Morning thunder rolled through the mountains surrounding Kumogakure.
The academy courtyard was filled with students.
Hundreds gathered around the central training arena.
Voices echoed across the stone grounds.
Anticipation.
Excitement.
Tension.
Today marked the beginning of the Mid-Year Trials.
One of the most important evaluations of the academy year.
Students stood in organized rows by class.
Elite classes at the front.
Standard classes behind them.
Instructors moved between the lines, observing quietly.
At the center platform stood several senior academy officials.
Instructor Takeshi Aran stepped forward.
The noise faded instantly.
"The Mid-Year Trials evaluate three things."
He raised three fingers.
"Combat skill."
"Tactical thinking."
"And teamwork."
No one spoke.
Every student listened.
Because this mattered.
Aran gestured toward the surrounding training sectors.
"These trials will take place over several days."
His voice carried across the courtyard.
"You will be evaluated in multiple environments and conditions."
Combat duels.
Team strategy simulations.
Terrain-based exercises.
Tracking and stealth challenges.
Each category tested something different.
Each one mattered.
"Performance points will be recorded."
A slight pause.
"And permanently added to your academy records."
That changed the atmosphere.
Students straightened.
This wasn't just training anymore.
This was reputation.
"These results will influence elite class standings."
"And determine which leaders rise above the rest."
Now the tension was real.
Because this wasn't about participation.
It was about ranking.
Across the courtyard, several instructors focused on a specific group.
Raizen.
Akari.
Daigo.
Rei.
And the others who stood above the average.
The students others had begun calling—
The Seven Stars.
The instructors never used the name.
But they were watching.
Closely.
Aran lowered his hand.
"The first trial begins with combat evaluation duels."
Movement spread instantly.
Training rings were set across the courtyard.
Pairs of students stepped forward.
Steel clashed.
Voices rose.
Controlled chaos filled the arena.
The trials had begun.
Names were called one after another.
Winners stepped out.
Losers stepped back.
No wasted time.
No extended breaks.
Then—
"Raizen Tenrai."
The name carried.
Students turned.
Raizen stepped forward calmly.
No hesitation.
No rush.
Across the ring stood his opponent.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Heavy stance.
A large practice blade rested in his hands.
"Masato Hoshida."
Masato rolled his shoulders slightly.
"I've been waiting for this."
Raizen said nothing.
Instructor Kaito Ren stepped forward.
Raised his hand.
"Begin."
Masato moved immediately.
No testing.
No hesitation.
The blade came down with force.
Raizen shifted.
The strike hit the ground.
Crack.
Dust scattered.
The impact alone drew attention.
Masato grinned.
"You're quick."
He attacked again.
Two heavy swings.
One horizontal.
One vertical.
Raizen met both.
Steel rang sharply.
The force traveled through his arms.
Controlled.
But not light.
Masato pressed forward.
Power.
Pressure.
Relentless momentum.
Raizen adjusted.
Footwork shifted.
Angles tightened.
Inside his mind, Astra spoke.
"Opponent strength: high."
"Speed: moderate."
"Attack pattern: direct pressure."
Raizen watched.
Waited.
Masato stepped in again.
Another heavy downward strike.
This one faster.
Stronger.
Raizen moved.
Side step.
Then forward.
Inside the guard.
The blade stopped inches from Masato's ribs.
Silence.
The entire ring froze.
Instructor Ren raised his hand.
"Match."
The tension broke.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Some nodded.
Others frowned.
A few whispered.
"Of course he wins."
"He's just better."
Not everyone liked it.
Not everyone accepted it.
Recognition came with resistance.
Masato exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"You're annoying to fight."
Raizen lowered his blade.
"You hit hard."
Masato laughed.
"Next time I'll hit faster."
No anger.
No resentment.
Just intent.
He walked off.
The trials continued.
Across the arena—
Akari controlled her match with distance and precision.
No wasted arrows.
Every movement calculated.
Rei's match ended quietly.
Most students barely saw how.
Positioning.
Timing.
One clean finish.
Daigo's fight was louder.
Chaotic.
Explosive.
But effective.
He walked out grinning.
The Seven Stars continued to stand out.
But not alone.
Other students were rising too.
Pushing.
Adapting.
Watching.
Because this was no longer just training.
It was competition.
Real competition.
By evening, the courtyard had quieted.
Most students returned to their dorms.
Exhausted.
Thinking.
Planning.
Raizen stood alone on the academy balcony.
The village lights stretched below him.
Storm clouds gathered above the mountains.
Inside his mind, Astra spoke.
"Trial performance: excellent."
Raizen didn't respond immediately.
He watched the horizon.
The Mid-Year Trials would continue.
More matches.
More tests.
More pressure.
And somewhere within the academy—
Students were preparing.
Studying.
Adjusting.
Waiting.
For their chance.
Because the storm surrounding Raizen Tenrai—
Was only just beginning to attract lightning.