Kazuki Takahashi's new existence began not with a bang, but with a flutter. His black feathers shimmered under the dull afternoon sun as he perched silently on a rusted rooftop overlooking Suzuran High School. The world below was a battlefield disguised as a schoolyard—a savage jungle ruled by fists, pride, and blood.
From his vantage point, Kazuki's sharp crow eyes took in every detail: the scuffed sneakers stomping on cracked pavement, the snarling faces of delinquents, the tense standoff between rival factions. The System's interface hovered before him, translucent but glowing with cold efficiency.
Mission 1: Observe Suzuran's Power Structure (0/3)
Mission 2: Identify Key Fighters (0/5)
The first fight he witnessed was brutal and raw—a clash between Genji Takiya's loyalists and Serizawa's traditionalists. Genji, a rising star with a fierce gaze and unyielding ambition, moved with the confidence of a born leader. His fists were lightning, his strategy sharp. Kazuki noted the respect and fear Genji commanded, the way others rallied to his cause.
But Suzuran was not a monolith. The System highlighted other factions: Housen High, a rival school with a reputation for ruthless discipline; Oya High, known for their rebellious spirit; and the shadowy Sannoh Rengokai gang, whose influence stretched beyond school grounds.
Kazuki's crow form allowed him to glide unseen, a silent observer of violence and power. He watched as alliances formed and shattered in the blink of an eye, as fights erupted over trivial slights and deep-seated grudges. The System's voice echoed in his mind:
"Observe before you become. Learn before you rise."
Three days passed like this. Kazuki's mind absorbed every detail—the hierarchy of Suzuran's delinquents, the tactics of their fights, the unspoken codes that governed their brutal world. He learned to recognize the subtle signs of loyalty and betrayal, the way a flick of an eyebrow could start a war.
On the third night, perched on a lamppost overlooking the school gate, Kazuki's System flashed a new message:
Transition Imminent: Prepare for Human Form.
His feathers began to dissolve into mist, his body reshaping painfully. The world blurred and shifted. When his eyes opened again, he was no longer a crow.