---
**[Scene - Celestial Realm - The Waiting Gods]**
Tension filled the divine realm.
The Elemental Gods, once mighty rulers of fate, now sat silently before the World Goddess Elmyria. Their eyes, once blazing with pride, were dimmed by the memory of their helplessness.
> "We cannot intervene," the Fire God murmured. "If we interfere... he will destroy us again."
Elmyria stared into her divine mirror, her expression unreadable.
> "He is too powerful now. We must wait."
> "Wait for what?" the Earth God asked bitterly.
She answered softly.
> "For the Summoned One…"
The image in the mirror shifted to a new boy with brown hair and a sharp gaze.
> "Ryuto... your fate is only just beginning to weave."
---
**[Cutscene - Demon Empire – Council of Demon Lords]**
Within the Great Demon Lord's obsidian palace, the Demon Lords of the North, West, and South gathered.
Upon the central throne sat a great shadow - the Great Demon Lord himself.
> "The Eastern Demon Lord has fallen," he roared, claws scraping the black throne.
> "The one who killed him is beyond our scouts, we cannot track him," stated the Northern Demon Lord.
> "He must be a threat worse than the Dark Magic God," added the Western Demon Lord.
> "We must soon install a new Eastern Demon Lord. The balance must not collapse."
The Great Demon Lord's eyes narrowed.
> "We will install a puppet. A loyal one. And at the same time... we will continue searching. That Master of Shadows must not be allowed to topple our puppet."
---
**[Scene - Magic Academy – Morning, Kuro's Dorm Room]**
Soft morning sunlight peered through the blinds. Kuro slowly opened his eyes... and felt a warmth on his chest.
He blinked.
> "...Rei?"
A girl with fine hair was curled up on his chest like a cat, fast asleep, her head on his shoulder.
Kuro stared blankly.
> "Did you really fall asleep here..."
He gently raised his right hand and stroked her hair with one hand.
> "...You're still so childish, Rei, sleeping like this."
At his touch, Rei trembled and slowly opened her eyes.
> "Mmm... Good morning, Kuro-sama…"
She smiled softly, her cheeks turning pink.
Kuro sighed.
> "Time to get up, Rei. We'll be late. This is the boys' dorm, remember?"
Rei pouted and got off the bed.
> "I used my master's shadow-step magic! Doesn't that count, Kuro-sama!"
Kuro kept staring at her.
> "I'm still calculating."
She giggled, fixed her hair, and stepped back through the black doorway to her own dorm.
---
**[Scene - Magic Academy – Classroom B, Second Day]**
The classroom was buzzing with excitement.
It was Magic Power Assessment day.
Students lined up before a bright crystal ring that measured their magical output.
Kuro went first.
> "I'll show them I'm pathetically weak under suspicion."
He cast a magical thread. The ring dimmed slightly—seeming even weaker than the average villager.
The boys in the class laughed.
> "Really? That's it?"
> "How did someone like him even get in?"
Kuro simply smiled and returned to his seat. He didn't care. Let them laugh.
Then it was Rei's turn.
She produced a smooth, controlled, and strangely soft pulse of dark magic. The ring glowed with a deep purple hue.
> "That's a rare magic... Human-use dark magic is scarce."
> "Is she nobility?"
Some students, especially the boys, grew more curious, recognizing the deep familiarity.
Kuro glanced at Rei. She winked sharply at him.
---
**[Scene - The Entrance - The New Transfer Student]**
The classroom door opened.
A new boy entered - tall, with blue eyes, sharp brown hair, and a steady demeanor. Though wearing the same uniform, he walked with a different confidence.
> "Ah... sorry I'm late. I'm the new transfer student."
The teacher looked over.
> "Name?"
The boy smiled.
> "Ryuto."
Kuro's eyes narrowed slightly. That name… felt vaguely familiar.
But he shook it off.
Ryuto looked around and sat down next to Kuro.
> "Hey... You're Kuro Velgrith, right?"
Kuro raised an eyebrow.
> "Yes."
Ryuto extended his hand.
> "Nice to meet you. I'm new here. Kind of feeling things out. Maybe you could show me around later?"
Kuro stared at the hand for a second, then shook it.
> "Sure."
Their handshake lasted a moment too long—something passed between them. A submerged lineage sank deep.
They had once been friends, unaware one had died for the other.
Kuro felt something.
> *His Mana isn't normal. Not demonic either. Almost... divine?*
Ryuto thought the same.
> *There's something about this guy. His magical power is nothing, but in my heart, I feel suspicious.*
They both smiled.
And so the game began.
---
✦ **To be continued...**