The morning sunlight spilled over the rooftops of Liria, bathing the city in golden warmth. Magic-nterns flickered out as the streets came to life with merchants, tinkers, and mages going about their day.

  In a quiet corner near the inn where Mikay and Zack stayed, Kagami stood barefoot on the cobblestones, eyes closed in fierce concentration. In his small hands, he clutched a glowing blue scroll—the beginner’s Water Bubble spell.

  Mikay crouched beside him with a proud smile. “Alright, Kagami. This spell is simple. It pulls water from the air into a floating orb. Just channel your mana into the scroll and follow its pattern. Slowly.”

  Zack stood leaning against a mppost, arms crossed and smirking. “Last time he channeled anything, the kettle tried to boil itself and scream.”

  Kagami opened one eye and frowned. “This time… will work.”

  He inhaled deeply.

  Focus. Feel the energy. Like chakra.

  But it wasn’t chakra. It didn’t obey like chakra did. It was wilder. Hot and cold at once. Unpredictable.

  Still, he tried.

  He raised his hands and shouted, “Water Bubble Jutsu!”

  Zack blinked. “...Joo-tsu?”

  Mikay tilted her head. “Is that part of the chant? ‘Water Bubble… Joo-tsu?’ That’s… a strange word.”

  “Sounds like a made-up spell,” Zack said. “Like kid gibberish.”

  Kagami ignored them. The scroll glowed brighter. Mana surged. The air shimmered.

  This is it!

  Then—

  BOOM!!

  A massive spsh erupted from Kagami’s hands, unching a geyser of water high into the air. The recoil knocked him backward—straight into a nearby fruit cart.

  “MY PLUMMELONS!” screamed the fruit vendor as glowing blue fruits spttered across the street.

  Mikay ran over, trying to suppress ughter as she helped pull a drenched Kagami from under a pile of sticky, squished berries.

  Zack howled. “That was no bubble! That was a magic water bomb!”

  Kagami sat up, blinking with a plum stuck to his forehead. “Too much chakra…”

  “‘Chakra’ again,” Mikay murmured. “He keeps saying that. I wonder if it’s his own name for mana?”

  Zack snorted. “Sounds like he’s trying to invent his own spell nguage.”

  Kagami crossed his arms. “Not made-up. Real chakra. Real jutsu.”

  Mikay just patted his head gently. “Sure it is, sweetie. Let’s just call it… Kagami-style magic.”

  Before Kagami could protest, a haughty voice called out nearby.

  “Hah! What was that? You trying to cast magic or start a water circus?”

  A boy about four years old strutted over, cloak swishing dramatically. His spiky brown hair bounced with each proud step.

  “I’m Leo Ferrowind,” he decred. “Top student of the Redfern Spell Nursery. And I’ve already mastered three official spells.”

  He looked Kagami up and down, then scoffed. “You’re not even using real chants. What’s a ‘Joo-tsu?’”

  Kagami stood up and pointed defiantly. “It’s JUTSU! Stronger than your weak fire sneeze!”

  Leo’s eye twitched. “That doesn’t even make sense!”

  Mikay chuckled under her breath. “Oh no. He’s making a rival already.”

  Zack shook his head. “Toddlers talking trash. This is my favorite magic story arc so far.”

  Leo crossed his arms. “I challenge you to a duel! Tomorrow. Training yard. Don’t bring a fruit cart.”

  Kagami smirked. “Fine. Don’t cry when I ‘Joo-tsu’ you.”

  Leo huffed and stormed off, his little magical bird companion fluttering behind him.

  Mikay knelt next to Kagami. “You okay?”

  He nodded, soaked and proud. “Did spell. Big boom. I win.”

  Zack grinned. “Yeah, sure. If the goal was soaking the whole district, you’re undefeated.”

  ---

  Later That Night…

  Kagami sat in bed, towel around his shoulders, scroll resting beside him. He stared at his hands, now dry, remembering the surge of wild energy.

  Magic is like fire without flint, he thought. Not shaped by will. Shaped by feel.

  He opened his palm. A small water droplet hovered above it, softly shimmering.

  He smiled.

  Mikay’s voice came from the doorway. “Tomorrow’s your big duel. Ready?”

  He nodded solemnly. “Will win. Show Jutsu.”

  Mikay chuckled. “Jutsu it is, then. Night, little mage.”

  As the door clicked shut, Kagami whispered to himself.

  “Not just a mage. Shinobi.”

  He closed his eyes, and the water droplet gently popped in his hand—this time, not from chaos… but from control.