...The classroom was empty....

...Desks stood in quiet rows, untouched. Chairs slightly misaligned, as if abandoned in a hurry. The faint hum of electricity buzzed from the overhead lights, flickering just enough to make the room feel… unstable....

...There was something on the floor....

...Dark. Spreading....

...Blood....

...It had pooled beneath one of the desks, seeping into the grooves of the tiles, stretching outward like it was searching for something....

...Or someone....

...A sound broke the silence....

...Not loud....

...Not clear....

...But wrong....

...Something shifted in the darkness near the back of the room....

...A slow, dragging movement....

...Then—...

...A breath....

...Not human....

...And in the center of it all…...

...Asuki stood there....

...Unmoving....

...Watching....

...Or maybe—...

...Being watched....

—

Few Hours earlier.

Morning came quietly.

No dramatic sunrise. No sense of renewal. Just light slipping through thin curtains, falling across a room that hadn’t changed in years.

Asuki lay awake.

He hadn’t slept well.

He rarely did.

The ceiling above him was plain, slightly cracked near the corner where moisture had settled long ago. He stared at it for a while, eyes unfocused, thoughts drifting without direction.

Then—

A voice from outside his room.

“Asuki! You’re going to be late again!”

He blinked once.

Twice.

Still didn’t move.

“…Asuki!”

This time, sharper.

He exhaled slowly and pushed himself up.

“I’m awake,” he muttered, though no one was listening closely enough to hear.

His body felt heavy. Not tired—just… reluctant.

Like it didn’t want to move.

But it did anyway.

—

The house was small.

Not broken. Not poor.

Just… quiet.

Too quiet.

His mother Camaya stood in the kitchen, back turned, already preparing something. She didn’t look at him when he entered.

“There’s food,” she said.

No "good morning".

No glance.

Just routine.

Asuki nodded slightly, even though she couldn’t see it. He sat down and ate in silence.

The food was fine.

Everything was always fine.

That was the problem.

No arguments. No warmth. No presence.

Just existence.

“You have school today,” she added.

“I know.” Asuki responded.

A pause.

“You need to do better this term.”

There it was.

Not concern.

Expectation.

Asuki didn’t respond.

What was there to say?

He already knew.

He’d been held back.

Same class. Same subjects.

Same people.

Only now, with a label attached to him.

Failure.

—

The walk to school wasn’t long.

The streets were alive in that early-morning way—people moving with purpose, conversations overlapping, life unfolding in small, ordinary pieces.

Asuki walked through it all like he wasn’t part of it.

He passed groups of students.

Laughter.

Voices.

Someone shoved another playfully.

Someone complained about homework.

Normal things.

He kept walking.

—

The school gates stood open.

Welcoming.

Or maybe just indifferent.

Students flooded in, energy high from the start of a new academic term. There was a sense of reset in the air—a chance to do better, to be better.

Asuki didn’t feel it.

For him, nothing had reset.

If anything, things had just… continued.

—

The classroom buzzed with noise.

Chairs scraping, bags dropping, voices overlapping in chaotic harmony.

Asuki stepped in quietly.

No one noticed.

Or maybe they did.

They just didn’t care.

He moved to the back of the room, taking a seat near the window. It was the same spot he’d had before.

Nothing had changed.

A few students glanced his way.

Whispers followed.

Not loud enough to call out.

Just enough to reach him.

“…he’s still here?”

“Didn’t he fail?”

“I heard he repeated.”

He looked out the window.

The sky was clear.

That was something.

—

“Yo, Derek, chill out—it’s not that serious.”

“I’m telling you, bro, he said it like he meant it!”

“You take everything like that.”

“And you don’t take anything seriously!”

Laughter followed.

Not mocking.

Just… alive.

At the center of it stood Hansuke.

Relaxed posture. Easy presence.

He leaned back against a desk, arms crossed loosely, watching the exchange with a faint smile.

“You two are exhausting,” he said.

Chris adjusted slightly. “More exhausting than you? Please.”

Derek scoffed. “You’re boring.”

“I’m sane.”

“Same thing.”

Hansuke chuckled under his breath.

This was normal.

Familiar.

Comfortable.

—

The teacher hadn’t arrived yet.

The room continued in its usual chaos.

Hansuke’s gaze drifted briefly across the classroom.

It didn’t land anywhere specific.

Just passing.

Until—

It paused.

For a moment.

On Asuki.

Just a glance.

Nothing more.

Then it moved on.

—

The door slid open.

Silence didn’t fall instantly, but it weakened.

A man stepped in.

Stopped, turned around and slightly adjusted his Shirt as if cameras were on him

Tall. Composed. Unremarkable at first glance.

“Take your seats,” he said calmly.

No authority in his voice.

No need for it.

People listened anyway.

The class settled.

Slowly.

Reluctantly.

But it did.

He placed his materials on the desk, scanning the room once.

Not searching.

Just… observing.

“As you know, I’ll be handling your physics lessons this term.”

He turned to write his name on the board.

Dustin Wikler.

Nothing flashy.

Just a name.

—

“Physics is the study of interaction,” he continued.

“Force. Motion. Cause and effect.”

His voice was steady. Measured.

Easy to ignore.

Easy to forget.

“Everything that happens follows a sequence.”

He paused.

Just briefly.

“As long as that sequence isn’t interrupted.”

A few students exchanged glances.

Derek leaned toward Chris. “What does that even mean?”

Chris shrugged. “It means don’t fail physics.”

Hansuke smirked faintly.

—

At the back of the room—

Asuki wasn’t looking at the board.

His eyes were unfocused again.

But not on the sky this time.

Something felt…

Off.

He couldn’t explain it.

There was no sound. No visible change.

Just a subtle pressure in the air.

Like something unseen had shifted slightly out of place.

He blinked.

The feeling lingered.

—

Dustin’s gaze moved across the room again.

This time—

It stopped.

Not long.

Not obvious.

But precise.

On Asuki.

A fraction longer than necessary.

Then—

It moved on.

Like nothing happened.

—

“Open your textbooks,” Dustin said.

The class obeyed.

Pages turned.

Pens lifted.

The routine began.

—

Outside, the wind picked up slightly.

Just enough to stir the trees.

Just enough to make the shadows move.

Inside the classroom—

Everything continued as normal.

Or at least—

That’s how it looked.

—

At the back of the room—

Asuki finally lowered his gaze from the window.

For a split second—

It felt like something had been watching him.

Not from the class.

Not from the hallway.

But from somewhere else entirely.

He frowned slightly.

Then shook it off.

Probably nothing.

—

But the air didn’t feel the same anymore.

And somewhere—

Far beyond what anyone in that room could perceive—

Something had already taken notice.

And it wasn’t going to wait much longer.

Hey everyone,

Thank you for checking out The Summoner.

This is a long-term project I’ve been building, and I’m really glad to finally start sharing it.

The story will follow a dark fantasy setting centered around Zext—an energy system tied to the soul—and individuals who exist outside the natural order of that system.

Updates will be consistent, and I’m currently working on both the written version and an animated adaptation of the series.

Early chapters will focus on building the characters and their world before things begin to escalate.

I appreciate every reader taking the time to go through the story.

More chapters coming soon.

— ConrPedia

Break time arrived like a release valve.

The rigid structure of class dissolved into scattered conversations, footsteps, laughter—life rushing back into the halls of Ishama High.

For most, it was a moment to breathe.

For Asuki—

It was something to endure.

—

He stayed seated for a while after the bell rang.

Not because he wanted to.

...Just… waiting....

Waiting for the room to empty enough.

Waiting for attention to shift elsewhere.

Only then did he stand.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Like movement itself might draw eyes.

—

“You’re still here?”

The voice came casually.

Too casually.

Asuki didn’t turn immediately.

He already knew.

Jackson.

—

“I thought repeating meant you’d at least try harder,” Jackson continued, leaning against a nearby desk. “Or is this your ‘best’ already?”

A few nearby students chuckled.

Not loud.

Just enough.

Asuki kept his gaze low.

Silence.

—

“You know,” Jackson went on, “this school hasn’t had someone repeat a class in over twelve years.”

He pushed off the desk, walking a slow circle around Asuki.

“Twelve”

Each step deliberate.

“And somehow… you managed to break that record.”

A pause.

“That’s impressive. In a disappointing way.”

—

Asuki’s fingers tightened slightly at his side.

But he said nothing.

Because what was the point?

—

He Shoves Asuki a little at the Shoulder…

“You know, it honestly pisses me off how everyone tries their best…, and a runt like you just has to throw it all in the trash…”

Asuki remains quiet, doesn't answer back nor even look at him.

Somehow this infuriates Jackson more.

“Acting tough are we!?, if you have any sense in that thick Skull of yours, you would've stayed in your rat hole where you b–”

“Jackson.”

The tone changed everything.

Firm.

Sharp.

Final.

—

Cora stepped forward.

Her presence didn’t demand attention—but it *held* it.

“That’s enough.”

Jackson clicked his tongue, glancing at her.

“I’m just stating fact...”

“You’re done,” she replied, cutting him midway.

No anger.

Just certainty.

—

A brief stare.

Then—

A scoff.

“Whatever.”

He waved it off and walked away, hands in his pockets like it had never mattered.

—

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then—

Cora turned to Asuki.

And smiled.

Not forced.

Not pitying.

Just… normal.

“Hey.”

—

Asuki blinked.

Once.

Twice.

“…Hi.”

It came out quieter than he intended.

—

“I don’t think we’ve actually talked before,” she said. “I’m Cora.”

“I know.”

He regretted it immediately.

Too blunt.

Too direct.

—

She didn’t seem to mind.

“Then I guess that makes this easier.”

A small pause.

“You okay?”

—

There it was.

The question he hated.

—

“I’m fine.”

Automatic.

Flat.

—

Cora tilted her head slightly, studying him—not intensely, just enough to notice what others ignored.

“You don’t look fine.”

—

Asuki looked away.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

She blinked. “What?”

—

“I mean, You shouldn’t be talking to me, not this.., casual..” he clarified quietly. “People will notice.”

“They already have.”

“That’s the problem.”

—

A small silence settled between them.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… real.

—

Cora exhaled lightly.

“Then let them.”

—

That caught him off guard.

He looked at her properly this time.

“…Why?”

—

She smiled faintly.

“Because I felt like talking to you.”

Simple.

Uncomplicated.

—

Asuki didn’t have a response for that.

So he said nothing.

—

Across the room—

“Bro, look alive.”

Derek nudged Hansuke with his elbow.

“You’ve been staring for like five minutes.”

—

“I haven’t.” Hansuke Said.

“You have.” Derek clapped back almost immediately

Chris didn’t even look up. “He has.”

—

Hansuke sighed. “I was just thinking.”

“About her,” Derek said immediately.

—

Hansuke didn’t deny it.

That was enough.

—

Near the classroom door—

She stood.

Rawley.

—

There was something about her presence.

Not loud.

Not flashy.

But steady.

Balanced.

The kind of person people naturally looked at without realizing it.

—

Hansuke straightened slightly.

Subtle.

But noticeable—at least to Derek.

“Oh nah,” Derek muttered. “Here we go again.”

—

Hansuke adjusted his posture, running a hand through his hair like it was completely natural.

Chris finally glanced up.

“…You’re not doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“That thing.”

—

Hansuke ignored them.

His attention had already shifted.

—

Rawley spoke with a classmate briefly, then turned—

And for a split second—

Their eyes met.

—

Hansuke gave a small nod.

Calm.

Confident.

Controlled.

—

Derek leaned closer to Chris. “If this guy doesn’t confess, I swear—”

“He won’t,” Chris said flatly.

—

Rawley gave a polite nod back.

Then continued on her way.

—

Hansuke relaxed slightly.

Mission accomplished.

—

Derek stared at him.

“You’re actually unbelievable.”

“What?”

“You had the chance.”

“To do what?”

“Talk! Ya damn C*nt, TALK TO HER!”

—

Hansuke shrugged. “That wasn’t the moment.”

“There’s never a ‘moment’ with you!”

Chris closed his book.

“We don’t have time for this.”

—

That shifted the mood instantly.

—

“…Right,” Hansuke said.

Serious now.

—

Derek exhaled. “We’re really doing this?”

“We’ve come too far not to,” Chris replied.

—

A glance passed between them.

Unspoken understanding.

—

“Let’s move.”

—

—

...Behind the school—...

...Hidden from the main grounds—...

...There was a place most students didn’t know about....

...Quiet....

...Isolated....

...Perfect....

...—...

...Chris reached into his bag....

...Pulled something out....

...A knife....

...—...

...Not ordinary....

...The blade had a strange sheen to it—like it absorbed light instead of reflecting it....

...—...

...Derek frowned immediately. “You’re serious?”...

...—...

...“This is the final step,” Chris said....

...“According to who?”...

...“Tensito.”...

...—...

...A pause....

...—...

...Derek ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve already done enough. The tasks, the scouting, the—whatever this is—”...

...“If we stop now,” Chris cut in, “everything we’ve done means nothing.”...

...—...

...Silence....

...Heavy....

...—...

...“We’re close,” Chris continued. “Closer than anyone else. This is the last requirement.”...

...—...

...Derek looked unconvinced....

...“Slitting our palms? For what? A ‘Clan’ we don’t even fully understand?”...

...—...

...Hansuke stepped forward....

...—...

...No hesitation....

...No speech....

...—...

...He took the knife....

...—...

...A brief pause—...

...Then—...

...He dragged the blade across his palm....

...—...

...A clean cut....

...Blood surfaced instantly....

...—...

...Derek flinched slightly. “You didn’t even think about it?”...

...—...

...Hansuke handed the knife back to Chris....

...“It was always the plan.”...

...—...

...He looked at them both....

...Calm....

...Certain....

...—...

...“We chose this, 'We', together.”...

...A beat....

...“And it’s still the right choice.”...

...—...

...Chris nodded....

...Derek hesitated....

...—...

...Then sighed....

...“…You’re both insane.”...

...—...

...But he took the knife anyway....

—

—

Back inside—

The restroom was quiet.

Too quiet.

—

Water ran steadily from the sink.

Asuki leaned forward, letting it flow over his hands, then splashed his face.

Cold.

Grounding.

—

“…Why does today feel so long…” he murmured.

—

The door creaked open behind him.

Footsteps.

—

Kaiokun.

—

He walked in casually, barely acknowledging Asuki as he moved to the sink beside him.

Routine.

Normal.

—

Asuki glanced at him briefly.

Then looked back at his reflection.

—

And froze.

—

...Something—...

...Was wrong....

...—...

...At first—...

...It was subtle....

...—...

...The reflection didn’t *lag*....

...It didn’t distort like a glitch....

...—...

...It folded....

...—...

...The edges of the mirror seemed to bend inward....

...Colors darkened unnaturally, overlapping like layers of reality were slipping out of alignment....

...—...

...The sound of running water stretched....

...Warped....

...Like it was being pulled through something....

...—...

...Asuki’s breath hitched....

...—...

...“What…?”...

...—...

...The room tilted....

...—...

...No—...

...Not tilted....

...—...

...Twisted....

...—...

...The walls didn’t move—...

...They *SHIFTED POSITION WITHOUT EVER MOVING*...

...—...

...His head spun violently....

...A pressure built behind his eyes like something was trying to push through from the inside....

...—...

...“Kai—”...

...His voice came out distorted....

...Unrecognizable....

...—...

...Kaiokun kept his hands and focus on his phone....

...Completely normal....

...—...

...Asuki’s vision fractured—...

...—...

...And then—...

...He saw it....

...—...

...Something black....

...—...

...Not just in color—...

...But in *presence*....

...—...

...A shape—...

...Barely defined—...

...Long limbs extending unnaturally, dragging like smoke....

...Its body flickered constantly—...

...Like ash struggling to hold form....

...—...

...It phased through the wall....

...—...

...Not breaking it....

...Not passing through it....

...—...

...Like the wall wasn’t even there....

...—...

...It moved slowly....

...Deliberately....

...—...

...Through the restroom....

...Through the sinks....

...Through—...

...Kaiokun himself....

...—...

...No reaction....

...No resistance....

...—...

...Like they existed in different layers of reality....

...—...

...Asuki couldn’t breathe....

...—...

...The creature paused....

...—...

...Just for a moment....

...—...

...Its head—...

...Or what resembled one—...

...Turned....

...—...

...Toward him....

...—...

...Their eyes met....

...—...

...And everything—...

...Stopped....

...—...

...No sound....

...No motion....

...No time....

...—...

...Just that gaze....

...—...

...Then—...

...It moved again....

...—...

...Phasing through the opposite wall....

...Disappearing....

...—...

...And just like that—...

...—...

...Reality snapped back....

...—...

...The water sounded normal....

...The mirror was still....

...The room was unchanged....

...—...

...Asuki staggered backward....

...Gasping....

...—...

...His lungs burned like he’d been underwater....

...—...

...He coughed violently, gripping the sink for support....

...Sweat dripped down his face....

...His hands trembled....

...—...

...His eyes—...

...Wide....

...Empty....

...—...

...Fear....

...Pure....

...Undeniable....

...—...

...“Yo—what’s wrong with you?”...

...—...

...Kaiokun’s voice....

...Clear....

...Normal....

...Concerned....

...—...

...Asuki looked at him....

...—...

...No distortion....

...No sign....

...Nothing....

...—...

...“…You didn’t see that?”...

...—...

...Kaiokun frowned. “See what?”...

...—...

...A pause....

...—...

...Asuki’s breath shook....

...—...

...“…Nothing.”...

...—...

...But it wasn’t nothing....

...—...

...It couldn’t be....

...—...

...Because the fear—...

...The *feeling*—...

...It was still there....

...—...

...Clinging to him....

...—...

...Whatever that thing was—...

...—...

...It was real....

...—...

...And somehow—...

...—...

...It had seen him too....