Silence... always precedes the storm.
The training hall of Facility F-13 was drowned in a heavy, suffocating stillness, broken only by the scattered echoes of footsteps on the metallic floor. Over fifty students stood in perfect lines, shoulders tense, breaths held, hearts pounding like war drums awaiting their unknown explosion.
Among them stood Kaito — as always, shadowless... different. Beside him was Tsuki, stealing worried glances at him now and then, while he feigned composure. Kaito's silver eyes scanned the room without a hint of emotion, but inside, chaos churned. The weight of anticipation was suffocating.
Then came the sound of deliberate, heavy steps...
A tall man in his mid-forties entered, his expression carved from stone. He wore a long black coat that brushed the ground, and a wooden sword rested on his back like it had always been part of him.
"I am Instructor Minamoto."
His deep voice rang like a hammer on a steel gate.
"You've endured a series of physical, mental, and psychological tests. Now… it's time to test your depths."
His eyes scanned each face — no, each soul — as if he were reading their very essence.
"Each of you will fight me. A real fight. The goal is not to defeat me… but to reveal your core — your weapon."
He paused.
"Those who fail… will be sent home. Their memories altered. Their lives will resume as if this place never existed."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the ranks. Some trembled, others sweated uncontrollably. A few eyes shimmered with restrained tears.
Tsuki clenched her trembling hand behind her back, hiding her fear. Kaito stood seemingly calm — but inside, a storm brewed.
Am I ready?
What if they discover I'm... different? What if I'm not "worthy"?
One by one, the students stepped forward. Some fell within three moves, others showed impressive resistance. Minamoto's face remained expressionless — no approval, no frustration — only relentless scrutiny.
Then came Tsuki's turn. She entered the combat ring with sharp eyes and a forced confidence masking her dread. The fight began...
She dodged, leapt, predicted — but always fell a step behind.
Yet in a single decisive moment, she lunged — nearly grazing his wooden blade.
The fight halted.
"Smart… but you rely too much on probabilities."
Minamoto turned to a soldier beside him:
"Her weapon: Reactive Time-Spear. Add her to the list."
Tsuki returned to her place, panting. She glanced at Kaito and whispered:
"Good luck…"
With a faint smile.
Now... it was Kaito's turn.
He walked slowly to the arena. His steps sounded different — heavier, deeper — as if the ground itself responded to his spiritual weight.
Minamoto said nothing.
The battle began.
It was clear Kaito lacked the physical power others had, but he moved… strangely. Neither defensive nor offensive. He just watched.
Each of Minamoto's attacks was evaded as if Kaito had seen them before. A step back. A duck. A spin. He wasn't reacting — he was anticipating.
As the room fell into a stunned silence, Kaito's foot slipped — but he turned it into a roll, forcing Minamoto to miss a strike for the first time.
Minamoto froze.
He stared long at Kaito before stepping forward and whispering:
"You lack strength... and your spirit doesn't burn like a warrior's.
But you read your opponent like a book."
Then, turning to the officials:
"His weapon… is to be postponed. This boy isn't suited for a conventional blade.
Keep a close watch on him."
Kaito returned to his place slowly, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Tsuki leaned in and whispered:
"You really are... different."
Before he could answer, he heard his father's voice from across the room, speaking to one of the officials:
"He's beginning to change… This is not good."
End of Chapter Seven.