Souta Kamishiro

The bag of gold in Hibiki’s hands felt heavier than it should have.

He sat by the dying embers of last night’s fire, staring at the leather pouch, his fingers tightening around it. It wasn’t just the weight of the coins inside.. it was what they meant.

The elf was gone.

She had left before dawn, vanishing like a shadow into the world. No goodbyes. No parting words. Just this bag of gold, a small stack of forged documents, and the cold realization that he was alone again.

He exhaled through his nose, forcing himself to stay calm.

This was always temporary. He had known that. She had never once promised him anything beyond survival. And now, she had given him exactly what he needed.. money and a new identity.

A way into the kingdom that had destroyed his life.

Hibiki unfolded the documents carefully.

A name was written on them.

Not his name.

Souta Kamishiro.

A citizen of the Holy Kingdom of Aurelis.

Hibiki’s hands trembled slightly, but he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus. This wasn’t just a forged identity. This was his key. His way into their world.

A way to strike from within.

His mind flashed back to that night.. the screams, the fire, his parents falling to the ground as the blade came down. His heart pounded, but he crushed the memories before they could swallow him whole.

He had no time for grief.

Only purpose.

With the bag of gold secured, Hibiki set out toward the nearest city.

Toward Aurelis.

Toward the kingdom that had made him a ghost.

A Year Later

The grand gates of Tenshikan Academy loomed before him.

Hibiki stood at the entrance, blending seamlessly into the flow of students entering the prestigious institution. The air was thick with the scent of ink, old parchment, and mana.. the very essence of magic itself.

His grip on the forged documents was firm, but his expression was unreadable.

He had done the impossible.

He, a survivor of a slaughtered people, had walked straight into the heart of his enemy’s world.

And no one suspected a thing.

Hibiki stepped forward, his voice steady as he handed over his paperwork. “Souta Kamishiro,” he said, his new name rolling off his tongue effortlessly.

The examiner barely glanced at him before stamping the papers. “Next!”

That was it.

He was in.

Hibiki allowed himself a small smirk as he walked through the academy gates.

Years of training, of surviving, of burying his old self.. it had all led to this moment.

Now, he would learn their magic. Study their weaknesses. Become one of them.

And when the time was right…

He would make them pay.

But as he walked deeper into the academy, something unexpected happened.

Among the arrogant nobles and the self-absorbed elites, he saw something strange.

Not everyone here was a monster.

Ayanokoji Reina, the prodigious princess, watched him with curious eyes.

Takeda Raizo, the academy’s top battle mage, regarded him with something bordering on suspicion.

And in the shadows, whispers of rebellion stirred.

Hibiki had come for vengeance.

But if he played his cards right…

He might take something far greater than the king’s life.

He might take his throne.

Hibiki kept his steps measured as he entered the academy grounds. Tenshikan Academy was more than just a school.. it was a fortress of power. Here, the children of nobles, war heroes, and high-ranking officials were molded into the future rulers of the kingdom.

And now, he was one of them.

The courtyard stretched wide before him, paved with polished stone that gleamed under the midday sun. Towering spires lined the edges, each inscribed with runes pulsating faintly with mana. Students dressed in navy-blue uniforms strode past him, their conversations filled with arrogance and self-importance.

He listened carefully.

“…heard the war is dragging on. My father says the king needs more mana crystals, but our supply routes are..”

“We crushed another rebel outpost last week. The fools actually thought they could..”

“I can’t believe they let commoners apply for the entrance exams now. It’s disgraceful…”

Hibiki’s hands curled into fists inside his pockets.

Nothing had changed. The same people, the same mindset. They burned his village, butchered his people, and yet here they were, laughing and gossiping as if none of it mattered.

They were right.

Because to them, it didn’t.

He took a slow breath. His mask had to be perfect. He couldn’t afford to let hatred cloud his judgment.

Not yet.

A sharp voice broke through his thoughts.

“You there. The transfer student.”

Hibiki turned.

A girl stood before him, her violet eyes piercing. Ayanokoji Reina. The princess of Aurelis.

She was exactly as the rumors described.. elegant, composed, and terrifyingly intelligent.

“You’re… Kamishiro Souta, correct?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Hibiki met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Yes.”

For a moment, she studied him, her eyes searching for something unseen.

Then, she smiled.

“I’ll be watching you.”

With that, she walked past him, her presence leaving a strange weight in the air.

Hibiki exhaled slowly. What was that about?

Before he could think further, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hah! You’ve got guts, staring down the princess like that.”

Hibiki turned to face a broad-shouldered boy with a confident grin.

Takeda Raizo. The academy’s top battle mage.

“You’re the transfer, right?” Raizo smirked. “You don’t look like much, but let’s see if you survive your first combat class.”

Hibiki forced a small chuckle. “I’ll try not to die.”

Raizo laughed. “Good attitude. Just don’t slow me down.”

As Raizo walked off, Hibiki watched him carefully. Unlike the others, Raizo didn’t seem to be the type who looked down on those weaker than him. He was someone who respected strength.

That could be useful.

But none of them mattered right now.

Hibiki had one goal: Learn. Grow. Destroy.

The academy bell rang, signaling the start of the entrance ceremony.

He adjusted his uniform and walked toward the great hall, blending into the crowd.

No one here knew who he really was.

No one here knew what was coming.

Not yet.

But soon.

Very soon.

Hibiki has entered the academy, but powerful figures have already taken notice of him. The game has begun, and the pieces are moving. Will he remain in control, or will the academy unravel him before he can strike?