All eyes were locked onto Haruto’s sword, now revealed — a pure black blade, pulsing with a strange purple aura. The energy it gave off wasn’t like any sword the Academy had ever recorded. A faint hum echoed from it, unsettling and unnatural.

The sword official took a step back. “This… this isn’t in the archives. I’ve never seen this color.”

Beside him, the sensei muttered, “Report this immediately to the higher authorities. A new sword has surfaced... but what does it mean?”

Haruto blinked, still holding the sword. “So… what rank did I get?” he asked, a bit cocky. “I mean, I know I’m strong.”

The sensei paused. “It’s... unranked. This type doesn’t exist in the system.”

The crowd of students began whispering.

> “A black sword? That’s not possible.”

“Isn’t that color supposed to be just a myth?”

“Why is there a purple aura around it?”

Haruto looked at the blade. “Unranked? Then… what is this?”

At the back of the room, one of the headmasters clenched his fist. “This can’t be right… A black sword? And on the same day as the Hanma attack? There’s a barrier around the Academy — no Hanma or Yamari should be able to enter!”

The sword official turned grim. “Then that barrier… was broken.”

The ceremony was abruptly ended. Students were told to return to their dorms. But then came the announcement:

> “It’s time for the instructors to pick their teams.”

The same akaari who had earlier protected the students from the Hanma attack stepped forward. His eyes scanned the room.

> “I’ll take these three,” he said — pointing to Haruto, Yuki, and Hinaru.

The other teachers raised eyebrows. “Only three? There are stronger students here.”

The warrior gave a calm reply. “I was interested in the boy with the sun-colored sword... at first.”

Haruto blinked. “Me?”

The warrior nodded.

> “What’s your rank again?”

“Uh… B,” Haruto said.

“Interesting,” the warrior replied. “Then let’s see what that black sword means.”

Yuki, not thrilled, crossed her arms. “Tch. I wanted a sensei who’s actually strong.”

The man smiled slightly. “You’ll learn soon enough.”

To be continued.