---
**[Scene - Royal Magic Academy – First Day, Morning]**
Sunlight bathed the large, magnificent school grounds.
Students in black uniforms walked past towering white stone buildings and parks filled with glowing trees.
At the entrance, two large signs swayed.
**Class A - "Excelling in Power and Prestige."**
**Class B - "Potential Awaits."**
Kuro and Rei stood side-by-side near the gates.
His silver hair shimmered. Her purple eyes scanned the crowd.
> "Class B for us, right, Kuro-sama?" Rei said with a half-smile.
> "Was this arranged?"
Kuro glanced at her.
> "Class A is arrogant. Noisy."
> "Better to go unnoticed until the right time."
---
**[Scene - The Classrooms - That Morning]**
While Rei was away getting situated, Kuro walked quietly through the hall, drawing focus.
A group of Class A boys, adorned with gilded crests, blocked his path.
**Zarkin** - Tall, with fiery orange hair, a fire magic user.
**Merron** - Slim, a shadow-signature magic user.
**Delin** - Earth magic type, brutish and cruel.
> "Well, look what we have here. A Class B rat scurrying in our hall."
Kuro blinked and stayed calm.
> "I'm just going to my class."
Zerkin grinned.
> "You bumped into my foot earlier."
Kuro tilted his head slightly.
> "I don't think so."
> *Bam!*
Merron shoved him into a corner.
Delin cracked his knuckles.
> "Time to warm up before class."
Kuro remained on the ground.
> "Oh… I'm sorry…"
> "Please don't hurt me..."
---
**[Cutscene - The Intervention - Princess Alisa]**
> "Enough!"
A powerful gust of wind blew between them.
Princess Alisa stood a few steps away, golden light swirling in her hands—her chestnut hair in a royal updo, her emerald eyes sharp and commanding.
The three boys froze.
> "Daring to disgrace your family names in front of a member of the royal family?"
> "Bullying a new student?"
Zarkin gritted his teeth.
> "He's from Class B. He shouldn't even be—"
> *Boom!*
A bright streak of light shot across the hall corridor. The other two scrambled away.
Kuro sat up slowly and accepted her offered hand.
> "Princess... you saved me?"
Alisa smiled kindly.
> "Yes."
> "I am Alisa Ironwood, Student Council President and daughter of the Eastern King."
> "And you are...?"
Kuro hesitated.
> "Kuro... Kuro Velgrith."
Alisa blinked. Her demeanor softened momentarily.
> "Kuro...?"
> "That name... feels strangely familiar."
> *Those eyes...*
She dismissed the thought and helped him up.
> "Come, let me show you around, Kuro-kun."
---
**[Scene - The Royal Academy Tour]**
As they walked, Alisa introduced him to various places.
The Elemental Magic Spire.
The Physical Combat Training Field.
The Ancient Incantation Library.
The Dormitory Gardens.
She smiled brightly.
> "This place will be your second home, Kuro-kun. The classes are tough, but you'll improve quickly."
Kuro nodded, quietly memorizing the layout.
> "So this is how the kingdom molds its soldiers."
> *Interesting.*
---
**[Scene: Rei Watching from Afar]**
Rei watched from a high ledge, leaning against a tree.
Her fists were clenched.
> "Why is he with her...?"
She narrowed her eyes at Alisa.
> "That smile... it's already so familiar."
But she bit her lip and calmed down.
> "No. I'm his follower. I'm part of the plan."
> "No one can get closer to Kuro-sama than me."
---
**[Scene - That Night - The Dorm Room]**
Rei sat by the window, arms crossed.
Kuro entered silently, holding an incantation book.
She stared at him intently.
> "Did you enjoy the tour with the Princess, Kuro-sama?"
Kuro raised an eyebrow.
> "She is useful."
Rei teased.
> "So I'm the Master's follower, and what is she now?"
Kuro stepped closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
> "You are the one who knows my shadow."
> "She only sees the light."
Rei's face instantly brightened.
---
**[Scene- Gods of the Realm – Stalled Progress]**
Elmyria sat by the incomplete summoning.
> "Not ready yet…"
> "He's still too divergent from her shadow..."
---
**[Cutscene- Demon Spies - The Human City]**
Two cloaked spies blended in with merchants and nobles on the streets of Ironwood.
> "Not even a trace of the shadow brat…"
> "He's hiding amongst them."
They didn't notice Kuro passing by the academy gates.
---
✦ **To be continued...**