AN: Hello readers! Thank you for checking out this story. I have to say, this was inspired by the manga "Yamada and the Seven Witches". Obviously, they are a bit different and the powers are not as they seem like in the manga. I advised you, if you want, to read the manga first to have an idea of what this story is about. But, if you don't want, it's fine since things will be explained gradually in the story anyway.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM or review. I look forward to it.

Again, this story, like all my others, is GEN.

Enjoy.

.

.

[Chapter 1: The Path that We Took]

Kuroko had no idea what Akashi Seijuurou had meant when the redhead had stared at him so intensely during that time in the fourth gymnasium and merely stated, "Found you,". Aomine didn't seem to understand as well but merely wrote it off as something that was basketball-related.

In a way, it had been.

The redheaded boy had discovered his potential and Kuroko made what he could from it: misdirection. While he knew that Akashi was impressed by the skill, he also wasn't fully satisfied. If Kuroko had to describe it, he deduced that Akashi was either looking for or expecting something else entirely. The only one who appeared to comprehend Akashi's restlessness with the teal haired boy's situation was Midorima Shintarou.

Kuroko might not act like it but he knew that Akashi kept an eye on him more than he did to anyone else on their team.

It took some time. Maybe, Akashi wasn't exactly trying to be subtle about it.

But, he later discovered that the redhead's expectations surpassed those of the basketball team's interests. Akashi made sure to be associated with Kuroko, first and foremost. Aomine had even commented that the redhead had taken a liking to the teal haired boy. Kuroko knew that that wasn't the case. Then, Akashi sometimes asked about his opinion about other people, especially regarding their fellow first year regulars and Momoi. Lastly, the other boy always made certain that there was at least one regular (or Momoi) with him.

While it was still related to the club, the fact that Akashi always did these things outside of the club confirmed it.

He wondered if it had anything to do with that but waved it off, considering that he hadn't told anyone or exactly shown any of it to other people to merit attention for it. But, Akashi's interest on him was unsettling.

Then, when Kise finally joined their little band of misfits, the reason behind Akashi's watchful eyes finally revealed itself. Apparently, there was one piece left to complete the unsolved puzzle and that was Kise Ryouta. Kuroko knew that he hadn't imagined it when the redhead's eyes gleamed. The same way they did when they first met.

He honestly had nothing to teach the blonde, so, Kuroko sort of didn't understand why he was assigned to be Kise's instructor.

Though, it wasn't until that game with the second string members against Komagi Junior High that Kuroko finally figured out that it was to earn Kise's cooperation and respect. After that exhibition game, the blonde had been admittedly easier to get along.

A month after the blonde was officially part of their 'clique', Akashi had called in for a meeting within them and Momoi.

It was late and they were the only ones in the gym. Kuroko was standing beside Aomine who was slouching and yawning while Momoi was silently sitting on the bench on the other side of Kuroko. Murasakibara was standing faithfully beside Akashi across from them and Midorima just sighed from the other side of Aomine. Kise was eyeing them curiously, apparently not used to just seeing them all like this, from his position seated cross-legged on the floor in front of Kuroko.

"I heard that this is a very rare phenomenon that could only occur once in a century but I can't believe this," Midorima commented with calculating eyes as he eyed Kuroko and Momoi in particular.

The pink haired girl merely smiled at the verdant haired youth. Midorima, for some reason, flinched.

"Eh? What do you mean, Midorimacchi?" Kise asked in confusion as he squinted up at the other.

"Don't play dumb, Kise," Midorima responded wryly. "Amongst us, I can say that you've put your ability into full use," His eyes narrowed at the blonde while Kise shot up and stood up as he eyed the team's shooting guard with wide, almost terrified, eyes.

"W-What?" Kise laughed, his face contorting with evident discomfort.

Kuroko didn't understand what they were talking about. But, Momoi seemed to comprehend it, while Kise looked lost even with partial recognition in his eyes. Of course, Murasakibara, Akashi, and Midorima perfectly knew what was going on. Aomine just yawned from beside him again, but appeared to be eyeing the others as if they had lost their minds. Which, to Kuroko, wasn't actually that far from the truth as long as they weren't explaining anything.

"You have so many fangirls, Ki-chan," Momoi commented with a sly grin. "And I know that you've tried that charm of yours on Tetsu-kun and Dai-chan several times already," She added brightly as the blonde paled further at her words.

But, then, he straightened as his eyes narrowed at the teal haired boy and tanned male.

"Maybe I did," Kise admitted vaguely. "Though, it wasn't as if it ever worked on them,"

Before any of them could put their opinions on what Kise had supposedly done, Kuroko walked forward and stood directly in front of Akashi who had yet to say anything. While he didn't mind hanging out with his friends, Kuroko felt rather left out as to what they were going on and on about.

"Akashi-kun, what is going on?" He finally asked as the others fell silent at his inquiry.

"Told you, Aka-chin," Murasakibara remarked dully from beside the redhead. "Then, this is going to go smoothly as long as you explain it with Kuro-chin. He's good at asking questions," To others, it merely seemed like a suggestion. But the certainty behind their center's words belied a deeper implication.

Akashi didn't say anything before moving forward to take Kuroko's hand into his.

The teal haired boy startled at the action, but didn't pull away. Even the others were transfixed by the action.

"Do you know where Nijimura-san is right now, Kuroko?" The redhead questioned with expecting eyes.

"Hmm?" Kuroko hummed as he thought about it. "Well, I think he's on his way to his house. He might've stopped by the convenience store," He answered somewhat unsurely, but the words just came out of his mouth.

The implication hit him as he stared wide-eyed at Akashi. How did he know that? He had never mentioned to anyone that he could tell whenever someone was. He just could. And, he even went along with Midorima's annoyed grumbles that it was a sixth sense he had for locating Aomine and Kise whenever the two were late for practice. At Akashi's triumphant expression, Kuroko wondered if the redhead knew all of his capabilities.

Nervously, Kuroko took a step back from the redhead but tried not to flinch when the hold around his hand tightened.

"You get it, don't you?" Akashi smirked at him.

"Explaining it would be a better approach," Kuroko exhaled slowly as he eyed his teammate carefully. "How did Akashi-kun know to ask that kind of question?" He enquired as he let Akashi pull him forward to stand beside him.

Akashi eyed the rest of the team with calculating red eyes. Then, right in front of them, his left eye lightened into a strong shade of gold.

"A-Akashi?" Aomine's jaw dropped as he stared at the redhead with wide eyes.

Kuroko stared at the others around them and was unhappy to find that the only ones who seemed to be surprised by this development was he, Aomine, and Kise. He didn't like this feeling. They all seemed to know what Akashi was pertaining to, even Momoi, and he was honestly getting unnerved.

The mentioned redhead straightened and lifted his chin almost superiorly with a dark smirk.

"Let me take over from here," He drawled as he let go of Kuroko's hand and sauntered to stand on the center.

"Why does Aka-chin always change things?" Murasakibara mumbled, obviously annoyed, as he positioned himself beside Kuroko instead.

"Now then, we should get straight to the point," Akashi started as he ignored the tall purple haired boy. "When Yukimura-sensei told me that more than one ability had surfaced in our generation, I was quite sceptical. After all, my gift includes being able to identify people with gifts as well," At this, his smirk widened while Kise suddenly looked like as if he had seen a ghost and Aomine refused to look at the redhead.

"But, there were others," Kuroko deduced, starting to understand where this was going.

"You're right, always quick on the uptake, Tetsuya," Akashi smiled at him, but his eyes were probing and Kuroko almost took a step back at how the other had addressed him by his first name. "You see, this is where it gets complicated. In Teikou, there was a legend. It chooses one of its students every generation and grants him or her one of its seven magics. There has never been a case where more than one student from the same generation acquired these gifts. Let alone, all of them. So, our case is quite peculiar," He concluded amusedly.

"By seven magics, you mean, all of us here…" Kise trailed off as his widened eyes stared at all of them with wonderment.

"Correct again, Ki-chan!" Momoi beamed as she stood up from the bench. "And, yes, even Dai-chan has his own ability. He just refuses to use it because he thinks that it's quite useless," She shook her head in exasperation at this.

"Well, to me, it is," Aomine replied wryly with a scowl. "I like the way I am," He declared as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You could use some refining," Midorima delivered ruthlessly and ignored the tan player's glower.

"Momocchi," The blonde's eyes widened as if he finally understood something. "Y-You read my mind!" He accused with wild eyes.

The pink haired girl winked at him.

"Did I?" She asked cheekily with a wide grin.

Before Kise could lament over what the girl did to him, Kuroko cut into their discussion with a pensive frown to Akashi.

"Then, why did Akashi-kun call all of us here?" He questioned, apprehensive. "And, you haven't elaborated on Teikou's legend, yet. While I trust Akashi-kun's words, I can tell that you are leaving some things out," He pointed out blandly and not accusingly.

"Told you so," Murasakibara commented drearily.

At this, Akashi's eyes gleamed with approval.

"Atsushi's right, as always," He smoothly revealed with a dark smile. "You ask the right questions,"

In Teikou, there was a legend.

The school itself was built by the very enchantments of seven witches. Some say that the school is alive. While others say that the witches' magic merely lives on with it. No one knows when it started but very few people knew that there is more to that than just a legend.

Seven gifts. Seven people from different generations. Conjurers.

Always chosen by the school to bear one of it. Never has there been a case where more than one gift had surfaced in the same generation.

Outsiders thought that the moniker 'Generation of Miracles' was applied due to specific individual's unparalleled strength when it came to basketball. Undefeated. Indomitable. But, the school had given that name for this generation due to the miraculous event that has taken place.

Emperor.

Prophet.

Reader.

Jumper.

Practitioner.

Charmer.

Caster.

All from the same generation. It is believed that the gifts will only stay with the student for as long as he or she is a student of Teikou. Though, there is an untold part of the legend that has not been uncovered yet. And, this, is the story of a new legend…

Akashi eyed the scowling Nebuya Eikichi calmly.

While the other people of their club were already cowering behind him, the muscular player stood defiantly in front of him. Nebuya had come in late to practice due to a matter regarding academics and Akashi had appropriately punished him ruthlessly, not accepting any excuses.

Obviously, the other wasn't happy about it. His temper spoke for him.

"I know that you've been made captain a month ago, but this is ridiculous–" He ranted angrily, obviously lost in his own rage.

"Eikichi, silence yourself," He merely stated and watched impassively as the surprised player fell quiet. "Now, let me repeat this again, do the usual training menu four times than you usually do. It seems that tripling it doesn't really appeal to you," Akashi's eyes narrowed darkly.

The others cringed at the punishment and watched with disbelief as a suddenly attentive Nebuya saluted and did as he was told without complaint.

Akashi walked to the benches and sat down with his arms crossed.

"Resume practice," He ordered and watched as every player in the gym did as they were told.

No one could defy him.

His orders were absolute.

Murasakibara paused in munching a stick of pocky in favour of staring at the basketball court with interest.

He gave a quiet hum of approval from beside his female coach as if he had seen something intriguing. The woman, Masako Araki, frowned as she stared at her ace with narrowed eyes. He was unusually early to club meeting and they were still the only ones on the court right now. Still, it took some serious bribing and coaxing to make Murasakibara to even attend practice, and that was when he wasn't terrorising the other players with his childish and, sometimes admittedly cruel, whims.

"Don't you think another member to the club would be fascinating, Masa-chin?" The giant first year suddenly remarked dully from out of nowhere as he continued to munch on his pocky, a thoughtful glint in his purple eyes.

To her credit, Masako instantly covered up the surprise she felt. With Murasakibara harshly criticising players and always conveying how much he only played basketball because he was good at it, she never expected him to actively take interest on the club unless it directly involved him.

"What do you mean?" She questioned briskly instead.

"Well, I hope we can get along with Muro-chin," He commented blandly as his half-lidded eyes stared at the empty court. "He seems nice," Murasakibara gave a small smile of anticipation.

Masako didn't understand what the other meant, but, before she could pressure the other with her shinai into telling her what the hell he was going on about, the other regulars and members of the club finally arrived. Two minutes late. She soon forgot about Murasakibara and prepared a long lecture about punctuality to the players.

Two weeks later, Yousen got a transfer student, Himuro Tatsuya.

"Aomine-kun!" Momoi screamed as she reached the tanned male's classroom.

Whispers instantly arose inside while her pink eyes darted around in search of her childhood friend. She frowned when she finally realized that he wasn't to be seen. The club was going to commence a practice match with Shikotsu High later this afternoon and Harasawa wanted to see how Aomine would fair in the team. Even if the former ace of Teikou only played for a quarter, the coach had stated, he just wanted to see how Touou's ace not attending practice would highlight the team's dynamics.

Though, she blinked in perplexity when Sakurai Ryou approached her.

"I'm sorry, Momoi-san!" He bowed to her as he stared at her with teary eyes. "Aomine-san was just here a while ago and I should've stopped him. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He rambled apologetically as he bowed several times and avoided her pink-eyed gaze which had sharpened.

"Don't worry about it, Sakurai-kun," Momoi assured him with a wide smile.

The brunette boy let out a sigh of relief.

Mistake number two.

"In fact, why don't you come with me for a moment?" She asked sweetly as she grabbed the other's wrist in a near bruising grip. As soon as they were out in the hallway and left the bewildered stares of Sakurai's classmates, Momoi didn't show any mercy as she pulled his ear and twisted it painfully.

"O-Oww! Momoi-san–"

"Cut the act, Aomine-kun," The pink haired girl declared darkly as she gazed at 'Sakurai' menacingly. "You should know better than to use that against me," She smiled at him knowingly as she let go of his ear.

For a moment, 'Sakurai' froze.

Then, he scowled.

"How'd you know?" He drawled back at her, rubbing his poor ear. "I got his character just fine," He grumbled back at her.

"Just two mistakes that gave you away, Dai-chan," She couldn't help but remark wryly. "I can't hear anything from you, mistake number one. And, mistake number two, you let your guard down for a moment! Sakurai-kun would never feel relieved for being 'forgiven'! He'd apologise further! And what were you thinking? Using that ability here? And you had the gall to accuse me of abusing my gift!" She accused as she poked him on the chest angrily.

"Well, it was worth a try," 'Sakurai' shrugged and yawned, appearing out of character in the brunette's body with his real identity disclosed. "I forgot about that gift of yours, or else, I wouldn't have resorted to this in the first place," He groused as he scratched the back of his head in irritation

Momoi wasn't amused.

"And you say it's useless," She mumbled in annoyance. "Though, how dare you, Dai-chan! Using that to skip the practice match later! Not only that, with this trick, how do you think Sakurai-kun would feel if you make him miss the game later?" Momoi complained to him as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I get it, alright?" He growled as he walked past her. "Sheesh, it's not as if our opponents are strong anyway,"

Momoi frowned at his comment but ran after him.

"Aomine-kun!" She yelled at his back. "Where did you hide Sakurai-kun?"

"Not so loud, Satsuki!"

Takao stared.

"How did you know that, Shin-chan?" He wondered out loud, voice a mix between awe and confusion.

"I just do," Midorima answered tersely. "Now, stop bothering me, Takao!" He snapped angrily.

Takao grinned as he ran to catch up to his briskly walking teammate.

"No, no! I can't just let this go!" He insisted as he turned his sharp eyes towards the taller teen, contrasting his seemingly unbothered expression. "You just took one look at me and knew that I stopped playing basketball during my second year in middle school. I know that you don't even remember me as your opponent but how did you know that?"

"I just do," Midorima repeated darkly, voice strained with forced patience. "Just be grateful that I am letting you practice with me so you wouldn't hinder this team's progress. Now, please stop this nonsense questioning and go back to practice," He gritted out as his hand tightened around his stuffed bear lucky item.

"Well, it was just for half a year anyway," Takao elaborated thoughtfully. "It was because my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. I took up basketball again after that as soon as I could. Not long, my team was defeated by your team. But, I'm not as rusty as I used to be before! So, don't go thinking that I didn't make up for the time I missed playing. Just watch this Interhigh, Shin-chan, you'll see," He smirked at the green haired teen who merely stared.

"I didn't need to hear your explanation," Midorima commented dryly. "Or, justifications, for that matter. I already know,"

With that, Midorima continued his way to the locker rooms.

"W-What?" Takao squawked as he gaped. "I'm not justifying anything! Shin-chan! Why are you so irritable?" He complained as he trotted after the taller male.

"That hurts, senpai!" Kise yelped as he was kicked again. "Is this how you show your tough love?" He whined as crocodile tears slid down his cheeks.

Kasamatsu blushed as he avoided the seemingly golden glow enveloping the blonde model.

"Shut up, idiot!" The captain yelled angrily as he stalked out of the school. "And stop following me! Isn't it enough that you have fans everywhere? Leave me alone, damn it," He growled as he walked hastily to put distance between them.

Ever since he had told the blonde off, Kise had been acting weird towards him.

And, Kasamatsu absolutely detested clingy people.

Though, he ignored the urge to just stare at the blonde. Ever since he met him, Kasamatsu always had this urge to just stare and stare. He felt like an idiot. Then, there was this pull that always brought out some sort of twisted fondness for Kise Ryouta. He hated it. He knew that he didn't have a crush on him. He knew himself better than that. But, he also couldn't explain this… this… attraction. And, it was driving him crazy unless he put some distance between them.

It didn't help that many people seemed to be attracted to the blonde as well. He knew that. Even his own teammates had succumbed to the disease. Damn, he knew that Kise was good-looking as a model but not this eye-catching. What was wrong with them?

"Kasamatsu-senpai! Wait up!" Kise yelled as he ran up to catch to his captain with a wide grin.

To the third year, it was like seeing sparkles that was too blindingly bright.

"Leave me alone," Kasamatsu snarled as he kicked the blonde again, ignoring the literal 'kicked-puppy' look as he made hurried steps to avoid the other. What was with Kise and his whatever-the-hell-it-was that entice people to him? Realizing how he had worded it, even mentally, Kasamatsu growled low in his throat, ignoring how other people around him were skittering away from his dark countenance.

Since he was so busy hurrying away, he didn't notice the smirk that adorned Kise's face as the blonde stared at his retreating back.

"To think, he can actually resist," The blonde hummed as his eyes narrowed.

"By the way," Kagami paused as he leaned on the table, staring intently at Kuroko. "Why didn't you go to some big name school like the other five guys? You were good enough to be known as the phantom sixth member," He pointed out swiftly.

Kuroko just fell silent and took a sip of his milkshake.

So, he pried further.

"Is there some reason you play basketball?" He asked instead, eyes boring on the teal haired teen.

"My middle school's basketball team had one core principle, winning is everything," Kuroko finally spoke as his eyes darkened somewhat. "Instead of teamwork, we needed to push the individual talents of the Generation of Miracles to win. Nothing could beat us but we weren't a team. Though, our circumstance is a bit complex. What others failed to know is that every member of the Generation of Miracles possesses talents that are hard to comprehend," At this, his eyes narrowed as he stared out the window.

"Talents?" The redhead raised an eyebrow sceptically. "I know that they're supposedly stronger than normal basketball players but, aren't you, sort of, exaggerating much?" He scratched the back of his head with a frown.

For some reason, Kuroko looked quietly amused.

"Teikou is different," The teal haired teen merely said before standing up. "And, the reason I am playing is to make you and our team the best in Japan. My former teammates have become too lenient on their talent. It was one of the reasons why it was better for us to stay separated like this," His lips quirked up into something that resembled a smile.

He makes it sound like he was the reason they split up!

"You are seriously weird," Kagami deadpanned. "But, we'll defeat them," He stated confidently with a cocky grin.

Kuroko raised an eyebrow before his eyes strayed to Kagami's neck.

"Stay strong like this, Kagami-kun," Kuroko advised as he finally started to leave the table and looked over his shoulder. "Your hesitation is written all over you. Whoever that person is, he's closer than you think," With that, he strode out of Maji Burger with his wraithlike presence.

Kagami was left dumbfounded at his parting words.

Then, he tore the wrapper on one of his burgers and chewed aggressively.

You are one creepy bastard, Kuroko!

"Where did you find this, Izuki?" Hyuuga asked suspiciously as he held the notebook up almost warily.

Izuki blinked before smiling sheepishly.

"Well, I've had that since middle school," He admitted truthfully with an awkward cough. "You see, I have a friend who went to Teikou during his first year. But, he transferred out, partly, due to his dad's work, and because the school disbanded the Supernatural Studies Club which he was a former member of. Anyways, I continued his research as best as I could but all I did was look into some of the gifts' information," He rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment.

"Don't tell me that you seriously believe this?" Hyuuga questioned incredulously with wide eyes.

"Well, I do," Izuki scowled as he violently ripped the notebook away from his captain, his eyes narrowing. "You should've read his research. Of course, I was sceptical at first but I find myself doubting when I read the last page," He confessed quietly as he opened it to said page.

Hyuuga still gave him unconvinced glances but did approach and read over his friend's shoulder.

'Izuki-kun, please take care of this. You absolutely can't let anyone from Teikou know that you have this with you. Our club was disbanded in school due to how we came close in disclosing its secret. I wouldn't have cared but a peculiar event had occurred. It terrified me. My friends from the Supernatural Studies Club had, apparently, met a conjurer, particularly, the caster. We didn't know the consequences but I am unable to ignore the fact that my friends forgot everything that had anything to do with our club.

I instantly made to transfer out in order to avoid this casualty but I'm afraid that no one can escape from this conjurer. In this notebook, I was forbidden by Yoshizuka-kun, the SSC President, from writing the names of the conjurers that we have identified so far during our debut year in Teikou. So, by the time you reach high school, I think you would be safe to look into this. The reason is stated somewhere in this notebook. I am sorry if I am burdening you but this is the only thing I can think of in order for our hard work not to die out like it did the last time.

Though, I will give you three warnings if you ever decide to continue this endeavour: first, when you identify a conjurer, make sure to avoid them, at least, until you know their current designation given by the current caster (since knowing it would nullify their powers against you). Second, never, ever, approach Teikou Middle School for this. Third, and lastly, if you ever get to identify the caster (which we weren't able to totally disclose), write his or her name this time. To me, he's the most dangerous of them all.

Thank you for reading this, Izuki-kun, I appreciate it.
Fujioka Shoutaro'

"Is he for real?" Hyuuga breathed out as he read the letter again with wide eyes.

"Fujioka wouldn't lie about something like this," Izuki remarked solemnly as he closed the notebook. "He's a hardworking fellow and he only believes things that have some basis on them. One of the reasons he joined this club is because he wanted to validate events that other people labelled as strange, unexplained, or supernatural phenomena. Unless he has some substantial evidence, he's the kind of person that can't be easily swayed. I've known him since elementary and he's pretty laidback. So, it was surprising that the last time I saw him and got this, he's pretty much scared out of his wits," He shook his head as if to shake off an unpleasant memory.

"But, seriously, Conjurers?" Hyuuga repeated.

"Yes," The point guard nodded his head. "Seven of them. Though, from what I read, during the Supernatural Studies Club's debut in Teikou, an unforeseen event had occurred surrounding this legend. Evidently, conjurers weren't supposed to be from the same generation. And well… you get what I mean," He shrugged as he held the notebook protectively.

"I have this sudden urge to smack you," His captain deadpanned. "But, I somehow believe you,"

At that, Izuki beamed. Before he could lay out his plans to his best friend, an ominous presence made itself known from behind them. They slowly looked over their shoulders and jumped as they saw Aida Riko staring at them contemplatively.

"So, what are we going to do about it?" Riko suddenly inserted herself between the two and grinned.

A nosy coach was as good as an unavoidable disaster waiting to happen.

"Uhm…" Hyuuga fumbled.

"…it isn't real?" Izuki tried.

But, Riko was already scheming judging by the glint in her eyes.

If anyone were to look, the title of the notebook was visible even from Izuki's arms.

Seven Wonders of Teikou
Conjuring Legend Vol. 1

.

.

[End: Chapter 1]
Paths diverged at unexpected points.

.

.

TBC.