---
**[Scene - Royal Magic Academy – Morning]**
The academy grounds buzzed with life once more after the temporary closure due to the demon attack.
Kuro and Rei resumed their daily life in Class B as if nothing had happened. Their masks of normalcy were flawless.
Rei kept a close watch on Ryuto.
> "He's been watching us at night," she whispered.
Kuro merely nodded.
> "Then we no longer move like shadows..."
They decided to pause their missions—not out of fear, but calculation.
---
**[Scene - Within the Academy - Ryuto's Thoughts]**
Ryuto watched Kuro more intently.
> *His voice… his walk… he reminds me of Kiyoshi.*
But every time he saw Kuro being pushed around or quietly mocked by the arrogant boys in Class B, doubt crept in.
> *No, Kiyoshi would never tolerate that. He'd fight back...*
He shook his head.
> *Kuro can't be him. Someone… just looks strangely similar.*
And so, just as Kuro intended, Ryuto lessened his suspicion.
---
**[Scene - Academy Grounds - Afternoon]**
As Kuro walked alone on the green training field, a sharp voice interrupted him.
> "Kuro-kun."
> "I challenge you to a one-on-one duel. Right now."
Saria, the sharp-eyed girl from Class B, had been quietly observing him.
Her long hair shimmered in the sunlight, her eyes locked onto him. She wore a confident smile.
> "I've seen it. I know you're hiding something."
Kuro looked at her.
> *If I refuse, she'll only grow more suspicious...*
He let out a soft sigh.
> "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
---
**[Scene - The Duel Begins]**
The field was cleared. Students from both classes formed a circle.
Saria unleashed intense wind-fire combination magic—advanced spellcasting rarely seen in first-year classes.
Kuro, deliberately using weak runes, dodged and blocked.
> "Is that all you've got?" Saria smiled.
The other students were surprised Kuro could last this long against her.
But when Saria's next attack came dangerously close—an Exploding Whip of Condensed Lightning and Fire—Kuro countered with a slightly stronger spell.
A Dark Flash Of Twilight Energy sliced through Saria's flames, shattering her defense.
BOOM!
Dust particles exploded across the field.
Saria was blown back, unharmed but breathless.
> "...Did I... lose?..." she whispered, trembling.
---
**[Scene - After the Duel]**
Kuro dropped to one knee, panting loudly, feigning exhaustion.
> "You're strong, Saria-san."
Saria stood up, brushing the dust from her uniform.
> "You could have been in Class A with that. Why hide your power?"
Kuro gave her a faint smile and replied lightly.
> "And why are you hiding, Saria-san?"
Saria paused. Her eyes widened slightly, then she laughed quietly.
> "Tch, fair enough. I'll reconsider. I want to see what you're really made of."
She nodded respectfully.
> "Thank you, Kuro-kun. I won't forget this."
She turned and walked away.
Kuro sat back down, his breathing now even.
> "She won't suspect me... for a while," he recited to himself.
---
**[Scene - Princess Alisa Watches from Afar]**
From behind a large rock, Princess Alisa had watched the entire duel unfold.
> "He's powerful... even stronger than he showed..."
She placed a hand over her chest.
> *Why hide? Why pretend? Who are you, Kuro?*
---
**[Scene - Ryuto's Room – That Night]**
Ryuto heard about the duel. He questioned some classmates.
> "He beat Saria-san?"
> "Yeah, but he barely won. He's still weak."
Ryuto leaned back.
> *Kuro... you're strange. But I sense no evil in you.*
He couldn't explain it either.
---
✦ **To be continued...**