The air was strangely light that morning.
Summer break had ended. After nearly a month of grueling, borderline sadistic training, the gang was back in their uniforms, cleaned up and presentable. Still sore, still tired—but with eyes that gleamed with something new.
Pride.
Excitement.
They were system holders now. And they had trained to be more than pawns.
"Back to school," Akira said, stretching his arms behind his head as they crossed through the main gates. "Honestly, I missed this place."
"Only because you don't have to run ten kilometers before sunrise anymore," Rin grumbled, rubbing his shoulder.
"...True."
Laughter followed them as they walked together through the courtyard, drawing a few stares. It wasn't every day you saw a full gang of nine sticking that close. They had become known around campus as "Reon's crew"—even if they still refused to call him King.
Inside, the students were seated in rows, murmuring as their homeroom teacher entered.
But it wasn't Mora.
A different man, older, thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, took the podium. He glanced at them, serious and calm.
"Before we begin today's practicals," he said, "I want to say something to all Kings."
Reon straightened a bit.
"You are the most powerful pieces… and the most unfortunate."
The room went quiet.
"Why?" he continued, voice crisp. "Because your power depends not just on your own strength—but on others'. A Queen may carve a battlefield alone. A Knight can charge and lead an attack. But a King is burdened by responsibility. A bad King will fall alone. A good King will fall with his people."
He looked up at the class.
"Remember this. If your system marked you King, it did not bless you. It cursed you with leadership."
There was a long silence.
Then he nodded. "That is all."
He stepped down, and Mora took his place, her usual cold eyes scanning the class.
"Practical matches begin today," she said. "These are sparring bouts. Wooden weapons only. Surrender, knockouts, or clear victories end the match. Skills are not permitted. Match results will be recorded."
The class grew tense.
First match was called.
"Match One: Rin vs Yuto."
Rin stepped into the square ring drawn on the courtyard stone. Opposite him stood a taller, leaner boy—another pawn.
Yuto raised his blade.
"Sorry in advance."
Rin didn't answer.
He charged forward like a bolt of lightning, ducking under the first swing, twisting mid-stride, and slamming the wooden hilt of his dual swords into Yuto's ribs. The boy wheezed.
Rin wasn't done.
Spinning, flipping both weapons into reverse grip, he struck with a flurry of jabs and cuts, one after another, too fast for the eye to follow.
Yuto collapsed within seconds, arms wrapped around his gut, coughing violently.
"Match One—Rin wins."
The class blinked.
Silence.
Then someone clapped. Slowly.
"...What the hell was that?" a student muttered.
"Second match!" Mora called. "Haru vs Keiji."
Another of Reon's crew stepped forward, calm and steady. He wielded a mop staff with both hands—his grip sure, his eyes calm.
Keiji, his opponent, was another average system holder. No special title.
The fight began.
Keiji lunged forward.
Haru didn't move. He pivoted as Keiji reached striking range and delivered a crushing blow to his opponent's side with the butt of the staff. The other boy hit the ground hard.
He tried to rise—but Haru spun the staff once and brought the other end down on his back.
Keiji didn't get up.
"Match Two—Haru wins."
Cheers rose.
Mora raised a hand. "Next match—Match Three: Reon vs Neid."
There was a slight pause.
Neid grinned, stepping onto the field with his trademark smirk.
Reon followed quietly.
They stood across from each other, wooden swords ready.
"So," Neid said. "Sixteenth birthday passed?"
"Yeah."
"You're a Knight, right?"
Reon was silent for a beat. "No."
The grin faded.
"…Huh?"
"I'm a King."
The entire class went still.
Even Mora's eyes narrowed.
The silence was thick.
Neid blinked. Then chuckled. "Huh. Didn't expect that."
"Begin!" Mora called.
Neid charged.
Reon barely blocked the strike that followed—heavy, sharp, perfectly executed. He stepped back, absorbing the blow. Neid followed with a sweep, forcing Reon to spin away.
Strike after strike followed—relentless.
Neid was faster. Stronger. Unquestionably the superior fighter.
But Reon blocked every blow.
He didn't parry recklessly. He moved precisely. Every defense was tight. Every step measured. He was slower, weaker, but every move counted.
He didn't beat Neid's strength. He danced around it.
But the pressure mounted.
Neid's barrage didn't stop. Reon was on the defensive, backpedaling, gritting his teeth.
"How are you even enduring this? I'm going all out!"
"I've been training. Even without buffs, it still means something."
Someone in the crowd whispered, "Even I have to admit this guy is strong. He's holding his own against a knight."
"Respect, bro."
[Respect has increased to 103]
[You have met the conditions to unlock your skill]
[Skill Unlocked: Royal Authority]
A pressure rippled through the air.
Every student felt it.
Even Neid stumbled. His knees dropped before he realized what was happening.
"I… that's unfair," Neid muttered, shaking.
Mora stepped forward. "War is unfair. And Kings lead."
"Match—draw. Skill was used. No winner."
Murmurs erupted.
"Wait—if Neid had a skill too, he would've won!"
Mora turned. "He doesn't."
Neid sighed. "Yeah. I don't. Most people don't get skills at awakening."
"Then… he just—"
"Used technique," Mora said, glancing at Reon.
"Rare to see one with potential survive the early game."
Saya whispered, "He's even younger than Rin…"
Kaito replied, "Seniority means nothing now."
Mora gave a slow nod. "King-ranked. Skill unlocked. Combat awareness high."
"Well done."
[System Status]
[Piece: King][Team: 9/16][Skill: Royal Authority – Unlocked][Attributes – Respect: 103 | Fear: 71][Teammates: Akira, Rin, Kaito, Mika, Jun, Toma, Natsuki, Kenji, Aoi]