Chapter 52: The Idol Who Smiled at the Cursed Boy

The next morning, chaos returned to Tokyo Magic Academy—but this time, not because of a monster, or a curse.
It was because of one name whispered across every hallway:

Shirayuki Asuna.

“Hey, hey! Did you hear?” squealed one of the girls near the courtyard.
“The famous idol, Shirayuki Asuna, is enrolling here!”

“No way! The Shirayuki Asuna?! The one who filled Tokyo Dome twice in one night!?”
“Yeah! They say she’s joining the academy to study magic!”

Excitement spread like wildfire. Students gathered near the gate, waving banners, taking photos, and gushing like fans at a concert.

Meanwhile, far away from the noise—inside a massive marble hall lit by golden chandeliers—
a tall man with ashen-blond hair and calm, golden eyes walked out of a council chamber.

The white-and-gold robes of a High Priest swayed around him as he sighed deeply.

“Lord Klaus, how did the council respond?” asked a woman with black hair tied neatly in a ponytail. Her glasses glimmered as she straightened the documents in her hands.

“As expected, Misaki… they refused every proposal.”
Klaus Eirenwald’s voice carried the tone of a man used to disappointment. “The Elders still believe the boy must be expelled.”

Misaki frowned. “The boy with the dragon arm, Tendou Kanata, correct? The one who defeated Vlad?”

“Yes. I told them he’s not a threat—he’s the key to defeating darkness itself. Yet they still cling to their fear.”

She crossed her arms. “The reports prove he’s saved countless lives. He fought the Banshee covens and even stood alone against the Vampire King.”

Klaus nodded grimly. “Then perhaps it’s time to convince the world directly. If the Elders won’t listen… the people will.”

A convoy of black cars stopped in front of Tokyo Magic Academy.
Camera flashes filled the air as Shirayuki Asuna stepped out—her silver hair catching the sunlight, her sky-blue eyes calm yet dazzling.

“Shirayuki-san! Is it true you’re enrolling in this academy?” shouted a reporter.

Asuna smiled warmly. “Yes, it’s true. I’ve always wanted to understand magic more deeply.”

Another journalist shouted from the crowd.
“Aren’t you afraid? There’s a rumor that the Dragon-Arm boy—Tendou Kanata—studies here!”

Her smile only grew wider.
“Afraid? Quite the opposite—I’m intrigued. Maybe he and I have something in common.”

The courtyard erupted in gasps.
Students screamed; reporters dropped their pens.

“She likes him?!”
“The Idol’s interested in the Cursed Boy!?”

But before anyone could ask more, one reporter crossed the line.
“There are rumors he spreads curses—”

In a split second, Asuna’s expression darkened.
Her radiant smile vanished, replaced by cold, piercing eyes that froze the man mid-sentence.

“Curses,” she said softly, “are not punishments—they are trials. I should know.”

The crowd fell silent.
Her voice trembled—not from fear, but conviction.

“I was once diagnosed with an incurable curse. They said I’d die before I turned eighteen. But the doctors… they never gave up. They fought it. They worked, they prayed, they believed.”
She smiled again—genuine, fragile, and warm. “And here I am. Alive. Because of faith.”

Tears welled in the eyes of those watching. Cameras clicked endlessly.
Shirayuki Asuna bowed gracefully and entered the academy.

Inside Class D, Kanata leaned back on his chair, half-asleep.

“There’s no way someone like her would ever end up here,” he muttered. “She’s probably in Class A or B. Lucky me.”

The classroom door slid open.

“Good morning, everyone.”

Every student froze.

There she stood—Shirayuki Asuna, the national idol, smiling like a goddess among mortals.

The room exploded.

“AAAAAH IT’S REALLY HER!!!”
“WE’RE IN THE SAME CLASS AS SHIRAYUKI ASUNA!!!”
“THIS IS A BLESSING FROM THE GODS!”

Even Rio, who was usually calm, stood from her seat, mouth open.
Celestine and Itsuha just stared in disbelief.

Asuna giggled softly and waved. “Nice to meet you all. Please take care of me!”

Then her gaze moved across the room—locking onto Kanata.

Her smile didn’t falter, but her tone changed ever so slightly as she walked toward him.

Kanata blinked. “Uh… me?”

Asuna stopped beside his desk, tilting her head.
Her eyes softened. “You must be Tendou Kanata, right?”

Kanata swallowed. “Y-Yeah, that’s me.”

Then she smiled—sweetly, but with a flicker of something ancient behind her eyes.

And in that instant, her voice echoed inside Kanata’s mind.

“It’s been a long time… hasn’t it, Obsidian?”

Kanata’s body went cold.
Inside his head, a familiar growl stirred from the depths.

“That voice… Astrellia?”

“Hehe, still the same as ever.”

“You—what are you doing here?”

“Oh, you know… just borrowing a vessel.” Her voice was playful. “This boy of yours is interesting. You’ve grown attached, haven’t you?”

“He’s my responsibility. My son.”

“A son, huh? How sentimental of you, old friend.”

Kanata blinked rapidly, trying to keep composure as students whispered around him.
From the outside, it looked like Asuna and Kanata were simply… staring at each other.

But inside, two ancient beings—Obsidian, the Black Dragon, and Astrellia, the Celestial Wing—spoke again after centuries.

Meanwhile, in the Four Witches’ meeting chamber, Nagisa, Aine, and Itsuha gathered around a glowing map.

“Reports from the Holy Church confirm the discovery of a lost island,” Aine read aloud. “They’re calling it The Fountain of Eternity.”

Nagisa tapped the paper thoughtfully. “So that’s where they’re sending the next student expedition? Convenient.”

Itsuha frowned. “They’re saying anyone who drinks from the fountain gains eternal life.”

Nagisa leaned back, eyes sharp. “Eternal life… or eternal curse. Either way, it’s bait.”

In a sleek black car driving through the rain, Reiga flipped through the same file.
Kobayashi sat beside him, frowning at the faded photos.

“Fountain of Eternity… huh? Do you believe it?”

Reiga sighed. “Believe it or not, it’s real enough for the Church to send troops. And if it grants power, you can bet the world’s going to fight over it.”

Kobayashi looked out the window, his tone uneasy. “Then I suppose it’s time to prepare the students.”

Reiga closed the file, his eyes narrowing.
“Let’s hope the Dragon Boy and the Silver Idol don’t tear the academy apart before that.”

Back in Class D, Asuna smiled gently at Kanata—her fingers brushing the edge of his desk.
For a brief second, Kanata could feel something radiating from her—a divine warmth mixed with the chill of the void.

“Let’s get along, Kanata,” she said softly.

And deep within his mind, Obsidian whispered to him:

“Be careful, boy. That girl… she’s not human.”

Kanata’s eyes widened.

“What are you?” he murmured.

Asuna smiled—sweet, serene, and utterly unreadable.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”