Aethercrest // FayeYoko, LingOrm, MilkLove

Chapter 1

Seiryu's POV

"Solar Flare!" Sigaw ko habang cinacast ang isang malaking sphere of light, shooting it directly toward Kurohana.

But Kurohana was faster. "Shadow Veil," she whispered, and darkness engulfed her figure, swallowing my light like it was nothing. Napamura ako sa sarili ko. Ang bilis niya—again.

Before I could react, a flurry of dark feathers filled the air. "Murder's Call!" Her raven swarm descended on me with sharp precision. I barely managed to cast a barrier of light to block her attack. The glowing wall pulsed in front of me, dispersing the dark birds before they could reach me.

"Is that all you've got, Sei?" Kurohana sneered, standing tall with her usual smugness.

I clenched my fists. "Tch." She knows exactly how to get under my skin. Every sparring match ends like this—her winning, me frustrated.

Pagkatapos ng clash namin, the room buzzed with tension. Standing at the sidelines, Hikari shook her head, arms crossed. "Sei, you're making it way too easy for her."

"She's holding back," Kaminari teased with a grin. "Or maybe... baka distracted lang sa 'rivalry' nila ni Hana, huh?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Stop it, Nari," Yume scolded, though a playful glint shone in her eyes. "It's cute, though, admit it."

"Cute? More like painful," Sonata muttered, adjusting the strings of her electric guitar. "They're like two people dancing around their own disaster."

I shot them all a glare. "Hanggang dito rinig kayo!"

Before anyone could say more, Hana launched another strike. Shadows coiled at her fingertips, extending into sharp tendrils. "Ready for round two, Sei?" she taunted, her red hair whipping behind her.

"As if I'd lose to you again!" I shouted, casting Blinding Beam—a concentrated beam of light forming in my hands. I charged, determined to land a hit this time.

But just as our magic collided midair, a sudden wave of force pinned both of us down. My body locked in place, unable to move.

"Enough," came a deep, commanding voice.

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Master Kaito, standing at the entrance of the Shuren Hall. His arms crossed, his expression calm but firm. With just a flick of his hand, he immobilized us both.

"Master–!" Hana started to protest, but he silenced her with a sharp look.

Lumapit siya kay Hana at pinitik ito sa noo. "Ow!" Hana yelped, rubbing her forehead. "Focus, Kurohana," he said, amusement barely hiding in his voice.

Napatawa ako. "Pfft–"

That was a mistake. Master Kaito turned to me next, and before I could react—Flick!

"Aray, Master naman! Si Hana naman nangunguna eh," I groaned, rubbing my forehead where he flicked me.

Hana burst out laughing, her victory sweeter now that I shared her pain. "Serves you right, Sei."

I shot her a glare, but the corners of her lips only curled higher, flashing me that smug grin I've grown to despise.

Master Kaito sighed deeply, his expression shifting into something more serious. "The two of you... Your rivalry is doing more harm than good. How do you expect to grow if you can't fight without letting your egos get in the way?"

"It's not my fault she's always provoking me," I muttered under my breath.

"Maybe if you weren't so easy to beat, I wouldn't have to," Hana fired back with a smirk.