The golden rays of morning light poured through the tall glass windows of Horizon Academy, illuminating a sea of excited faces gathered in the grand assembly hall.
Students from every class—1st year to 3rd year—stood shoulder to shoulder, buzzing with anticipation. Today wasn't just any school day. Today marked the beginning of their chance to step into legend.
At the front of the hall, standing proudly behind a sleek podium, the principal of Horizon Academy adjusted his microphone and spoke with steady authority.
"For the first time in our academy's history, we have been given the honor of sending our top students directly to the Midnight Sun Guild trials."
A thunderous wave of cheers and gasps erupted.
"You are all the best of the best. I hope each one of you is chosen to stand as a hero, not just for our school—but for this entire nation."
Laughter, clapping, and hopeful cries filled the room. Friends grinned at each other. Some students were already imagining their names on future headlines. A few wiped away tears.
But amidst the celebration, one figure stood silent at the back of the hall.
Ryker Tensai.
Hands in his pockets. Eyes sharp and unreadable. Unlike the others, he wasn't smiling.
10 minutes ago
The faint smell of smoke lingered in the air as Ryker pushed open the door to the nearly empty classroom. Morning sunlight filtered in through half-closed blinds, casting sharp lines across the floor. At the far end, sitting alone behind the teacher's desk, was Ms. Sakamoto. A cigarette burned between her fingers, and her gaze—calm, calculating—rested on him the moment he entered.
Ryker didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Why did you call me here?" he asked, his voice flat, uninterested.
Ms. Sakamoto leaned back slightly, blowing out a slow stream of smoke.
"Ryker Tensai," she began, her voice carrying a chill. "I want you to go to the Midnight Sun Guild... and defeat the guild leader."
Ryker blinked, his expression unchanging.
"Why me?" he said. "I'm not interested in playing hero."
She smiled faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh? You don't want your friends to live long?"
The words were soft, but they dropped like knives. Ryker's jaw tensed.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation. "I'm warning you."
Ryker turned toward the door.
"My friends are strong. They don't need my protection."
Just as he placed his hand on the doorknob, her next words froze him in place.
"You have a sister, don't you?"
In an instant, Ryker was across the room. He grabbed her by the collar, yanking her forward. His eyes, usually calm and distant, were now burning with rage.
"Touch my sister…" he whispered, voice trembling with fury, "and I'll kill you."
The room tensed. The silence was broken by a slow clap echoing from the back corner.
"Impressive reaction," said a calm, amused voice.
Ryker turned to see Aria-sensei, emerging from the shadows with a folder in hand. The man was always hard to read, his presence both comforting and dangerous.
"I've traced every lead," Aria said. "Found four of the five poisoners. But your mother? No trace. Not a single record. It's like she vanished."
Ryker's hand loosened from Sakamoto's collar.
"So you've been watching me since then," he said.
Aria nodded.
"Yes. And now, I want you to fight the guild leader."
Ryker narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because I want to see your full power."
Silence.
Aria's smile faded slightly as he looked Ryker over.
"You're not like the others. You're something else. A masterpiece hiding in a school uniform."
Ms. Sakamoto lit another cigarette, her gaze lingering on Ryker with faint amusement.
"Let's see what he does next."
Outside, at the school gate…
Students of Horizon Academy gathered excitedly, crowding near the parked buses. Their destination: the Midnight Sun Guild—Japan's most powerful hero guild. Laughter, chatter, and footsteps echoed across the courtyard. This was a historic moment.
Ryker walked toward the buses slowly, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets. He didn't share their excitement. His mind was elsewhere.
There was no going back now.
The low rumble of the engine echoed through the quiet bus, its steady hum blending with the soft conversations of the students packed inside. Outside, the towering buildings of Tokyo blurred past, the sunlight slicing through the glass like a blade. But inside, in the second row near the window, Ryker Tensai sat still.
His gaze was locked on the skyline—on the vast, unknowable world ahead.
He didn't blink.
He didn't speak.
Only his fingers moved, tapping silently against his knee in a slow, rhythmless beat. Restless.
Next to him, Sol Yoshida leaned back in his seat, arms crossed behind his head, watching his longtime friend with a quiet, thoughtful expression.
Finally, Sol broke the silence.
"What's the matter, Ryker?"
Ryker didn't answer immediately. His eyes tracked the clouds, distant and hollow.
"Hmm."
Just a sound. A murmur. Nothing more.
Sol tilted his head. "You okay?" His voice was softer now, more careful.
After a pause, Ryker turned toward him.
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
"Yeah. Just thinking… about the guild."
Sol chuckled, stretching like a child on a school trip. "We're really going, huh? To the Midnight Sun Guild."
Excitement danced in his eyes—pure, hopeful, and unshaken.
Ryker let a faint smirk tug at the corner of his lips, just for a second. Then his gaze returned to the city.
"Yeah," he said. "We're going."
But beneath the calm, something stirred inside him. A pressure. A storm.
He knew what awaited beyond those guild gates wasn't just a trial or a challenge.
It was change.
And not everyone would survive it.
The bus hissed to a stop in front of a towering black and silver building. Its architecture shimmered with arcane energy—sharp edges, reinforced gates, and banners bearing the insignia of a blazing sun cloaked in darkness. This was the Midnight Sun Guild—the strongest guild in Japan.
The students stepped off the bus one by one, eyes wide with awe, nerves tangled with excitement.
Ryker descended last. His hoodie was slightly pulled over his head, shadowing his expression. Beside him, Sol bounced on his heels like a child seeing his first battlefield.
"We're really here," Sol whispered. "The strongest guild… This is where S-Rank heroes walk."
Ryker stayed quiet, his sharp eyes scanning the massive courtyard. Students from other schools had also arrived—competitors for a spot in the guild.
A teacher's voice echoed through the courtyard.
"Everyone! Line up!" It was Principal Mori.
All Horizon Academy students quickly stood in rows.
"This is your first and maybe only chance to impress the Midnight Sun Guild," Mori began, his voice stern but proud. "Remember, this guild doesn't accept weakness. They don't care about your grades or past achievements. Only your strength and potential. Fight, show your resolve, and earn your place."
The students nodded. Cheers quietly spread among them. Ryker stayed silent.
Sol nudged him.
"Still thinking?"
Ryker didn't respond. His gaze was fixed on the towering gates. Inside waited the trials… and maybe, answers he wasn't prepared to face.