The Fading Chant

Rain lashed against the academy's stone walls, hammering the windows like a warning. Kenshin sat hunched at his desk, Yoshino hovering by his shoulder, her eyes scanning the dark courtyard below.

"You've barely said a word since yesterday," Yoshino said quietly, tilting her head. "You're worried."

"I'm more than worried," Kenshin muttered, rubbing his temples. "I feel like I'm one step away from being expelled… or worse."

A sudden knock rattled his door. Before Kenshin could move, the door swung open and Ayame burst in, hair damp and eyes wide. She slammed the door behind her, voice rising with panic.

"You need to come with me—now! There's someone outside looking for you."

Kenshin's heart dropped into his stomach. "Who?"

They raced through the empty halls, boots splashing through puddles of rainwater tracked inside by returning students. At the far end of the corridor, a tall figure in a crimson cloak stood by the common room fireplace, flames casting sharp shadows across his angular face.

He looked only a few years older than Kenshin but carried himself like a seasoned fighter. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, snapped to Kenshin the moment he entered. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"So you're the famous summoner," the newcomer drawled. "You don't look like much."

Ayame stepped in front of Kenshin, bristling. "Who are you supposed to be?"

He gave a casual bow, cloak sweeping back to reveal twin daggers strapped to his belt. "Name's Shin Takeda, third-year combat mage. I heard you caused quite the scene, and I've come to see if you're a threat… or a waste of time."

Kenshin's jaw clenched. "I didn't ask for any of this."

Shin's eyes glinted with amusement. "That's what makes it so interesting."

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating Yoshino as she stepped between Kenshin and Shin, her voice low and sharp. "Back away."

Shin's smirk only grew. "So it's true. You did summon her. But can you control her?"

Yoshino's gaze narrowed. "I don't belong to anyone's control."

The air in the common room grew thick with tension. Ayame glanced between them, eyes darting nervously.

"I don't get it," she snapped. "Why are you even here, Shin? What do you want?"

Shin shrugged. "Let's just say the headmaster wants to know if the academy's newest curiosity is worth protecting… or if he's a danger to everyone here."

Kenshin took a shaky breath. "So you're spying on me."

"Call it what you like," Shin replied coolly, stepping closer until they were face to face. "But I think you and I both know this isn't just about you anymore."

The doors behind them burst open, sending a crack of thunder rolling through the hall. Professor Makabe stormed in, his robe soaked and his expression thunderous. His eyes darted from Kenshin to Shin, then to Yoshino.

"What is happening here?" Makabe demanded.

Shin straightened but didn't look cowed. "Just getting acquainted with our academy's newest prodigy."

Makabe's glare could have frozen fire. "You have no authority to interrogate other students, Takeda."

Shin inclined his head, unfazed. "Of course, Professor. I was only concerned."

Makabe's gaze shifted to Kenshin. "Hoshimiya, I want you in my office at first light. We have much to discuss."

Kenshin nodded stiffly, his mind spinning.

As Makabe led Shin away, Ayame let out a shaky breath and punched Kenshin lightly on the arm. "You okay?"

"No," Kenshin admitted. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

Ayame's face softened, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Then we'll figure it out together."

Yoshino's voice was gentle but firm. "You must be careful. He's dangerous."

"You mean Shin?" Kenshin asked.

Yoshino nodded. "He masks it well, but he radiates hunger for power. And he knows more than he lets on."

That night, Kenshin couldn't sleep. Outside, the storm raged on, thunder rattling the academy's towers. He sat on his bed, Yoshino perched on the windowsill, watching the rain.

"Why does everyone think I'm some kind of savior?" Kenshin whispered into the dark.

"Because," Yoshino replied softly, "you're the first in generations to touch magic without it turning on you."

Kenshin looked up at her, his voice raw. "And if I fail?"

She met his eyes, unflinching. "Then everything falls apart."

The next morning, as dawn broke pale and cold, Kenshin pulled on his uniform, feeling the weight of every rumor, every suspicious glance. Ayame was waiting in the hall, arms crossed, refusing to leave his side.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Not even a little," he replied.

They stepped into the corridor just as students gathered, gossip rising like a tide.

"Did you hear? That new spirit nearly attacked Shin!""No way—Shin would destroy him in a real fight.""Makabe's got them both on his list now."

Kenshin pushed through the whispers, every step heavier than the last. Ayame elbowed anyone who stood too close, her glare fierce enough to silence even the boldest rumors.

When they reached the headmaster's office, Kenshin hesitated. Yoshino placed a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happens in there, remember: you're not alone."

He swallowed hard, squared his shoulders, and knocked.

The headmaster's office doors loomed taller than they ever had before, but before Kenshin could knock a second time, they swung open with a groan that sounded suspiciously like a monster's yawn. Professor Makabe's voice bellowed from inside: "Don't just stand there—come in before the entire academy overhears our conversation!"

Kenshin slipped inside, Ayame right behind him like an overprotective guard dog. Yoshino floated in unseen, her hair barely catching the candlelight.

Makabe sat behind his desk, eyes dark and tired. He looked Kenshin up and down with a frown that could wrinkle steel. "Hoshimiya, how many times do I have to remind you? This academy does not exist to entertain rumors."

"I know, sir," Kenshin groaned, rubbing his face. "But it feels like half the school thinks Yoshino's either my secret girlfriend, a goddess I accidentally proposed to, or some unstoppable monster."

Ayame muffled a giggle. Even Makabe's mouth twitched dangerously close to a smile before he caught himself.

"Regardless," Makabe continued, voice stern but eyes betraying his exhaustion, "you need to keep a lower profile. That includes avoiding unnecessary confrontations with students like Shin."

Kenshin sank into the chair across from the headmaster's desk. "I didn't start anything! He came looking for me!"

Makabe sighed so heavily it rattled the ink bottles on his desk. "And somehow, you always end up in the center of these storms."

As they left the office, students crowded the halls like bees to honey. The rumors had only grown wilder overnight.

"Kenshin's spirit is actually his twin sister, but from another dimension!""No, no, I heard she's his wife from a past life!""I bet he's a secret prince!"

Kenshin stopped dead, his hands shaking with frustration. "How do they even come up with this stuff? I mean—do they think I have the time to date a spirit between getting nearly expelled every day?"

Ayame doubled over laughing, tears streaming down her face. "You have to admit, some of these are pretty creative."

That's when a voice behind them chirped, "Hey, mind if I join you two?"

They turned to find a boy with a wide grin and messy dark hair that looked like he'd lost a fight with a pillow. His uniform was immaculate, but his tie was on backward. He raised a hand cheerfully.

"I'm Hiroshi Nakamura—call me Hiro! I sit three rows behind you. I thought your summoning was amazing. Everyone else is either terrified or jealous, but I think it's awesome!"

Kenshin blinked. "You… do?"

Hiro nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And hey, if you're going to keep getting into trouble, I'd rather stand next to you than be crushed in the stampede of rumor-mongers."

Ayame eyed him suspiciously, but Hiro beamed so innocently it was impossible to hate him. Yoshino materialized beside Kenshin with a cautious smile.

"Another ally?" she asked softly, just for Kenshin to hear.

"Or another headache," Kenshin muttered, but he couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips.

They walked through the corridor together—Kenshin, Ayame, Hiro, and Yoshino's shimmering form invisible to everyone else. Students parted before them, whispering with new fervor:

"Kenshin's building a team now!""He's got a secret army!""Is he planning a coup?!"

Kenshin threw his hands up. "A coup? Really?!"

Hiro snickered. "Better get used to it. You're the most interesting thing that's happened here since someone tried to teach a cat to use a wand."

They reached the courtyard, where rain still dripped from the academy's towers. For a moment, the world felt quiet. Kenshin glanced at his new friend.

"Hiro… you sure you want to be seen with me?"

Hiro flashed him a thumbs-up. "Bring on the chaos, buddy."

Yoshino's soft laughter floated on the breeze, and even Ayame cracked a reluctant smile.

Kenshin took a deep breath. For the first time in days, he felt like maybe—just maybe—he wasn't alone in this madness.

***

The rain had finally stopped, leaving the academy's courtyard slick and shimmering under the early morning sun. Droplets clung to the leaves of the ancient trees, and the stone paths glistened like wet glass. Kenshin stood near the fountain's edge, his reflection fractured by ripples stirred by a light breeze. Beside him, Yoshino hovered quietly, her silver hair catching the pale light like strands of starlight.

Ayame and Hiro walked a few paces behind, deep in animated conversation about the latest gossip—a topic Kenshin found himself growing dangerously tired of.

"How many times can one person hear that they're either a god, a monster, or a walking disaster?" Kenshin muttered, voice low but sharp.

Ayame snorted, not bothering to hide her amusement. "You'd think being famous was supposed to be fun. But yeah, rumors are brutal."

Hiro, ever the optimist, gave him a lopsided grin. "Hey, better than being invisible, right? Besides, most of those stories are probably just the academy's version of fan fiction."

Kenshin shook his head and stepped closer to the fountain, fingers trailing the cool edge. "I just want things to be normal for once. Is that too much to ask?"

Yoshino's golden eyes softened. "Normal is a luxury few can afford these days. Especially not someone who carries what you do."

"Great," Kenshin said dryly. "Carrying the fate of the world and the weight of every gossip mill. I'm a real catch."

Ayame elbowed him playfully. "Don't sell yourself short. You're also a magnet for chaos. Lucky us."

The group shared a brief laugh, but the moment was fragile, like a thin sheet of ice over dark water.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the wet stones. A figure emerged from the shadow of the oak tree: a girl with sharp eyes and a confident stride, her raven-black hair tied in a neat braid. She wore the standard academy uniform but carried herself with an unmistakable air of authority.

"Katsumi Ishida," Kenshin said quietly, recognizing the third-year student known for her fiery temper and unparalleled sword skills. "What's she doing here?"

Before anyone could answer, Katsumi stopped in front of them, folding her arms. Her gaze fixed on Kenshin, piercing and unyielding.

"I heard the rumors," she said bluntly, voice carrying over the quiet courtyard. "Spirit girl, secret prodigy, potential disaster—sounds about right."

Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "You here to add your own?"

Katsumi smirked, a flash of something unreadable in her eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm here because the headmaster wants you to watch. That's what I was told. Looks like you're causing more trouble than just the usual academy antics."

Ayame crossed her arms, stepping forward. "You're saying Kenshin's being watched?"

Katsumi shrugged. "Everyone with even half a brain should know better than to mess with magic they don't fully understand. But the academy isn't exactly a safe place for the reckless."

Hiro frowned. "So she's like… a guardian? Or a spy?"

Katsumi laughed, a sharp sound that didn't reach her eyes. "Call me what you want. Just remember—if you want to survive here, you'd better learn to pick your battles."

Kenshin felt a chill despite the warming sunlight. Yoshino drifted closer to him, her voice low.

"Trust is scarce in this place. Watch your back."

Kenshin nodded, swallowing hard. It was the first time someone openly acknowledged the danger lurking beneath the academy's polished surface.

***

That evening, back in their dormitory, the mood was heavier. Kenshin sat by the window, watching the stars emerge through the darkening sky. Yoshino rested on the sill, her ethereal glow faint but steady.

Hiro flopped onto the bed across the room, grinning despite the tension. "So, how's it feel being the academy's most wanted?"

Kenshin laughed bitterly. "Like I'm auditioning for a tragedy."

Ayame tossed a pillow at him, which he caught with a half-smile. "Hey, even heroes need downtime."

The door creaked open slowly, and Katsumi stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. "You asked for a friend, huh?" she said, eyes scanning the room. "Well, I'm not great at small talk, but I'm reliable."

Kenshin blinked, surprised. "You're… here?"

She shrugged. "Don't expect me to be nice all the time. But if you want to make it through, you'll need someone who doesn't sugarcoat things."

Yoshino nodded approvingly. "Balance is necessary. Strength tempered with honesty."

Kenshin looked at the three—his spirit, the fiery swordswoman, and the cheerful Hiro. The impossible weight on his shoulders suddenly felt a little lighter.

Maybe this chaos wasn't a curse. Maybe it was the start of something else.

He drew a shaky breath and said, "Alright. Let's see where this mess takes us."