A New Term
The wind brushed lightly against the stone walls of Arcanis Tempest.
Morning had just begun. The academy wasn't loud, not yet. Students moved through the corridors with quiet energy, still adjusting to the start of a new term.
Kashikari walked among them.
Unnoticed.
Unbothered.
His second year.
Nothing around him had really changed. The same uniform. The same halls.
But inside—
There was a difference.
One year…
It didn't feel long.
But it wasn't short either.
Jinwi's voice surfaced, low and steady.
"You're holding me back."
Kashikari didn't slow down.
That's the point.
A brief pause.
Then—
"Even silence has a sound. And I can hear yours."
Kashikari ignored it.
Or tried to.
At the end of the corridor, Nyari stood waiting.
She didn't look surprised to see him.
"Kai."
He stopped.
"…Nyari."
She studied him for a moment.
"You look the same."
"Because I am."
"No," she said quietly. "Not exactly."
Kashikari didn't ask what she meant.
He already knew.
Something had shifted.
Not enough to see clearly—
But enough to feel.
He started walking again.
Nyari matched his pace.
"Did you hear about the tournament?"
"…No."
"They're choosing representatives this year. Students decide."
Kashikari's expression didn't change.
"That doesn't concern me."
Nyari gave a small smile.
"It might."
He glanced at her briefly.
"Why would it?"
"Because people are starting to notice you."
A short silence followed.
Kashikari looked ahead.
"People notice things they don't understand."
"And that bothers you?"
"No."
Another pause.
"They usually get it wrong."
Nyari didn't respond to that.
But she didn't disagree either.
Later that evening, the academy felt quieter again.
Kashikari sat by the lake, watching the surface move slightly with the wind. The reflections broke and reformed, never staying the same.
Dorum approached without making noise.
He sat down beside him.
"One year."
Kashikari didn't look at him.
"I didn't count."
"I did."
A faint breath of air passed between them.
Dorum placed a file next to him.
"The tournament list."
Kashikari didn't touch it.
"My name's not there."
Dorum didn't answer immediately.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
The next day, a crowd gathered near the main board.
A large notice had been posted.
Representative Selection Tournament – Registrations Closed.
Students talked quietly, pointing, reading names.
Kashikari approached without interest.
Until—
He stopped.
Near the bottom of the list, written by hand:
Kashikari Lior – Confirmed.
He looked at it for a few seconds.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
Just… still.
Nyari's voice came from behind.
"You didn't sign up, did you?"
Kashikari didn't turn.
"…No."
"Then who did?"
"I don't know."
She stepped closer.
"You're lying."
"Maybe."
A small silence settled between them.
Jinwi's voice echoed faintly.
"They're watching you now."
Kashikari's gaze remained on the board.
"They always were."
Another pause.
This time—
He didn't look away.
Something quiet settled inside him.
Not tension.
Not excitement.
Just… acceptance.
This time… I won't step back.