Chapter 2: A Soldier on the Dais

The central headquarters was eerily quiet. Arata walked down a long, cold corridor, lined with medals and photos of heroes. Each step he took awakened memories he had tried to bury deep inside. It was here, behind these concrete walls, that he had received the orders that had turned his life into a living hell. It was here that he had been praised and lauded, only to be broken afterward.

A large, dark-colored door swung open, and Arata gave a perfect salute. Vice Commander Ishuri Narada sat behind a massive mahogany desk, his cold and calculating persona reflected in the polished wood. The room was filled with the bitter scent of coffee and a sterile military air.

"Sit, Arata," Ishuri said, his voice calm but possessing an undeniable authority.

Arata sat up straight, his back rigid. He watched Ishuri stare at him, a sharp gaze that could read every line on his face.

"I know you're still traumatized by that mission, Arata," Ishuri began, his voice now low, piercing straight to Arata's soul. "I know you saw them all die."

Arata remained silent, clenching his hands under the table. He didn't need to answer. Ishuri already knew the truth.

"This new mission is not about fighting on a battlefield," Ishuri continued. "But it is another kind of war. Are you still sure you want to accept this mission from me?"

"Ready, Sir," Arata replied without hesitation. "Anytime, Sir. With my body and soul, I am ready."

A thin, almost invisible smile appeared on Ishuri's lips. "Good. Your new assignment is to become a teacher at an elite school called Shōgun Academy. The school is known for its achievements, but now it's more famous for the wickedness of its students. They are no longer children, Arata. They are soldiers you must face."

Ishuri tossed a thick envelope onto the table. "This academy has a group of students who call themselves 'The 7 Demon Kings.' For the past two years, they have crushed the morale of every teacher. Many couldn't handle it; some even committed suicide. You must destroy these 'demon kings' from the inside."

"Why them, Sir?" Arata asked, his eyes meeting Ishuri's sharp gaze.

Ishuri took a deep breath. "Among those '7 Demon Kings'... one of them is my grandchild, Arata. I want you to keep that a secret. And I want you to teach her how terrifying a battlefield can be. Teach them about loss. About suffering. About real consequences."

Arata was stunned. He took the envelope. Inside were detailed files about the students and the problems at the school. He no longer saw this as an escape, but as a military order. A mission to face an enemy he had never imagined.

The next day, Arata got into Koyomi's car. "Shōgun Academy? Are you sure, Onii-chan?"

Arata remained silent, staring at the passing streets.

"I heard they have students with the nickname 'The 7 Demon Kings.' Because of their actions, many teachers couldn't take it and—"

Arata interrupted her, having already heard all of this from the Vice Commander. He didn't want his sister to worry. He just needed to focus.

"I'll be fine, Koyomi."

Upon arriving at the gate of Shōgun Academy, Arata stepped out. He looked at the magnificent school building. Behind its beautiful architecture, he felt a familiar coldness—the scent of another battlefield.

This wasn't just about teaching. This was a different kind of war.