Excitement filled the academy grounds. The final exams for the first-year students were about to start. After the dangers of the Hunt Day, Valerion's streets had slowly come back to life, but shadows of fear still lingered in people's hearts.
---
Kuro's Dormitory
Kuro sat at his desk, the lamplight reflecting in his dark eyes. His books and notes were spread out, but he wasn't reading. Instead, he leaned back, thinking.
"This year will end soon… and I'll gain more freedom to move. The academy can't bind me forever. My next step will determine whether Shujin's justice spreads or collapses. But I must be careful - eyes are watching me everywhere."
He smiled slightly and closed his book.
---
Rei's Room
Rei sat cross-legged on her bed, her silver hair tied loosely behind her. Stacks of papers surrounded her, and her hand was writing furiously. Unlike Kuro, she was genuinely studying.
"Math, magical formulas, history… It's difficult, distracting. But I won't fail. I'll prove I can walk beside Kuro-sama, not just behind him." She gripped her pen with determination.
---
Princess Alisa's Room
Alisa sat by her desk in her royal lace nightgown, her fountain pen moving slowly across papers. She stopped and gazed out the window at the distant castle.
"Father is under too much pressure. The reports of the dead and missing keep increasing… If I succeed here, I can one day share his burden. I will have the strength to protect Ironwood, not by relying on ancient relics or pity, but by my own power."
She pressed her lips together and resumed writing.
---
Ryuto's Room
Ryuto closed a sacred scripture and sighed, leaning back. The conversation with the Cardinal weighed on him.
"I still can't reveal who I am. The world isn't ready for the Second Summoned Hero. But if Shujin keeps moving in the shadows... I might not have a choice someday."
He looked at his glowing hand. "I will protect this world. Even if I have to fight him. Only then can I go back... to the world where the things I value exist..."
---
The Final Exams
The next morning, students gathered in the academy's great hall. Instructors distributed exam papers.
"First-year students, your exams now begin. You will first take the written exams. History, mathematics, and magical theory. The practical magic exams will be held tomorrow."
The scratching of pens filled the room. Some students were sweating nervously. Others wrote with confidence.
Kuro answered calmly, his mind moving faster than his hand.
Rei wrote mechanically, each answer sharp and precise.
Alisa paused at the history section, recalling her mother's legacy, then continued with renewed focus.
Ryuto kept his expression steady, masking his inner turmoil.
---
The Temple's Investigation
In a distant place, within a quiet, candlelit room of the temple, whispers filled the air.
"Grand Cardinal Sarion-sama... the reports remain accurate. The Second Summoned Hero lives within the academy walls. But he shows no desire to reveal himself yet."
Sarion's eyes narrowed. "So he conceals his light. Very well... we shall honor his request. For now."
Another subordinate knelt. "And the Darkness Lord Shujin?"
Sarion's tone grew cold. "We will find him. Even if we have to search every corner of Ironwood."
---
The First Summoned Hero's Movement
Meanwhile, the First Summoned Hero stood on a cliff overlooking the southern nation of Flarewood. Behind him, the demi-beast assassin girl knelt, her brown tail giving a slight twitch.
"Flarewood," he mused. "A nation that thrives on warfare, sharpening their blades more than their coins. Perfect for our next move."
The assassin tilted her head. "Shall I begin my work, my lord?"
He shook his head. "Not yet. The Darkness Lord is still in hiding. Let him make the first move. Then… we shall strike."
---
Politics Between the Four Nations
The world outside the academy was restless.
The Kingdom of Ironwood – A land rich in resources, advanced trade, and wealth. Their strength lay in their prosperity, but their military, while disciplined, was not vast. King Arvedis now bore the burden of the missing and dead, his brow furrowed with fatigue.
The Kingdom of Silverwood – Ruled by Queen Bellatrix, the beautiful and sharp-eyed Silverwood had formed a deep alliance with Ironwood, economically, politically, and militarily. Their nations exchanged trade routes, resources, and intelligence. Yet Bellatrix had her own concerns. "If the numbers keep rising, I'll lose my people's trust. And trust... once lost, cannot be bought back."
The Kingdom of Mistwood – A land of dense forests and brutal warriors. Poorer than Ironwood and Silverwood, but feared for their savage military. Mistwood valued strength over diplomacy and watched closely as demons stirred and humans wavered. Their king sneered, "While Ironwood and Silverwood are at peace... counting their dead, our blades must taste blood."
The Empire of Flarewood – A southern empire built on military might. Unlike Mistwood's savage practicality, Flarewood mixed strategy and innovation, creating siege engines and training disciplined armies. They viewed the demon threat with suspicion but also saw Ironwood and Silverwood as weaklings hiding behind wealth.
Though differences existed:
Ironwood and Silverwood – Close allies.
Mistwood and Flarewood – Military partners, respecting each other's strength.
Between the pairs – Tense neutrality. Not enemies, not true allies—rivals waiting for opportunity.
---
Back at the Academy, the written exams ended. Students left the hall, some with smiles, some with despair.
Kuro walked silently, his eyes reflecting the shadows of his own plans. Rei followed closely, and Saria chattered excitedly beside her. Ryuto lagged behind, his holy aura glowing faintly beneath his calm demeanor.
Tomorrow, the practical trials would begin.
Beyond the academy walls, nations moved like pieces on a board—pieces Kuro intended to rearrange, bringing his whole plan to fruition.
---
✦ To be continued...