Elements: Age of Creation

Confrontation After Class

The moment class ended, Hikaru stormed to the front of the lecture hall, cutting off any students who wanted to ask Teshii questions.

"Alright, start talking," Hikaru demanded, crossing his arms. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Teshii smirked, completely unbothered. "Teaching, obviously."

Hikar glared. "No seriously. How did you even become a professor overnight?!"

Teshii chuckled and tapped his temple. "Connections, kid. The Order has ways off… influencing things when needed. Figured this was the best way to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't slack off in training."

Hikaru's jaw clenched. "You manipulated the university to get his position?!"

Teshii shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time."

Hikaru groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Unbelievable."

Teshii grinned. "Hey, look on the bright side–now I can grade your essays extra harshly."

"I hate this."

Introducing Teshii to Yami and Aoi

After the disaster that was his psychology lecture, Hikaru made his way to the library, where Yami and Aoi were waiting.

When he arrived, Aoi greeted him with a smile. "Hey, Hikaru! Took you long enough."

Yami, however, noticed the extra person following him. His violet eyes immediately sharpened. "Who's that?"

Hikaru sighed. "This is–"

"Teshii!" Teshii interrupted, placing a hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "His best friend and super cool mentor."

Yami narrowed his eyes. "That so?"

Teshii smirked. "And you are?"

"…Yami."

The air between them instantly grew tense.

Hikaru felt the hostility radiating off both of them.

"Yami's one of my childhood friends," Hikaru explained quickly. "And Aoi, too."

Aoi, ever the friendly one, smiled at Teshii. "Nice to meet you!"

Teshii winked. "Likewise."

Yami, however, remained wary. His gaze flickered toward Hikaru. "Where'd you meet this guy?"

Hikaru hesitated. "Uh… long story."

Yami didn't look convinced, but he let it slide–for now.

A Quiet Before the Storm

As the afternoon went on, the group split up.

Hikaru, Yami, and Aoi stayed behind in the library to study, while Hikari and Mei were off having lunch in a nearby café.

Meanwhile, Teshii had disappeared somewhere.

Hikaru was almost relieved. Studying with both Yami and Teshii in the same room would have been a nightmare. Yami still looked suspicious of him, and knowing Teshii, he definitely would have found a way to make it worse.

But that relief was short-lived.

Because just as Hikaru was finished his notes, a dense fog rolled into the campus.

Students outside started murmuring in confusion. The air grew damp, the visibility dropping fast.

Aoi glanced toward the window. "That's weird… I don't remember the weather report mentioning fog today."

Yami tensed beside her. "…That's not normal fog."

Hikaru felt it too. An eerie sensation crept up his spine, like something was watching them.

Then, the lights flickered.

The Smokewraith Appears

A sudden chill filled the air.

And then–

From the fog, a figure emerged.

They moved like a shadow, their body wrapped in swirling, living smoke. Their form was constantly shifting, their face obscured except for glowing, ember-like eyes.

A deep, distorted voice echoed through the campus.

"The Element of Light… I've found you."

Hikaru's stomach dropped.

This wasn't just some random fog.

This was an enemy.

And they were here for him.