The training grounds fell silent as a figure stepped forward from the crowd.
He wore a black cloak lined with silver markings that shimmered under the radiant sky. His crimson eyes scanned the students before settling on Kaosu's group. A sly grin formed on his face.
"My name is Kurayami," he announced, his voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the air. "Oscura No.1… but you can call me Kura for short. My father insisted I join the Academy of Light."
A low murmur spread through the crowd. Even King Karyu tilted his head with faint amusement.
"Your father?" Karyu asked. "And who might that be?"
Before Kurayami could answer, Prince Seiro stepped forward, arms crossed.
"Yeah," he added, "who exactly is your father?"
Kurayami smirked, but before he spoke, Supira's body stiffened—his eyes burning with pure rage. Beside him, Kori's jaw tightened, his aura flickering like stormlight barely contained.
Kaosu noticed immediately and whispered harshly, "Supira. Kori. Not here. Don't do something stupid."
Kori inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down. But Supira… couldn't.
He snapped.
"YOU—!" Supira roared, charging straight at Kurayami with blinding speed. Energy spiraled around him as their attacks clashed, shaking the arena.
Before anyone could react—
A freezing wind swept through the heavens.
The air turned white with frost. The ground cracked beneath their feet. And then—
A single voice echoed like thunder:
"Enough."
Everyone froze.
Kudo stood there, his hand resting on his sword's hilt, cold mist swirling around him. Even Kurayami shuddered as the icy pressure pressed against his chest.
Kudo's gray eyes locked onto Kurayami's. "Yes," he said quietly, "I remember you."
Then he grabbed Supira by the collar and lifted him effortlessly. "No fighting classmates," Kudo warned, his tone deadly calm. "Not until the entrance exam begins."
He tossed Supira back toward Kaosu and turned away, standing silently near the King's throne.
The tension didn't fade—it only deepened.
Trying to ease it, Kaji stepped forward nervously. "H-hey… I'm Kaji. Nice to—"
Before he could finish, Kurayami's blade flashed.
A slash of darkness tore through the air, slicing a building behind them into a thousand glowing fragments. Kaji froze where he stood—if Kori hadn't moved him in time, that strike would've ended him.
Kaosu placed a hand on Kori's head and gave a rare grin. "Nice save."
Kori smiled faintly but his eyes stayed locked on Kurayami. "Try that again," he said coldly, "and you won't live to regret it."
Kurayami chuckled softly. "Sorry," he said, tone playful yet menacing. "Bad habits." He turned, walking away as if nothing had happened.
But behind him… Supira's silence broke.
His spirals began to twist violently, dark energy flooding his veins. His pupils turned animal-like, and a black horn slowly emerged from his forehead.
Inside his head, a single word echoed endlessly—
Kill.
Kudo's eyes widened. He could sense it—that power.
"Supira…" he muttered, watching as Supira trembled, barely holding himself back.
And as the sunlight dimmed behind gathering clouds,
the chapter ended—
with Supira's horn glowing faintly in the dark.