The morning sun rested gently over Cang City, casting a warm golden glow across its vast expanse. Above, a calm light-blue sky stretched endlessly, dotted with birds gliding freely on the soft currents of the wind. The city was alive—streets bustling, voices rising, life moving as it always did.
And cutting through that life like a storm—
A boy ran.
"Hey! Excuse me—coming through!"
His voice rang out as he dashed past merchants, pedestrians, and carts, narrowly avoiding collisions. His short black hair bounced with every hurried step, his breathing uneven but determined.
This was Kei Asura. Twelve years old. And very, very late.
After what felt like an eternity—though it had only been about thirty-five minutes of nonstop sprinting—Kei finally arrived at the academy gates. He bent forward, hands on his knees, gasping for air.
"Owww man… I'm late!"
"You're late again."
The voice was firm, authoritative.
Kei froze.
Standing before him was a man clad in a grey uniform—the attire of a middle-ranked Guardian. His posture was straight, his presence heavy.
"I'm sorry!" Kei blurted out quickly. "I swear I left home early!"
The Guardian simply stared at him for a moment before turning away.
"Go to your class," he said calmly. "After school, you'll be assigned cleaning duty as punishment."
Kei groaned under his breath but nodded. Without another word, he hurried inside.
The classroom was already in session when Kei slipped in quietly. He moved to his usual seat—third row, fourth from the front—and dropped down.
Behind him sat someone he'd always been curious about.
Peiren Inuzuka.
A quiet, gloomy boy who rarely spoke. Kei had wanted to talk to him many times, but something always held him back.
Further behind Peiren, a group of girls giggled and whispered, clearly fawning over him.
Kei noticed.
And instantly frowned.
"…What do they even see in him?" he muttered, turning back to face the front, irritation flickering in his eyes.
Moments later, the classroom door slid open.
A young woman entered—their teacher.
Her presence alone was enough to command silence.
She walked to the podium with confidence, picked up a piece of white chalk, and wrote a single word on the board:
History
Turning back to the class, she spoke firmly,
"Today, we will study the history of our people. You will also be given a project. After that, your final examinations will begin."
The room grew cold.
"…These exams," she continued, "will determine whether you become Guardians… or not."
A heavy silence fell over the students.
Then she asked,
"Can anyone tell us what Cang City represents?"
No one spoke.
Until—
A girl at the far end of the class raised her hand.
"Yes, Hori."
The girl stood up calmly.
"Cang is a unique city," she began. "It represents the dark blue sky that appears once every fifty years. During that time, it grants unimaginable power to those who can draw from its chaos."
The class listened intently.
"It is protected naturally by the North and South Mountains, making it nearly impenetrable. The South Mountain is home to the Asura Clan, while the North belongs to the Inuzuka Clan. Both are the strongest clans in the city and serve as its grand protectors."
She paused briefly.
"And above them all is our Grand Lord—the strongest Guardian in the city… and the most powerful leader on the continent."
She bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
The teacher smiled faintly.
"Well done, Hori."
Kei turned back, eyes wide with admiration.
"…She's amazing…"
"Kei!!"
He snapped forward instantly.
"Yes ma'am!"
"Stand up."
He rose stiffly.
"What is the name of the first Grand Lord?"
Kei froze.
His mind went blank.
Utterly blank.
"…I… uh…"
Nothing came.
After a painful silence, the teacher sighed.
"Detention. Along with your cleaning duty."
Kei slumped.
His day just kept getting worse.
By the time school ended, the sun had already begun to set.
While other students left, Kei remained behind with a few boys, each holding buckets and mops.
Two hours.
That's how long it took to clean the academy.
By the time they finished, the sky had turned orange.
"Owww man!" Kei groaned. "I have to run from here all the way to the South Mountain—and it's already sunset!"
Throwing on his blue sandals, he dashed off again.
A cool breeze swept across the South Mountain as night began to fall. A half-moon hung quietly in the sky, watching over the city below.
Kei followed the winding path upward. After about fifteen minutes, he reached the top plains where the Asura Clan resided.
Without stopping, he sprinted through the streets until—
He reached home.
A large, elegant house stood before him, with its own private road.
The residence of the Asura Clan's leader.
Kei stepped inside.
"Kei, why are you home this late?"
His mother stood at the entrance, arms folded. A graceful woman with long brown hair, yet her expression carried authority.
Kei hesitated.
"I… uh…"
"I've told you many times," she continued, "use a horse from the stable. It's faster and easier."
"I know, I know," Kei said quickly. "I'll do that tomorrow—"
Smack!
"Ow!"
She knocked his head sharply.
"You always say tomorrow! When will tomorrow ever come?!"
Kei rubbed his head, wincing.
Then suddenly—
His eyes widened.
"…Wait."
The project.
His face dropped.
"What the hell?! Did she even give us the project… or—"
He paused.
"…I slept."
His eyes widened in horror.
"DAMNIT!!"
Without another word, he rushed toward the door—
But two clan members stopped him immediately and guided him back inside.
His mother sighed.
"It's late, Kei. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow."
She softened slightly.
"Tomorrow is your father's memorial… You need your rest."
Kei went quiet.
"…Alright, Mom."
He turned and slowly walked up the wooden stairs to his room.
And for the first time that day—
He didn't run.