17 Sato Clan

Energy seemed to rush past them. They felt like their insides were being pulled right and left. They could sense a powerful dark magic was surrounding them and if they touched it, it would consume them. All three of them looked extremely uncomfortable. Arata however seemed to be completely at ease. He shouted at the others with a grin.

"Try not to throw up!"

They all angrily looked at him as he smiled and gave them two thumbs up. They began concentrating to override the uneasy feeling they all had in their stomach. Looking at Arata enjoying himself annoyed them thoroughly. How is he not affected by this?

Arata chuckled at their faces. He had gotten use to teleporting but he remembered the first time he used one of his father's Black Hole Scroll's, he threw up mid portal.

Azrail was able to create what he called Black Hole Scroll's. These Scroll's allowed whoever activated them to travel through the Shadow Realm to the predetermined destination within the scroll. Travelling this way was extremely dangerous if used incorrectly or if the wrong amount of energy is used as the barrier that protected people while they travel had to be accurately shaped to hold everyone within it. Anything outside of the barrier would be ripped off and consumed by the Shadow Realm.

Although Arata couldn't create them yet, he was the only person besides his Father to have perfect control of the barrier. Everyone else preferred to just walk.

The barrier began to shake and distort which panicked the first time passengers. Akari went wide eyed.

"Arata! What's happening?"

Akari, Oishi and Ryouma all looked over at Arata's face and were horrified. They saw fear written all over his face.

"No no no no. This is all wrong. Damn!"

Arata, flustered and shaking, began to concentrate and channel his energy. The others began to freak out seeing Arata become this panicked. They barrier around them began to distort and move strangely which added to the students fear. They could sense the danger on the other side of this barrier. The three began to seek Arata for answers.

"What's happening?"

"Arata! What is it?"

"Master?!"

Arata began to yell.

"I'm losing control! We're gonna be sucked in! Brace yourselves!"

The force they felt early that was already making them feel sick was now doubled in force. They all began freaking out as they screamed out in fear.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"

Arata stopped screaming while the others continued. The queasy feeling in their stomachs was now gone but they continued screaming due to the fear. But as they calmed down, they stopped and realized that they were in a large room made from some sort of blackish stone. There were two men in robes standing by a large door that were staring at them and giggling quietly. They all heard laughing and saw Arata lying on his side in a fit of laughter.

They were confused and disoriented for a second before realization hit them. Akari was the first to react by kicking Arata.

"Arata! That was not funny!"

Arata blocked her kicks, still laughing.

"It was from where I was sitting."

Oishi grabbed him by the neck, putting him in a headlock.

"You scared the crap out of me. What the heck man?"

Arata struggled to get out but couldn't since he was busy laughing. Ryouma had just starfished himself on the floor and was trying to catch his breath.

"The ol' 'Something went wrong' routine. Classic."

They all turned to the door and a man who wasn't there previously now stood there. He wore an elegant robe that fit him well. It was black with silver lining. He had long hair that flowed down his back. But the most striking thing was his face. He was absurdly handsome. Akari, Oishi and Ryouma were all shocked at how he appeared. They hadn't heard the door open or even see him enter, but there he was. Arata called out to him.

"Are you going to help me or what?"

The handsome man chuckled.

"I think Young Master will learn more if he learns a bit more about the consequences of his actions."

Oishi was going to continue but when he heard the man say 'Young Master' he decided that this probably isn't a place to bully the heir to the Sato Clan. They all knew where they were now. Arata frowned at the handsome man.

"That's no way to treat the Heir to the Clan."

The handsome man walked over and crouched in front of Oishi and Arata. Oishi froze up slightly as the man approached. The man reached forward and flicked Arata in the head with his finger.

"Since when did I care silly titles and protocols?"

"Are you done playing around or are you going to properly greet the Young Masters guests?"

The booming voice made them jump as behind them standing by the wall was an old man in a black and white butler uniform. This was the same old man that sent off Arata when he left the Institute. The old man helped Arata and the others stand up and bowed to Arata who nodded in reply. The others all stared at the old man in shock. The handsome man appearing out of nowhere, but they couldn't sense a single thing from this man. There was also no door where he appeared so the students were all wondering how he got there. The old man gestured politely to Arata.

"Come Young Master. I'm sure you have your reasons for coming back so soon. Your father is in the Hall."

The handsome man said teasingly. "He probably missed us. Couldn't stand a night without us?"

"Hyosuke! Manners!"

As the old man walked to the front and led them out the door, behind his back Arata quietly laughed and pointed at Hyosuke. Hyosuke responded by pulling faces. Arata did the same. Without even seeing them the old man made a noise of annoyance and a wave of power flowed out of him, scaring Akari, Ryouma and Oishi.

"Both of you quit it."

Arata and Hyosuke stopped fooling around and put their hands behind their backs and continued walking quietly. Akari, Ryouma and Oishi instantly became aware of how powerful this old man was. The old man led the group through a lavish series of corridors. Oishi looked around fascinated by the place, admiring the style. Akari felt at ease as it looked quite similar to her own Clan's building, just a little darker. Ryouma was in awe.

Ryouma grew up as an orphan, fending for himself until a noble saw potential in him and got him into the Royal Academy. He had never been in a place as beautiful as this. His desire to serve Arata and the Sato Clan increased.

They reached a large door made from wood. The old man nodded at the guards by the door. The guards grabbed the huge doors and, with great effort, pulled the giant doors open. The doors were loud as they creaked open.

Inside was a large hall. Inside there were beautiful stained glass walls and a domed ceiling. There was a large table to one end with chairs by it and food on it. There was a circle in the middle of the room with symbols and figures carved around a crest in the middle.

The Sato Clan crest.

Standing in the middle of the room was a towering man. He was wearing all black. He had the aura of a powerful noble and stood there with much authority. He was looking up at the stained glassed roof, seemingly lost in thought. Arata smiled as he saw him there. The old man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Master Azrail. Young Master has returned and has brought over some guests."

Azrail looked over and saw Arata and his friends. His eyes were cold and filled with an immense pressure. Oishi, Akari and Ryouma were all instantly filled with fear simply from this man'smiled gaze. He frowned at them all.

"Why are you back so soon?"

Arata stepped forward and bowed.

"There is something that came up that I wanted to discuss with you."

Arata looked at Azrail and smirked.

"Permission to not act like a snotty noble in front of my friends?"

Azrail raised his eyebrow in surprise. Then a warm smile took the place of the intimidating demeanour he previously wore and he nodded. The others were too shocked at this sudden change.

"Like father, like son." Oishi in awe accidentally blurted out.

Azrail chuckled at the comment.

"I'm guessing you have all seen his little personality magic trick. So, who are your friends?"

Akari stepped forward first and bowed.

"It is good to see you again Lord Azrail."

Azrail looked surprised and then chuckled.

"I almost didn't recognize you, little one. It is good to see you again. I hope your Father is doing well?"

Akari politely nodded.

"Yes, he is doing very well, thank you for your concern, Lord Azrail."

Azrail waved it off.

"Enough with the Lord stuff. Your Father and I are practically brothers. Just call me Uncle. Little Arata does the same with your Father." He then looked over to Oishi. "Ah yes. The young Lightning Elemental. I see that you and Little Arata aren't holding any grudges from the match."

Oishi bowed.

"No grudges, sir. I'm not that shallow or hateful. Your son bested me and I respect him for that."

Arata cut in here.

"I think Masahiro may be able to help his cultivation a little if he has the time."

Azrail looked at the old man who brought them in. The old man nodded simply. Azrail look pleased then he turned to Ryouma with a curious look. Ryouma froze up. Being stared at by the Angel of Death was frightening to say the least. And, not being a noble, he didn't know the proper etiquette to not offend him so he panicked. Arata stepped in again.

"He's actually the reason I'm here. This is Ryouma....Um...actually, I don't know your last name haha."

Arata chuckled. Ryouma looked at Arata and got the courage to speak up.

"I-I don't have a last name. Or rather, I don't remember my family's name. I only have the one name."

Azrail frowned. He could guess this young man's situation. Arata looked at Ryouma with a look of sadness. Images began to flash through Arata's mind and emotion filled him. A fire lit up in his eyes as he looked back at his father resolutely. Arata had wanted to help Ryouma before, but something in him ached for Ryouma. There was a pain in him that seemed to reminisce of a time when his family was stripped from him and the heartache it brought about. This confused Arata as he still had his family so these feelings were confusing to him, the images that went through his mind were not from his own memory, but it touched and affected him deeply. He decided he would do more than just help him. Azrail knew this look and knew that Arata was going to do something crazy.

Arata got down on one knee with his fist on his chest.

"I, Arata Sato, Heir to the Sato Clan, formally request the inclusion of Ryouma into the Clan as my Shadowguard. I invoke the right to a Shadow Trial."