15. Acamie's elites

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the academy grounds as Musashi and Arasaka made their way to their next class: Kido. Despite his talent in Zanjutsu, Musashi wasn't particularly known for his skill with Kido. On the other hand, Arasaka excelled in it, often outshining many of his peers in the art of spellcasting. As they entered the classroom, students turned to look, whispers floating around them.

"Those are the second-years who sparred with Sai-sensei the other day," one student muttered.

Musashi ignored the stares, keeping his expression focused as he took a seat at one of the desks near the front. Arasaka, however, soaked up the attention, smiling and winking at a few students as he took his place beside Musashi.

The instructor entered, and the murmurs died down. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we'll be practicing a few foundational Kido spells and experimenting with some advanced variations. Pair up and let's begin."

Arasaka grinned, nudging Musashi with his elbow. "Looks like we're sticking together, partner."

Musashi simply nodded. "Let's get to it."

As the class went on, they moved through a series of Kido spells, beginning with basic Bakudo (binding spells) and moving to Hado (destructive spells). Arasaka performed each spell with an effortless grace, while Musashi's execution, though efficient, lacked the same natural fluency. 

By the end of the class, Arasaka turned to him, clearly pleased with himself. "See? Kido isn't so bad. You just need to relax a little, let the energy flow."

Musashi gave him a look of mild exasperation. "Not everything comes as easily to me as it does to you, Arasaka."

"Well, if ya ever need pointers, I'm your guy!" Arasaka replied with a wink.

After class, they began walking through the academy's halls, their presence drawing more attention than usual. Students whispered and stared, some with admiration, others with a hint of jealousy. Musashi kept his head down, his mind focused on analyzing the Kido spells from class, while Arasaka practically basked in the attention, offering nods and smiles as they passed.

As they rounded a corner, a group of first-year students gawked openly, their eyes wide with awe. One of them whispered, "That's Musashi, the one who defeated both Shinji and Kensei in one go."

Musashi's expression remained stoic, but Arasaka chuckled under his breath. "You're practically a celebrity around here, Musashi. Maybe if you smiled more, they'd find you less intimidating."

Musashi ignored the remark, but he did cast a glance over his shoulder at the group of students. For a brief moment, a flicker of amusement crossed his face. It was rare for him to be the center of attention, and even if he wasn't interested in it, he couldn't deny the odd satisfaction in knowing that his hard work was being noticed.

Two days later, as night fell over the academy, Musashi and Arasaka made their way to the designated meeting spot. They had promised Yoruichi another gathering, and true to his word, Arasaka had managed to procure a bottle of high-quality sake. As they approached the forest clearing where the lake lay, Yoruichi was already there, her golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"There you are," she called out, waving. "I thought you two were ditching me."

Arasaka held up the sake with a grin. "We wouldn't miss it, Yoruichi. This one's even better than last time!"

Yoruichi chuckled, taking the bottle from him and inspecting it. "Nice work. You know, it's not every day I meet academy students who can match me drink for drink." She looked over at Musashi, who met her gaze with his usual calm. "What about you, Musashi? Think you'll smile more this time?"

Arasaka laughed, nudging him. "I told her about that rare smile of yours. You're making quite the impression, you know."

Musashi gave them both an exasperated look but couldn't hide a faint, reluctant smile as he took a seat by the lake. "If you two are just going to tease me, maybe I'll save my smiles for someone who won't overreact."

"Oh, don't be such a killjoy," Yoruichi teased, settling down beside him and uncorking the sake. "Besides, it's nice to see you loosen up a bit. Not everything has to be a battle, you know."

They passed the bottle around, laughing and sharing stories as the night wore on. Yoruichi was a natural storyteller, weaving tales from her life and adventures with ease, her playful nature lighting up the night. Arasaka joined in, recounting his own mischief and the occasional escapade, while Musashi listened, occasionally interjecting with dry remarks that only made Yoruichi and Arasaka laugh harder.

As the night grew late, they finally parted ways, each returning to the academy. But as they crossed back over the wall, Musashi sensed something unusual. A figure stood quietly in the shadows, her gaze fixed on the forest path where Yoruichi had disappeared.

Musashi approached slowly, his footsteps silent on the ground. He could see now that it was a young girl, her figure slight but her stance alert, as though she were ready for anything. He cleared his throat softly, causing her to startle and let out a soft yelp.

"Hello, miss," he said politely. "What are you doing here?"

The girl whirled around, her wide eyes locking onto him, her expression one of shock. "H-how did you get here without me noticing?"

Musashi gave a slight shrug, maintaining his calm demeanor. "I was just passing by and happened to stumble upon you. May I ask your name?"

She hesitated, glancing away before mumbling, "Suì-Fēng."

Musashi's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the name. 'A member of the Fēng family huh,' he thought, recognizing their association with the prestigious Shihōin family. "My name is Masaharu Musashi. If it isn't too forward, may I ask why you were watching Lady Yoruichi?"

Suì-Fēng flushed, clearly embarrassed at being caught. She fidgeted, then finally responded in a quiet voice, "I… I wanted to meet Lady Yoruichi and pledge my loyalty to her, like my family has always done. Lady Yoruichi is the most remarkable person I've ever known. She even taught me a little. But… I can never find the right moment."

Musashi tilted his head, curious at how quickly she had shared this personal detail. He looked at her, wondering what had prompted her to open up. "Aren't you worried I might tell Lady Yoruichi?"

Suì-Fēng froze, realizing the potential consequences. But Musashi raised a hand reassuringly. "I don't mean to scare you, Lady Suì-Fēng. If you'd prefer it remain a secret, I won't mention it to her."

Suì-Fēng's tense expression softened, a hint of relief washing over her. "Thank you… Please don't tell her."

Musashi gave a small nod. He could sense her sincerity, even if he didn't fully understand her attachment. "Would you like to join us for a drink next time? You might have a chance to talk to her then."

Suì-Fēng blinked, her eyes widening as if he'd just offered her the world. Her mind raced with fantasies of sitting with Lady Yoruichi, sharing drinks. She drifted off into a reverie before snapping back to reality, her cheeks flushing. "N-no, thank you! I still have my duties… but I appreciate the offer."

Musashi gave her a polite nod. 'Is this how Arasaka feels dealing with me?' he wondered with a trace of amusement. "Very well. I didn't mean to intrude. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Suì-Fēng."

He bowed slightly, and she returned the gesture with a shy nod. "Goodbye, Mr. Masaharu."

...

The following day at the academy, Musashi and Arasaka went through their regular classes, but after Zanjutsu practice, Sai-sensei called them both aside.

"Musashi, Arasaka," Sai-sensei began, his tone steady, "you two have shown remarkable skill. Your strength has already surpassed what most students here achieve, even in the advanced years. I think it's time we let you take the next step."

Musashi and Arasaka looked at each other, surprised. Arasaka raised an eyebrow, clearly shocked. "Wait, you're saying we're… too strong for the academy?"

Sai-sensei nodded. "Yes. I'm recommending that you both skip the remaining years and graduate early. It's rare, but in your case, I believe it's the right choice. You've learned as much as you can here. Academy will only hold you back."

Musashi listened closely, feeling a mix of pride and apprehension. The academy had been a stable foundation, but he knew that real challenges lay beyond its walls. He looked at Sai-sensei, then nodded. "Thank you for your trust in us, sensei. We'll think it over carefully."

Arasaka's mouth twisted in a half-smile as he scratched his head. "This is… wow. Alright, let's do it. Sounds more fun than be stuck in class."

Sai-sensei gave a glare at Arasaka. "Think it over tonight and let me know your decision tomorrow."

...

In the same day, they met with Yoruichi, who was lounging under their favorite tree by the lake. Her grin widened as they filled her in on their potential early graduation.

"So, you're telling me you're getting fast-tracked out of academy?" Yoruichi smirked, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Not bad for a couple of rookies."

Arasaka chuckled, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head. "Guess Sai-sensei thinks we're too much for the academy to handle."

Yoruichi laughed. "Don't let it get to your head. You still are wet behind your ears."

(End of a chapter)