Kaiyō walked through the academy hallways alongside his Sentinels, a relaxed smile on his face. —Well, that was the quickest meeting we've had so far... —he muttered to himself, shrugging. —Guess I'll have to get used to it.

  Suddenly, a group of Sentinels approached him. —Superior Kaiyō, we’ll take our leave to begin our patrols, —they said, bowing their heads respectfully.

  Kaiyō nodded. —Very well, but don’t forget to submit your report when you’re done, —he replied as the Sentinels slowly withdrew.

  Then, he turned to the new recruits, who were watching him expectantly. —Alright, now that we’re alone, I’ll explain what you need to do, —he began as they walked together. —Your only task is to maintain order, safety, and peace within the academy. To do this, you’ll need to patrol every corner, ensuring these three principles are upheld.

  He paused, looking at the new Sentinels with seriousness. —The main issue we face is the behavior of some students who abuse their strength to intimidate others, especially those who possess Reikens. If you see such a situation, don’t hesitate to intervene.

  Hiro timidly raised his hand. —Excuse me, but what if the troublemaker refuses to cooperate? —he asked.

  Kaiyō stood firm. —In that case, Sentinels and those part of the Arkanum Hierarchy are permitted to use force. But remember, only in such situations. That’s why we all carry ordinary swords. We don’t allow Sentinels to use their status to draw attention to themselves.

  Sukasa, with a mischievous smile, couldn’t resist commenting, —But you use your status to attract girls.

  Kaiyō, feeling cornered, grew slightly nervous. —Mine is... different, —he said, trying to justify himself.

  Sukasa looked at him challengingly. —How so? —she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Kaiyō thought for a moment. —Mmm... in the sense that... well, the point is, you shouldn’t take advantage of your rank, —he finished awkwardly.

  The new Sentinels responded in a teasing chorus, —Yes, Superior Kaiyō.

  Kaiyō, feeling mocked, murmured, —Why do I feel like they’re making fun of me...? —He stopped and looked at the group. —Alright, from here on out, you’re on your own. Don’t forget to submit your written report.

  The new recruits responded again in a joking tone, —Yes, Superior Kaiyō!

  Kaiyō looked at them with resignation. —Stop calling me that. Well, I’ll see you later, rookies. And don’t get into trouble—it’s your first day, —he said before walking away slowly.

  Hiro was the first to break the silence. —Well, I guess we should start our patrols now... hehe, —he said, trying to sound positive.

  Kimura, with a light laugh, nodded. —True, we shouldn’t mess up on our first day, haha.

  Sukasa also nodded. —Yeah, you’re right, —she replied as the group began to walk.

  Hiro, curious, turned to Sukasa. —Hey, can I ask you something?

  Sukasa, slightly surprised, looked at him. —Sure, go ahead.

  Hiro hesitated for a moment before speaking. —How did it feel to fight one of the Arkanum Kings?

  Kimura, overhearing the question, joined the conversation. —Yeah, I know you won, but weren’t you scared at all?

  Sukasa smiled faintly. —Mmm... honestly, I just focused on doing my best, hehe, —she said modestly. —If only they knew how much I enjoyed sending him flying... —she thought to herself.

  Hiro, still incredulous, added, —Wow, I still can’t believe one of the Kings was defeated so easily by a Sentinel candidate, and with just one attack!

  Hino, proud of her friend, nodded. —Yeah, but Sukasa is really strong. I’m sure she’ll be one of the best in the academy.

  Sukasa, slightly embarrassed by the compliments, responded with a nervous laugh. —Please, stop flattering me, haha.

  Hiro, thoughtful, paused for a moment. —Speaking of which... don’t you think it’s strange... —he said, looking at the group.

  Sukasa looked at him curiously. —Strange? What do you mean?

  Hiro, furrowing his brow, continued. —The other high-ranking members of the hierarchy had no trouble defeating us. But that wasn’t the case with King Kuro.

  —That’s true... when he attacked me, he was really slow, and he didn’t seem to have any strategy... —Sukasa thought, intrigued.

  Kimura, who had also noticed something odd, added, —Are you saying King Kuro... is weaker than Sukasa?

  Hino, recalling the impact Kuro had taken, commented, —But even though Sukasa threw him off the platform, he didn’t seem hurt at all.

  Kimura nodded, though he still seemed confused. —True, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Remember, the rules stated that high-ranking members could only use ordinary swords. Maybe that’s why he lost so quickly.

  Hiro reflected for a moment. —Yeah, maybe that’s it. It’s unlikely someone... weak would become a King in one of the most prestigious academies in the country.

  Sukasa, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, interrupted, —Well, let’s stop talking about that idiot and get to work.

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  The others, noticing the change in Sukasa’s tone, quickly responded. —Yes! —they said in unison, continuing their patrols and leaving the conversation about Kuro behind.

  After completing their rounds, Sukasa and her companions finally finished their patrol. They walked together, chatting lightly.

  —Well, we’re finally done with our patrol, —Sukasa sighed, stretching a little.

  —Yeah, though I was hoping for some action, —Hiro said, a mix of enthusiasm and disappointment in his voice.

  —Don’t be ridiculous. Remember, it’s our first day, and Superior Kaiyō specifically told us not to get into trouble, —Kimura said seriously.

  —True, haha, —Hiro laughed.

  Just then, they saw a large group of students gathered nearby.

  —What’s going on over there? —Sukasa asked, squinting.

  —Let’s check it out, —Hiro said.

  They ran toward the commotion, and upon arriving, they saw a violent scene: Katashi, furious, was brutally beating a student who could barely defend himself.

  —Thank goodness you’re here, Sentinels! Stop that madman—if this keeps up, he’ll kill him, —a worried student exclaimed.

  Katashi, filled with rage, grabbed the injured student by the collar. —Repeat what you said, you idiot! Go on, say it again!

  Hiro and Kimura rushed toward him and grabbed him, trying to stop him. Meanwhile, Sukasa and Hino quickly moved to help the injured student.

  —Stop it, Katashi! —Kimura shouted, holding him back.

  —Let him go, you idiot! —Hiro said, also restraining him.

  Finally, they managed to pull Katashi away from the badly injured student, but he didn’t seem willing to calm down.

  —Stay out of this. This is between him and me, —he spat, full of anger.

  Sukasa, standing up, looked at him firmly. —Anything that happens in the academy is our concern. Especially when it involves violence, —she said firmly.

  Katashi clenched his fists, glaring hatefully at Sukasa and the other Sentinels. —Shut up. Don’t interfere in my business, or you’ll regret it, —he threatened.

  —We’re sorry, but we can’t ignore something like this. We’ll have to take you to the director, —Hiro said, trying to grab Katashi’s arm to escort him.

  But Katashi, filled with fury, punched Hiro to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

  —Hiro! —Kimura shouted.

  Katashi, with a wicked smile, looked at the others. —I warned you, idiots. Don’t mess with me. Anyone who dares to touch me will have it worse, understand? —he threatened, as the onlookers watched in fear.

  —Damn it... We can’t do anything in this situation. Katashi is extremely strong, and if he summons his Reiken, things will get even worse. We have no choice but to summon ours too, but if we do... we could endanger the other students. What can I do...? —Sukasa thought.

  Just then, someone appeared behind Katashi, interrupting the tense moment. It was Kuro.

  —Hey, guys, —he said in a relaxed tone. —What’s going on? —he asked, as everyone, including Katashi, was surprised by his sudden appearance.

  —How the hell didn’t I notice him...? —Katashi thought, astonished.

  —I was about to go eat something with Ms. Fukuko, but I saw you from a distance and decided to say hi, —Kuro said, not paying much attention to the murmurs. He calmly approached the group. Seeing the situation, his expression turned serious. He looked at Katashi calmly. —What happened here?

  Kimura, still worried about her injured companion, quickly responded. —King Kuro, this was all Katashi’s fault. He was savagely beating a student, and when we tried to intervene, he became even more violent. He punched Hiro and knocked him out.

  Kuro’s relaxed expression disappeared completely. He adopted a more serious tone and a piercing gaze. —What do you have to say for yourself, Katashi? —he asked, remaining calm.

  Katashi, though surprised by Kuro’s arrival, didn’t back down. —I was just putting that idiot in his place. He mocked me for resigning from my position as a Sentinel at the academy.

  Kuro, with a firm voice, confronted him. —And you think that gives you the right to beat him? And to make things worse, you also attacked a Sentinel of the academy? —Kuro took a step toward Katashi, his tone colder. —I hate people like you, who think being stronger gives them the right to abuse the weak. —He turned around, giving Katashi his back. —You’ll accompany the Sentinels to the director’s office. The director will decide your punishment.

  As he walked away slowly, Kuro added, returning to his relaxed tone, —Alright, I’m off to grab something to eat. See you later. Oh, and don’t forget to take the injured to the infirmary.

  —Does this idiot really think he can give me orders...? I won’t allow it... —Katashi thought, blinded by rage. He shouted, —Come to me, Reiken of the Rhinoceros! —He summoned his Reiken, shocking everyone present. Kuro, who had already walked a few meters away, stopped but didn’t turn around.

  —Kuro Akemi, I challenge you for the position of King of Arkanum Academy!

  Everyone was stunned. The challenge was clear. As Kuro slowly turned around, murmurs spread among the students. Katashi, filled with rage and power, glared at the King.

  Kuro, remaining calm, responded. —Duels are always held in private, but this time I’ll make an exception, —he said with a carefree smile.

  Kimura, visibly nervous, tried to intervene. —You’re crazy! If you fight here, you’ll destroy the academy.

  Kuro, with his usual carefree demeanor, turned to Sukasa. —True, which is why... troublemaker girl, could you do me a favor and get the students out of here?

  Sukasa, incredulous at Kuro’s relaxed attitude, stared at him. —Are you seriously planning to fight? —she asked, her voice full of skepticism.

  —Of course, I’m not backing down after being challenged, —he said, pulling a sword from his coat.

  The students, surprised and worried, began to back away as the confrontation loomed.

  Katashi, with a mix of fury and confusion, looked at the sword Kuro had drawn. —You really plan to defeat me with that? You’re underestimating me, Kuro!

  Kuro gave a confident smile. —It’s not that I’m underestimating you. It’s just that one strike will be enough to defeat you.

  The comment left everyone silent, amazed by the certainty in Kuro’s words.

  —This idiot... thinks he can beat me so easily. I saw him fall to that girl with just one attack. But I’ll humiliate him. I’ll make him eat his words and become the most despised person in the academy, —Katashi thought.

  Kuro, bored by the inaction, provoked him. —Hey, are you going to attack me, or should I go first?

  —You idiot! —Katashi shouted, filled with fury. He launched his most powerful attack. —Take this, "Rhino Horn"!

  The attack went straight for Kuro, but with incredible strength, Kuro deflected the blow with his sword. The impact shattered the sword, but Kuro showed no concern. The failed attack hit a nearby wall, causing a loud crash and leaving a large crack.

  —Impossible...! —Katashi whispered, incredulous.

  Before he could react, Kuro appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye and punched him brutally in the stomach with his bare fist. The impact was so strong that Katashi fell unconscious to the ground instantly.

  Silence filled the scene as the students watched, stunned.

  Kuro, still calm, brushed the dust off his uniform. —Well, I think I overdid it a little, —he said in his usual relaxed tone as he turned away. —Alright, I’m off. See you later. —He left to the applause and cheers of the students.

  —Incredible, King Kuro! —some shouted. —He defeated him with one strike, just like he said! And without using his Reiken!

  Kimura, amazed, murmured to himself, —How did he do that...? I barely saw him move...

  Hino, marveling at Kuro’s speed, turned to Sukasa. —He moves at an incredible speed, don’t you think, Sukasa?

  —That idiot! When he fought me, he didn’t show those skills... That means he held back on purpose! I hate him even more... —Sukasa thought, as fragments of her battle with Kuro flashed through her mind.

  A Sentinel approached Kuro and whispered something in his ear. Kuro looked toward Kimura, Hino, and Sukasa. —You three, take the injured students, including that idiot Katashi, to the infirmary quickly. We have something important to do.