Chapter 1-  Twilight

Year 1800.

• The mage from the proud empire of Kensei bore the Solar Lynx, its form coiled and etched with lines that suggested radiating light, forever poised to pounce.

• The man from the frozen reaches of Hyohen was marked by the Lunar Spirit, the elegant lines of the fox captured mid-prowl, its intelligent gaze suggested by the cunning shape of its etched eyes.

• Across the chest plate of the mage from the mountainous kingdom of Adri, a Pluvia Avian, a sparrow, was captured in mid-dive, the elegant sweep of its etched wings giving shape to a cresting wave.

• On the shoulder of the mage from the forested land of Aranya stood the Terra Ursus, a bear. Its powerful form is a complex tapestry of etched stone patterns and flowing, vine-like lines.

In their hands, they held not swords, but long, wicked-looking scythes. 

A sound cut through the silence—a raw, human scream of agony, coming from one of the few structures still stubbornly standing.

The Kensei mage , a man with a thin, severe mouth, flinched. His hand, clad in a worn leather glove, tightened on his scythe. "God! That noise is enough to drive a man mad," he snarled. "Why are we waiting? Let's just silence the source. One less wretch from this damned clan."

The Hyohen mage, his face a mask of cool amusement, didn't look away from the village. "You are welcome to try. And then you can explain to the Council why you murdered a woman in childbirth. Our mandate is clear: we only act if the newborn is a Luminar."

"Luminar or Twilight!" the Kensei mage spat, his face red with anger. "What difference does it make? This Ashijiki clan is a relic. A disease that should have been purged centuries ago. Now they're just a nuisance."

A third mage, from Adri, let out an exaggerated groan, stretching his arms above his head. "Mannn…!! I'm bored!! Is this the great mission? Standing in the dirt waiting for a baby to be born?"

A smile played on the lips of the Aranya mage. "How about a bet? I wager one hundred silver coins the child is a Twilight."

The Adri mage's boredom vanished, replaced by a sharp smirk. "You're on. My coin says it's a Luminar. I feel it in my bones."

As if summoned by their greed, a new sound joined the woman's fading screams—the sharp, healthy wail of a newborn.

The Adri mage snapped his head up, staring at the sky. "Here it comes! Watch the sky light up like a thousand suns! I'll be spending your silver tonight, my friend!"

"Fool," laughed the Aranya man. "The light will fade. It will become a land of eternal dusk. A Twilight. Prepare to pay me."

For a fraction of a second—a single, heart-stopping flash—a brilliant, blinding light exploded above the village. But the light died in its infancy, snuffed out like a candle before it could truly live.

Then, something else happened. A deep, gloomy shadow bled out from the village hut, spreading across the land faster than a lighting bolt. It swallowed the blue sky, turning it a murky, dark purple. The sun became a pale, sickly circle. The forests, the mountains, everything as far as they could see was plunged into a silent, eerie twilight.

The unnatural darkness held for five hard, suffocating seconds before the wind stirred again, pulling the murky veil away. The pale sun reappeared, and the world returned to its barren, sun-scorched state.

The Adri mage’s jaw went slack. His mouth hung open. "What… What was that? It lit up first! It never does that!"

"It was just a meaningless dying flicker. Nothing more," said the Aranya mage, his voice dripping with smug victory. He extended an open palm. "The sky is dark. It's a Twilight. You lost. Pay me."

The Kensei mage was still staring, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "That was no gasp. It was a flash of light. A real one. I've been doing this for twenty years. I've never seen that happen."

"Oi! Are you trying to cheat me out of my winnings?" the Aranya mage snapped, his good humor vanishing.

"The law is clear," said the Hyohen mage, his voice a calming, authoritative force. He pointed his scythe at the village. "A Twilight birth is marked by the shroud of darkness. The child has no power. Our business here is concluded. We return to the Council."

As they turned to go, the Aranya mage grabbed the Adri mage's arm. "My money. Now."

With a grumble, the Adri mage pulled a heavy pouch from his belt and threw it at him. "Lucky throw of the dice."

The Kensei mage took one last look at the village. A look of pure disgust was on his face. "I was hoping for a Luminar," he muttered, the edge of a snarl in his voice. "I truly wanted to kill that kid."

Their figures receded down the path, their argument fading with them. They left Kandala behind, silent once more under the harsh sun, and the child who had just been born into a world that had already sent killers to its door.

13 Years Later 

Year 1813, Krichi Town - Outskirts of Krichi town.

The thunderous roar of a crowd echoed from Krichi town's colossal arena, a structure so massive its high stone walls seemed to scrape the sky. On the main road, a river of people flowed toward the main entrance, buzzing with excitement for the day's events.

Deep in the opposite forest, a very different struggle was taking place. 4 teenagers, all around 13 years old, making their way to the arena through the forest.

"Trust me, guys! This is a shortcut to the registration counter! We're gonna be the first ones there!"

Gyoda pushed through a thicket, a triumphant grin on his face. His dull orange hair was full of leaves, and his maroon shirt was snagged on a branch he hadn't noticed. A single, dull earring swung from his ear as his fire-colored eyes blazed with unearned confidence.

Behind him, Karna sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. "You've been saying that for the past two hours," he stated, his voice flat. His sharp black eyes, which usually held a depth full of secrets, were currently full of profound annoyance. "We would've been there already if we'd taken the road."

"We're almost there! I see light!" Gyoda insisted, bursting through the final line of trees.

they were dumped unceremoniously at the fringe of a bustling, makeshift market that had sprung up around the main entrance. The air itself had changed, now thick with the enticing sizzle of spicy grilled meat from food stalls, the sweet, sugary smell of candied fruits, and the lively melody of a street performer's flute. They faced a sea of people milling about between colorful vendor tents hawking roasted nuts, flavored ices, and exotic drinks, with a few more curious stalls offering rare monster parts, polished enchanted stones, and other strange curiosities. Just beyond the main crowd, a separate, smaller road branched off toward the participants' entrance. And there, it was impossible to miss: a massive, snaking line of aspiring mages that led to a distant registration desk, next to a sign that read: "Registration for D-Rank Wizard Test."

Kenta facepalmed, his handsome features twisting in frustration as his blue eyes scanned the enormous crowd.  "I knew it! We definitely would have reached ages ago if we'd taken the actual road!"

Karna shook his head with a wry smile. "The road was completely empty when this genius suggested his 'detour'." The memory flashed through his mind of them standing alone on a clear, empty path leading straight to the arena.

"But... but..." Gyoda stammered, his face a perfect picture of shocked betrayal. Twigs poked out from his hair.

The true horror became apparent as Reiko stepped forward. The twigs weren't just on Gyoda - they were protruding from her beautiful, now thoroughly ruined long green hair. Her lovely, well-dressed appearance was demolished, her flashy skirt and leggings covered in forest debris.

A dark aura seemed to emanate from her as her cute green eyes narrowed into slits of pure rage.

"Gyoda."

Her voice was low, a deadly calm before the storm. He slowly turned, his face paling.

"GYODA!" she yelled, her voice exploding. "I TOLD YOU my hair would get ruined! You promised we'd be first! Now look at this line! Look at my HAIR!"

She grabbed him by his collar and began shaking him violently. The sharp sound of her hand smacking his head echoed through the air.

Meanwhile, Karna had already vanished into the crowd the moment Reiko began her tirade. He appeared by a food stall, offering a smile to a girl buying a drink before moving to "accidentally" bump into another participant with dramatic apologies. He then leaned against the arena wall, trying to look cool and mysterious for a group of girls walking by.

"This is paradise!" he whispered to himself, his deep black eyes sparkling with foolish hope. "So many potential future wives! I could get a girlfriend, get married, have kids... my future is right here!"

"HEY! KARNA!"

Kenta's voice cut through the crowd, loud and exasperated. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Get back here! None of them are into you! You're just being creepy again!"

But Karna was already too far gone, lost in his own delusional romantic comedy as he continued his hopeless quest through the crowd.

The chaotic energy of the market was suddenly sliced through by a new, violent disturbance.

A teenager—Goro, 18 years old—strode toward the participants' line with an air of contemptuous ownership. A black open-cut vest, black pants, dark scarf wrapped around his neck, and the distinct shape of a large weapon, swathed in bandanas, was strapped to his back. His black hair, sharp black eyes, and handsome, strong-featured face would have been striking if not for the arrogance twisting his expression. He moved with a predator's grace in his blackish-grey t-shirt and pants, not bothering to follow the queue.

Without a word of warning, he shoved a lanky boy with spectacles who stood at the front of the line. The boy yelped in surprise as he was sent sprawling to the ground.

"You are in the way!!" Goro stated flatly, as if explaining something simple to a child. He snatched a registration form from the desk as if it were already his.

A broad-shouldered youth behind him—the fallen boy's friend—stepped forward, his face flushed with outrage. "You dare push my friend? Are you begging for a fight??"

Goro didn't even turn. In one fluid, dismissive motion, he swung his arm back and struck the broad-shouldered youth across the face with the back of his hand. The impact was brutal. The youth was thrown off his feet, crashing to the dusty ground right next to Karna, who had been observing the scene silently from a short distance away.

A tense silence fell over the crowd. All murmuring and movement ceased as every eye fixed on Goro.

Unfazed, Goro finished scribbling on his form, tossed it back on the desk, and then turned slowly. He walked deliberately toward the dazed youth, who was still clutching his reddened cheek. Goro bent down, his voice a low, condescending growl.

"Stay down. You're where you belong."

Then, his dark eyes flicked up. They landed on Karna, who stood motionless beside the fallen boy.

A smirk twisted Goro's lips. "What's a Twilight like you doing here?" he said.

The word hung in the air, heavier than any blow.

Karna met his gaze. His expression didn't change. His black eyes were hollow, depthless—like a dead person's.
But around them, the crowd erupted into panicked whispers.

"Twilight…?"

"So it's true… He's really here."

"The Ashijiki Twilight… I heard the rumors…"

From the edges of the gathering, a group of five figures wearing distinct capes turned in unison. Their attention—previously casual—sharpened, eyes narrowing on Karna with newfound, intense interest.

Goro just snorted, straightening up. "Pathetic!!". He turned and walked away without another glance, leaving a wake of stunned silence behind him.

Before anyone could react further, another figure approached. This one wore a sleeveless shirt and carried a polished staff—Eto. He stopped directly in front of Karna, looking him over with a mix of curiosity and mockery.

"Well, well," Eto said, a taunting smile playing on his lips. "The stories are true. The Ashijiki Twilight shows his face." He leaned in slightly. "Tell me, do you really think you belong here with actual mages?"

Karna remained silent. His empty stare didn't waver. Just as Eto opened his mouth to continue his taunt, a powerful, magically amplified voice boomed across the grounds, effortlessly cutting through the tension and silencing every whisper.

"Welcome, aspirants!"

Every head snapped toward the source of the voice. Standing atop a small raised platform near the registration desk was a tall, authoritative man—Hatake. The distinct badge of a mage was clear on his shoulder.

"My name is Hatake," he announced, his voice carrying easily over the crowd. "B-Class wizard. And I will have the privilege of overseeing your D-Class examination today."

The crowd broke into louder whispers this time.

"B-Class wizard? Seriously?"

"D-Class exams are always overseen by C-Class examiners…"

"Look at his badge! He really is B-Class!"

The examiner's voice boomed out again, cutting through the chatter. "Let's go over the rules. You need a team of five to participate in this test."

The announcement was met with instant uproar.

"A team of five?"

"Is he joking?"

"This was supposed to be an individual test!"

Hatake continued, utterly unfazed. "The first test is Team-hunt, to be followed by a duel. Inside this arena is a huge forest. You'll be placed in the arena with specific instructions on how to qualify. Your starting positions will be displayed on the board. Teams will be chosen randomly..." He paused, his sharp eyes scanning the sea of anxious faces. "...unless you already have a team prepared. In that case, register your team at the desk now."

The discontent swelled into louder protests. "This is unfair!" someone shouted from the middle of the pack. "How are we supposed to work with total strangers??"

"Those are the rules," Hatake stated, his voice dropping into a low, intimidating register that silenced the complaints instantly. "If you find them unsatisfactory, you are free to leave and try again next season. Team registration closes in one hour." He turned to leave.