The class teacher stood at the front and raised her voice:
"Okay, class. Since you will be choosing to study further or join the military of Japan, there are some things you need to know. As you know, wars are raging around the world. That's why, after grade eight, every student must choose whether to continue studying or join the military. From each class, at least half of the students must enlist—if fewer volunteer, the government will select whom to pick.
You also must know that each country is divided into kingdoms. This system allows regions to operate independently even if the kingdom with the capital is seized by the enemy. For example, Japan has two kingdoms: East Japan and West Japan, and the capital, Tokyo, lies near the border of East Japan. The prime minister is elected once every six years. He cannot replace the king, but he can issue orders to him when necessary. The current prime minister is Keniky Hanba."
Haruki stood up, his voice trembling:
"Sensei, if there is a prime minister, what need is there for a king? And on top of that, our king is so cruel—he kills anyone who doesn't obey his orders, and—"
The teacher's face went pale, her mouth hanging slightly open.
"You little brat! How dare you speak such words of the king! And what did you mean by 'on top of that,' huh?" Her voice quivered with anger and fear.
Haruki swallowed hard but pressed on, shock flashing in his eyes. "And on top of that, the prime minister does nothing about this!"
"That's enough, Haruki! I need to call your parents." She snatched a wooden ruler and struck him across the back. Haruki cried out, blood seeping through his shirt.
The other students recoiled, stunned and terrified. The teacher paused, her chest heaving. "Don't you dare say that again."
When Haruki returned home, he stumbled into the house.
"I'm back, Mom!" His shirt was torn at the back, crimson stains blossoming around the cut.
"How did this happen, my son?" His mother rushed to him, her expression torn between panic and grief. She guided him to a chair.
"Tell me everything, Haruki."
He recounted the day's events. She listened, her lips trembling, then offered a shaky smile. "Oh—so that's it? Thank God you're alive."
Haruki's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that, Mom? I was only telling the truth!"
She shook her head slowly. "Yes, you were telling the truth—that's exactly why they beat you. This world is cruel, my child. Those who question the powerful are crushed. I think it's time I told you the truth."
She stepped to a nearby drawer and withdrew a sealed letter. Turning back, she approached him quietly. "Haruki, we are not your real parents. Your true parents were assassinated by the king."
She handed him the letter. "Your father entrusted this to your stepfather and instructed him to give it to you when you were ready. This letter holds the key to the truth of our world. I want you to read it."
Haruki took the letter, a bundle of several pages.
"Why did you raise me, Mother?"
She replied, "Your stepfather used to work with your real father in his research on Kyoro. Your father learned he was going to be assassinated within three hours. He used that time to entrust us with you and this letter."
Haruki began reading the first page.
"Haruki, my son. I'm very sorry I couldn't raise you. But I must tell you something important—you are a Kyoro. Yes, before handing you over to Mr. Auzora, I injected my blood into you. I possess the Elite Kyoro rank, which means you now hold the powers of an Elite Kyoro.
There's a lot to understand. This all began in 1731 when East Japan's kingdom was in decline. The king was trapped by the enemy in his own jail. The enemy injected him with the Kyoro serum, which had a 97% failure rate. If it failed, he would die and the enemy would take control. But he survived—and not only did he gain Kyoro transformation, his rank was Elite: the highest level.
It is said that if an Elite Kyoro unlocks their full potential by committing suicide on the night of the Purple Moon—which appears every 93 years—they can die a million times in a single second. If their willpower is strong enough to endure it, the god will grant them a second life and full Kyoro powers.
I know this sounds fictional, but my research uncovered evidence of a warrior who achieved this transformation.
The king used his Elite powers to rally his army and defeat the enemy. However, he missed the Purple Moon by just 27 days and never reached full power.
In 1782, as he was dying, he passed his powers and the kingdom to his friend's son—Yamato Yukihane—since he had no heir.
Yamato's father,the king used his powers to win wars, but enslaved his son and the citizens. I found out that when a Prime Minister is elected, the King of East Japan secretly pays them off or if they deny they threaten the Prime Minister and because of it the Prime Minister let's them do whatever they want.
This had two sons. The elder was expected to become king. Knowing that his older brother would become a tyrant and steal his Kyoro powers, Yamato gave me the powers instead—because I knew his plans and agreed with his ideas and the second reason was Yamato was my uncle.
I fled to the countryside so my father wouldn't catch me. I joined a private research team to learn more about Kyoro powers. I married in 1805. That same year, my brother Gomanji took power and began tracking me. It took him two years to find me. You were only one year old then.
I stored all my research in a chest hidden in our home. You must go there and use that knowledge to liberate this kingdom."