Threads of Deception

Later that evening, Hibiki found himself once again in the academy courtyard, deep in thought. He had achieved another victory, but his mind was on something far bigger. Reina was beginning to lose her place in his plans. She was too dangerous, too unpredictable, and too close to the heart of the kingdom. It wouldn’t be long before she started figuring out the truth.

But Hibiki wasn’t worried. He had already begun to sow seeds of doubt among his peers. Raizo, Reina, even Shirayuki.. none of them knew the full story. And soon, none of them would care. Hibiki was a master at playing the long game, and as the academy tournament continued, his path toward the kingdom’s downfall became clearer.

⸻

That night, Hibiki sat alone in his room, staring at the bag of gold the elf had given him. He ran his fingers over the smooth leather, his mind focused on the task ahead. The more power he gained, the closer he came to his goal. But with each victory, with each manipulation, he found himself growing more detached from the world around him.

For a moment, he thought back to the day his village had burned.. the day he had lost everything. He had no illusions about his motives anymore. He was no longer the weak child who had been saved by the elf. He was a tool of vengeance, and nothing would stand in his way.

The elf’s teachings had been cold, calculated, and ruthless, and Hibiki was beginning to embrace that part of himself. But something inside him stirred. Was this who he really wanted to be?

He pushed the thought aside. There was no time for weakness. The kingdom would fall. And he would be the one to bring it to its knees.

The academy was alive with the sound of murmurs and anticipation. The midterm tournament was drawing nearer, and the atmosphere was thick with competition. The students of Tenshikan Academy were eager to prove themselves, but for Hibiki Arata, this tournament was something much darker. It was more than a test of skill.. it was the first step toward his revenge.

The days leading up to the tournament were filled with a strange tension. Hibiki had started to notice something different in the way his peers interacted with him. He wasn’t just another student anymore. There was an undercurrent of interest, a curiosity that hadn’t been there before. Whether it was because of his growing prowess or because of the rumors circulating about his cold demeanor, it didn’t matter. Hibiki had his own plan, and nothing was going to derail it.

One afternoon, as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the training grounds, Hibiki found himself standing alone in the corner of the courtyard. His eyes scanned the academy’s courtyard, noting the subtle shift in the air. The students were whispering more than usual, the energy in the air palpable.

“That guy’s definitely strange,” a voice broke through his thoughts. Hibiki turned slightly, spotting the familiar face of Mizuno Haruto, who had been watching him from a distance for weeks now. Haruto was no longer the quiet observer he had once been. Now, he seemed more calculating, more like a predator studying its prey.

Hibiki raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by ‘strange’?”

Haruto’s expression remained unreadable. “You don’t show any emotions. It’s like you’re just going through the motions. It’s almost like you’re playing a part.”

Hibiki smirked, his cold gaze locking onto Haruto. “Maybe I am.”

Haruto didn’t respond immediately, instead studying him with those sharp, piercing eyes. “I don’t trust people who hide their true selves,” he said, his voice quieter now, as if he was sharing a secret. “But maybe you have a good reason. I just hope that when the time comes, you’re not the one who betrays us.”

The words hung in the air like a threat, but Hibiki didn’t flinch. He had been betrayed before. He had nothing to lose.

“I don’t trust anyone,” he said flatly, turning his gaze away. “The only one I’m loyal to is myself.”

With that, he walked away, leaving Haruto behind. He didn’t have time for people like Haruto, not now. He had more important matters to attend to.

⸻

The tournament began the following day, and Hibiki entered the arena with a sense of purpose. The large, circular arena was packed with students and faculty, the air crackling with anticipation. Every student who stepped into this arena was a potential threat, but it wasn’t the other competitors that concerned Hibiki. It was the moment when he would finally be able to make his move.

“Are you ready, Souta?” Sayuri’s voice was bright and enthusiastic, as usual, but it lacked the usual cheerfulness. She knew the weight of the tournament, as did everyone else. The air was thick with competition, and there was no room for weakness.

“I’m ready,” he replied coolly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

As the tournament began, Hibiki was drawn into fierce matches, his calm demeanor and strategic mind allowing him to defeat his opponents with ruthless precision. Each victory brought him closer to his ultimate goal.. each fight a reminder of the power he was honing. But there was something else.. something beneath the surface. The way his classmates watched him, the way they whispered behind his back, it was almost as if they were waiting for him to crack, to show a hint of emotion.

The more he fought, the more he realized that his role in this academy was becoming something more than just a student. He was becoming a symbol. The students feared him, yes.. but they also respected him. And that was exactly what he needed.

⸻

It was during his third match that the true test came. His opponent, a hulking boy named Shirogami Ryo, was a brute of a fighter, using sheer strength to overpower his opponents. Hibiki had heard rumors about Ryo.. how he had defeated his previous opponents in mere minutes, leaving them sprawled on the floor, unable to continue.

But Hibiki wasn’t intimidated. His eyes glowed with the fire of determination as he faced off against the towering figure. Ryo grinned, cracking his knuckles as he prepared to charge.

“You think you can beat me, little guy?” Ryo bellowed, his voice booming through the arena. “I’ll break you in half!”

Hibiki remained silent, his gaze focused and unwavering. He didn’t respond to the taunt. Instead, he waited, biding his time. The crowd roared as Ryo charged forward, his fists like sledgehammers. But Hibiki moved like water.. fluid, graceful, and deadly.

He sidestepped the first blow, dodging effortlessly, and then, with precision, he struck. His fist connected with Ryo’s side, sending the larger boy staggering back. The crowd gasped, shocked by how easily Souta had evaded Ryo’s powerful attack.

Ryo growled in frustration, charging again, but this time, Hibiki was ready. With a swift motion, he twisted Ryo’s arm behind his back and pinned him to the ground. The larger boy struggled, but it was no use. Hibiki had him trapped.

“Give up,” Hibiki said coldly, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re done.”

Ryo growled in defeat, but the look in his eyes was one of begrudging respect. Souta had won, and the crowd erupted in applause. He stood there, silent as always, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

⸻

As the tournament continued, Souta’s reputation grew. He was no longer just a quiet, aloof student. He was a force to be reckoned with. But as the final rounds approached, something changed. It wasn’t just the pressure of the tournament. It was something deeper, something darker.

His plans were moving forward, and there was no turning back now.

In the distance, watching from the shadows, the elf who had saved him years ago stood silently.