Beneath the Surface

The academy buzzed with anticipation. The Tenshikan Tournament Quarter-finals.. the proving ground of the elite.. was approaching fast. Halls were filled with whispered strategies, challenges thrown between rivals, and nervous first-years wondering if they’d even survive one match in the qualifiers.

Hibiki barely cared.

To him, this was nothing but a stage. A tool. A means to study those who would one day stand in his way.

He leaned against a pillar in the courtyard, watching groups of students train. Some were impressive.

A boy from House Kazamori could control metal threads sharper than swords.

A girl from the Saionji Clan weaved illusions so precise they could fool even the senses of a battle-hardened warrior.

And then there was Takeda Raizo, the top combat student.. a lightning mage so fierce that challengers fell before they could even react.

Hibiki’s eyes narrowed.

These weren’t just obstacles.

They were opportunities.

If he could force them to reveal their abilities, understand their magic inside and out… he could use them. Absorb them. Twist their strengths into weapons for his own revenge.

But he had another problem.

Reina.

She had been keeping an eye on him, asking too many questions. Why was she interested? What did she see in him? It didn’t matter. She had to go. Not by force.. that would be too reckless. But he had to sever whatever interest she had in him.

Then there was Shirayuki Akari.

Unlike Reina, she was useful. A prodigy in ice magic, from a noble house deeply intertwined with the kingdom’s power structure. If he played this right, he could manipulate her.. turn her against the kingdom from within.

A storm was coming, and Hibiki would make sure she was swept up in it.

But first, the tournament.

His first battle would be soon. And he had no intention of making a spectacle of himself. Not yet.

He would win quietly, methodically, never showing more than what was necessary.

The sun loomed high over the academy as the qualifiers for the Tenshikan Tournament finally began.

The grand arena, usually reserved for official duels, was now filled with eager students, instructors, and nobles who had come to witness the battles. Massive floating screens hovered above, displaying match brackets and names.

Hibiki’s eyes scanned the list. His first opponent: Makabe Rento. A fire-user, aggressive but predictable. An easy win.

Good. He had no intention of drawing attention yet.

In the waiting area, students murmured about the stronger contenders.

“Takeda Raizo will definitely win this year.”

“Shirayuki Akari’s ice magic is terrifying. I heard she froze an entire classroom once.”

“The Saionji girl is dangerous.. don’t look into her eyes, or she’ll trap you in an illusion.”

Hibiki listened, committing names and details to memory.

Knowledge was power.

..

The first match began. A pair of second-years clashed, their magic tearing into the battlefield, sending waves of energy crashing against the barrier spells surrounding the arena.

The crowd cheered.

Hibiki watched in silence. Sloppy. They wasted too much mana. They lacked control. He could dismantle them in seconds.

And then, finally..

“Next match! Makabe Rento versus Kamishiro souta!”

Hibiki stepped forward, walking past the roaring crowd, past the blinding sunlight, onto the battlefield.

Makabe was already waiting, flames flickering at his fingertips. “I don’t know you, but I’m not losing to some no-name first-year.”

Hibiki tilted his head. “Then don’t lose.”

Makabe scowled. “Cocky little.. ”

“Begin!”

Makabe wasted no time, launching a wave of fire.

Hibiki didn’t move.

The flames rushed toward him.. then suddenly twisted mid-air, dispersing into harmless embers.

The crowd gasped.

Makabe hesitated. “What the.. ”

Hibiki moved.

In a blink, he closed the distance, raising a single hand. A pulse of unseen force struck Makabe in the gut.

The fire mage flew back, skidding across the ground, choking on air.

Silence.

“Winner: Kamishiro Souta!”

No cheers. Only whispers.

He had won, effortlessly, yet revealed nothing. No flashy spells. No hint of his real strength.

He turned and walked away, ignoring the murmurs.

..

Back in the waiting area, Takeda Raizo watched him, arms crossed. A spark of curiosity in his sharp gaze.

Hibiki smirked.

Damn it.

No matter what i do i keep drawing his attention.

The tournament pressed on, but Hibiki had no interest in watching. His first match had gone exactly as planned.. quick, effortless, and forgettable. He had secured his victory without giving anyone a glimpse of his true abilities.

Now, he needed to stay in the background.

He had already drawn the curiosity of a few students, which was dangerous. Any more attention, and his carefully built persona of an ordinary student would start to crack.

For now, he would observe.

Hibiki sat on the outer steps of the academy, overlooking the vast cityscape beyond the towering walls. Tenshikan Academy was built atop a high plateau, giving a perfect view of the kingdom below.. the very kingdom that had destroyed his home.

The streets were lively, filled with people who knew nothing of the suffering their king had inflicted.

They laugh. They live. They thrive.

His fingers curled into a fist.

They had no idea how much blood had been spilled for their comfort.

But they would. In time.

A voice broke through his thoughts.

“You’re awfully quiet today.”

Hibiki glanced up.

A second-year student leaned against the stone railing beside him, watching him with curiosity. He recognized him from the tournament roster.. Ishigami Renji.

Renji wasn’t a noble, nor was he from a famous family. But his reputation as a skilled strategist in combat had earned him respect among the students.

Hibiki gave a neutral response. “Not much to talk about.”

Renji smirked. “That’s funny, considering you won your match with almost no effort.”

Hibiki remained silent.

Renji studied him for a moment before speaking again. “You remind me of someone I used to know. Quiet. Calculated. Always watching.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Hibiki asked.

Renji chuckled. “Not necessarily. But people like that… they’re usually planning something.”

Hibiki’s gaze remained steady. “And what do you think I’m planning?”

Renji shrugged. “I don’t know yet. But I’ll figure it out.”

With that, he pushed off the railing and walked away, disappearing into the academy halls.

Hibiki exhaled slowly.

Renji wasn’t a threat. Not yet.

But he was someone to keep an eye on.

For now, Hibiki would continue as he always had.. moving in silence, watching, waiting.

His time would come soon enough.