The sky outside the Academy had shifted, but Akitaka didn't care.
Wind brushed past him as he walked behind Kurodan, who led the way with his usual smug calm, clipboard in one hand, coat dragging lazily behind him. Akitaka followed with the same slow, unbothered pace, one hand in his pocket, the other resting near the hilt of his katana.
He wasn't in a rush.
He wasn't interested.
He just wanted to get this over with.
Akitaka:
"…You've been awfully quiet. Couple hours ago, you wouldn't shut up."
Kurodan smirked without turning.
Kurodan:
"Was seeing if you'd miss the sound of my voice."
Akitaka:
"Didn't."
Kurodan:
"Ouch. And here I thought we were bonding."
Akitaka:
"I don't bond."
Kurodan chuckled as they passed under a stone archway and down a long, worn path surrounded by towering monoliths and ancient carvings. A heavy metal door waited at the end—no signs, no fanfare. Just cold stone and thicker air.
They stopped.
Kurodan turned to face him.
Kurodan:
"This is where I hand you off."
Akitaka:
"To who?"
Kurodan:
"Your team."
Akitaka's brow twitched.
Akitaka:
"…No."
Kurodan:
"Yes."
Akitaka:
"I don't need a team."
Kurodan:
"Doesn't matter. You've been assigned one."
Akitaka's expression flattened. No anger. No reaction. Just pure, deadpan disinterest.
Akitaka:
"Sounds like their problem."
Kurodan:
"Actually… sounds like yours now."
He tapped the metal door once. It groaned open, revealing a spiral staircase descending into dim violet light.
Kurodan:
"First Trial's waiting. Survival test. Your new teammates are already inside. Try not to kill each other."
Akitaka:
"No promises."
Kurodan stepped aside with a mock salute.
Kurodan:
"Enjoy, sunshine."
Akitaka didn't reply. Just walked forward and disappeared down the steps like the whole thing bored him to death.
Shikaku (Echo of Death):
"This is gonna be so awkward. Can I give them all nicknames?"
Akitaka:
"No."
Ikari (Echo of Life):
"You might learn something."
Akitaka:
"Doubt it."
The air got colder the deeper he went. At the bottom, he stepped into a chamber of black stone, lit by torches that hissed like they hated being lit. Four others stood around the room.
They turned as he entered.
A silver-haired girl with twin pistols holstered on her hips clicked her tongue.
Silver-Haired Girl:
"Another late arrival. Wonderful."
Akitaka:
"Not late. Just unmotivated."
Red-Haired Boy with bandaged fists stepped up, posture tense.
Red-Haired Boy:
"You don't look like a team player."
Akitaka:
"I'm not."
A taller guy in the back leaned against the wall, hood up, arms crossed, saying nothing.
Akitaka glanced around once, then walked to the far wall and leaned against it like this was some waiting room he hadn't agreed to sit in.
He didn't speak. Didn't ask questions. Didn't care.
Then a flicker above—the wall screen crackled to life.
Kurodan's face appeared, smiling far too easily.
Kurodan (on screen):
"Triallings! Welcome to Sector 3: Old Roots. Your goal is simple. Make it through the ruins alive. Monsters, traps, and your own egos will try to kill you."
Akitaka blinked slowly.
Kurodan:
"You pass if your whole team makes it. So try not to let anyone die… or do. Your call."
The screen cut off with a sharp buzz.
Akitaka didn't move. His voice was flat, dry.
Akitaka:
"This place really likes wasting my time."
The wall in front of them groaned and split, revealing a stone tunnel lined with crooked roots and thin fog.
Silver-Haired Girl muttered under her breath as she stepped forward.
Silver-Haired Girl:
"You're not gonna last five minutes with that attitude."
Akitaka, without moving from the wall:
"Cool. Bet I'll still last longer than you."
Red-Haired Boy growled under his breath.
Akitaka pushed off the wall with a sigh and walked toward the tunnel without looking at anyone.
Akitaka:
"Just stay out of my way."
Silver-Haired Girl:
"Can't wait for something to eat you."
Shikaku (snickering):
"She hates you already. I like her."
Ikari:
"This won't be easy."
Akitaka:
"It never is."
The tunnel loomed ahead, filled with danger, traps, and forced teamwork.
Akitaka adjusted the strap holding his katana, his face unreadable.
Akitaka:
"Let's get this over with."