Chapter— Silence Before the Storm
At Aokiyama College.
Luke sat quietly at his desk, fingers resting loosely on the wooden surface.
The classroom buzzed with low conversations—chairs scraping, notebooks opening, someone laughing near the window. Morning sunlight filtered in through the glass, illuminating dust particles drifting lazily in the air.
Luke was still missing in his though
Of day before.
His thought was still on the arena.
On Marin's aura flare.
On Klare's silence.
On how the world kept changing faster than anyone expected.
Ring—Ring—Ring.
The bell echoed sharply through the room.
The chatter died down as footsteps approached from the hallway.
The door slid open.
Professor Soren entered.
She placed her files on the desk, adjusted her glasses, and scanned the room calmly.
"Before we begin today's lecture," she said, voice firm yet composed,
"I have an announcement."
Luke straightened slightly.
"There will be a college-organized public event next weekend," Professor Soren continued.
"This event will be open not only to students, but also to people from outside the college."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the class.
"The purpose of this event," she said,
"is to demonstrate and educate the public about Aura."
She wrote a few words on the board.
Aura Demonstration Event
"You may open stalls," she explained,
"conduct demonstrations, experiments, discussions—anything related to aura. You are free to choose based on your own understanding."
Several students whispered excitedly.
"Additionally," Professor Soren added,
"we require one student host—someone who will give the main speech that day."
Luke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A speech?"
"If anyone is interested," she said,
"submit your name to me by the end of this week.
Any questions can be asked in the staff room to me or any other teacher."
She closed her file.
"Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Let's begin today's lecture."
As the board filled with equations and diagrams, Luke leaned back slightly.
So… it finally came, he thought.
Standing in front of people. Talking about aura.
The very thing he had tried to stay away from.
---
A Choice at Home
That evening, Luke sat at his desk at home, books spread around him.
Auru floated faintly nearby, glowing softly.
Koru lay upside down on a shelf, munching on something suspiciously wrapped in foil.
"You're thinking too loudly," Auru said.
Luke sighed.
"…There's an event."
Koru perked up. "Food event?"
"No."
"A fighting event?"
"No."
"Then boring," Koru concluded, taking another bite. "I will eat chocolate and do nothing."
"You can eat," Auru said calmly,
"But don't cause negative entropy."
"Who controls negative entropy anyway?" Koru argued.
"Me only."
They began bickering again.
Luke laughed quietly.
Auru turned to Luke.
"So… are you opening a stall?"
Luke shook his head.
"No."
Auru tilted slightly.
"Then what?"
Luke leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
"…I was thinking of giving the speech."
Both aura spirits paused.
Koru blinked. "You? Talking?"
Luke smirked.
"Since school, I've given speeches at multiple events.
Usually with Marin."
Auru nodded slowly.
"It suits you."
Koru groaned.
"I still think it's boring."
Luke chuckled, watching them argue again.
For a moment—
Life felt normal.
---
The next day, Luke stood outside the staff room.
He knocked.
"Come in."
Professor Soren looked up as Luke entered.
"Yes, Luke?"
"I want to give the speech," he said calmly.
She studied him for a moment.
"I see," she said.
"You're not the only one who applied."
Luke nodded. "I expected that."
"We'll conduct a mock speech audition after college hours," she continued.
"I'll select the speaker based on that."
"I understand."
---
The Audition
That evening, the lecture hall was quiet.
Professor Soren sat in the center.
Two other teachers sat beside her.
Three names were announced.
Luke stepped forward when called.
The first speaker who was of Kael gang group began.
As gang ,similar thoughts.
He spoke confidently—almost aggressively.
"Power is everything," the student said.
"Category defines destiny. Higher stars mean superiority."
Some teachers frowned.
The second speaker followed.
"Category does not matter," he said.
"But his speech lacked structure. His thoughts were scattered."
Then—
Luke stepped forward.
He took a breath.
And spoke.
He didn't talk about power.
He talked about understanding.
About how aura reflects effort.
About growth.
About how people change with the world—or fall behind.
His voice was calm.
Engaging.
Honest.
By the time he finished, the room was silent.
Professor Soren closed her notebook.
By discussing with other teacher she decided
"The speaker will be Luke."
Luke you have to arrive around 9:30 Am on next Sat .
Luke nodded.
Outside staff room. Auru whisper
" That was easy."
Luke said "I told you I done it before."
---
Seeds of Malice
The student clenched his fist.
A member of Kael's team.
Outside the hall, he found Kael.
"They chose Luke," he said bitterly.
"My speech was ignored."
Kael listened quietly.
"…And what was Luke's theme?"
"Category doesn't matter. Skill does."
Kael smiled faintly.
"…I see."
He thought for a moment.
Then said softly—
"Let him speak."
The team member looked confused.
"But—"
"We'll ruin his speech," Kael continued calmly.
"On the stage."
"When his speech will be ruin that rat will never shown up in the college again."
The student swallowed.
"…How?"
Kael turned away.
"Just wait."
---
Preparation Days
Luke practiced daily.
He refined every line.
Every pause.
Every word.
He invited his friends to attend.
Days passed smoothly.
Luke didn't transform into Auron even once due to event preparation.
College life.
Guild duties.
Preparation.
All blended into one and goes smoothly normal.
Then—
The event day arrived.
---
Event Day
Luke stood outside the college gates.
Crowds filled the campus.
Banners fluttered.
Stalls buzzed with activity.
Luke wore formal attire—
A white shirt upon which a black coat.
Red tie.
Black pants.
He adjusted his cuffs.
"This is it," he muttered.
Footsteps approached.
"Now you keep me waiting?"
Luke turned.
Marin.
Chika.
Uno.
Liod.
Shuri.
Evelyn.
"You're late," Luke said.
"Sorry," Marin smiled.
"We were looking for something."
"Fine," Luke said.
"Come on. I'll give you a tour of my college."
Before moving—
Marin stopped him.
She handed him a small charm.
"For luck."
Chika added softly,
"We hope you give a great speech,we are looking for this only."
Luke froze.
Emotion welled up.
"…Thank you."
A tear slipped out.
He took the charm carefully.
Luke give a tour to all his friend of his college.
While vising different part of college ,Marin realize that Luke did not have such great reputation in college. He wanted to asked about it but doesn't because it can be bad question for Luke.
---
Moments Before the Stage
Inside the auditorium—
Liod stretched.
"Is the speech long? He asked to Luke"
Luke laughed.
"I remember school days. When you always slept during mine and Marin's speeches like never sleepen before."
"Hey!You can't pull me like that." Liod protested.
Everyone laughed.
Then—
The lights dimmed.
Professor Soren stepped onto the stage.
She spoke "Our college organising this event to explore new Aura which is came to our world. Therefore our college open all door and invite all people to know about there aura through this event.
I hope that this event will get you more about your aura and enjoy the event too. Thankyou.
Then—
"And now," the host announced,
"We invite Luke to speak on the importance of aura and its categories."
Luke stood.
Heart steady.
Mind clear.
He took a deep breath.
Before entering the stage.
The thought ,the thing I avoided most…
Now I face it,I think it is alright,we have to adapt to new thing if we doesn't we extinct.
He stepped onto the stage.
Unaware—
That somewhere in the crowd—
Kael's plan had already begun.
Luke begens his speech.
---
End of chapter.