The Art of Manipulation ( Part II)

The manipulation wasn’t just about making alliances or enemies. It was about control. Understanding how each person would react when the stakes were high, and pushing them to their breaking points without ever showing his true hand.

His eyes wandered to the upcoming match-ups for the tournament. He was due to face off against Kuroyama Ryuji, a student known for his powerful shadow manipulation techniques. Ryuji was a wildcard in the tournament.. arrogant, but skilled. This match would be interesting, Hibiki thought, but only because it would give him the perfect opportunity to further his reputation while ensuring that the tournament played to his favor.

However, as Hibiki was about to plan his next steps, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts.

“Hey, Souta.”

He turned to see Takeda Raizo, the academy’s top battle mage, standing nearby. Raizo had always been wary of Hibiki, and their previous encounter had left both of them with a sense of unease. Yet, there was something in Raizo’s eyes now that intrigued Hibiki.. distrust, yes, but also curiosity.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” Raizo continued, his tone neutral but firm. “I know we’ve clashed before, but I’ve been thinking about what you said last time.”

Hibiki raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

Raizo hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “About… trusting people. About not showing everything you have.”

Hibiki smiled, a sly, almost predatory smile. “It’s a good strategy, don’t you think? In a world where everyone is out for themselves, it’s better to keep your cards close to your chest.”

Raizo studied him, as if trying to figure out if Hibiki was genuinely offering advice or just manipulating the situation. “I guess so,” Raizo muttered. “But what are you really after, Souta?”

The question hung in the air, and Hibiki knew this was the moment where he either secured Raizo’s trust or pushed him further away.

“I’m after what I’ve always wanted,” Hibiki replied, his voice cold and calculating. “To change the world. But you can’t change it by playing by the rules. You have to break them first.”

Raizo didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, with a slow nod, he spoke. “I see. You’re not just some ordinary student, are you?”

“No, I’m not,” Hibiki replied smoothly. “But that doesn’t mean I’m the enemy either. We’re both aiming for the top. You, as a battle mage, and me… well, I’m playing a different game.”

Raizo gave a curt nod. “Maybe. But don’t forget.. the top isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes it’s just a gilded cage.”

With that, Raizo turned and walked away, leaving Hibiki with more to think about. Raizo was now another piece on his chessboard, and Hibiki had just moved him closer to where he needed him.

⸻

As the tournament continued, Hibiki found himself in the final rounds, facing one powerful opponent after another. His calm demeanor and cold precision in battle only fueled the growing rumors about his true abilities. Among his fellow students, a strange respect had begun to form around him, mixed with fear and admiration. No one knew his true strength, but they knew it was there, lurking beneath the surface.

His upcoming match with Ryuji loomed large, and Hibiki had no intention of losing. Ryuji’s shadow manipulation was a dangerous ability, but Hibiki had studied it carefully. He’d watched Ryuji in previous matches, analyzing every move, every pattern. Ryuji’s weakness? His overconfidence.

The day of the match arrived, and the arena was packed with students eager to see the clash between the academy’s most powerful contenders. Hibiki walked to the center of the arena with a composed expression, while Ryuji stood across from him, his eyes glinting with a cocky smile.

“You’re gonna regret underestimating me, Souta,” Ryuji taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I control the shadows. You can’t escape them.”

Hibiki said nothing, his eyes sharp and calculating. He was already steps ahead in his mind, his body poised for the upcoming battle.

The match began, and almost instantly, Ryuji’s shadows surged toward Hibiki, forming tendrils that writhed like living things. But Hibiki was already in motion, moving with fluid precision, his steps light and calculated as he dodged the tendrils.

“You’re slow,” Hibiki taunted, his voice almost mocking.

Ryuji snarled, increasing the speed of his shadows, but Hibiki was faster. He used his own magic, a combination of destructive power and agility, to break through the tendrils without breaking a sweat. He could hear the gasps from the crowd as they watched him dismantle Ryuji’s shadow techniques with terrifying ease.

“I told you,” Hibiki said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You can’t win by being flashy. You have to think.”

Ryuji growled, his pride wounded. With a roar, he unleashed his full power, sending a massive wave of shadow tendrils crashing toward Hibiki. But Hibiki was ready. In one swift motion, he unleashed a wave of destructive magic that tore through Ryuji’s attack, overwhelming him with raw power.

The match ended with Ryuji on the ground, his shadows dissipating around him. Hibiki stood tall, his expression unchanged.

“Looks like you’re not as invincible as you thought,” Hibiki said, stepping over the defeated Ryuji.

The crowd went silent, the tension in the air palpable. Hibiki’s victory was swift and decisive, but it wasn’t just the battle that had won him respect. It was the way he handled it.. the calm, controlled manner in which he dismantled his opponent. He had shown the academy that he wasn’t someone to be underestimated.

⸻

Later that evening, Hibiki found himself in the academy’s courtyard, alone with his thoughts. The weight of his plans was ever-present, but the pieces were falling into place. He could feel the shift in the air, the subtle movements of the academy’s hidden power structures.

But his ultimate goal was still far ahead. The king’s throne, the kingdom he intended to burn to the ground, was still a distant target. Yet, with every passing day, Hibiki was one step closer. And soon, the final pieces of the puzzle would fall into place.

He wasn’t just playing a game anymore. He was building an empire from the ashes.

And this time, nothing would stop him.

Hibiki stood in the courtyard, his victory over Ryuji still fresh in his mind. The students who had once viewed him as a quiet, weak boy now looked at him with a mixture of fear and respect. Some even whispered his name in hushed tones, marveling at the way he had dismantled Ryuji’s prideful display. Yet, Hibiki knew this was only the beginning. The academy tournament was far from over, and with it, his ultimate plan.

In the coming days, the other students’ reactions to his victory were a curious mix of admiration and wariness. Hibiki’s cold, calculated approach to the match had made an impact.. he was no longer just another face among the crowd. He was someone to be watched, studied, and feared.

But Hibiki wasn’t done yet. He had learned from every student he’d faced so far, observing their abilities, their weaknesses, and their personalities. He’d already made an impression on Takeda Raizo, who was beginning to wonder about Hibiki’s true motivations. Raizo was no fool, and Hibiki could feel the pull of his suspicions. But that only made it all the more satisfying when Raizo’s suspicion started to turn into curiosity. Hibiki had to make sure it didn’t tip into outright hostility.. yet.

⸻

The next day, Hibiki was walking through the academy’s training grounds when he spotted Shirayuki Akari. She was training with a group of students, her graceful movements slicing through the air with her katana. Her skill was undeniable, but there was something about her that Hibiki couldn’t ignore.. something that made her a perfect pawn in his game.

Shirayuki caught sight of him from across the grounds and, to Hibiki’s surprise, waved at him, her usual cool demeanor replaced with something more open. “Souta!” she called out, her voice clear and inviting.

Hibiki raised an eyebrow but walked toward her, hiding the faintest smirk. “Akari,” he greeted her, keeping his tone neutral.

“I saw your match yesterday,” she said, walking up to him. “You were incredible. I didn’t know you were that strong.”

Hibiki leaned against the nearby fence, keeping his posture relaxed. “I’ve had my fair share of experience,” he said, his voice steady. “But strength isn’t everything, is it? It’s the strategy that counts.”

Shirayuki tilted her head, intrigued. “True. But it’s also about having the right skills at the right time. I’m sure you’ve realized that by now.”

Hibiki met her gaze, his eyes calculating. “I think you and I think alike, Akari. Maybe that’s why you stand out. You’re not like the others.”

Her expression softened, though there was still a hint of caution in her eyes. “I could say the same about you.”

Hibiki gave a small smile, knowing that this was the moment he could start molding her. “Maybe we should spar sometime. I’d like to see how well you handle someone who isn’t just trying to win by force.”

Her lips curled into a small smile. “I’d like that.”

⸻

The next week, the arena was set for another round of the tournament, and Hibiki’s next opponent was Ayanokoji Reina, the princess of the academy. She had become more than just an interest; she was a potential problem. Reina’s intelligence and intuition made her a threat to Hibiki’s carefully constructed plans, and he knew he had to find a way to neutralize her. But he couldn’t do it outright.. not yet.

As the match began, Reina stepped onto the battlefield with a calm, composed expression, her eyes scanning Hibiki’s every movement. Hibiki took his place on the opposite side of the arena, his expression unreadable. This was a battle of minds as much as it was of magic.

“You seem confident,” Reina said, her voice carrying across the distance. “But I’ve seen your type before. You think you can win without showing your hand, but that only gets you so far.”

Hibiki smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that so? I think you’ve underestimated me, Reina.”

Reina raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see about that.”

The battle began, and Hibiki quickly realized that Reina was not like the other students. Her magic was precise, calculated, and swift, each move executed with a level of mastery that sent ripples of energy through the arena. But Hibiki was ready. He moved quickly, dodging her strikes and using his own magic to keep her on her toes.

As the match wore on, Hibiki could see Reina’s confidence beginning to falter. She was starting to sense that he wasn’t just another student.. he was something far more dangerous. Her attacks grew more desperate, and Hibiki took advantage of her frustration, making calculated counterattacks that put her on the defensive.

In the final moments of the match, Hibiki landed a decisive blow, forcing Reina to yield. She stood there for a moment, panting, before lowering her weapon and giving him a reluctant nod. “You’re impressive, Souta,” she admitted, her pride wounded but her respect for him evident.

Hibiki gave a slight bow, his face impassive. “I’m just getting started.”