By the time the morning bell rang across Whimwood Preacademy, rumors had already started to swirl.

  “He’s really accepting the challenge?”

  “Yeah! Leo Ferrowind versus that kid… the one who made the training dummy explode during basics.”

  “You mean the explode kid?”

  Kagami walked the halls silently, ignoring the stares and whispers. His calm steps belied the weight of what he was about to do. For the first time, he had no choice but to use them—his jutsu. Even if no one else knew what they were, they were his.

  ---

  Training Arena – East Courtyard

  The crowd gathered fast, from students to instructors. Even some uppercssmen leaned over railings with curious eyes.

  Leo Ferrowind stood confidently in the arena center, arms crossed, his signature red training cloak flicking behind him. “This time,” he called across the stone circle, “you’re not running. Let’s see what makes you explode so much!”

  Kagami entered from the opposite side, quiet but focused. Around him, students whispered:

  “Explode kid’s going to go boom again…”

  “Maybe he’ll blow the whole floor up this time.”

  From above, Instructor Lyselle floated down and raised her hand. “Standard duel protocol. No mortal damage. Obey my signal to stop. Begin.”

  Leo didn’t wait. “Ignis Spiralis!” Twin whips of fire spiraled out from his palms, snaking through the air with practiced grace.

  Kagami didn’t flinch. He raised one hand, fingers curling into a sign no one recognized.

  He whispered,

  “Suiton: Suijinheki.”

  A massive wall of water erupted from the ground, smashing into the fire spirals and dousing them instantly with a hissing roar.

  The entire arena fell into stunned silence.

  “Wha—what kind of spell was that?”

  “Was that… water magic? Without a chant?!”

  Leo gritted his teeth and unched again. “Ignis Lancea!”

  A bzing spear of fire hurled toward Kagami.

  He sidestepped and shouted:

  “Katon: Gōen no Jutsu!”

  A swirling wheel of fire ignited around him and spun toward Leo with furious speed.

  Leo blocked it just in time, panting.

  “Stop mumbling gibberish and cast like a real mage!”

  But Kagami only narrowed his eyes, forming another sign.

  “Katon: Karyū Endan!”

  A stream of dragon-shaped fire screamed across the arena. Leo was forced to dive, barely dodging the full impact.

  From the balconies and bleachers, students stood frozen.

  “What’s with that fire? It doesn’t look like chant magic…”

  “Did he just say… something weird before every spell?”

  “What’s a ‘Ka-ton’?”

  Before Kagami could press the advantage—

  “Enough.”

  A new voice, calm but firm, cut through the field.

  Descending from the stone steps was Master Rivel, her eyes sharp.

  She raised one hand. An earthen wall emerged to block both boys’ line of sight.

  Leo sat on the floor, breathing hard, his hair singed and his pride bruised. “Why… is it always some dragonll?!”

  He looked up, shouting, “What even is that magic?!”

  Kagami said nothing. He turned his back and walked off the field.

  Instructor Lyselle frowned, arms crossed. “Duel concluded. Both participants showed advanced control. Return to your seats.”

  ---

  Observation Deck – Private Zone

  Master Rivel stared silently down at the arena.

  “That wasn’t chant-based magic. No mana inscription. No visible array. It’s not a scroll technique either.”

  “That boy… he spoke foreign words. Then summoned an element at will.”

  She smirked to herself. “From Zack and Mikay, I heard of water and fire. But this… he used two different fire attacks with distinct patterns. What are those incantations? What kind of magic is that boy using?”

  ---

  Later – Hallway Murmurs

  “He didn’t use a staff, or stone…”

  “Is he a silent-type mage?”

  “Explode kid just talked weird and stuff came flying out.”

  “Yeah. That kid’s totally a freak.”

  ---

  Evening – Dorm Kelmir

  “Hey!” Arven leaned over from the top bunk. “What’s with that mumble-casting thing you did?”

  Kagami blinked. “You mean my jutsu?”

  “Is that a new type of spell? What does it do?”

  Kagami smiled faintly, then id back. “It’s something old. Very old. From far away.”

  Arven groaned. “You’re so weird.”

  Kagami turned to face the wall, his fingers tracing the edge of his armband.

  This world doesn't know chakra. But that duel… maybe it’s time they start to see what it can do.

  ---