Venturing into a Fresh Challenge

Walking midday towards her destination at the Mysticuisine Cafe, Kuraihime finds herself amidst a breezy ambiance under the sunny skies. As she walks, her hair and dress flutter with the wind, accompanied by the quiet tranquility of the surroundings. There's an absence of people around, and a sense of serenity fills the air. Continuing her journey, Kuraihime momentarily gazes upwards to observe the sky while walking. After a brief moment, her gaze lowers. Soon, she arrives at her destination, Mysticuisine Cafe, where she spots Kasumi leaning against the door with her arms crossed, eyes closed. As Kuraihime approaches, Kasumi's lips curve into a slight smile, and she opens her eyes, glancing at Kuraihime from the corner of her eye. "Right on time," she remarks to Kuraihime, her gaze still to the side.

Chapter 5 - The Magistrate Institute

When Kuraihime and Kasumi met, they began to walk together. Kasumi took the lead while Kuraihime followed closely behind. As they continued their walk, Kasumi suddenly brought up a question, her voice soft and accompanied by a slight smile.

"Are you ready?" she asked Kuraihime in a deliberate tone.

Kuraihime responded with a nod, and at this point, Kasumi abruptly stopped walking. Kuraihime mirrored her actions, coming to a halt as well. It was here that Kasumi raised her hand forward, and their surroundings underwent a sudden, glitch-like transformation.

Their surroundings underwent a complete transformation, and they found themselves in what appeared to be a garden-like place. When Kuraihime glanced to the side, she spotted a massive palace with a large holographic-like sphere hovering above it. Suddenly, Kasumi turned to face Kuraihime.

"Welcome to the Magistrate Institute," Kasumi said, her voice filled with a smile and a hint of intrigue in her eyes. After Kasumi had mesmerized Kuraihime with the beauty of their surroundings, including the lush and breezy garden and the grand palace, a moment of tranquility passed. Kasumi then asked, "Are you ready to go?" Kuraihime responded with a slow nod.

As they continued their walk, they eventually reached the palace's gate adorned with cursed marks and rune circles in the center. "These markings protect the palace," Kasumi explained. She once again raised her arm toward the gate, and after a moment, the marks on it cracked like glass and shattered. The gate swung open, accompanied by a gust of strong wind that tousled their attire slightly. With the gate now fully open, Kasumi began to walk slowly into the palace, and Kuraihime followed closely behind, still a step behind in their journey.

While they were walking, Kuraihime couldn't help but notice that the palace appeared to be abandoned. After their stroll, they encountered a massive statue of a knight. Upon seeing it, Kuraihime couldn't help but gaze upward in awe at its size, while Kasumi uttered a few cryptic words.

"In the midst of magic lies the heart of spirits, in the midst of art lies the soul of the world," Kasumi quietly recited in front of the statue. After a moment of silence, the statue's eyes lit up in crimson, and as they did, Kuraihime's own eyes briefly took on a reddish glow. Suddenly, their surroundings glitched, and for a moment, it all seemed like they were in space, with stars in the background and a sensation as if Kuraihime's soul had been pulled.

In an instant, they found themselves in a new world, surrounded by lush scenery and beautiful flowers. The view was breathtaking. Kasumi couldn't help but smile slightly and say, "Tada! Welcome to the Magistrate Institute! We're here!" She giggled as she spoke to Kuraihime, her eyes half-closed with a mischievous grin.

Following Kasumi's warm greeting at the Magistrate Institute, Kuraihime found herself unable to resist the urge to survey her surroundings and the celestial expanse above. Her eyes expanded subtly, and she emitted a delicate, appreciative sigh.

"W-what is this place...?" she inquired of Kasumi.

"This, my dear, is the Magistrate Institute. To be precise, it constitutes the Apex of the Highest Dimension—a novel realm wherein fellow students of the Institute have chosen to establish their abode," Kasumi eloquently elucidated in response to Kuraihime's query.

"Shall we proceed forthwith...?" Kasumi extended the invitation once more, and Kuraihime, her cheeks aglow with a modest blush, swiftly acknowledged with a nod, accompanied by a faint but discernible curvature of her lips.

After Kasumi's statements, she once again raised her left hand and whispered the words, "Warp... Drive." Their surroundings seemed to light up in a blue hue, as if Kasumi's technique had forcefully pulled their environment. After this display, they found themselves in front of a grand palace teeming with people, students, and other individuals residing in the institution. They proceeded through the gate.

As they walked into the Institute, Kuraihime couldn't help but notice the cheerful individuals and the well-lit surroundings with captivating lanterns and floating orbs of light. While they continued their walk, Uramitsu Kuraihime and Kurogane Kasumi engaged in conversation once more.

"Doesn't the atmosphere here seem different from that one town within Hoshimori?" Kasumi inquired.

"Ah... yes," Kuraihime replied, nodding.

"The Magistrate Institute is more than just a school; it's a world. It's a magical realm inhabited by various beings... Given the vastness of this world, I'm certain you'll be enchanted and delighted here," Kasumi said with a gentle voice.

"ah by the way How does this world and the dimensions work..?" Kuraihime asked.

"It's a bit complex, but what I can tell you is that in Aetheira, beings are not restricted in manipulating dimensions and creations. It can become anything, depending on an individual's intent, but it must align with their goodness and abilities," Kasumi explained.

"How can I discover my NexusGift...? And if it's okay with you, could you reveal yours?" Kuraihime asked, her voice tinged with shyness. Upon hearing this, Kasumi couldn't help but giggle slightly.

"You have such a gentle tone. But sure, as I mentioned earlier," Kasumi began while gesturing to the joyous people around them, "our spiritual artistry holds the key to our NexusGift. You won't discover it until your Spiritual Artistry answers you. And as for mine, well, you've already witnessed it."

"My NexusGift, I call it 'Dimensional Transcendence,' " Kasumi declared. "It depends on individuals to name our NexusGifts, and that's the name I've chosen because... I can control the concept of dimensions."

She suddenly halted her steps, and Kuraihime followed suit. Kasumi turned slightly to side-eye Kuraihime before continuing, "I can manipulate the very essence of dimensions." After sharing this, Kasumi closed her eyes and smiled with joy before resuming their walk. Kuraihime, having absorbed this information, nodded slowly and continued walking alongside her.

After a brief stroll, they arrived at the entrance of the Magistrate Institute. Both of them came to a stop. Kasumi spoke, "It seems my service to you ends here, Kuraihime. Here, you will find the individual I referred to as 'the one who found you amidst the floating sea,' and i would recommend you to be cautious with Your actions.. Because you wouldn't want to appear unfavorably in the eyes of The Primordial Reaper Herself"

Kasumi's expression was serious, with a hint of a smile, as she cautioned, "Be careful with your words here."