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Rayne Ames. A highly talented third-year student at the renowned Easton Magic Academy. The academy is known for training young witches and wizards to harness their magical abilities, and being a student there is a great honor. Rayne is not just any student, though. He is a Divine Visionary, a highly respected position within the society they live in.
Despite his busy schedule, Rayne finds himself at a clinic with his roommate, Max Land, who was beaten up by another Easton student - Carpaccio Luo-Yang.
Max sits down on a bed as the nurse heals his wounds. Rayne leans on the wall and expresses his concern, "Goodness sake. Why did you try to fight against him? He got chosen by a Master Cane. Even if you’re a double-liner, you’re still no match for him."
Max flashed a warm smile and replied to Rayne, "Come on, Rayne, you know I have no intention of becoming a Divine Visionary. I finally used my coins before graduation and helped a junior out. Does that make me a cool senior?"
Rayne rolls his eyes, "Who in their right mind would think getting beat up by a first-year is a cool senior?"
Max isn't affected by Rayne's criticism. He lightly scolds him, "Rayne! Please let me have my moment here! Anyway, I met Mash Burnedead during round one. He doesn't seem to be a bad person, just a bit socially awkward, like someone I know."
Rayne raises his eyebrow curiously, wondering who Max could be referring to. Meanwhile, the nurse finishes tending to Max's wounds and lets out a sigh of relief. "You're lucky these are just flesh stab wounds and nothing serious. People were quite shocked to see a bloody student come out on round one," she remarks.
Max, grateful for the nurse's help, gives her a light bow and thanks her for her assistance. "Thank you, Miss Aceso. I hope you have a good day," he says kindly.
Max stands up and walks over to Rayne. "Shall we head back now? Round two should already be starting," he suggests.
Rayne nods in agreement and the two students bid farewell to Nurse Aceso before leaving the clinic together.
As the two strolled down the hallway, Max sparked a conversation with Rayne. "Hey Rayne, Why did your brother decide to take the Divine Visionary exam? He has you!"
Rayne sighed deeply, "He doesn't deserve to be here. He shouldn't have enrolled in the first place."
Max rolled his eyes and made a sarcastic remark about Rayne's relationship with his brother, "Oh, yeah! I forgot you have a wonderful bond with him. Not congratulating him on his enrollment at Easton Magic Academy and asking how’s his day. I mean, who needs genuine congratulations and brotherly support?"
"Max. Shut up." Rayne said, clearly frustrated.
Max wasn't ready to let it go yet, "I'm just saying, if my brothers suddenly stopped talking to me, I wouldn't let that stop me from doing what I want. I'd take advantage of the freedom and do whatever I please."
"Max. Shut. Up." Rayne’s voice became more forceful.
Rayne stared at Max's smug expression. Max just shrugs his shoulders and continues walking. They had just arrived at the auditorium and were scanning the room for empty seats when someone tapped their shoulder. They turned around to find a man with white hair, his sides tied up, smiling and waving at them.
Rayne and Max both bowed to the man, who was none other than Kaldo Gehenna.
Rayne remarks, "Hello Kaldo. I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you would be with the Headmaster."
Kaldo greets Rayne, “Hello Rayne”, he then turns to Max, "You must be Max Land, Rayne's roommate. Your magic might be fun to play with, manipulating objects and people sizes.”
"Thank you, Sir Gehenna," Max gracefully accepts The Flame Cane's compliment on his magic.
"Are you planning to watch the next round?" asks Kaldo.
"Yes, Sir Gehenna. I have been eliminated from round one, so I plan to watch the entire match," replies Max.
"In that case, come with me. I can provide you with the best seats in the house," offers Kaldo.
"No, we're alright," says Rayne.
"Rayne, you know that your fellow classmates and juniors will feel uncomfortable if you sit next to them. You might feel uncomfortable too, making small talk and all," explains Kaldo.
Rayne and Max look around and see several students whispering to each other.
"That might be because you're here, Kaldo. That's why they feel uncomfortable," refutes Rayne.
"Rayne, don't argue with your co-worker," whispers Max to Rayne.
"Thank you, Sir Gehenna, for your offer. But we-" interrupts Max.
"Great! Then let's go," Kaldo exclaimed as he brandished his wand, enveloping them in a brilliant green flame. In mere seconds, they found themselves face-to-face with the Headmaster himself, Wahlberg Baigan.
“Head- Headmaster?!” Max was shocked to see him there.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Rayne Ames and Max Land!" Wahlberg chuckled. "You two are certainly full of energy, I must say!"
Feeling a bit embarrassed for barging in on the Headmaster's private space, Max quickly apologized. “We’re sorry to invade your seat.” Rayne, on the other hand, simply looked away.
"There's no need to apologize, my dear boy," Wahlberg replied warmly. "It’s wonderful to see Rayne hanging out with his friend. And might I add, I was very impressed to see your bravery and kindness in giving the key to Mash and fighting against Luo-Yang. That was truly admirable."
“Thank you Headmaster Baigan.” Max bows gratefully, feeling a sense of pride wash over him. Meanwhile, Rayne eyes the nine students who are now grouped into three teams based on the color of their robes. Each individual holding a crystal in their hand.
"What's round two all about?" Rayne asked eagerly
Wahlberg explained. "Round two is a team match. Each team has been given a crystal to protect. The team that has all of their crystals destroyed is eliminated."
The arena was buzzing with excitement. Amidst the chaos, Kaldo couldn't help but express his disappointment in Mash's performance. "I have my doubts about Mushroom Head becoming a Divine Visionary. He doesn't seem to have enough power to compete," he said, shaking his head.
As the crowd roared, Kaldo focused on Mash's group and observed his two teammates - a hot-headed boy and a timid boy. Suddenly, he noticed something interesting. "Hey, isn't that your brother with Mushroom Head? Finn Ames is his name, if I remember correctly," Kaldo said, pointing to the group. Rayne follows his gaze and sees Finn panicking with his teammates.
Max, who was listening to their conversation, chimed in. "Did-di-di-did Mash and the other guy have their crystals destroyed already? Even before the match begins?!"
Kaldo and Wahlberg nodded to Max's answer.
Kaldo teases. "Now they're mourning it. I guess your brother is their only hope to pass this round. They better protect him well, right, Rayne?"
Rayne didn't seem too impressed. "They will fail. He's weak and a crier. He's a coward who gets frightened very easily," he said with a frown.
"Wow, what words of encouragement from you," Kaldo jokes.
"Don't bother. That guy doesn't have a heart for him." Max dismisses.
The match has begun and all teams have been teleported to different locations. As everyone looks in the mirror to see the competition, the teams are separated from each other.
Kaldo stands with his hand on his chin, eagerly observing the situation. "This is exciting," he says. "Mash's team only has one crystal left, and now they're separated. Mash and his teammate definitely need to find Finn quickly. Finn, on the other hand, has to survive until one of them comes to his rescue."
Rayne continues to look at the mirror, where it's showing Finn crying. Rayne can't help but think, " You really haven't changed, Finn. "
Wahlberg breaks the silence and asks Rayne, "Are you worried about your brother?"
Rayne doesn't even turn around to face Wahlberg and focus on the mirror. He simply replies, "No, I'm not. I want him eliminated more than anything."
Max leans on the balcony. "What a great brother you are, Rayne. Asking for Finn to fail rather than succeed."
"Rayne, may I ask what Finn's magic is?" Kaldo asked, his eyes fixed on the arena.
"It's nothing special. You are in charge of Magic Talents. You might already know what Finn's magic is," Rayne replied, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"True. But I have a feeling his magic is more than meets the eye," Kaldo said with curiosity.
Rayne turned to him, his eyes blazing. "Finn is nothing special. He's a single-liner mage with low grades from Easton Magic Academy. He's a coward and cries all the time. He has nothing extraordinary. He's NORMAL!" Rayne's voice grew louder as he spoke, his frustration and anger boiling over.
Max, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped in and whispered to Rayne, "Rayne, don't fight with your co-worker. Headmaster Baigan is here too. Please don't make a scene."
Rayne shot Kaldo with a threatening look. "You better not involve him in anything you're planning. He doesn't deserve to be here," he growled.
Kaldo chuckled lightly. "No need to get worked up. I'm sorry if I triggered something. Let's continue watching the exam."
Before Rayne could respond, a scream from the crowd caught their attention. They turned to the mirror and saw Finn bleeding from his chest, while Luo-Yang stood nearby, staring at him deadpan.
"No," Rayne whispered, gripping the balcony rails tightly. Everyone watches in shock as the situation unfolds before them.
Rayne looked on in horror at the confrontation between Luo-Yang and Finn. " What were you doing just now? " Luo-Yang's voice echoed in the mirror, making Rayne shudder.
“ I asked you what someone so weak is doing acting like a big shot. ” Rayne watched as Luo-Yang looked down at Finn with an expression of disgust.
“ Surely you’re aware of the difference in our strength. ” Luo-Yang continued, his eyes boring into Finn as if he were an eyesore. “ You’re going to lose it anyway. Hand the crystal over and it won’t have to hurt. ”
Rayne looks at Finn scared of Luo-Yang. “ I won’t ask again. Give it up, ” Luo-Yang threatened, his tone sending chills down Rayne's spine.
Rayne clenched his hands and could only agree with Luo-Yang. “ Please, Finn. Do as he said. Give it up. Leave. ”
But Finn doesn’t look like he going to give up. “ DANGEROUSSE !” he shouted, raising his wand in the air. Luo-Yang looked up in surprise, wondering what spell Finn had cast. However, when he looked down, he saw that Finn had disappeared!
Kaldo clapped at Finn's attempt. “Hahahahahaha. Your brother is quite cunning. Tricking a Master Cane with a fake spell to run away. I have to say that it takes courage to trick someone more powerful than him.”
Before long, Luo-Yang chased after Finn, who, in a desperate move, cast another spell, " CHANGEAS !" teleporting Luo-Yang to another location. As Finn kept running, Rayne couldn't help but express his concern, "Is that really courageous? He just ran away."
Wahlberg interjected, "There are moments where running away is the greatest strategy. Finn Ames might already know that he’s no match for Carpaccio Luo-Yang. However, this is a team match. He’s not alone."
Rayne nodded, taking comfort in Wahlberg's words, but his eyes never left Finn, who continued to run until his legs began to bleed. The sight of Finn collapsing, with Luo-Yang closing in, sent a jolt of fear through Rayne's body.
Luo-Yang approached the fallen Finn, his expression unreadable as he stood over him. "Is this some kind of your last-ditch effort?" he asked, his voice devoid of mockery but filled with a cold intensity.
" You really oughta know by now. . . " Luo-Yang ruthlessly stomped on Finn’s injured leg. " . . . How different we are. ”
Finn's anguished scream filled the air. Rayne, unable to bear seeing his brother in such pain, looked on with a mix of shock and anguish. As Luo-Yang reached out his hand, demanding the crystal, "Give it here."
Finn clung to it desperately. In a fit of rage, Luo-Yang clenches his knife. " Weaklings need. . . " he started, but before he could finish, he rapidly stabbed himself. “ to step down. ”
Rayne's eyes widened in shock as Luo-Yang's knife moved in a blur, the unthinkable happening before the crowd's eyes. Finn's body shook with the impact of each stab, his choked screams piercing the stunned silence of the arena.
The audience is left in a state of terror as they witness the scene unfolding before them. They are bewildered and start to question the type of magic being used by Carpaccio Luo-Yang. "What kind of magic is that?” “He's transferring wounds? That's going too far!"
Rayne felt as if time had slowed down, his mind racing with disbelief and horror. His brother, his remaining family, was being tortured right before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do but watch in agony.
Rayne murmurs, "Stop the match."
Max, Kaldo, and Wahlberg turn to look at Rayne, who is trembling with fear.
"Rayne? What's wrong?" Max asks. He pats Rayne’s shoulder in the hope he calm him down.
"Please, Kaldo, Headmaster Wahlberg, I beg you to stop the match. Carpaccio Luo-Yang is going to murder Finn. He has already stabbed him multiple times. Finn is going to die if we don't stop the match," Rayne implores.
Kaldo responded with a heavy heart, "I understand your concern, Rayne, but we cannot stop the match for this reason. Carpaccio Luo-Yang stabbed Pon Torus, and he is currently bleeding. We didn't stop the match then, and we cannot show any favoritism now, especially to you, Rayne Ames."
Rayne's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and determination. "You!" he started, his voice laced with intensity. Max quickly intervened, blocking Rayne’s path. “Rayne, please don’t fight your co-worker,” Max urged with concern.
“ You. . . ”, Rayne's attention was suddenly drawn to the mirror, where he saw Finn struggling to stand up. " . . .will never. . . take this! " he declared, his voice echoing with unwavering resolve.
"Finn. . ." Rayne's shock was evident as he watched his brother's struggle and heard his defiant words.
"Even if I'm a loser. Even if I'm a coward. I’ll never. . . I’ll never stoop so low as to abandon a friend!" Finn's declaration echoed through the arena, a testament to his unyielding spirit in the face of adversity.
Wahlberg laughed in satisfaction, “Do you still think he is a coward, Rayne Ames? Even when facing fear and someone greater than him, he stands up for his friends.”
Rayne clenched his fists in frustration. “What good can that do for you?”
Finn, undeterred, cast a spell at Luo-Yang. " Nalcos !" But Luo-Yang dodged it effortlessly. Finn tried again, but Luo-Yang stabbed himself to stop Finn, causing Finn to collapse once more.
“ Stop it. It’s ugly,” Luo-Yang said coldly. “ People who’ll never succeed and still try their hardest bother me more than anything. ”
Luo-Yang placed his knife on his neck, his next words sending a chill through the audience. “ I’ll show you that your efforts are being wasted. ”
The audience gasped in fear, whispers of concern spreading like wildfire. “Hey, this is looking bad.” “If he cuts his neck. . .” “Stop it.” “He’s going kill him.”
Luo-Yang slit his throat, and Finn's neck began to bleed. Rayne, in a state of panic, pulled out his wand, ready to teleport himself to Finn's side. But Kaldo was quicker, pointing his wand at Rayne.
“Rayne. I cannot allow you to do what you are going to do,” Kaldo warned.
Rayne, his eyes filled with determination, pointed his wand at Kaldo. “If this exam is to choose who will be the Divine Visionary, chosen by the gods, and if this exam kills my brother by the gods, I’m not hesitant to fight against gods and society itself.”
Max, witnessing the escalating tension, turned to Wahlberg in panic. “Rayne! Don’t fight your co-worker! Headmaster Baigan, should we stop them from fighting?”
“Everyone, please look at the mirror,” Wahlberg interjected, his voice calm.
Max, confused by Wahlberg's words, turned to the mirror. “Huh?”
As the four men gazed into the mirror, a sudden figure emerged, intercepting Luo-Yang just as he was about to slit his throat. With a swift motion, the figure hurled Luo-Yang against the wall, the collision creating a billowing cloud of dust.
" They're not wasted, " a voice declared confidently. As the dust settled, the figure stood revealed as Mash Burnedead, his presence commanding and unwavering.
" Because I'm here," Mash stated firmly. " Finn, thank you. "
Rayne, witnessing this unexpected turn of events, let his wand slip from his grasp, his eyes fixed on Mash's intervention. Kaldo keeps his wand back in his coat. Max, overwhelmed by the scene, sank to the floor, casting a glance at Rayne's astonished expression.
"Rayne, even if you're not there by his side, your brother can be a handful. Don't you feel nervous for him?" Max asked, trying to gauge Rayne's reaction.
Rayne, his gaze still locked on the mirror, allowed a smile to break through his concern. "Of course, I do. I'll always be," he admitted, his voice carrying a mix of relief and brotherly affection.
Turning his attention back to the scene unfolding in the mirror, Rayne's resolve strengthened. " That's why, Finn, please live a normal life. Leave the bad guys and dirty jobs to me, " he silently promised to protect his brother from the shadows.