The morning at Sky Severing Academy was deceptively calm. Sunlight streamed through the high arched windows of the grand lecture hall, dust motes dancing lazily in the air. Students shuffled in, murmuring about yesterday's reports—half of Karveth erased overnight, rumors of a masked figure terrorizing armies.
Kaede Honjou, as usual, had arrived early, organizing lesson materials for Practical Circuit Applications. Her silver hair glinted in the sunlight, and her calm, authoritative voice carried across the room as she explained the subtle interactions between multiple circuit types.
Arata Kurogane slouched in his chair in the back row, chin resting on his hand, pretending to take notes. His gaze was vacant—or so it seemed.
Perfectly ordinary, he thought, letting a faint smirk curl beneath his lips. Nothing to see here. Let the fools talk. Let them whisper about Nova, about half a city destroyed. They'll never suspect me.
Inside, however, his mind was far from idle. It moved like a chessboard, each student a piece, each teacher a pawn, each report from outside the academy a window into the world.
The Circuit Guardians are on their way. Arata thought, tapping his pen lightly against the desk. Good. That will be entertaining. I wonder if they know just how… predictable humans can be.
His notes, appearing to contain only scribbles about elemental circuit interactions, were in reality a detailed record of his calculations: power outputs of various awakened users, projected timelines of their movements, and simulations of every likely confrontation with both human and supernatural forces.
Step one: observe reactions. Step two: catalog strengths. Step three: determine which can be useful… or which can be toyed with.
He paused, eyes narrowing.
Step four… create scenarios where I can test John Merciless' contingencies in real-time without anyone noticing.
Arata leaned back, yawned subtly, and let his circuits hum faintly beneath his skin.
Everything is going according to plan. And yet… I'm curious. Let's see how strong these visitors really are.
The academy's gates opened with a ceremonial weight, and the air shifted. A ripple of power, subtle but unmistakable, moved through the grounds.
Students froze, sensing a presence far beyond the ordinary. Teachers stiffened, eyes narrowing. Even Kaede paused mid-step, her gaze sweeping the courtyard with a frown.
Through the gates strode a man whose very presence seemed to bend the sunlight. Tall, broad-shouldered, his aura radiating raw energy, every muscle honed, every movement precise. Circuits flickered faintly across his body, like lightning trapped in bronze.
He was Hachiro Kanzaki, one of the world's most powerful awakened circuit users—a Circuit Guardian dispatched personally by the Association to observe the Sky Severing Academy.
The students whispered. The faculty stiffened. But Arata? He merely blinked and leaned lazily against his desk, chin in hand.
Well, isn't this… interesting.
Hachiro's voice cut through the morning air like tempered steel.
"I am Hachiro Kanzaki," he announced, his tone calm but imperious. "I am here to inspect the Academy's current awakeners and assess potential threats to the continent's balance."
He scanned the courtyard, eyes sharp, circuits flickering faintly. A gust of wind seemed to rise where he walked, carrying an unspoken challenge.
Kaede stepped forward, bowing slightly. "We welcome you, Guardian Kanzaki. Please follow me; the students are prepared for your evaluation."
Hachiro's gaze swept over the assembled students, lingering just slightly longer on Arata. A faint crease appeared on his brow.
Interesting, Arata mused silently. He can sense circuits, obviously. Strong, disciplined, probably overestimates every student here. Perfect.
Arata leaned back in his chair again, casually observing as the Guardian moved through the lecture hall. His mind flicked between multiple streams of thought:
One: Observe. How does he analyze circuits? Does he use intuition, logic, or a mix?
Two: Catalog. What are his limits? How far can he push his own aura without fatigue?
Three: Manipulate. Oh, this will be fun… imagine a scenario where he miscalculates. How delicious.
Four: John Merciless contingency. If things go wrong, my avatar has several options already in motion outside this city. No Guardian will interfere with my plans.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. Yes… this is far better than the usual academy boredom. And everyone here thinks I'm just… well… me.
He tapped a pen against his desk, circuits humming faintly under his skin. Everything is being observed. Everything is cataloged. I have already won in ways they cannot perceive.
Hachiro walked among the students, circuits humming softly in his presence. Each individual felt the subtle pressure of his aura, the innate evaluation of raw potential. Many shrank slightly under the weight, intimidated by someone who could likely overwhelm them with a thought.
Arata, of course, didn't flinch. He leaned forward lazily, resting his chin in his palm. Let him look. Let him measure. The fool has no idea that one student's mind is calculating outcomes faster than his entire body could react.
He watched as Hachiro paused, his gaze flicking toward Arata again, just for a fraction of a second longer.
He senses power… weak attempt. I've hidden enough. But he's curious. Good. Curiosity is dangerous in fools.
While Hachiro evaluated students, Arata continued planning. His mind was already several steps ahead, weaving possibilities and contingencies like a spider crafting an intricate web.
If he decides to test the strongest… I will make it appear as though I am ordinary. Let him underestimate me, let him be confident. Then—
John Merciless will already have contingencies in Karveth and across allied territories. Every scenario he believes is safe is already accounted for. And if he makes a move… well, I've prepared three layers of countermeasures already.
He let out a faint chuckle beneath his breath.
Yes… this is far more amusing than just wandering the forest, imagining Nova. These fools don't even know the game has started.
Hachiro finally approached Arata's row. His gaze, sharp as a blade, lingered. Circuits flared faintly in a test of resonance, almost imperceptible to anyone else.
"Arata Kurogane," he said, voice calm but commanding, "your aura… it is unusual. I sense layers within layers, yet your output is suppressed. Explain."
Arata yawned, casually stretching, pretending to be disinterested. "Huh? Oh… I'm just… learning. Nothing special."
Inside, though, his mind raced. Perfect. Naive, arrogant, disciplined… predictable. He assumes control over what he can sense. Let him overreach, and the lesson will be unforgettable.
Hachiro continued his inspection, unaware that Arata's circuits were faintly active, subtly monitoring him, cataloging every move, every hesitation, every fluctuation in aura.
The Guardians think they are the hunters, Arata mused. But I am already three moves ahead, in multiple dimensions. If they touch the chessboard… they will find pieces disappearing before they even move.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. I should write this down someday… or maybe… I'll just keep it fun.
As the evaluation concluded, Hachiro gave a curt nod to the faculty, then exited the hall. Students whispered nervously, faculty exchanged concerned glances.
Arata leaned back in his chair, smirking.
Another day, another fool convinced they're the apex predator. Let them think they have power… and let me enjoy the game.