The deep blue sky looked like a painting crafted with flawless precision. Dazzling greenery spread across every corner of the city, creating a harmony where nature and stone, order and beauty intertwined perfectly.
Even the pavement reflected the sunlight almost like glass, making every step taken upon it seem sharper and more noticeable.
Yuko walked through this perfect scenery while following Carnifex.
Carnifex was explaining something such as;
the city's history, its importance, its past.
But Yuko's attention had already drifted away. His eyes were fixed on the buildings, arranged with almost unsettling precision.
Humans… Ritualists… even monsters were interacting with each other in a strange sense of calm.
This… wasn't normal.
There was a massive gap between this place and the things Rasona had described.
As Yuko lost himself in that unnatural peace...
BAM.
He crashed into something.
When he lifted his gaze, he realized Carnifex had suddenly stopped.
Carnifex turned around with a slight grin before pointing toward the massive structure standing before them.
A gigantic building dominated by shades of purple, green, and white… surrounded by nine or ten smaller structures arranged around it as if connected to a central core.
Carnifex's voice sounded prouder this time.
— We're here, Yuko. Welcome to Soullair Ritualist Rehabilitation and Elite Education School.
Yuko slowly raised his head.
His eyes widened.
The building… was impressive.
But something felt wrong.
Something he couldn't explain.
He wanted to turn back toward Carnifex...
But the man had already entered the building.
Without wasting another second, Yuko jumped back to his feet and hurried after him.
The inside of the building…
was silent.
But that silence…
was too silent.
As he stepped into the corridors, the first thing that caught his attention were the lockers. Their surfaces resembled lapis stone, reflecting and refracting the light in a way that drowned the hallway in an almost artificial glow.
Everything… was perfect.
Too perfect.
Yuko's gaze drifted toward the classrooms.
At first glance, they looked ordinary.
But they weren't.
In front of every classroom stood large areas resembling stages. And those stages were covered in strange, unsettling symbols. The symbols…
felt familiar.
A sudden feeling gripped Yuko's chest.
Death.
Those stages… reminded him of it.
The spaces were so large that eight people could comfortably move around at the same time. For a school…
they were far too large.
Carnifex's voice echoed through the hallway.
— Looks like you're already imagining yourself dying on the Trial Altar, Yuko.
Yuko flinched.
— Trial… Altar? What happens there?
Carnifex smiled widely. His smile resembled amusement more than a teacher's patience.
— The Trial Altar… is a place of judgment where students display their techniques, push their limits, and learn how to control their Last Rites.
Yuko's mind froze on a single phrase.
Last Rite?
What was that?
Carnifex chuckled after noticing the confusion on Yuko's face.
— Don't worry. Let's get you to your class. You'll understand when the time comes.
Yuko slowly nodded.
But the unease inside him still hadn't disappeared.
They continued down the corridor.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a door where laughter echoed from within.
Yuko's footsteps slowed.
There was something there.
In the air…
Something heavy.
A feeling that tightened his chest and made it harder to breathe.
A dense aura of death.
Carnifex opened the door.
He stepped inside.
Then he turned his head toward Yuko.
— Don't worry. As long as you don't interfere with their business, they won't kill you.
He said it as if it were supposed to be reassuring.
Then he turned toward the class.
— Alright then, talented Ascendans I First Branch Ritualists. Today, a new Ritualist personally approved by our Inheritor, Rasona Phywell, will be joining your ranks.
Yuko!
Yuko stepped into the classroom.
The atmosphere inside…
was dangerous.
The class resembled a swarm of piranhas.
Everyone was different. Their appearances, auras, expressions…
None of them resembled each other.
And that…
made it even more terrifying.
Carnifex guided Yuko toward the middle rows and seated him beside a girl with dark navy-blue hair. Messy strands of yellow were scattered throughout it. One of her eyes was navy blue.
The other was orange.
She was silent.
But that silence…
wasn't comforting.
As Yuko sat down, he glanced around the room. That was when he noticed it.
Everyone was wearing uniforms.
Purple and white. Neat. Identical.
But he didn't have one.
He was about to ask Carnifex about it when...
Carnifex had already started speaking.
— Don't worry, Yuko. The team collecting fibers from the Blood Fruit Tree for the new students' uniforms is currently outside. You'll receive yours once they return.
Yuko simply nodded.
The girl beside him slowly turned her head.
Her voice was soft.
But there was something hidden inside it.
Something… unsettling.
— My name is Aster Astrel.
A brief silence followed.
Then she added:
— We're teammates now. If you don't want to die, stay close to me.
Yuko was about to respond when...
Fwish.
A knife sliced through the air above them.
Without even blinking, Aster caught the knife midair.
Laughter erupted from the back of the classroom.
A muscular red-haired boy spoke up.
— Oh come on, Aster-Jester. Don't scare our new teammate on his first day.
Aster tilted her head slightly. Her gaze was cold.
— I don't speak with people more incompetent than me.
Then she added:
— You were dying on the Trial Altar just yesterday, Genom.
Genom's expression twisted instantly. He was about to snap back when...
The girl beside him stopped him.
The ends of her blonde hair faded into pistachio green. Her eyes…
Yuko's breath caught in his throat.
Purple, green, and red intertwined within them like a vortex threatening to pull him in.
Genom returned her gaze calmly with his ocean-blue eyes.
Then Yuko noticed something else.
Among Genom's hair was a neatly braided strand colored glass-blue.
The two quietly returned to their seats.
Aster extended the knife toward Yuko.
This time…
she was smiling.
But that smile…
wasn't warm.
— We're in this together now, Yuko.
She paused for a moment.
— Let's not die… okay?
Yuko stared into Aster's eyes.
His heartbeat quickened.
But it wasn't a single emotion.
It had split into two.
One part of him…
was responding to Aster's mesmerizing presence.
The other...
was pure fear of death.
Chapter 1 – End