---
**[Scene - Royal Magic Academy – Student Council Room]**
With only a few days left before the Academy and National Festival, all of Ironwood began to shimmer with excitement.
Elemental light lanterns floated along city streets, students buzzed like hives within the school, and shopkeepers displayed colorful festival banners outside their stores.
Inside the student council room, numerous scrolls and documents were spread across a large table.
Kuro, silent as ever, stood near Princess Alisa, reviewing security plans and performance schedules.
> Alisa (Smiling gently)
> "We're lucky to have Kuro-kun's help. I didn't expect you to volunteer so enthusiastically."
> Kuro (Quietly)
> "I just dislike disorder."
She laughed lightly, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear.
The room fell quiet, filled only with the sound of wind rustling against the ink-stained windows.
> Alisa (Suddenly):
> "Kuro-kun…"
> Kuro: "Yes?"
> Alisa (Seriously)
> "What does Kuro-kun think... about the Darkness Lord, Shujin?"
Kuro paused briefly, then turned back to the papers.
> Kuro :
> "What others think doesn't matter. Some call him a villain, some call him a hero. But is he wrong if his actions protect the weak, Princess Alisa?"
Alisa closed her eyes, reflecting, not out of suspicion.
> "It's strange, he said something similar too."
Kuro turned to leave, leaving a subtle smile at the corner of his lips.
> "Maybe it's a coincidence."
---
**[Scene - A Magical Mishap]**
While Alisa was using flame-based magic to inscribe magical runes on a festival banner, the spell unexpectedly—sparks burst outward, shooting towards her.
Before she could react—
Flash.
FWOOOSH
Kuro stepped forward, extinguishing the rogue magic with his bare hand. The flames struck his left shoulder directly, burning his uniform and leaving a long tear along the seam.
> Alisa (Shocked)
> "Kuro-kun!!"
Kuro, though startled, remained calm. Blood trickled slowly onto the marble floor.
> Alisa: "I'm so sorry! Why did you do that?!"
She quickly cast a Healing Light, her hands trembling.
Soft golden rays wrapped around Kuro's wound, and the bleeding stopped within moments. The pain was real, but his breathing remained steady.
> Kuro (Calmly)
> "It's fine. I think I'm better off than you are, Princess."
> Alisa (Softly)
> "That was so careless... Kuro-kun got hurt because of me."
He looked at her with faintly pained eyes. The skin underneath showed shadows—proof enough for her to see he wasn't some untouchable god or demon.
He bled. Just like everyone else.
Her suspicions wavered.
> Alisa (Sighing)
> "I thought... maybe you were hiding something big, like Saria said. But now..."
> Kuro: "Disappointed?"
> Alisa (Smiling)
> "Actually, I'm relieved. You're not as strange as I thought."
> Kuro (Internally) - Just as planned...
---
**[Scene - Elsewhere in the Academy]**
Meanwhile—
Rei was helping rehearse an original play about ancient demon myths, quietly incorporating subtle, high-level illusion tricks Kuro had taught her. But she was also planning something for Kuro.
> Rei (Thinking) : He doesn't know it yet, but this time I'll make him smile.
After gathering supplies, Ryuto returned to the academy. Seeing everyone working together made him smile, yet his thoughts remained hesitant.
> Ryuto (Thinking) : The Darkness Lord... Why does the Goddess want him dead when everything he does seems right?
Saria, organizing Class B's food stall, paused and glanced towards the council tower window.
> Saria (Thinking) : Kuro... Something about him still bothers me. Even if he bleeds like us, maybe he doesn't feel pain like we do.
---
**[Scene - Kuro's Dormitory - That Night]**
Kuro returned to his room, removed his shirt, and tossed it aside. He touched the thin bandage on his shoulder. It would heal quickly.
> "Pain is just a small price to pay for trust."
A knock came at the door.
> Rei: "What happened?"
> Kuro (Without turning) "You're late."
She peeked in, holding a small magic salve, her expression full of concern.
> "Even the Darkness Lord should rest sometimes."
The wound tingled faintly.
> Rei (Reciting) "I don't like that she touched Master."
> Kuro (Sighing) "Are you jealous again?"
> Rei (Pouting): "No…"
Rei gently applied the salve, her eyes closed.
The festival was coming. The crowds would be merry. The lights would dance.
But beneath the surface, the shadows grew deeper.
---
✦ **To be continued...**