*Shiromaru*

Tahoma jumped as he stepped out of the dorm and noticed me.

"Uh, how long have you been sitting there?" he asked, turned rightward.

I chuckled. "Not too long. Remember that payment for the mask? I'll like to charge it right now."

He crossed his arms. "And what do you want in return?"

I smirked and held out a piece of paper with calculations of how much I would need. "This amount of silk."

"Silk? Hmm, I could get my cousin to do it."

I laughed. "That's what I was hoping for."

Tahoma sighed. "But I'm not sure if he'll do it. He can be a stubborn one."

I smirked. "Like you?"

"Touche."

I rose from the ground. "So, is he here? I sort of need the silk so I can get started on my project."

"I'll go see. That said, why didn't you enter?"

I shrugged. "Needed to do the calculations first."

"Say, was your plan always to ask for me to repay the favor?"

I scratched my face and smiled nervously. "Well, I did think of finding a bunch of silkworms in the forest."

"It's not the season for silkworms yet, you know that, right?"

I sighed. "Yeah. But I need to make some special for Burai. His birthday's coming up soon. Plus, ever since yesterday, the tension at our dorm has been intense."

Tahoma smiled. "Makes me glad that I opted not to join your dorm after all."

"It was your old dorm, to begin with," I said.

"True."

I smiled. "You decided to come here to be a bit closer to Yuzuki, didn't you?"

His cheeks reddened. "I-I don't know what you're talking about." He opened the door and walked back in.

I snickered. For a pockerface, he sure couldn't hide his embarrassment well.

"Hey, Shiromaru!" Kun said, waving. He, Lei, Hikaru, Nate, Jude, Aurelius, and Wanikiya came from the direction of the girls' dorm. They must've been eating breakfast. That loud first-year, Carter, had the faint scent of fluffy bread when we passed each other. But, then why was Tahoma here? Did he not eat as well?

"Hey, Kun," I said, returning his fist bump.

"What brings you here?"

"I came to see if Ayawamat would help me get some silk."

"Good luck getting that guy to help you. Well, if you excuse me. I'm gonna give Huo and the grumpy cousins their food."

I snickered. "Grumpy cousins?"

He stopped and laughed. "Yeah. Taho and Aya. They're like twins!"

"Did someone say twins?" Tasunke and his brother said, popping out of thin air.

"Wahh! D-don't do that!" Hikaru snapped.

The twins bumped heads and laughed. "You get so easily scared, Hika!"

Hikaru sighed. "I know."

"Thought you didn't like others calling you that," Wanikiya said, chuckling.

"I don't, but if I tell them not to, they'll just do it more," Hikaru mumbled.

"Hika!" the twins said, giggling in unison.

"See?"

I sighed. "Yeah, those two can be a hassle."

The two appeared behind me and patted me on the shoulders, laughing. "At last you remember us, Shiroma!"

I smiled. "How could I forget you two? Even if I wanted to, it would be hard."

"Yahoo, we're memorable!"

"Ugh, can you two please shut up for once," Tahoma said as he stepped out of the dorm.

The twins crossed their arms and scoffed. "Let's go, brother. Mr. Grumpy Pants wants us gone," they said in unison before running off in the direction of the stairs.

Tahoma sighed. "Those two make even Kun seem tame."

Kun scratched his head and laughed weakly.

"No denying that, huh?" Lei said, nudging his brother.

He nodded shyly.

"Wait, how do you know Kun?" Hikaru asked, blinking.

"I made Kun's mask," I said, grinning.

"And the others'," Kun added.

"That's why I owe him a favor," Tahoma said, sighing. "Even, though it should be Nahimana."

I laughed. "You're the one who made the request, not her."

"True."

"So, guess your cousin said no?"

"No. I agreed to it. Under one condition. You agree to fight me," a boy who looked a lot like Tahoma said, walking out of the dorm.

I smirked. "You sure that's what you want?"

"Oh, this is gonna be fun!" Lei said, glancing back and forth between us.

"What? Too scared? Tahoma said you were an honor student. Not that you seem all that impressive."

I rubbed the side of my neck and winked. "Ever heard that looks can be deceiving?"

He laughed. "So you say."

I shrugged and shook my head. "Well, if that's what you want, alright. Let's go to the center of the plaza. I'll activate the ranking battles ring. Sounds good?"

"You can do that?" Wanikiya asked.

"Of course! I was one of the top ten last year."

"But isn't it locked?" Lei asked.

"Yeah, but I can unlock it."

"Shiroma is a man of many talents," Kun said, grinning.

I put a hand on my chest and bowed. "Aww, your praise flatters me."

Ayawamat raised an eyebrow. "Many talents, huh? Sure hope battle is one of them."

I sighed. "Well, I am not exactly the strongest. I rather avoid fighting, but if it'll make you agree to provide me with the silk needed, I'll abide by your request."

"Hey, are you a noble?" Wanikiya asked.

"Why do you ask?" I said, taken aback by his question.

"Your parlance and general vibe remind me of one."

I turned away. "Well, I did get some education, so I have manners and developed a peculiar way of speaking. That said, I would prefer you not inquire further."

"Refreshingly honest, I see," Ayawamat said, smiling.

I laughed drily. Honest, huh? That's ironic. Didn't think one raised in a den of lies could be frank. But maybe that's why I preferred to be clear and concise. I did not want to mirror my parents.

Walking away, I adjusted my blazer. The mountain air had gotten chillier. Or maybe it was just me.

"You alright?" Hikaru asked.

"Yeah, just a bit cold," I said, smiling slightly.

He turned away. "I understand." He smiled. "If you need anything, let me know."

I laughed. "Offering a stranger support? You really are as interesting as Kun said."

He gasped. "Kun talked about me?"

"Yeah, back when I made the masks. He said I reminded him a bit of a friend of his. Based on my observations during the past year, you must be that friend."

"Eh? You've been observing us for the past year?"

I nodded. "Occassionally. I'm not a stalker. But it's hard to not pay attention to you guys."

He chuckled. "I bet, given the loudmouths among us."

I smiled. "I know how that is. Dandelion Dorm can get rather rowdy too." I frowned. Though, lately, it's been quieter. Hopefully, things would be back to normal come Burai's birthday.

"Well, we're here," Ayawamat said as we arrived at the center of the plaza. It was thankfully still empty, given how early in the morning it was. Most high schoolers would be asleep right now or barely getting ready to start their day.

"Patience," I said, holding out a hand. My hand glowed white.

"Pure prana?" Wanikiya said.

"Look at his eyes. One is white," Lei said as he and Kun caught up to us. Had Kun given the Huo kid his food?

"Shiroma comes from the Inugami branch like Ren and the former top honor student herself," Kun said as a small pedestal popped out of the ground in reaction to my prana.

"For the fifth branch, they sure have a lot of strong members," Wanikiya said.

I laughed as I tapped away on the screen on the pedestal. "We Inugami might be considered the middle of the pack in terms of strength nationally, but at least here, we've managed to climb to the top."

"Regardless of one's birth situation, we can all rise if we try," Lei said, grinning.

Kun patted his brother's shoulder and nodded.

Wanikiya smiled. "True. The station one's born into does not determine one's fate entirely. It's possible to rise or fall."

"You've definitely failed to live up to yours," Ayawamat said, smirking as he scratched the back of his head.

Wanikiya looked down. "Yeah."

"Hmm? No rebuttal?"

He smiled faintly. "Was it not you who told me to stop running away from the truth?"

Ayawamat turned away and sighed. "At least be a little more like Lei."

"Wani is Wani. That said, being defeatist isn't a good thing," Lei said, staring down his taller friend.

"Denying the truth hasn't helped," Prince Wanikiya said, averting eye contact.

"There's a difference between denial and trying! You aren't strong now, but you will be!" He punched Wanikiya's chest lightly. "It starts by believing in yourself. Do that and put in the hours, and you'll get somewhere. Don't let others demoralize you. When you do, then you've already been defeated."

"I think it isn't others that are the issue, but himself," Ayawamat said.

I blinked. Was he trying to help him?

"Yeah, that's why he has to start by believing in himself," Lei said, smiling. "You've struggled, but you're getting somewhere. Remember the pool?"

Wanikiya smiled slightly. "Yeah, baby steps."

Lei grinned and nodded. "You got it!"

I smiled. As I thought, Lei is similar to Burai.

The ground rumbled to life as I finished tapping away. The cobblestone floor in front of me spun around and rose slightly, forming a round ring. When unlocked, it would usually react to the voice of the one wanting to battle so long as some chant was said. Those of us in the top ten in rank battles could call upon it a lot quicker.

"Why did it react to pure prana?" Wanikiya asked.

I stepped onto the ring. "Not many know how to use it besides the instructors. And the few students that do aren't aware of the trigger."

Tahoma smirked. "I've theorized whether Kachina could activate them for a while now."

"How is it that you learned of this? Or was it conjecture like Tahoma's?" Wanikiya asked.

I stared at the ring. Father's company was the one that set them up in the first place.

"It's a secret," I said, chuckling.

"You really are full of mystery," Kun said, laughing.

I shrugged. "Not really. You're a lot more mysterious. Anyway, let's begin."

Ayawamat nodded and joined me in the ring.

I smirked and snapped my fingers, causing a blue stream of prana to shoot up from the space between the ring and the rest of the plaza.

"Ready when you are," Ayawamat said, stretching his arms as he stood on the opposing end.

I leaped at him. He dodged the attack and shot webbing out of his hand. Aranea Telam, huh? A basic insect spell, but a dangerous one. I had to be careful, or else I could get slashed, stuck, or have my prana drained. If not all three. His performance against Sowk showed he could pull off all three effects at once.

He dashed at me with a glowing red fist. Pugno, a basic martial spell, just as dangerous in the right hands. His battle against Nyima was proof of how refined his martial magic was.

My right eye turned a dark red. Prana surged toward my arm rapidly as Ayawamat's fist made contact. A shockwave shook the entire ring and barrier. This would certainly be a test of Father's magitech.

Webbing shot out of his free hand toward my left. Did he anticipate I would go there?

"So, you didn't dodge. I applaud you," Ayawamat said, grinning as he jumped back. "But that won't save you!"

I raised my right arm, blocking a dark red prana-infused kick. Once again, another wave of energy made the entire place shake.

"Woah!" Kun said, whistling as Ayawamat and I stood in a pile of rubble.

I avoided another fist and went low, hitting him in the stomach. My eyes widened as something absorbed the blow. Padding? Wait, did he cover his abdomen in webbing? How did I miss that? Or could he excrete it from his skin and not just his wrists and mouth?

Blood flew out of my mouth as Ayawamat knee-kicked me.

I pushed him away and floated upward by switching my left eye into wind mode.

"Wind, huh?" Ayawamat said, digging his heels. He wasn't phased by it.

"You're accustomed to it, aren't you?"

He laughed. "After being challenged by Lei so many times, of course."

"Then it seems that I better change things up," I said, turning both my eyes fiery red. "Pyro Canis!"

A dog made out of flames shot out of my hands as I dropped back down.

Ayawamat jumped, but my dog was too quick, tackling him to the ground and biting down on his arm. He grimaced. His prana veil was vulnerable to fire.

"Want to call it quits?" I asked.

"Ha! As if a weak spell like this can stop me!" he said. His arm glowed dark red. So, he was trading out his typical insect cloak with martial energy. My spell started to break apart as it struggled to puncture through it. 

If he had been up against Kun or Lei instead of Nyima, he probably would've moved on to the next round. A light mage was one of the worst possible matchups he could face. Yet, he nearly won. Not that Nyima had the chance to use light to her complete advantage. Ayawamat knew how to minimize her advantage with those moths of his. That's what made him so dangerous to face. Like Vermeil, he had counters under his sleeve. Nyima's match with him proved both were worthy of being honor students.

Ayawamat punched the flaming dog, causing it to burst into embers and vanish. He stood up and dusted himself off. "You know, you Inugami guys sure know a lot of spells, but knowing a lot doesn't translate toward strength. It's better to know how to do one thing right than to know how to do a million things mediocrely."

I smirked. "You aren't necessarily wrong, but I'm no simple jack of all trades!" My eyes reverted back to their white color.

"Pure prana?" Wanikiya asked.

"He's getting serious now," Kun said, chuckling.

"Wait, you've fought him before?" Lei asked.

"Yeah. We had some pretty close fights back in the day."

"Serious, eh?" Ayawamat said, smiling. "Too bad this ring is too small for my queen. Alvearium!" A light green beehive-shaped barrier covered him. It was the same spell his queen bee had used to deflect Nyima's attacks. Didn't think he knew how to use it. Had temporarily merging with her given him access to it?

I took a deep breath. He was taunting me. Daring me to break through that barrier of his. I didn't care so much about losing or winning, but some of the guys back in the dorm would never let me live it down if I lost to my own attack.

"Aether Ray!" I yelled, launching a wave of pale energy at him.

Ayawamat held his hands out. The beam struck his barrier, causing it to bend slightly.

I cupped my hands again and unleashed a second beam, pushing it past the struggling barrier.

Smoke and debris flew into the air.

"Eh? Did he kill him?" Hikaru asked.

"D-don't be silly, Hika," Lei said, laughing nervously. "The ring security would've activated."

"That's assuming Shiromaru remembered to activate it," Tahoma said.

"Eh?!"

"Relax, loser. I'm alive," Ayawamat said as the smoke cleared. A ball of charred webbing covered him.

Lei laughed. "Phew! He is alright after all!"

Ayawamat turned away. Was he embarrassed?

"Satisfied?" I asked, smirking.

Ayawamat peeled the webbing off. He sighed. "Not really, but I do acknowledge at you aren't a pushover."

I smiled. "Thanks! I think." He sure was similar to his cousin and Koi. Why were guys like them always so strong?

He stood up. "Well, I better get to work. I would like to continue the match, but I'll be out of prana to make you your silk if so."

So, he was more reliable than I thought.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. I've learned a bit from our battle."

I blinked. "Like what?"

"The extent of the strength of you honor guys, and how much I am still lacking. This task will make for some nice training to help close said gap."

"Prana control?" Wanikiya asked.

"It will help with that. Although, that's not something I usually worry about. I want to make my spider silk stronger."

"Wait, spider silk?" I asked.

"Yeah. That's all that I can provide you with right now."

I sighed. That's not what I wanted.

"It is quite sturdy, as you saw just now. Depending on how you use it, you could make it into armor."

"Like you just did?"

"Yes, but with less. The bonds between threads alter their durability."

I smiled. "You sure know a lot about textiles."

He scratched his head. "Well, I was born in a poor family. I had to repair stuff for little Muna and Reign. As well as for myself."

"And your parents?"

He averted his gaze. "Them too, not that they know."

Did he have a strained relationship with his parents too?

"What about you, Shiromaru?" Lei asked.

"I also have little siblings to care for. For most of my life, we had to decide between clothes and food. I didn't want my siblings or mother to go hungry, so I looked up how to fix clothes as well as cooking. From that point on, I fell in love with sewing and the like."

"You really are a man of many talents," Lei said.

I scratched my face and smiled slightly. "Sort of had to be."

"We better fix the plaza before Mr. Obi or another teacher finds out," Kun said, looking around.

I stepped outside of the now sand covered circle. "Please do."

"And here I thought you would be the one to not get into trouble," a voice called out.

I turned around toward my left slowly. "Ko-Koharu..."

She sighed. "I will let it slide this once." She rubbed her right arm. "Especially as you're doing this for Burai."

Did Koi tell her?

"How is he doing?" Lei asked.

I lowered my head. "He's cheered up a bit, but—"

Koharu closed her eyes and walked away.

He still hasn't spoken to her again since yesterday. At least not like how he used to.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed this chapter ^^. Thoughts? Theories? Predictions?**