The cool morning wind swept across the stone courtyard of Lock Academy. The sky was veiled in gray clouds; the sun had yet to rise, but the murmur of students already filled the campus.
Arthur stepped out of the lodgings, clad in his black mask. Shinkai no Yari rested across his back as he walked with heavy steps. At his side, Donna Lonberg regarded him with a thin, mocking smile.
"Today, you step onto the stage for the first time," Donna said. "The moment the students see you, curiosity will consume them… and some will be foolish enough to challenge you."
Arthur's eyes remained fixed ahead.
"It makes no difference to me. I am here to teach them lessons of survival, not to play games."
Donna chuckled lightly, her aura carrying that subtle allure that instantly drew the stares of nearby young students.
"And that's what makes you so interesting. Most men can't withstand my gaze… yet behind your mask lies only an icy void. Let's see if you can keep that composure before the crowd."
Arthur stayed silent.
The great gates of the training grounds swung open at Donna's steps, and the murmuring of thousands ceased at once. All eyes turned toward the pair entering.
The arena was a vast circle of stone reinforced with runes, encircled by towering spires. Mana crystals floated in the air, bathing the space in light, while a thin mist curled across the ground. Hundreds of students stood in disciplined rows, waiting.
Donna stepped forward, her voice carrying across the silent field.
"Today, I present to you a new instructor. From now on, he will guide you in the arts of battle."
Whispers rose among the students. The masked stranger stirred the same question in every mind: "Who is this man?"
Arthur took a step forward. From the tip of his spear, sparks leapt out, ripping through the silence.
"Who I am does not matter," he said, his voice cold. "What matters is how I will keep you alive."
A voice cut in from the crowd—Jin.
"You'll teach us with a mask on?"
The class turned, their gazes locking on Arthur.
"If you want to see my face, you must first prove yourself worthy. And here, in this Academy… none of you are."
The class collectively held its breath. Even Donna, usually so composed, was caught off guard.
Jin bristled at the humiliation, about to raise his voice—until Arthur continued.
"Do not mistake me. I am not bound to anyone. And none of you—whether by your families or by your own strength—pose a threat to me. Your only task is to learn what I choose to teach you."
Once again, silence fell.
Ren's thoughts:
This wasn't in the novel. Could my presence have caused a butterfly effect? I never wrote of a masked spearman here. And yet… why does he feel so familiar? Could he be connected to me?
Kevin's thoughts:
The masked figure who entered… he seems overwhelmingly strong. Yet I can't sense any of his power. He told us only to learn from him. That alone… is unsettling.
The silence in the class had sharpened like a blade. None dared breathe as they watched the masked man.
Amanda narrowed her eyes.
This man… who is he? His words, his movements… it's as if he doesn't belong here. And yet he surpasses everyone present. A man with such confidence cannot be a mere instructor.
Melissa folded her arms, her gaze cold.
I feel no mana flow from him. That's impossible. Either he's hiding it completely… or he's far beyond our level.
Emma bit her lip in astonishment.
His eyes… not prideful, not arrogant. More like someone who sees everything. To challenge someone like him… would be pure foolishness.
Arthur stood motionless in the center of the arena, a statue of cold defiance. He struck his spear against the ground; runes flickered briefly, sending vibrations through every student's chest.
"If anyone wishes to test me, step forward. But remember… in this arena, I do not simply teach. I show you the truth."
Murmurs spread among the boldest of students. Jin tensed as if to step forward—only to be stopped by Kevin's voice.
"Don't be an idiot. Can't you see? Fighting him would be suicide."
Jin clenched his teeth, but withdrew. The crowd sank into even deeper silence.
Donna stood at the side, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with delight. With a faint smile, she leaned toward Arthur and whispered:
"This is it… fear, curiosity, and respect—all at once. They will never forget you now."
Arthur gave no reply. His blue eyes, gleaming behind the mask, swept over the students. Every gaze he met was pierced by a chill that froze them to the core.
Ren's thoughts:
This never happened in the novel… This masked figure—he wasn't part of my story. Has my arrival truly shifted fate? And why… why does he feel so familiar?
The silence shattered with laughter.
"Ha… and we're supposed to be taught by someone hiding behind a mask?"
The students turned toward the voice. A tall, broad-shouldered youth with slicked-back brown hair stepped forward, arrogance etched across his face. His identity was obvious to all—Gilbert. Donna's favored student, and a notorious troublemaker who often targeted Ren and Kevin.
"Gilbert," several students muttered.
Arthur lifted his head, his icy blue eyes burning through the mask.
Gilbert spread his arms wide, stepping into the center before the crowd.
"Come now, teacher. You speak lofty words, but without showing us your strength, why should we believe you? Or are you just a coward hiding behind a mask?"
Donna crossed her arms, the faintest of smiles curving her lips.
"Gilbert… be careful. He is no ordinary man."
"Don't worry, Donna. I'll just expose how fake this newcomer really is," Gilbert sneered, unleashing his aura. A heavy pressure of mana surged outward.
The crowd recoiled, whispers rising like sparks.
"Is Gilbert really challenging him?"
"On the very first day… this is madness."
Ren's thoughts:
This scene never happened in the novel. Gilbert would never dare challenge like this. Something is different—truly different. That masked man… he must be tied to my fate.
Kevin's thoughts:
Gilbert is strong, but this stranger's aura… it's beyond comprehension. I can't even sense his power. That alone means he's far above me.
Arthur slowly drew his spear from his back. Sparks danced along the tip.
"Strength is not proven by words, but by results. If you truly wish to challenge me…"
He drove the spear into the ground, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone floor.
"…then prepare yourself."
The crowd held its breath. The training grounds had become the stage—Arthur was about to reveal his true power for the first time.