The second day of the Harvest Festival had begun.
Sunlight broke through the fading mist over Block 4, casting long shadows across the scorched earth, cracked stone, and trampled grass. Some students dragged their feet. Others stayed hidden in makeshift shelters. But amidst the weariness stood two determined figures—one ready, the other reflecting.
Iruma adjusted the strap of his pack, eyes scanning the terrain. Lied bounced excitedly beside him, arms stretching overhead.
"Man, I slept great. Iruma, today's the day we show everyone what we're made of!"
Iruma gave a tired but honest smile. "You've got good energy for someone with zero points."
Lied turned, flashing a bright grin. "Exactly! That's why we're gonna flip the game! Starting from zero just means the comeback will be legendary!"
Iruma blinked. "…Zero?"
"Yeah! I counted after you, uh… helped finish off the last of our supplies last night."
Iruma stiffened.
He knows.
"But!" Lied clapped his hands. "That's just part of the plan, right? We clear the scoreboard, set the pace, then BAM—we grab the Legend Leaf!"
He… doesn't know.
Iruma looked away, face clouded with guilt. I didn't mean to eat that much… I thought we were sharing rations, not…
"No one's even seen the Legend Leaf before," Lied continued, not noticing Iruma's silence. "So that just makes it more exciting! Like a hidden boss in a game."
Iruma remained quiet for a moment.
Then—he straightened, shoulders squaring and his gaze sharpening. A calm fire settled behind his eyes.
"Let's do it," he said softly.
Lied blinked. "Huh?"
"We'll find the Legend Leaf. We'll reach the top. That's a promise."
Lied cheered, pumping a fist into the air. "That's what I like to hear!"
Just then, a group of four students burst from the treeline ahead. Weapons drawn, magic ready. They weren't interested in ingredients—they wanted to eliminate competition early.
"Iruma Suzuki," one of them growled. "You're not making it to the top."
Lied flinched. "W-We're surrounded."
Iruma stepped forward, slowly cracking his knuckles.
"I'll handle it."
"Huh? Wait—alone?!"
The moment one student lunged, Iruma vanished.
Amenotejikara.
Reappearing behind the first attacker, Iruma struck with the hilt of his spectral bow, knocking them out instantly. The next two hesitated—but that was all he needed. His eyes spun red—twin tomoe shimmering like fire. The Sharingan glared.
"Y-Your eyes—!"
Lightning danced from his fingertips.
"Chidori: Raijin Fang."
He swept past them like a blur of blue light. The two collapsed seconds later, groaning in confusion.
The last student panicked, launching a flame attack.
Iruma calmly raised his hand.
Rinnegan.
A sphere of compressed wind, fire, and lightning pulsed outward, consuming the flames before vanishing in a blink.
The last student dropped to his knees. "W-We yield…"
Iruma turned back to Lied, calm as ever. "Let's move."
Lied, jaw hanging open, slowly nodded.
"W-We're gonna win for sure."
Iruma's voice was quiet.
"But before we do that… I need to talk to Kamui."
"Kamui? Why?"
Iruma narrowed his eyes, feeling the subtle tremor in the wind.
"Something's strange about his territory. I don't think he's just collecting ingredients."
---
The trees parted to reveal a clearing bathed in gold and silver rays of filtered light, where dozens of beasts bowed down in reverence to a grand throne-like dais of vines and petals. Perched atop it sat Kerori, cloaked in flowing cloth that shimmered like ice, her gaze calm and proud, holding a goblet of nectar as if it were a royal chalice.
Beside her stood Kamui, arms crossed, cloak billowing, surrounded by several winged and horned creatures fawning over him. The air buzzed with the aura of dominance—this was no longer Block Four. This was a kingdom.
Iruma and Lied stood just beyond the circle of beasts.
"Whoa…" Lied whispered. "It's like we stepped into another realm… When did Kamui and Kerori get this cool?"
So this is what true charm and summoner synergy look like, Iruma thought, keeping a tight hand on his cloak as the beasts cautiously surrounded them.
Without a word, the animals bowed slightly—signaling permission to approach, but only if they paid respect.
"Uh…" Lied raised both hands. "We come in peace, noble queen and charming beast-lord."
Iruma simply stepped forward and gave a respectful half-bow, his Rinnegan quietly rotating beneath his bangs.
Kerori's eyes gleamed, clearly relishing the theatrics. "State your reason for disturbing my kingdom."
Kamui stepped down, curious. "Iruma-kun… Lied… it's rare for you two to seek an audience."
"We need your help," Iruma said, his voice steady and firm. "We're looking for the Legend Leaf. You're the only one we can trust to speak with the beasts and ask the right questions."
Kamui raised an eyebrow. "The Legend Leaf, huh?"
Lied nodded eagerly. "Yup! It's said to be worth a hundred thousand points! And no one's ever seen it—total jackpot if we find it!"
Kamui glanced to Kerori, who elegantly sipped her drink. "And you assume the forest creatures will just give us that information?"
"No," Iruma replied. "But they might give it to you."
A moment of silence passed. Kerori waved her hand, and several beasts backed off, forming a path.
Kamui slowly descended the dais. "I'm flattered by your faith in me. Most demons just think I talk too much with animals."
Iruma's voice was quiet. "Sometimes the most important truths are spoken by those who can't speak our language."
Kamui chuckled, but then his eyes narrowed. "You're serious, Iruma-kun. More serious than usual."
Because this isn't just about winning, Iruma thought, clutching the edge of his cloak. It's about staying here… about belonging.
"I'll help you," Kamui said at last. "But only if you pass my test."
Lied paled. "Test?"
"A beast only listens to those it respects. You want my help? Then show them you're worthy."
The earth trembled. From the deeper woods, a massive serpent-like creature, coated in bark-like scales and dripping with vines, slithered into the clearing. Its eyes glowed a radiant violet—ancient and powerful.
Kerori leaned forward on her throne. "The Forest Guardian. A spirit beast. Defeat it—or at least survive its strike—and you may have what you seek."
Lied squeaked. "Y-you're joking, right? This is hazing! IRUMA HELP ME."
Iruma's cloak dropped from his shoulders. The ground cracked beneath him as power surged outward.
If this is the test… then I'll give them a reason to believe.
The Sharingan flared, twin tomoe spinning faster. He lifted his hand—
"Chidori: Black Flame Fang."
Lightning wreathed in black fire screeched to life as Iruma blurred forward. Lied yelped and rolled away as the Forest Guardian lunged.
The two forces collided. Thunder cracked. Trees swayed. Beasts roared.
Kamui watched in awe as Iruma's Rinnegan formed behind his back, gravitational force distorting the air.
"He's using flame, lightning, and gravity… with precision," Kamui whispered.
Kerori blinked. "…He's doing it again."
Iruma vanished again—Amenotejikara—and reappeared above the beast's head.
"Now." His voice was cold. "Bukijutsu: Indra's Arrow."
A swirling spear of flame, lightning, and wind exploded into being, launched straight into the Guardian's skull.
BOOM!
When the smoke cleared, the beast was down, trembling but alive, bowing its head.
Iruma landed softly, breathing calmly.
Kamui stepped forward, stunned. "…No wonder you didn't ask anyone else."
Kerori clapped. "Permission granted. Our kingdom supports your quest for the Legend Leaf."
Iruma turned to the beast. It raised its eyes, and with a strange, rattling growl, it slithered away—toward the deepwood.
"Follow it," Kamui said. "It will take you to what you seek."