Inside one of the teacher’s office, two teachers were found staring at a document of two particular students from the same classes and another pair of documents from a pair of students both from the same class as well.

Both A class students and C class students.

“…Hmm, as I thought, pairing these two students together in the same class was the right idea. Their synchronicity and proficiency are both over the 80% range. If we keep monitoring their advances in the physical grade, and if they keep showing great advancements in their grades by the hunter’s watch, this could prove true to the [Mix-up theory].” said Sergeant O’riley as he stared to both the students from class C documents.

“Good for you. Already in the first day and it seems like you found two of the most compatible students in the academy…meanwhile my pair isn’t showing any form of compatibility at all. Candidate Jason Emory is pushing forth in his advancements in the physical grade, but his partner, Candidate Audrey Yagami is far superior to him. Their both not matching up at all. At best, their synchronicity level and proficiency level is below 15%. At this rate, Candidate Jason Emory.” said Miss Fien, the other combat teacher of class A.

“What about Candidate rank 2, Miss Morrison? Why not pair her up Audrey Yagami…or maybe even Jason Emory himself?” asked Sgt. O’riley.

“It might seem like a good idea, but we’ve already tested the theory of their compatibility in the simulation, and the result is much more disappointing than one could imagine. Miss Morrison isn’t compatible with any of the class-A students.” said Miss Fien.

“Wow, to think that an student like that actually existed…so what did you do?” asked O’riley.

“For now, I paired her with a temporary student in the class…but already, she’s showing rebellion in this study. Immediately after the combat class ended, her partner went to me and tried asking for a change of partner…it proves that she is without a doubt an anomaly…”

“Maybe…but maybe, the perfect partner for her isn’t in class A.” said O’riley.

“Hnn~~We’re not allowed to pair other students from different classes. I don’t think the other teachers from the combat class would agree to such an idea. It would tamper with their own data and grade” said Miss Fien.

“Hmm, what about my class then? Just pair her data in a simulation with the rest of my students, with that, maybe there’s a chance that she might find her pair.” said O’riley.

“What? And you’re okay with that!?” asked Miss Fien in shock.

“I’m not really thrilled by this idea, but a student like Jessabelle Morrison must be tended to like a gem…she is one of a kind, just like her father. If there’s any hope in having to increase her combat abilities, what’s wrong with breaking a few rules.” said O’riley.

“Eh, fuck it. Why not. I’ll do it tomorrow and I’ll tell you the results as soon as I can.” she said.

“Good, this conversation does not leave the room…”

“Right….but if a miracle does happen from this choice, what do we do then?” asked Miss Fien.

“We’ll handle it when the time comes…” with that, Sgt. O’riley packed his things and left the teacher’s office.

***

As the night was in full bloom, outside the mall were two students who were covered with bandages. In their hands were a pair of phones with the same brand, one was a newly bought phone and the other was an older phone.

As the new phone turned on, both were amazed to see the slick and smooth operation of the phone’s activation.

“Whoa, this phone is more smoother than my current phone, maybe I should buy a new one…” said Jessica as she was quite envious of the new phone held by Soril.

“Hmm, feel that smooth screen. And the camera…the clerk said that this bad boy can even take pictures of the moon. Lets take one to test it out.” said Soril.

“I already did that with my old phone, and they didn’t lie. The camera in this brand is no joke.” saying this, Jessica then showed Soril the picture of the moon with the use of her own old phone.

“Oh, that’s pretty damn clear.” said Soril as he was amazed the quality of the picture of the moon.

“Alright, since your phone is out, we can finally exchange numbers with one another. And I can also add you as a friend and a contact to the Slime app.” said Jessica, as she then pulls out her contact share.

“What’s a slime app? Asked Soril.

“Eh, have you never heard of it before? It’s the current viral messenger app. With this, not only can we send and share photos and videos, we can also send in cash like Qoril through this app. It’s a great app that can be used as a wallet and a messenger” explained Jessica.

“We already pay stuff with the hunter’s card…but if the convenience of having to pay through an app is better, who am I to argue.” said Soril.

“i guess.”

As they exchanged numbers, Jessica was quite happy to see Soril’s name in her contacts, to it, she immediately sends a waving emoji.

“Did you receive it?” she asked.

“Oh, yep, I did.” and in response, Soril waved back in the app.

“How about we commemorate this day by taking a selfie with the moon?”

“…Sure. But I don’t like the idea of taking my picture with my new phone while I’m covered in bandages.” said Soril

“That makes it even more memorable. Come on, lets take one together.” she insisted.

“Eh…I guess.” and so, being forced to take a selfie, Soril braced himself in the flash of the phone and to it, Jessica smiled at her best.

Both took a memorable picture. One that would live in Soril’s memory eternally.

“…This is a good shot.” said Soril as he looked softly at the picture of him and Jessica together.

And to Jessica’s curiosity, she leaned in to look at the picture as well. Seeing them together in the frame of his phone, she smiled ever so softly.

“…Yeah, it’s a great a picture.”

“I’ll send it to you later.” said Soril as he then puts away his phone.

“yeah…”in her soft affirmation, she looked to the moon and smiled.

With that, they were left with silence, outside of the mall.

***

Around 9 in the night, Soril had not come straight home, instead he went ot his master’s domain.

Through the thousand steps of the stairs, at the top, he was met with the gaze of his brother, Cecil.

“…Brother.” calling to him, Cecil than made a gesture that ordered Soril to follow him.

And to his order, Soril complied. He followed his brother into the dojo, and to it, Soril found his teacher seating in the middle of the open room with a blade layed in front.

There, as his blind master was found with closed eyes, Soril made his greetings.

“…Master, I’ve come home.” he said.

“…Its time Soril.”

“Time for what master?”

“It is time for you to train in the ways of the house of shadows…no more basic and instinctive fights. Here, you will know learn the five skills that will ultimately prepare you to take on the 20 gates of the shadows.”

“Five skills?” asked Soril.

And to his question, his master then leans in to grab his sword.

“To take in the knowledge and power of the 20 gates, one must prepare their body, their mind and their soul in all matters possible. If you are not prepared, you will be crushed by this power and you will suffer an unimaginable pain which will cause you your death.” said his master I na threatening tone.

“…I understand master, what skills should I use to attain the proper body to learn the 20 gates?” asked Soril.

“First is the skill of the mind. A strong mind results in a strong will…and strong will results in a strong mind. This skill was named [The Ethereal Will of the Dark] to it, this skill will muster your ability to face danger and think through the battles with a clear but willful mind.”

“Once you attain this skill to a level of great heights, you will then learn the second skill which is called [The Enlightened Domain of the Dark] this skill allows you to awaken your senses to a whole new level, enabling you to move and act according to your will. This skill is one of the strongest out of the five in terms of physical defense.”

“The Third skill that you will learn is [The Steps of the Emissary Ghost] this skill ultimately trains you in your footing and will prove to improve both your agility and speed. This helps us as assassins in attaining a light step through the shadows. It tames our steps to be as light as the shadows itself. We cannot let ourselves be found simply because of sound, so with this skill, you will exactly be a ghost.”

“The Fourth skill is [The Body of the Dark] it toughens your body by your will and to it, you will be as hard as that of metal. And to it, it will also increase your strength ain your body to carry the weight behind that of the 20 gates.”

The fifth and last skill is called [The Bond of the Dark] it is the very foundation for your body to accept the 20 gates of the shadows. This skill will not require training, but it will require a strong mind, a strong body and a strong will. For it is the most vital skill out of them all, you must not fail in attaining this skill fruitfully.”

After hearing these skills be said to me, I was left in awe of such strong sounding skill. But to it, when I reacted quite child-like, my master pounded me with his sheath.

*Thud*

“Ow.!”

“Do not take this lightly!…for although it may carry power, it also is a curse that will ultimately devour you. So strengthen your mind and heart and prepare for the worst to come for this training.” said Master Yagami.

“Yes master…” to it, I bowed my head in apology and I reset my thinking. It was wrong of me to think that these skills were just powers…and because I didn’t yet experience the troubles that came with this skills, I was but an immature student to my reactions.

“You will begin immediately in your training, starting now!” to it, he slammed the end of his sheath down on the wooden floor and in reaction to it, Cecil came and opened the door.

“It is ready.” said Cecil.

“Good, Soril, follow your brother…For you will now learn the first skill. It wont be easy, but I will make sure that by morning you are ready to accept [The Ethereal will] fully in your mind.”

“Ah, I…” I wanted to react truthfully, but seeing my position, I did not have the right ot disobey my master.

“I…understand.” so I forcefully followed my brother despite my weakened body.

To it, Brother Cecil lead me to the well…there, he told me to jump in.

Seeing this, I had some questions…

But I swallowed my curiosity and simply followed his orders.

As I jumped in, I then fell straight down to where I landed on the water.

In that well, the water was just about a waist deep of my height. So I was relieved that I didn’t drown when I jumped into this well. Next to it, my brother also jumped in and he lead forward. As he did, with the torch that he brought with him, he lighted the way in the well.

I was surprised to see that this well wasn’t just your ordinary well…it was a cave.

And as he went deep in to the cave, I noticed a hundred arched paths, leading to somewhere deep and dark. To the many arches, my brother stopped at the very first arch of this cave, and here, he stepped inside. I followed behind in fear of what was in the dark and as I did, I suddenly bumped into his back.

There, he stared at the very thing that was placed in this arch of the cave.

“…Whoa.” my reaction was that of clear amazement.

In front of me was a hollow stone cube with markings written at every corner and wall of the inside of the hollow stone cube. There, my brother then approached the monument and he then activated it by his control.

“…Listen to me.” he said.

“You will get inside and you will face your fears and your monsters. Do you understand me?” he asked.

“…I-” but before I could answer, he cuts me off.

“But it doesn’t matter if your prepared or not, you will face this…even on your own.” to it, he walked away from the monument and he then sits down on the ground with his torch.

“…Brother, I-”

“I’ll be waiting here and I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning so that you won’t be late for school.”

“…”

To it, I realized that I did not have a say in this matter.

So I braced myself and stepped in the monumental hollow stone cube.

And the next thing I knew, all that I saw was darkness.

***

Out in the group chats made for the United Camelot Academy, several rumors and gossips were thrown around.

Word about the B-class having an unstable wild first year who beats up his classmates and earns the top hierarchy in his class.

Word about C-class where a pair of students were found fighting with no teacher stopping them in their fight to the death.

Word about the A-class where a certain genius mage was found slaughtering dungeons in the middle of the night.

And finally word about a certain A-class student being challenged by the Wild student of the B-class first year in the challenge for who earns the title for the strongest student of their year.

A lot of gossip was made in the first day, and to it, it wasn’t the clean kind of gossip. It was simply chaos.