Magic. This product of fairytales was synthesized into actual technology in the 21st century.

However, in the year 2030, the world was experiencing drastic climate cooling and the world food supply dwindled. Energy supplies were soon being fought over, and in the year 2045, World War III broke out, lasting for 20 years.

Earth's population plummeted to 3 billion. The reason that this conflict didn't escalate to a thermonuclear war was due to the global solitary of the world's magic technicians.

And now, it is the end of the 21st century. Under these tenuous circumstances, every nation is competing in the race to develop Magicians...

April 3rd 2095 / Hachiōji - Tokyo

Akiri: This is it, huh?

In front of me, is the renowned National Magic University Affiliated First High School.

The very fact that you've been permitted to enrol at this state-run institution for training magic technicians makes you one of the elites whose rare talent in magic has been acknowledged.

As a kid, I always dreamed about coming here to further my studies.

And now, here I am. Wearing their uniform with the flower emblems on it and standing in front of the school gates. I guess some dreams do come true after all.

I then walked through the front gates and took a step inside the school.

I arrived a little bit earlier than scheduled so that I can familiarize myself with the school's layout.

As I walked around, I saw many students wearing the same uniform. Well, mostly the same.

Apparently, the students are divided into two groups, Blooms and Weeds.

Blooms, which is also known as Course 1, are the top 50% of students. Blooms have higher magic capabilities as sorted by the entrance test. They have a flower insignia on the shoulders of their uniform to differentiate them from the other half of the students.

Weeds, or Course 2 students, are the lower 50%. People in Course 2 generally have weaker magical capabilities compared to those in Course 1. Unlike the Blooms, the shoulders of their uniform are empty where the insignia is for the Blooms.

Officially, it is against the rules to address the Course 2 students as Weeds, but...

??? 1: Hey, isn't that kid a Weed?

I heard one of two girls say as they walked past a boy with black hair.

??? 2: Here so early?

??? 1: Someone's sure excited even though he's just a reserve!

Why would the school separate the students? I have no idea. It's like they're asking for the Course 2 students to be discriminated against. I personally think that it's a stupid system and needs to be abolished immediately.

???: You're a new student aren't you?

I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard a voice call out and I looked up to see a girl with long black hair and red eyes.

Akiri: (thoughts) She looks kinda familiar...

Girl: Is there anything I can help you with?

Akiri: No, I'm fine. I was just on my way to the auditorium

I then noticed something glimmer on her wrist when she bowed.

Akiri: (thoughts) CAD...

Girl: I'm the president of the Student Council. My name is Saegusa Mayumi

Akiri: (thoughts) Mayumi?! This is her?!

My eyes widened for a split second before I regain my composure.

Mayumi: It's written 'Nanakusa' but read 'Saegusa'. Nice to meet you

She said with a wink and smile.

Mayumi Saegusa. She's a childhood friend, though I haven't seen her in about 5 years.

Our two families are close friends with each other for a long time, so it's only natural that me and Mayumi used to see each other a lot. Not to mention we even went to the same private school together.

The Saegusa Family are one of the Ten Master Clans. Unlike the other Master Clans, the Saegusa Family don't have a specific unique ability. However, they do not have a system that they are bad at.

I then bowed and introduced myself.

Akiri: Nice to meet you too, president. I'm Amatsuki Akiri

Mayumi: Amatsuki Akiri? Now, where have I heard that name before...?

She said as she places her fingers on her chin.

Akiri: (thoughts) This is bad. Does she recognize me? I knew I should've changed my first name as well

Mayumi: Oh!

She exclaimed before pointing at me.

Mayumi: You're one of the top scorers, aren't you?

Akiri: Y-yeah. I am...

Mayumi: Well, congratulations. I would like to have a nice long chat with you sometime later

Akiri: I'll keep that on my agenda then...

She smiled as we both bowed and walked our separate ways and I let out a sigh of relief.

Akiri: (thoughts) Thank God she doesn't recognize me... I knew I would run into her eventually, but I didn't expect her to be the first person I meet here

I thought as I kept walking.

Akiri: (thoughts) Another person who could recognize me is Katsuto Juumonji. But the chances of that are pretty slim since we're not that close

After nearly getting my cover blown, I wandered around the campus some more and took note of some important places. The main building, the auditorium, the library and some other places.

After a few minutes of walking around, I noticed that the school was getting crowded with more students as it is almost time for orientation. I then decide to make my way to the auditorium.

(Timeskip)

As I entered the large auditorium, I immediately noticed the separation between the two groups. The ones seated in the front half of the auditorium were Blooms and in the back half were Weeds. I then took a seat in the front half of the Bloom section.

???: We will now begin the matriculation ceremony for the National Magic University Affiliated First Highschool

(Timeskip)

The audience applauded as Mayumi finishes her speech and walks off the stage.

???: Next, the newly enrolled students' address. Representative of the incoming class, Shiba Miyuki

A black-haired beauty walked up to the stage and bowed to the audience.

Miyuki: As the sunlight streams gently, and the vivid cherry blossoms flutter on this gorgeous spring day, I feel so happy and honoured that my wish to be admitted to the prestigious National Magic University Affiliated First High School has come true. On behalf of the incoming students, and filled with pride of being a member of First High School...

Akiri: So she's the top scorer, huh?

(Timeskip)

(Third person POV)

The matriculation ceremony came to an end and Akiri exited the auditorium to see several Course 1 students were crowded around Miyuki, bombarded with questions, one after another.

Although she was answering their questions just fine, he could clearly see that she is uncomfortable being surrounded by so many people.

He decided to take action and walked up to the group.

Akiri: Excuse me

The boys had hostile glares at first, but their expression softens as soon as they saw the flower emblems on his uniform.

Akiri: Would you mind giving her some space? You're making her uneasy

He said as they looked at Miyuki to see that she was looking down. They shared a look with each other before nodding.

??? 1: I guess there will be plenty of time to talk. We're all classmates after all

??? 2: We'll talk later, Shiba-san

They bowed before turning to leave. Miyuki then turned to Akiri with a smile.

Miyuki: Thanks for that. It was getting quite overwhelming for me

Akiri: No problem. Being the centre of attention isn't as great as everyone thought it is

Miyuki: Right?

She then bowed at him.

Miyuki: I'm Mi-

Akiri: Miyuki Shiba, I know. I'm sure everyone knows who you are by now

He said before bowing.

Akiri: I'm Akiri Amatsuki

Miyuki: Nice to meet you, Amatsuki-san

???: Shiba-san

They turned around to see Mayumi, along with a guy with short brown hair.

Akiri: Saegusa-senpai. Good to see you again

Mayumi: Likewise

???: If you could excuse us, we have business to attend to with Shiba-san

The brown-haired boy said, looking at Akiri.

Mayumi: That won't be necessary, Hanzou. We have business with Amatsuki-san, as well

Hanzou: This is Akiri Amatsuki?

The president simply nodded before introducing herself to Miyuki.

Mayumi: I'm Saegusa Mayumi. President of the Student Council

She then gestures to the brown-haired boy.

Mayumi: And this is Hattori Gyoubushoujo Hanzou, the vice-president of the student council

Miyuki: Nice to meet you

She said, bowing before looking up to see someone, standing from afar.

Miyuki: Onii-sama!

She exclaimed before running off.

Akiri: She has a brother?

Mayumi: Apparently so

They then walked over to where Miyuki ran off to.

Mayumi: Hello. So, we meet again

She said at the black-haired boy and he bowed to them.

Miyuki then looked at the women that were standing behind the boy.

Miyuki: By the way, dear brother. Are you dating already?

Boy: Of course not, Miyuki. These two are my classmates. It's rude to say things like that, you know

Miyuki: I'm so sorry

She said bowing.

Miyuki: It's so nice to meet you. I'm Shiba Miyuki

???: I'm Mizuki Shibata. Nice to meet you, too

Said the girl with glasses and short dark hair. The messy redhead then placed an arm on Mizuki's shoulder.

???: I'm Chiba Erika. You can call me Erika. Can I call you Miyuki?

Miyuki: Yes, please do

Erika: Hey, Miyuki, so you're actually pretty down-to-earth, huh?

Tatsuya: Miyuki, are the people from the Student Council done with you?

Tatsuya interrupted.

Mayumi: It's alright. All we did today was introduce ourselves to her

Hattori: President!

Mayumi: Miyuki-san, Amatsuki-san

Akiri: Hm?

Miyuki: Yes?

Mayumi: We'll go into more detail another day

Mayumi bowed to them and turned to leave.

Hanzou: President...

Hanzou scoffs at the boy with a glare before following Mayumi.

Akiri: (thoughts) What's his problem?

Miyuki turned towards her brother with her eyes down.

Miyuki: I'm sorry, Onii-sama. It's all my fault

Her brother brushed a hair out of her face before putting a hand on her shoulder, making her blush.

Boy: You have nothing to apologize for

He said as he puts a hand on her cheek and Miyuki looked up to him with her cheeks red. Akiri just looked at them with a raised eyebrow while Mizuki was completely red in the face.

Erika: Umm... You two...

Boy: Anyway, you have yet to introduce your friend here, Miyuki

He gestures towards Akiri.

Miyuki: Ah, I'm so sorry

She apologized to Akiri.

Akiri: Nah, it's fine. You don't have to apologise all the time

He said before turning to the boy.

Akiri: The name's Akiri Amatsuki. Nice to meet you all

Akiri introduced himself with a bow.

Boy: I'm Shiba Tatsuya. Miyuki's older brother. A pleasure to meet you

Tatsuya said, bowing.

Akiri: Likewise

Erika: Now that introductions are out of the way, let's get going

(Timeskip)

After school, Akiri is now standing in front of the entrance of Kyuuchouji Temple.

With a deep breath, he entered the temple.

As soon as he walked past the gates, he quickly leaned his head backwards to dodge a strike coming from his right. He grabbed the disciple's arm and threw him over his shoulder.

Akiri then ducked to evade a roundhouse kick and sweep kicked another disciple, making him lose balance and fall over.

Akiri: Come on, guys. You all know a sneak attack won't work on me

He was then surrounded by a group of disciples, all similarly dressed in robes and he got into a fighting stance.

Akiri: Give me all you got

The disciples then rushed towards him.

Once one of them is within range, Akiri redirects his blow and pushes him away before dealing with another one by sidestepping to the left, avoiding the attack completely.

A disciple then grabbed both of Akiri's arm from behind, locking him in place. Akiri jumps up and kicks someone coming from the front.

Akiri then slams his head backwards and hits the head of the disciple and finishes him off by hitting his stomach with his elbow, freeing him from the lock.

He then saw another one charging towards him. Akiri just caught his fist and slammed him into the ground, knocking him out.

Akiri ducks to avoid an attack coming from both sides, making the two attackers hit each other. Akiri took that moment and dispatched one of them easily with an elbow to the gut and a haymaker to the head. He then deals with the other one with a 360 kick to the head, knocking him out instantly.

???: I see you have improved

Akiri turned around to see a bald man, wearing a robe.

Akiri: Hello, Sensei

He said with a slight bow. The man, is Kokonoe Yakumo, or as Akiri call him, Sensei. He is the only one with the knowledge of Akiri's true identity.

Yakumo: I would like to see your advancement first-hand

Akiri just nodded as he got into a battle stance.

Akiri: Ready

Yakumo: Here I come!

The two of them charged towards each other and they started to trade blows.

(Timeskip)

After their battle, Akiri was seen lying on the ground, slightly roughed up and breathing heavily.

Yakumo: You really have gotten better. You will no doubt surpass me one day

His teacher said as the two of them moved inside the temple.

Akiri was sitting on the porch when Yakumo came and offered him a cup of hot green tea.

Akiri: Thank you, Sensei

Yakumo: It's been a while. How have you been?

Akiri: The same as usual, I guess

He replied before taking a sip of the green tea.

Yakumo: Have you found it? What you've been looking for?

Akiri: Yes... Yes, I have...

Yakumo: Is that so?

Akiri just nodded.

Akiri: The plan is to lay low for a while. The way I am now, I could never beat them. I need to get stronger

Yakumo: Well, let me give you a piece of advice

Akiri: I'm all ears

Yakumo: An eye for an eye makes the world go blind. Revenge is never the answer

Akiri: It's not about revenge. This is about bringing justice to the ones that massacred my family

Yakumo: Is it really? Then why aren't you bringing this to the authorities? Why do you hide your true identity?

Akiri: The authorities ain't gonna do shit. Especially something that involves them. I need to take matters into my own hands

Yakumo: Still. Sometimes, it's better to let go. It's never too late, Akiri-kun

With that, he stood up and walks away, leaving Akiri alone with his thoughts.

-------------------

(A/N: Okay. I've decided to release this ahead of schedule. Keep in mind that updates will be slow for this book, as I am still working on my SAO book. Like always, let me know your opinions on this as it will help me improve as a writer. And don't worry, this won't interfere with the updates of my SAO book.)