora.


    One of the boys, his arms crossed, spoke up first, breaking the silence. "Did you find it?"


    Nehora shook his head, his face a mask of frustration and exhaustion. "No," he muttered, voice thick with defeat. "I haven''t found it."


    His gaze lingered on the empty hallway before him, the feeling of loss heavy in his chest. What if the box wasn''t here? What if someone had taken it? The more he thought about it, the more helpless he felt.


    The others stood in quiet solidarity, their expressions showing a mix of sympathy and growing concern.


    Seko looked thoughtful. "Let''s check Girl''s rooms. They has a lot of storage space. Maybe it ended up there by accident?"


    Akasina folded her arms, giving Seko a look. "Wait a second. Didn''t we have a deal while ago that you boys stay out of our side, and now you''re here wanting to check our rooms?"


    Seko crossed his arms, smirking as he looked over at the girls. "Oh, so you decided to just waltz into the boys'' side? We had a deal, remember? No crossing over. But here you are, checking every single room."


    Akasina flushed, looking down. "Yeah¡­ we''re sorry about that, It was an accident."


    Seko scoffed. "You think just saying ''sorry'' is enough? There''s no way we''re letting this slide that easily."


    Onaka nodded in agreement. "He''s right. After our last meeting, we all agreed that neither side would enter the other without permission. But now, we broken that rule."


    Akasina opened her mouth to protest but hesitated, casting a worried glance at Nehora, who stood nearby looking uncomfortable.


    "But¡ª" she began, only to be cut off by Seko, who seemed to be enjoying the situation.


    "Hm, hm," Seko chuckled, leaning back with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Looks like the game''s in my favor now. Maybe it''s time I check every room on the girls'' side. Who knows what dark little secrets I might uncover?" He grinned slyly. "Imagine if I found something¡­ interesting. You''d all have to do exactly what I say."


    Seko let out a dramatic, villainous laugh, clearly reveling in the chance to turn the tables. Akasina''s eyes narrowed as she watched him.


    She leaned in toward onaka, whispering, "Look at him. He''s got that sly smile on his face. I know he''s planning something."


    Onaka spoke up, looking serious. "We have to go along with it. A deal is a deal, and we broke it first."


    Akasina clenched her fists, frustration evident on her face. But before she could respond, Seko''s smug smile widened.


    "So, girls," Seko continued, clearly savoring the moment, "are we in agreement? Or should I start my little investigation?" He shot them a challenging look, daring them to resist.


    The tension was thick in the air as the girls exchanged glances, realizing they were backed into a corner.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    " onaka, Did you even know what you saying, you wanna us to give boy''s Permission to see our rooms. This is so.. " Orasaki.


    " Yeah it''s embarssing" Kalina.


    Nehora depressed siting on sofa.


    "But we broke the rule first so we have to do this" onaka


    "She is right look, Nehora missing his box, whatever in that box it seem so presses to him and with that we settle our score with them" kaira.


    "But, ok this is the last time if they enter our side again I kill them" Orasaki.


    " This is embarsing" Kalina.


    " ok, then listen we give you permission to check our room, But this is the last time" Nisa.


    "Now , its time for mission ''reveleaning dark secret'' begain" seko.


    Nehora sat on the sofa, his face clouded with frustration and disappointment. The invasion of the girls'' rooms had gone as expected¡ªawkward and uncomfortable¡ªbut his missing box still hadn''t turned up. The boys had searched through every corner, but it felt like his most important possession was still out of reach.


    "Don''t worry, Nehora," Ejiro said, offering a reassuring smile as he sat beside him. "We should report this to the teachers. I think they just forgot to bring your stuff."


    "Yeah," Tanaka chimed in, glancing around the room. "They probably have your box with them and just forgot to bring it here."


    Nehora let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping further. "I just want it back," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "Whatever''s in that box, it''s... it''s important."


    Just then, Tanaka''s voice broke through the air, his tone filled with sudden excitement. "Hey, look! There''s still one box left over there!"


    Nehora blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "Eh? Where?"


    The boys scrambled over to the corner of the hall and retrieved the box. They placed it in front of Nehora with a dramatic flourish, as if they were presenting him with a treasure.


    "This should be the box you''re missing, Nehora," Senaro said, his voice laced with amusement.


    "Go ahead and open it," Eiko added, leaning in with curiosity. "Check if you found what you were looking for."


    With shaky hands, Nehora reached for the box. His fingers trembled as he elevatored the lid, his pulse quickening with anticipation. Could it finally be the box he had been searching for?


    He carefully opened it, and the room fell silent. The boys leaned in, watching intently, and the girls, though not physically present in the room, could likely feel the weight of the moment from the other side of the wall.


    As the box cracked open, Nehora''s eyes widened, his heart sinking as he stared at the contents inside. The room held its breath, waiting for his reaction.


    Nehora opened the box with full exitment everyone look so closely to the box. After the box is opened girls face turn red and boys nose bleed and look of disapontment on Nehora face.


    "Huh? It''s just some bra and panties," Nehora said with a confused frown. "This isn''t my box¡ªit''s... it''s the girls'' box."


    The room went quiet for a moment, then Orasaki''s anger exploded. Without warning, she punched Nehora so hard that he was sent stumbling back onto the couch, clutching his face.


    "Now you''ve crossed the line!" Orasaki shouted, her face red with fury. Her voice was full of frustration as she glared down at Nehora.


    The other boys, taken aback by the sudden violence, looked at each other, unsure of what to do. But their reactions were less forgiving. Ejiro, Tanaka, and even Senaro couldn''t suppress their irritation, giving Nehora glares as they muttered in disapproval.


    Nehora, wincing from the punch, quickly elevatored his hands in defense. "Hey! It wasn''t my fault! I didn''t know it was your box!" he protested, his voice tinged with exasperation.


    As the tension mounted, Nisa''s voice cut through the air, calm but with an edge of curiosity. "But... whose box is this, then? Did any of you forget to bring yours?"


    The girls, who had been listening from the hallway, responded in unison, shaking their heads.


    "No," they muttered, clearly confused as well.


    A sudden realization dawned on Seko, his eyes going wide in recognition. "Wait a minute... I know that size," he said, his voice filled with surprise.


    The boys looked at him, puzzled. "What''s wrong, Seko?" Tanaka asked, his brow furrowed.


    Seko''s expression grew serious, and without waiting for a reply, he bolted toward the door. "Don''t tell me it''s...!"


    Before anyone could stop him, Seko was already rushing toward the girls'' rooms. The boys stared in confusion, but Orasaki''s face twisted with fury.


    "Hey! Who gave you permission to come to our side?!" Orasaki shouted, running after him.


    The room fell into chaos as everyone scrambled to follow them.


    "What''s wrong with him?" Senaro asked, still trying to make sense of the situation.


    "I don''t know, but let''s go see," Ejiro replied, his curiosity piqued. He exchanged a glance with the others. "Hey, can we...?"


    "Okay," Onaka said, nodding reluctantly. She was the first to follow Seko and Orasaki, her feet moving faster than her words.


    And with that, all the other students¡ªboys and girls alike¡ªrushed out of the room, chasing after Seko and Orasaki, as the tension and mystery surrounding the box seemed to deepen with every passing moment.


    There was still one room left we hadn''t seen. Don''t tell me it''s her¡­ Seko''s inner thoughts raced. His eyes nervously scanned the hallway.


    "Ah, there!" Seko said aloud, spotting the door they had yet to check. Without waiting for anyone, he rushed toward it and opened the door with a quick swing.


    And there, in the center of the room, stood a girl.


    Seko froze.


    "Ahhhh, what are you doing here?!" Seko yelled, his eyes wide in shock.


    For a moment, the girl just stared at him, completely confused. Then, her eyes narrowed as she pieced things together.Then she realize she''s completely naked . Girl yelled.


    Before Seko could recover, Orasaki appeared behind him. Without a word, she swung her fist at Seko''s face.


    Smack!


    "Didn''t I tell you that you can''t enter our side without our permission?!" Orasaki growled, glaring at Seko.


    At that moment, other students arrived, drawn by the noise.They saw a Girl inside the room boys nose bleed.


    the girl in the room, quickly grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at Seko.


    "What''s going on here?" Nisa asked, looking between the two.


    "What are you staring at you perverts?!" The girl protested as she through the pillow on seko, pillow hit him square in the face.


    A few moments later, they were all gathered in the hallway, the tension still thick. seko and that girl were still arguing.


    "What are you doing here?!" Seko demanded, his face still reddened from the punch.


    "I ask the same thing!" Girl snapped back. "Why didn''t you tell me first?!"


    "No, I asked it first, back in the room!" Seko shot back, glaring at her.


    Girl face turned red with embarrassment. In a flash, she swung her fist at Seko, hitting him across the back of the head.


    Smash!


    "Ow! What the heck?!" Seko exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head.


    Nisa stepped in, trying to ease the situation. "So, um, you''re a student here too, right?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the argument.


    Girl cleared her throat, still looking a little flustered. "Oh, sorry about that. My name is Mira Akasino. I''m also a student here, like you."


    "Oh! Nice to meet you, Mira!" Nisa smiled, offering a friendly wave.


    Onaka, raised an eyebrow. "But how come we didn''t notice you yesterday?"


    Mira sighed. "Well, I went straight to my room yesterday, so no one saw me. and I guess, I overslept today¡­"


    To be continue.......

 Chapter 7

    Onaka nodded thoughtfully and handed her a box. "That explains it. Here''s your belongings. Be careful next time with what you bring."


    Mira blinked, confused. "What do you¡­ wait, did you saw it¡­?"


    "Actually, everyone saw it," Kalina said with a teasing grin.


    Mira''s face turned beet-red. Without thinking, she turned and punched Seko again.


    "Hey! What did I do?!" Seko, rubbing the spot where she hit him. "It was him who opened the box, not me!"


    "You two know each other?" Ejiro asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Sadly, yeah," Mira muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "We''ve been in the same class since middle school."


    "Hey, what do you mean sadly? I wasn''t happy to be in the same class as you either!" Seko retorted. "If you had such a problem with me, so why didn''t you change the school?"


    "Why should I do that ? You''re the one who should''ve been expelled back then!" Mira shot back, her fists clenched.


    "Oh yeah?" Seko smirked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Enough, you two!" Onaka interrupted, her voice cutting through the tension. "I think we have something more important to discuss."


    Mira blinked, a little taken aback. "Eh?"


    Onaka sighed. "We still haven''t found what Nehora is missing."


    Mira blinked again, now fully confused.


    "By the way Nehora, what''s that thing you''re missing?" Myra asked.


    "My mangas," Nehora answered, his voice completely serious.


    The group stood in stunned silence.


    "What?" Myra stared, wide-eyed. "Mangas? That''s what you missing?"


    Everyone''s eyes were on Nehora, who looked completely serious.


    Ejiro blinked. "Wait, you''re seriously telling me you''re missing your mangas? Of all things?!"


    "Yeah I''m sure I brought it but I didn''t found it anywhere¡­" Nehora muttered.


    Orasaki overflowing with fire.


    "Oh aho, now he''s done for," Other students.


    Suddenly, before Nehora could react, Orasaki''s fist shot out, hitting him square. Punch after punch followed, each one landing with brutal force, knocking Nehora to the floor.


    "But why?" Nehora gasped, barely able to catch his breath.


    Orasaki sneered down at him. "You did all this commotion for that stupid manga of yours," she spat, clearly disgusted.


    Nehora gritted his teeth, trying to push himself up. "Hey, how can you call a manga stupid? You don''t know the value of a manga¡ªit''s everything to me!" His voice shook with emotion, but he stood his ground.


    Before Orasaki could respond, a calm voice echoed through the hall.


    "Nehora, you know that unnecessary things like manga, comics, or anything else that''s not related to your studies aren''t allowed in the Academy."Myra, speaking sternly but with a hint of sympathy.


    Nehora froze, his heart sinking. "What? But manga isn''t unnecessary! It''s part of my life!" he protested.


    Myra sighed, his expression softening just a little. "I know, but it won''t help us with our studies. That''s why it''s not allowed here."


    The words hit Nehora like a punch to the gut. "If they don''t allow manga, then I don''t wanna study here! Where''s the recognition? I''m leaving this Academy!" Nehora shouted, clenching his fists.


    "Here, if you open your phone and click on this icon, you can fill out your details and the reason why you''re leaving the Academy. After two hours, two people will come to escort you to the exit door." Onaka, who had been standing nearby, spoke up.


    Nehora''s eyes widened. "Thank you so much, you saved me. I''ll never forget this. Now where''s my phone?".


    But just as he was about to retrieve his phone, a fist slammed into his side¡ªhard. Orasaki punched both Onaka and Nehora at once, knocking them both to the ground with one powerful blow.


    "Why me?" Onaka groaned, rubbing her head in shock, completely bewildered.


    "Why are you telling him that?!" Orasaki yelled, her anger flaring as she glared at Onaka.


    "I''m just helping him," Onaka said weakly.


    Orasaki''s expression darkened even further. "This isn''t called helping. And you¡­" She turned to Nehora, eyes narrowing dangerously. "You''re not going anywhere. No one''s bringing you your stupid manga or whatever it is."


    "Why not? I can go anywhere I want! You can''t stop me!"


    Orasaki''s eyes blazed with frustration. She stepped forward, her voice low and harsh. "Did you even know how hard students are working and training to get selected in this Academy? You''re gonna waste your parents'' money just like that for some stupid manga?"Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Nehora blinked, caught off guard by Orasaki''s words. "But I thought this Academy is free for study," he muttered, trying to make sense of it all.


    Orasaki let out an exasperated sigh. "I''m talking about your training institutions for the entrance exam! You know how expensive they are? We were preparing for a whole year just to pass the entrance exam. Are you really going to let all that hard work go to waste for a stupid manga?"


    Nehora''s eyes widened. "Wait, wait, wait¡­ there''s a training institution for the entrance exam? And you all trained for a whole year just to pass the entrance exam?"


    Orasaki''s gaze darkened with frustration. "Of course we all did! We all worked hard, sacrificed so much, and now you''re just going to throw it all away over some silly manga?"


    Nehora felt his head spin. "But I didn''t know there was a training institution for the entrance exam¡­".


    Eh?. Everyone shocked.


    Everyone''s attention shifted to Nehora, who stood there with a look of complete nonchalance. It was as if the whole situation didn''t faze him at all.


    "There''s no way... He passed the without any training?" Nisa whispered.


    "No way! Nehora, what''s your score?" Nisa asked, now even more curious.


    "Eh? I don''t know," Nehora replied casually.


    "Can I check your cell phone?" Nisa asked, already pulling out her own phone to look up the score.


    "Yeah, sure." Nehora shrugged.


    Nisa unlocked Nehora''s phone and stared at the screen. Her eyes widened in shock. "No way!" she gasped, dropping her phone slightly in disbelief.


    "What''s going on? What did you find?" Orasaki asked, leaning over to peek at the screen.


    "He''s ranked third in the entire exam!" Nisa said, her voice almost trembling. "But how is this possible? How did he got third rank without training or study.?"


    The whole room was now in a state of shock. Nehora had achieved an incredible score with absolutely no preparation. That kind of thing simply wasn''t supposed to happen.


    "Take it easy, guys," Nehora said with a lazy grin, waving his hand dismissively. "You''re making a big deal out of nothing."


    "Because it is a big deal!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices laced with disbelief and jealousy.


    Seko speak up. "I hardly even got a passing score after two years of studying and training! And you achieved rank 3... without doing any of that? That doesn''t make any sense!"


    "Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself," Akasino added, frowning. "There must be some mistake with your results. We should ask the teachers to double-check it."


    Seko as he raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, hardly believe? I got passing marks with on my own brain and traning. That''s something I be proud of."


    Seko''s eyes narrowed, a vein popping on his forehead. "What, you think I didn''t work hard to get where I am? I''ve been busting my brains for years, and you just waltz in and ace the exam without even trying?"


    A small, teasing grin appeared on Akasino''s face as she turned toward Seko. "Uh, you have a brain? Sorry I thought you just had a hard drive CD full of pervy ideas in that skull of your''s."


    "Why you¡ª!" Seko began to shout, but before he could finish, Nehora interrupted, his voice calm.


    "Look, even though I got rank 3, I''m still the same as all of you," Nehora said, shrugging. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses, right?"


    "But still," Tanaka said, looking Nehora up and down, "that score... it''s incredible. Everyone here''s been preparing for years."


    "That''s enough guys!" Nehora waved his hands to silence the group. "Come on, food''s getting cold. Let''s eat, and relax. Tomorrow''s our first day of classes. We don''t need to be stressing about this."


    Everyone sighed in unison, trying to let go of the shock and heading toward the dinner table.


    The next morning was filled with excitement. It was the first day of classes at the Academy, and everyone had high hopes for what the year would bring. The students were buzzing with anticipation, dressed in their new uniforms.


    "Hey, look at my new uniform! How do I look?" Kalina asked, twirling around with a grin.


    "You look awesome! Like an angel," Seko said, giving her a thumbs up.


    "Nobody asked you,"


    A rock flew on Seko right on the head.


    Kalina snapped, rolling her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. " Ahh an angle I''m an angle " Kalina inner thoughts.


    "Okay, okay, enough of this. Let''s go or we''ll be late for class!" Nisa called out, already heading toward the exit.


    "Hey, boys! What are you doing? Hurry up or we''ll be late!" Seko shouted, waving his arms at the group of boys who were taking their sweet time.


    "I said the same thing!" Nisa shot back, her voice playful but urgent.


    "No, you said that for the girls," Seko shot back. "I said it for the boys."


    "I said it for everyone!" Nisa retorted, crossing her arms.


    "You''re breaking the rules!" Seko said, raising an eyebrow.


    Nisa blinked. "How?"


    "Girls aren''t allowed to speak for boys!" Seko declared dramatically.


    "What? That''s not a rule we agreed on!" Nisa snapped.


    "Calm down, both of you," Onaka interjected, her voice trying to smooth over the tension.


    As everyone gathered in the hall, ready to head out, Orasaki took one look around.


    "Looks like everyone''s here," she said, her sharp eyes scanning the room.


    "Wait a minute," Ejiro piped up, "I think we''re missing someone."


    " Eh?" everyone looked around.


    "It''s Nehora!" Onaka said, looking at her watch. "He hasn''t come out of his room yet."


    "Don''t tell me that idiot is still sleeping!" Orasaki grumbled. Without waiting for a reply, she marched off toward Nehora''s room.


    "Hey, you can''t just walk around like that!" Seko called out, his voice cutting through the air as he tried to stop Orasaki from leaving the room.


    Orasaki shot him a cold, deathly glare, the kind that could freeze the blood in your veins. "What, you got a problem with that?" Her voice was low, dangerous.


    Seko immediately backed down, hands raised in mock surrender. "Ah, no. Go ahead..." He shifted his feet nervously, not wanting to be on the receiving end of her ire.


    The group of students behind him exchanged uneasy glances, the tension palpable in the air. They all knew what Orasaki was like. She wasn''t one to back down from anything. The sound of pounding, almost violent, from Nehora''s room echoed down the hallway. It was unmistakable, the kind of noise that made everyone uneasy.


    "She doesn''t care about anyone''s personal space," Ejiro muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.


    Thud. Another loud crash. It sounded like something¡ªor someone¡ªhad been thrown across the room.


    "Poor Nehora," Myro sighed, shaking his head as though he could already picture the aftermath.


    Onaka raised an eyebrow. "It''s his own fault for not waking up when he was supposed to," she murmured, her tone laced with a little bit of annoyance.


    The pounding grew louder, and there was a sudden shout, followed by a noise that unmistakably resembled a slap.


    "Poor Nehora..." Tanaka whispered, his voice tinged with sympathy.


    Seko nodded in agreement. "She''s like walking hell itself..." He shuddered.


    After what seemed like an eternity of noise, the door to Nehora''s room swung open. Orasaki appeared, her usual calm expression firmly in place, though she was still holding Nehora by the collar, dragging him out of the room. Nehora, on the other hand, looked like he had been through a war. His face was battered, bruised, and swollen, as though he''d been hit by a freight train.


    "Good morning, everyone!" Nehora chirped cheerfully, as though nothing was wrong. His voice still carried the same infectious enthusiasm, even if his face didn''t match.


    "Morning..." Everyone responded in unison, but the concern was clear in their voices, even if they tried to hide it.


    "Nehora, are you feeling okay?" Seko asked, his voice cracking with worry as he took a step forward, his eyes wide as he looked at the state of his friend''s face.


    To be continue...........

 Chapter 8

    "Yeah, I¡¯m totally fine," Nehora said with a grin, though it didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. His cheerful demeanor was a mask, and everyone could tell. He was in pain, but he didn¡¯t want to admit it.


    The others exchanged uncomfortable glances. Nehora¡¯s face was a mess¡ªthere was no denying it. But they also knew better than to push him for answers. Nehora was stubborn.


    "I''m totally fine! I¡¯m so excited for today¡¯s classes! Let¡¯s go, guys. We don¡¯t have time to stand around, or we¡¯re going to be late if you don''t move butt''s !" Nehora urged, trying to keep his usual energy up, though his tone was slightly strained.


    "Look who¡¯s talking," Ejiro muttered under his breath, the sarcasm in his voice thick.


    "Wait, what did he just say?" Kaira, blinked in confusion.


    The next thing anyone knew, Nehora was knocked out cold by a punch from all girls. The others watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide in disbelief.


    "But why?" Nehora groaned, rubbing the side of his head where he¡¯d been hit, his dazed expression only adding to the chaos.


    "You need to learn some manners when speaking in front of others," Kaira explained firmly, folding her arms across her chest.


    Everyone stood there in stunned silence for a moment, before the sound of murmurs and quiet chuckles filled the air.


    As they began to walk towards the academy¡¯s main building, Nehora fell in step with the boys, still trying to shake off the blow to the head. "Hey, what did I say to them that they knocked me out?" he asked, genuinely confused.


    "You can¡¯t say things like butt in front of others¡ªespecially the girls," Senaro replied, shaking his head as though Nehora¡¯s lack of social awareness was a well-known issue.


    "Why? Don¡¯t they have one?" Nehora asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the girls, who were walking ahead of him.


    The girls immediately turned, and once again, Nehora found himself on the receiving end of another knockout blow. This time, it was Seira who landed the punch, and Nehora was sent sprawling to the ground.


    "Sorry, I¡¯m so sorry," Nehora stammered as he quickly got back to his feet, rubbing his jaw. "I didn¡¯t mean anything by it! I swear!"


    "Girls, I think we need to teach him a lesson," Seira said, a sly smile tugging at her lips.


    The others laughed nervously, exchanging looks, but no one dared challenge the girls after their recent demonstration of strength.


    As they neared the academy¡¯s main building, Orasaki suddenly stopped. Her eyes narrowed. "Oh no, I forgot our class address slip back in the dorm."


    "Third floor of the building, if you take a left, then take a right, and keep going straight ahead, that¡¯s where our classroom is," Onaka said matter-of-factly, giving everyone a little wave.


    "Wow, you''re a fast learner, Onaka," Kaira remarked, clearly impressed.


    "Nah, nah," Onaka shrugged. "It wasn¡¯t hard to remember. I mean, it¡¯s all laid out in the academy map."


    Inside the academy, the group moved swiftly toward the stairs. Ejiro gave a sigh of relief. "Now, let¡¯s head to class."


    "Yeah, let¡¯s take the stairs," Nehora suggested eagerly, but Orasaki immediately shot him a sharp glance.


    "We¡¯re already late. If we follow you, there¡¯s no way we¡¯ll make it on time." Orasaki shook her head in disbelief, already pushing toward the elevator.


    "Then I¡¯ll just go alone through the stairs," Nehora said, smiling mischievously as he darted towards the stairwell.


    Before he could make it very far, someone grabbed his shoulder. "You¡¯re coming with us," Orasaki said, voice full of finality.


    "No, I¡¯m going through the stairs," Nehora retorted, not backing down.


    "Did I give you an option to answer me?" Orasaki snapped, her voice sharp as steel. "Now, get into the elevator already."


    The elevator door slid open, and everyone piled inside, with Nehora reluctantly joining them. As they reached the third floor, the group filed out of the elevator.


    "According to Onaka, now we go this way," Myra said, pointing in the direction of the hallway.


    "Wait, look guys what I found!" Nehora suddenly exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.


    The others turned around to find Nehora grinning like a kid who had just found candy.


    "Wow," everyone chorused as they followed him over to the large glass windows at the end of the hallway.


    They stared out at the sprawling academy campus. The building stretched endlessly, its massive size dwarfing anything they¡¯d seen before.


    "The academy sure is huge. I can¡¯t even see the end," Eiko commented, a look of awe in his eyes.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "I have an idea," Nehora said suddenly, breaking the silence.


    "An idea? What idea?" Myra asked, clearly curious.


    A sinking feeling spread through Akasino¡¯s chest. I have a bad feeling about this¡­


    "Let¡¯s go to the top floor," Nehora suggested with enthusiasm. "We¡¯ll get a better view than from here!"


    "This is the top floor," Onaka replied flatly, she stared at him. "You really need to stop getting ahead of yourself."


    "Are you drunk or something?" Nehora shot back, an eyebrow arched in mock disbelief.


    The girls immediately punched Nehora again, their expressions serious. "You really need to learn how to speak with others," they said in unison, clearly tired of his antics.


    " But i didn''t said Butt this time." Nehora.


    Girls beat nehora again.


    "Third floor is the last floor students can access," Onaka explained. "The upper floors are off-limits to students without special permission."


    "Why?" Nehora asked, looking genuinely curious.


    "Because," Onaka continued, "the first, second, and third floors are for students to study. The upper floors are for the teachers'' labs and other administrative purposes."


    "Yes, she¡¯s right. Students aren¡¯t allowed on the upper floors without a valid reason," a voice suddenly interrupted.


    "Good morning, Katsegawa-sensei!" Everyone greeted in unison, standing up straighter.


    "Morning, students," Katsegawa replied, her expression unreadable.


    "Why? Just one time, please, sensei. Let us go to the top floor!" Nehora pleaded, his eyes wide and hopeful.


    Orasaki shook her head. "Don¡¯t be so stubborn. If we can¡¯t go, we can¡¯t." even though orasaki said that but was want to enjoy the view from the top floor herself.


    Katsegawa looked at them all, then sighed. "Even I haven¡¯t been to the top. Now, what¡¯s your name again?" she asked, turning to Onaka.


    "Uh, it¡¯s Onaka," she replied, somewhat nervously.


    "How do you know so much about the academy?" Katsegawa inquired, her gaze sharpening slightly.


    "It¡¯s all on our student ID''s," Onaka explained. "It has all the information about where we can and can¡¯t go."


    "You¡¯re quite the learner," Katsegawa remarked, her tone grudgingly approving.


    "Not really," Onaka muttered, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.


    "Now, let¡¯s head to class," Katsegawa said, her tone signaling that the conversation was over.


    They all moved toward the classroom, settling into their seats as the lesson began.


    "Now then, let¡¯s introduce ourselves. Once again, my name is Hinaka Katsegawa, and I¡¯m your homeroom teacher." Katsegawa began the class as the students, one by one, introduced themselves.


    "Now, let¡¯s begin your first lesson," Katsegawa continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "As you all know, this academy was designed by the World Government. There are several academies like this one in each country and many other small acadmies in every country, but academies like CON are one of a kind. The purpose of these academy is to train students to discover their true potential, harness their powers, and use technology to enhance those abilities."


    "Yes! After training here, we¡¯ll become stronger than ever before!" Eiko exclaimed eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    "And become popular with the beauties!" Seko added with a wink, causing a few of the girls to roll their eyes.


    "Everyone has powers," Katsegawa said, "but most don¡¯t know how to control or even use them. The purpose of this academy is to help you unlock those abilities and use them wisely."


    Sina raised her hand. "Excuse me, sensei, but what if someone uses their powers for bad things? What if we end up becoming a threat to others?"


    "Why would we do that?" Myra replied, his voice defensive.


    "You can¡¯t predict the future," Sina countered, shaking her head.


    Katsegawa paused, allowing the tension to build before she spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I can¡¯t guarantee that everyone will use their powers for good. But it largely depends on the environment in which they grew up. People learn from their surroundings. If someone is raised in a positive environment, they will see the world in a positive light and use their powers to help others.


    ¡°On the other hand, if they are raised in a negative environment, they may be less likely to do so¡ªbut that doesn¡¯t mean they can¡¯t change. That¡¯s why academies like this one were created: to provide a good environment for the younger generation, so they don¡¯t go down the wrong path.¡±


    The students sat in silence, processing Katsegawa¡¯s words.


    "Now then, to see what you are good at and what you are laking into" Katsegawa continued, "you¡¯re all going to the 4th floor to Lab 7. And remember do not wander around. Stay on your task."


    "Okay, sensei, we won¡¯t wander. We go straight to Lab 7," Nehora assured , his usual enthusiasm making a return.


    The other students, however, exchanged skeptical looks. I doubt that, they thought in unison.


    "Good to hear," Katsegawa said, giving them a final nod before she left the classroom.


    As the students got up, a new question began to rise, How would they even get to the fourth floor?


    "Hey wait Katsegawa sensei didn''t told us, how we gonna enter the fourth floor without it''s access?" Seira asked, her voice full of doubt.


    "The students of this year are now allowed to go to the fourth floor," came an announcement over the speakers, confirming their suspicions.


    But Nehora was already speeding up, determined to be the first to make it to the fourth floor. What awaited them there? Only time would tell.


    "Woho! Let¡¯s go!" Nehora shouted, a wide grin plastered across his face as he rushed toward the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the hall.


    "Hey, slow down! We¡¯re coming too!" Seko called out, hurrying after him, but Nehora was already halfway up the staircase, determined to be the first to reach the fourth floor.


    "I have a bad feeling about this..." Akasino muttered under her breath, trailing behind the group


    Nehora, oblivious to the tension in the air, bounded up the stairs two at a time, his energy never wavering.


    "Hey, wait for me!" Seko shouted, trying to catch up, but Nehora was already far ahead.


    "I¡¯ll be the first one to get to the fourth floor!" Nehora called back over his shoulder, his voice filled with excitement and determination. His competitive spirit was in full force, and nothing was going to stop him now.


    "What?!" Nehora exclaimed, his voice loud enough to reverberate through the empty hallway. "How did you guys get to the fourth floor before me?"


    Senaro stepped out from behind him, an easy smile on his face. "We took the elevator to get here," he said casually, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.


    Nehora¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief. "That¡¯s cheating! You¡¯re supposed to come up by the stairs!" His voice was half annoyed, half playful, but there was no hiding his frustration at being outpaced.


    Tanaka shrugged, his arms crossed. "But we never agreed to your little ¡®game,¡¯ Nehora," he replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Besides, getting to the fourth floor first isn¡¯t exactly the most important thing."


    "Yeah, yeah, you guys are all cheaters," Nehora muttered.


    "Now, which way do we go?" Orasaki asked, her voice cutting through the playful banter. She looked around the fourth-floor hallway, her gaze sharp as ever.


    A long silence fell over the group as they all stopped to think. Katsegawa had told them to go to Lab 7, but she hadn¡¯t mentioned where it was located on the fourth floor. The group exchanged glances, but no one seemed to have any clue which direction to head in.


    "Wait," Sina said, her voice rising with panic. "Katsegawa-sensei didn¡¯t tell us which direction to go after we got to the fourth floor!"


    Sina¡¯s worry was palpable, and it quickly spread through the group. No one wanted to get lost on the fourth floor, especially when they weren¡¯t supposed to be there in the first place.


    To be continue..........

 Chapter 9

    "Hey, Onaka should know the direction!" Nisa suggested, turning to the girl with the most academy knowledge. She had to know where they were going, right?


    Onaka, looking slightly embarrassed, rubbed the back of her neck. "Actually, I don''t know either. The floors above the third are not accessible to students... so this is the first time I''ve been up here, too."


    Everyone groaned in unison, the weight of the situation beginning to sink in. Their enthusiasm had led them here, but now they were stuck, clueless about where to go next.


    "Oh, I forgot to give the directions to the students," she said nonchalantly,"But the path is easy enough. From the elevator, you go right first, then take two left turns, a right, and another left. That should lead you straight to Lab 7. It''s really simple¡ªI''m sure they can figure it out, they are not kid anymore."


    Nehora was the first to recover, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Let''s go this way! I''m sure this is the right direction," he said, pointing confidently toward the right side of the hallway.


    Nisa immediately shook her head. "We''re not allowed to wander around," she reminded him sternly. "Remember what sensei said? Stay on task."


    Tanaka, still calm as ever, raised an eyebrow. "I think this is some kind of test," he said with a chuckle, watching Nehora take off in the opposite direction.


    "What? But we haven''t even started our study yet!" Kaira exclaimed, looking confused. She glanced around, trying to understand what was going on. "Are we supposed to be testing ourselves already?"


    "You''re right," Eiko said, frowning as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If this is some kind of test, we have to think even more carefully about what our next move is going to be."


    Kaira blinked and suddenly spoke up. "Emm, hey, don''t you think we''re missing someone?"


    The group looked around, immediately realizing that one person was missing.


    "It''s Nehora," they all murmured, a sense of realization hitting them at once.


    "Where did that idiot go this time?" Orasaki grumbled, her tone sharp with annoyance. Her eyes scanned the area, already dreading whatever mess Nehora had likely gotten himself into.


    Seko, pointed to the right. "I think he headed that way."


    Before anyone could say anything else, Orasaki''s fist flew toward Seko''s head with alarming speed, hitting him with a satisfying thud.


    "Why didn''t you stop him?" she demanded, her glare intense.


    Seko rubbed his head, a pained expression on his face. "Ow! What do you mean, ''stop him''? You know he just does whatever he wants!"


    Orasaki was already heading toward the direction Seko had pointed, muttering angrily under her breath.


    "We''re not allowed to wander around," Eiko said in protest, his voice filled with hesitation. "Remember what Katsegawa sensei said to us?"


    "Orasaki, wait!" Kaira called after her.


    Eiko sighed deeply. "So, we''re doing this, huh?"


    The rest of the group, resigned to the situation, followed Orasaki. There was no stopping her once she was set on something.


    "This time, I''m going to kill you, Nehora," Orasaki muttered darkly.


    It didn''t take long for them to catch up. Orasaki spotted Nehora standing in front of a large lab, peering curiously through the glass window. Someone inside the lab noticed Nehora standing outside.


    "There you are, Nehora!" she shouted, already moving to throw a punch at him.


    But as Orasaki advanced, Nehora darted inside the lab, narrowly avoiding her attack. Orasaki stumbled forward, tripping over her own feet and landing face-first on the floor. The impact echoed through the hallway as the rest of the group winced.


    "Seriously?" Orasaki groaned from the ground. "You just had to dodge me, didn''t you?"


    Inside the lab, Nehora stood up straight, completely unfazed by the near-miss. As he looked around, a calm voice interrupted his thoughts.


    "You must be the new student this year," a woman said, stepping into view from the back of the lab.


    Nehora turned toward her, surprised but quick to respond. "Yes, I''m Nehora," he said with a casual smile.


    The woman gave him a curious look and then shifted her gaze to the group entering behind him. "And they are your classmates?" she asked, her tone gentle yet inquisitive.


    "Uh, hey, you guys came here too?" Nehora asked, looking back at his friends.


    "We had no choice," Eiko said, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "Orasaki chased after you, so we couldn''t exactly just stay back and watch."


    The woman smiled, her expression warm but knowing. "Come in," she said, stepping aside to allow them all inside.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Thank you, Sensei," everyone said, their voices polite and respectful.


    "I''m Nirahatsu Osima," the woman introduced herself, giving a small bow. "It''s a pleasure to meet all of you."


    "It''s nice to meet you, Osima-sensei," the group echoed, bowing in return.


    As they entered the lab, the students were immediately struck by the sight before them a high-tech, advanced research facility that looked like something out of a science fiction novel. Machines hummed quietly, monitors blinked with mysterious data, and strange gadgets lay scattered across tables. It was clear they were standing in a place filled with cutting-edge technology.


    "Wow, there are so many amazing things here," Nehora said, his eyes lighting up as he looked around. He was practically glowing with excitement. "Sensei, can I take a look at these?"


    Osima nodded, though there was a warning note in her voice. "Sure, but be careful. Don''t touch anything you''re not supposed to."


    "Eh?" Orasaki raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Nehora''s excited face. "Are you seriously going to start touching everything?"


    But Nehora had already moved toward too absorbed in the suit before him. It was sleek, metallic, and definitely reminiscent of something you''d see on a superhero¡ªbright accents of gold and red, streamlined like a high-tech warrior''s second skin. The design was more than just flashy; it looked engineered for speed and power, with a range of complex features embedded into its surface.


    "Wow, this suit is so cool!" Nehora said, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "Sensei, can I wear it just for one minute?"


    "No, you can''t," Osima replied, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head. "But I''ll let you look."


    The others, meanwhile, watched Nehora''s antics with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. It wasn''t a surprise that Nehora would be so captivated by something like this.


    "Why are you all standing there like that?" Osima asked, noticing that most of the group had remained by the door. "Don''t you want to take a look around?"


    "We can?" Seko asked, blinking in surprise. He hadn''t expected to be allowed to touch anything, let alone explore the lab.


    "Are you sure, Sensei?" Orasaki asked, still a little cautious.


    Osima smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I don''t mind. But just be careful and try not to touch anything you shouldn''t."


    Orasaki''s eyes lit up, and she immediately started wandering deeper into the lab, practically vibrating with excitement. "Thanks, Sensei!" she called back as she started looking at the various gadgets.


    Seko watched her for a moment, shaking his head. "Look at her," he muttered. "She''s like a kid in a candy store. It''s like a heavenly god herself came down to invite her into paradise."


    Orasaki spun around and glared at him. "What did you just say?" she demanded.


    Seko froze, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Ah, who me? No, you must be mistaken. I didn''t say anything."


    The others exchanged looks, trying to suppress their laughter, knowing full well that Seko had just stepped into a situation that could only end badly.


    Meanwhile, Akasino, who had been quietly observing a strange device on the table, suddenly raised a question. "Osima-sensei, what''s that?" she asked.


    Osima walked over to join her. "It''s a red beam," she explained, her voice steady and informative. "It''s used for shooting lasers over long distances. Still in development, though."


    "A red beam?" Akasino repeated, sounding intrigued. "That''s amazing!"


    "Osima-sensei," Onaka spoke up from another corner of the room. "Why is there a tablet here? Aren''t these kinds of things banned in the academy?"


    Osima chuckled lightly. "It''s not the kind of tablet you''re thinking of," she explained with a smile. "This is a tablet used for detecting enemy locations. But it''s still a prototype and isn''t fully functional yet."


    As the group continued to explore the dimly lit room, the air thick with the hum of technology and mystery, Nehora, now fully suited up, turned toward the boys with a mischievous grin plastered across his face. The sleek, metallic armor seemed to shimmer with an almost unnatural glow under the soft overhead lights.


    "Hey, look here," Nehora whispered in a low voice, clearly eager to show off his newfound.


    The boys, who had been distracted by their own curiosity, turned toward him at once. Their eyes widened as they took in the sight of Nehora clad in the suit.


    "Myra, do you see this?" Senaro asked, stepping closer. "Why is he wearing that? Didn''t Osima-sensei specifically say we can''t touch anything? And he''s wearing it?" His voice held a mix of confusion and disbelief.


    Myra frowned, his brow furrowing with concern. "Yeah, Nehora, didn''t Osima-sensei say¡ª"


    "No need to panic," Nehora interrupted with a wave of his hand, his grin widening. He turned slightly to strike a pose, flexing an imaginary muscle in the suit. "I''ll take it off once we get a photo together. Just let me have my moment."


    "Photo?" The boys echoed in unison, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.


    "Yeah," Nehora replied, nodding enthusiastically. "Let''s take a photo together in this suit. It''ll be legendary!"


    Myra, still a little wary, shook his head. "This is insane. You know we''re probably going to get in serious trouble for this, right?"


    Nehora just laughed, the sound rich with satisfaction. "Come on, relax. Osima-sensei won''t even know. And besides..." He gave the boys a sly look, "...who wouldn''t want to be in a photo with the coolest suit in the academy?"


    The boys exchanged uncertain glances but couldn''t help the small smiles creeping onto their faces. There was something about the excitement in Nehora''s eyes that was contagious.


    Senaro''s eyes lit up.With a swift movement, he grabbed the nearest camera from a nearby table. Without hesitating, he lined it up.


    "Hey, wait!" Nehora said, grinning. "If you hold the camera, you''re going to be missing from the picture."


    Senaro laughed. "Yeah, but someone has to hold the camera."


    Nehora thought for a moment before speaking up again. "No, this won''t do. Let''s ask one of the girls to take our picture."


    The boys exchanged looks. "No way," Seko said, shaking his head. "If we do that, they''ll tell Osima-sensei."


    "That''s exactly why we need someone who can''t tell Osima-sensei and will take our picture," Nehora said with a wink.


    Eiko raised an eyebrow. "There''s no one like that in the girls."


    "Oh, yes, there is," Nehora said with a sly smile.


    The boys looked at him, confused. "Eh?"


    Nehora leaned toward them, lowering his voice. "Hey, Onaka."


    Seko''s eyes widened. "There''s no way she''s going to take a picture for you," he muttered under his breath.


    Onaka, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, noticed Nehora beckoning her over. She walked toward him, her curiosity piqued.


    "Why are you wearing that suit?" Onaka asked. "Didn''t Osima-sensei tell you not to do that?"


    Nehora grinned. "Listen, please take just one picture of us in the suit. I''ll take it off right after, I promise."


    Onaka hesitated, her gaze flicking between Nehora, the suit, and the others. It was clear she wasn''t thrilled about breaking the rules, but the look in Nehora''s eyes¡ªlike a kid with his hand in the cookie jar¡ªwas too tempting.


    Seko''s muttered comment echoed in the back of her mind, but she ignored it, weighing the situation. It wasn''t like she''d be the one getting in trouble... right?


    After a long pause, Onaka sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. One picture," she said, giving in at last. "But after this, you better take it off."


    Nehora''s grin grew wider, almost smug. "Thanks, Onaka! You''re the best."


    The camera clicked with a sharp sound, capturing the moment in perfect clarity. Nehora turned to Onaka, his smile radiating genuine excitement. "Want to take a picture too?" he asked, his voice bright with enthusiasm.


    The group of boys standing nearby froze mid-conversation. Uneasy glances darted between them.


    To be continue.......

 Chapter 10

    "Did he just ask her to take a picture?" Senaro thought, his internal commentary laced with disbelief. "Does he even know how to talk to girls?"


    To their collective astonishment, Onaka nodded casually. "Yeah, sure," she replied, her tone light and unbothered. "Thanks."


    The boys exchanged incredulous whispers. "Did she just agree... just like that?"


    "Unbelievable," muttered someone under their breath, the disbelief spreading through their ranks like wildfire.


    Onaka offered Nehora a small smile. ¡°Send me the picture when you get a chance, okay?¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡± Nehora replied, his excitement practically overflowing. Pulling out his phone with quick, deliberate movements, he sent the photo to Onaka, his triumphant grin glowing brighter than ever.


    "Delete that picture from your phone, Nehora," Seko said suddenly, his tone much more serious than his personality.


    Nehora paused mid-scroll and frowned. "Why? It''s just a picture of a friend."


    Seko shot him a look, his gaze intense. "Because you can¡¯t have girls¡¯ pictures on your phone. people would think In bad way once they know about the picture."


    Nehora shrugged, unconcerned. "So what? like I cares what people think? She¡¯s my friend. I¡¯m not deleting it."


    Seko blinked, surprised by Nehora¡¯s defiant response. After a beat, he smirked. "Well, if you''re not going to delete it, then send it to me too. She¡¯s my friend too."


    Nehora raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Alright, I can do that." Without hesitation, he forwarded the picture to Seko.


    The others in the room exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and quiet curiosity, but before anything else could be said, Onaka spoke up again.


    "No, Nehora, you can  share this picture anyone else, But not with him." Onaka said firmly, her tone serious.


    "Why not? He''s your friend too, so why can''t I?" Nehora replied, puzzled.


    Onaka met his gaze, her eyes narrowing just a touch. "I don¡¯t remember to being a friend with perverts." she said coolly.


    "Who are you calling a pervert.?" Seko snapped, his irritation rising.


    "Who else? You, of course pervert," Onaka said, giving Seko a pointed look.


    Seko¡¯s face darkened. "Why you?"


    Nehora, seeing the tension building, tried to calm things down. "Okay, okay. I won¡¯t share it. So can we just stop, please?"


    Seko, still frustrated, grumbled under his breath. "Hah, Nehora, how could you? Traitor."


    "Huh? A traitor? Me? How?" Nehora asked, clearly confused.


    Meanwhile, Oarasaki, who had been standing seeing everything silently. She hadn¡¯t been part of the earlier conversation but had observed everything from the sidelines. , She  also wanna to take one picture to but she can''t because of her behaviour and nature.


    Nehora looked around at the group, a playful glint in his eyes, "It¡¯d be better if we could all take a picture together."


    The boy''s exchanged glances, but before anyone could respond, Osima excused herself, stepping outside the lab to take a phone call.


    Nehora¡¯s eyes lit up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Now¡¯s our chance!" he declared. "Everyone, come here! Let¡¯s take a photo together!"


    The girls turned to him, surprised.


    "Nehora, why are you wearing a suit?" Nisa asked, eyeing him with a raised eyebrow. "Don¡¯t you remember¡­?"


    Nehora waved his hand dismissively. "We don¡¯t have time for that! Hurry up, everyone! Let¡¯s take the picture together before Osima sense comes back!"


    Everyone exchanged glances. There was a mixture of confusion and reluctant amusement, but Nehora¡¯s energy was contagious, and the group began to gather around him.


    "Okay, okay, fine," Nisa said, rolling her eyes, but her lips curled into a smile as she stepped toward the group. "But this better be worth it."


    Nehora was already setting up the phone, the camera timer ticking down. But as he looked around, he realized something.


    "Hey, what¡¯s the deal, Oarasaki?" Nehora called, noticing the orasaki standing still, refusing to join. "Come on! Hurry up!"


    Oarasaki, still standing off to the side, shook her head. "I¡¯m not going to be part of that silly picture."


    Nehora wasn¡¯t about to let that slide. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he walked up to her. "You can¡¯t be left out! Come on, Oarasaki! We¡¯re all in this together."


    Before Oarasaki could protest further, Nehora grabbed her arm and pulled her into the picture frame. The phone was already set up on the table, the timer ticking down, and he wasn¡¯t about to miss this opportunity.


    "How dare you touch me without permission!" Oarasaki exclaimed, her face flushing with anger.Stolen story; please report.


    But the camera clicked just as Oarasaki swung a punch toward Nehora, her fist missing him by inches and landing into his suit cornore side. The others stood silently in the background, some amused, some slightly concerned.


    The camera clicked once more, freezing the chaotic moment.


    At that exact moment, the door opened, and Osima returned from her phone call, pausing at the sight. She raised an eyebrow.


    "Huh? Why are you wearing a suit?" Osima asked, clearly confused and slightly concerned


    Before Nehora could explain, Oarasaki, still visibly upset, stepped forward. "Nehora¡­ you¡ª"


    "Wait, wait! I¡¯ll take it off!" Nehora quickly interrupted, holding up his hands defensively as if to avoid further confrontation.


    The air crackled with tension as Oarasaki, her temper flaring, lunged at Nehora. Her fist swung forward, fueled by frustration, and connected squarely with his sleek, high-tech suit. But instead of the satisfying impact she expected, her punch landed with a dull thud. The suit absorbed the blow effortlessly, leaving not so much as a scuff mark.


    Oarasaki yelped and pulled back her hand, wincing as the sharp sting radiated through her fingers.


    ¡°Are you alright? Did it hurt?¡± Nehora asked, his tone dripping with concern as he reached for her hand to inspect it.


    ¡°Oh, no, it feels amazing,¡± Oarasaki snapped sarcastically, shaking her hand out. ¡°You should try it too sometime¡ªa fractured bone is just delightful.¡±


    Nehora blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. ¡°Wait, you actually enjoy it? That¡¯s kinda weird, you know.¡±


    ¡°Of course it hurts, you idiot!¡± she barked, glaring at him.


    Nehora tilted his head, his expression as sincere as it was maddening. "Okay, now I¡¯m confused. Does it hurt or feel good? You should decide first, because you''re saying both things at the same time."


    Oarasaki¡¯s face turned red with irritation. ¡°It hurts, you absolute moron!¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright, calm down!¡± Nehora held up his hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin creeping across his face. ¡°But seriously, you should make up your mind next time. Mixed signals are hard to follow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you mixed signals,¡± she growled, raising her fist again.


    Before things could escalate further, Osima stepped into the fray, her calm yet commanding presence instantly diffusing the tension. She placed a firm hand on Nehora¡¯s shoulder, her sharp gaze cutting through his playful demeanor.


    ¡°Nehora, take that suit off. We don¡¯t need any more accidents,¡± Osima said, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    Nehora pouted but began fiddling with the suit¡¯s controls. ¡°Alright, fine. Party¡¯s over, I guess.¡±


    Turning to Oarasaki, Osima softened her expression, giving her an empathetic smile. ¡°And you, be more careful next time. It¡¯s easy to hurt someone, even unintentionally.¡±


    Oarasaki¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly as the anger drained out of her. ¡°Sorry, Sensei,¡± she muttered, looking down. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble.¡±


    Osima¡¯s voice gentled even further as she pulled a small first-aid kit from her pocket. ¡°No need to apologize. Just remember, your actions have consequences, and we all want to stay safe.¡±


    She carefully took Oarasaki¡¯s injured hand and began wrapping it in a soft bandage. Oarasaki winced but didn¡¯t pull away, her pride momentarily taking a backseat to the warmth of Osima¡¯s care.


    ¡°Thank you, Sensei,¡± Oarasaki said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Osima¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for.¡±


    Nehora, watching the scene unfold, couldn¡¯t help but break the tender moment. ¡°Man, Sensei, you¡¯ve got magic hands. If I ever get hurt, can I be next?¡±


    Osima shot him a withering glare, silencing him immediately. Oarasaki couldn¡¯t suppress a small smirk at the sight of Nehora¡¯s sheepish expression.


    As the group began to settle, the chaos slowly gave way to a lighter atmosphere. But in the back of Oarasaki¡¯s mind, one thought lingered next time, she¡¯d make sure to land a proper punch¡ªsuit or no suit.


    Osima finished securing the bandage and looked up at the students. "So, did you all come here for your suits?" she asked, her tone casual but with a knowing glance toward Nehora, who seemed eager for whatever was coming next.


    "Suits? Yeah, I want one, Sensei," Nehora replied, his voice full of anticipation. His eyes sparkled with excitement. He had been waiting for this moment¡ªever since he had learned that the academy provided specialized suits to each student¡¯s abilities, he had been impatient to get his hands on one.


    Osima shook her head with a small, amused smile. "It doesn¡¯t work like that. You need to tell us exactly what kind of suit you want, and we¡¯ll create it for you based on your needs."


    Nehora''s eyes lit up. He hadn¡¯t really thought that far ahead. "I want a fighting suit," he declared eagerly, as though the words had been prepared in his mind for days. He imagined the kind of suit that would let him take on anyone who dared challenge him.


    Osima¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. "First, you need to go to Lab-7. Once you''re over from there, you can tell us exactly what kind of suit you want."


    The students blinked at the new direction. Their attention shifted away from the suits and back to their immediate task. Lab-7.


    The group paused, and the realization dawned on them.


    "We totally forgot we came here to find Lab-7," Nisa admitted, a sheepish look crossing her face as she realized their mistake.


    "Oh yeah! And we completely forgot that Katsegawa Sensei is waiting for us there!" Ejiro added, feeling the tension build. He had been so caught up in the excitement of the suits that he hadn¡¯t even thought about the purpose of their visit.


    Kaira frowned, anxiety creeping into her voice. "Oh no, we¡¯re in trouble!"


    Oarasaki, ever the calm one despite her earlier outburst, gave Osima a polite, almost apologetic glance. "Osima Sensei, could you take us to Lab-7? We don¡¯t know the way."


    "Sure, no problem," Osima said, her smile returning. Her ability to stay composed in moments of minor chaos was something the students had come to appreciate. "Follow me."


    "Thank you, Sensei!" Oarasaki said with genuine gratitude before turning to the others. "Everyone, let¡¯s follow Osima Sensei."


    "Yeah, we heard you," Seko muttered under his breath, still trying to hide his nervousness as he followed the group. "You don¡¯t have to say it twice."


    The group began to move, with Osima leading the way down the hall toward Lab-7. Nehora, walking alongside Oarasaki, looked a bit more serious than usual.


    "Hey," Oarasaki said, noticing his silence. "It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m fine. You don¡¯t have to worry about me."


    Nehora, in his usual playful manner, glanced sideways at her with a teasing smile. "Nah, I¡¯m not worried about you."


    Oarasaki frowned, clearly irritated by the casualness in his tone. She couldn¡¯t quite tell if he was serious or just trying to get under her skin, as usual.


    Nehora, seeing her reaction, added, "It¡¯s a shame I didn¡¯t get to take pictures with the other suits."


    The students walked a little further before arriving at Lab-7. Katsegawa was waiting outside, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. She looked slightly impatient, her usual eerie smile stretched across her face.


    "Hey, guys! Look, Katsegawa Sensei is their," Seko said in a low voice, his nerves making him sound almost jumpy.


    Katsegawa¡¯s smile widened when she saw them approach. "Ah, you¡¯re here! I¡¯ve been waiting for you all!" Her tone was disturbingly cheerful, almost too much so, given the circumstances.


    Osima raised an eyebrow at Katsegawa¡¯s demeanor. "Katsegawa, are you alright? You seem a bit... off today."


    "Off? Who said that?" Katsegawa responded in her usual unnerving way. She laughed off the concern, brushing it aside with a wave. "I¡¯m perfectly fine. Why do you ask?"


    The students exchanged uneasy glances, feeling a sense of unease they couldn¡¯t quite shake. Was it just them, or did something seem... wrong?


    Osima, sensing the discomfort, kept things light with a smile. "It¡¯s just that your face looks a little different today."


    "Really?" Katsegawa replied casually, her voice too smooth. "But I always look like this."


    To be continue..........