Three years had passed since the little boy who could barely control his mana had first arrived in the magical city. Now, Kagami was six years old—older, sharper, and already a name whispered with awe and curiosity among the children of the city.

  His days were full—training taijutsu and kenjutsu with Zack in the early mornings, refining mana control with Mikay in the afternoons, and experimenting secretly at night, trying to fuse chakra and mana into something the world had never seen before.

  But today was no ordinary day.

  ---

  A Sleepy Prodigy

  “Kagami! You’re gonna be te for your first day at preacademy!” Zack’s voice boomed from downstairs, ced with mock panic.

  Upstairs, the bnket barely shifted. A groggy voice muttered, “Just five more minutes…”

  Mikay climbed the stairs, a soft smile on her face. She opened the door and flicked his forehead gently. “You promised, remember? Three to four years and you'd go. Well, Master Rivel might already be waiting.”

  Kagami sat up, rubbing his eyes with a yawn. His hair was a mess, and his body ached slightly—st night’s chakra-mana fusion training had been more intense than usual. But his eyes lit up with excitement.

  “Right… Preacademy.”

  ---

  A Symbol of Pride

  After a quick breakfast—and a st-minute hair comb by Mikay—Kagami adjusted his new uniform. A polished white jacket trimmed in dark blue, with golden accents. But what stood out most was the armband on his sleeve.

  A red, fan-like crest stitched carefully onto bck cloth.

  Mikay had once asked what the symbol meant when he begged her to sew it onto his uniform.

  “It’s my pride,” he had answered simply, his voice calm but filled with something older than his years.

  She hadn’t pressed further.

  ---

  Whimwood Preacademy

  The gates of Whimwood Preacademy were enormous—engraved with ancient magical runes and topped with floating crystals that shimmered in the morning light. Crowds of parents and children filled the courtyard, ughter and chatter blending into a symphony of new beginnings.

  Zack looked around, standing tall beside Kagami.

  “Can’t spot Rivel anywhere,” he muttered. “Maybe she’s stuck with older students today. But you—” he turned to Kagami, kneeling down slightly—“once you step through that gate, make sure you become the top mage student. No scking.”

  Kagami grinned and nodded.

  Mikay bent down beside them and adjusted his colr with a bittersweet smile. “We’ll visit every weekend. Be sure to make lots of friends, not enemies, alright? And—” she leaned in closer, her voice lowering, “—no showing off your magic jutsu. We don’t want you becoming a target.”

  Kagami tilted his head slightly, then gave a slow, understanding nod. “Got it.”

  ---

  The Next Step

  As Kagami stepped toward the gates, his small hand gripping the strap of his bag, he paused and looked back.

  Zack waved with a grin. Mikay wiped the corner of her eye discreetly.

  He gave them a full, bright smile—the kind only a six-year-old could still give, even with the weight of two worlds in his soul.

  Then he turned around, his feet moving with purpose.

  “I’m ready,” he whispered to himself. “It’s time to begin.”