---
**[Cutscene - Afternoon – Academy Garden Courtyard]**
A gentle breeze carried the soft scent of blooming mana flowers. Princess Alisa sat on a long stone bench under a flowering tree, her demeanor serious. The usual brightness in her eyes was dimmed by thought. She had sent a message requesting a private talk with Ryuto.
Ryuto approached soon after.
> "Princess Alisa. What's the matter?"
Alisa stood up, looked around cautiously, and moved closer.
> "Ryuto-kun… you are the Second Summoned Hero, correct?"
Ryuto blinked in surprise.
> "Yes… but how do you know—?"
> "Then you should know. There is a demon in our academy. A student. The new transfer student in Class B."
His eyes widened.
> "Wait… what?!"
She crossed her arms, her brows furrowing.
> "Lucien. The one with crimson eyes. I saw it myself. He emitted a dangerous aura… I'm certain he's not human."
Ryuto frowned, recalling Lucien's calm demeanor.
> "When I met him, he didn't seem that strong…"
Alisa moved closer.
> "That's the problem. He's hiding it. Only a true demon can control their magic so precisely. You must be careful, Ryuto-kun."
Ryuto thought for a moment, looking down.
> "I understand… Thank you, Princess Alisa. I'll look into it."
---
**[Cutscene - Dormitory Common Room – Later That Day]**
Ryuto found Kuro sitting alone in the common room, reading a book in the late afternoon sun. The light gave him a warm glow, but his expression remained unreadable.
> "Kuro," Ryuto called. "Can I ask you something?"
Kuro looked up. "Go on."
Ryuto sat beside him.
> "Princess Alisa told me she thinks Lucien is a demon… She saw something. I didn't want to believe it at first, but it's troubling."
> "How can you tell if someone is a demon, Kuro?"
Kuro slowly closed his book. His eyes narrowed with focus.
> "So… she noticed too."
> "Lucien is skilled at masking his demonic aura. But demons… they can't fully suppress their power under pressure."
Ryuto leaned forward, looking surprised. So Kuro had noticed too. Ryuto thought.
> "So you believe he's a demon too?"
> "What I believe is irrelevant," Kuro said calmly. "We must make him reveal himself."
> "Do you have a plan?"
Kuro gave a faint smile. "Of course I do."
---
**[Scene - Class B – Next Morning]**
The classroom buzzed with chatter. Kuro sat in the back as usual. Rei, sitting beside him, seemed as cheerful as ever.
> "Kuro-sama~ look, have your social skills improved recently? Getting closer to Ryuto-kun?"
> "It was just for strategy," Kuro replied curtly. "Nothing more."
At the front, Selvaria stood in her crisp attire, glasses gleaming.
> "Students, I have an announcement."
The room fell silent immediately.
> "The annual Magic Tournament is approaching. It will be held at the Ironwood Royal Magic Academy—students from both Class A and Class B can compete."
Excitement and murmurs filled the room.
> "Really? I hear Class A dominates every year."
> "I heard the top prize gets a blessing from the King himself."
Selvaria adjusted her glasses and smiled.
> "It's the best opportunity to demonstrate every student's progress... or failure."
Princess Alisa entered from the doorway.
> "I will also be participating," she declared confidently. "And I hope we all challenge ourselves."
A student raised their hand.
> "Will Kuro-kun be participating too?"
Heads turned. Kuro's sharp violet eyes glanced up briefly.
> "Not interested."
Rei scrunched her nose. "Kuro-sama, why~?"
> "It's not my battlefield," he said, leaning back in his seat.
Lucien chuckled quietly from his seat.
> "I suppose that makes it easier for the rest of us, then."
Selvaria nodded.
> "The participants from Class B will be Ryuto, Rei, Lucien, and Saria. Others may still join."
Saria, the quiet, composed girl with ice elemental magic, glanced at Kuro with curiosity before looking away.
---
**[Cutscene - Later That Day – Corridor Outside Class]**
Ryuto walked alongside Kuro.
> "So your plan is… to watch Lucien during the tournament?"
Kuro nodded.
> "When forced to use high-level magic in front of a crowd, he'll slip up. Even if just a little."
> "What if he doesn't?"
Kuro's eyes turned cold and calculating.
> "Then we'll still learn the truth… just how dangerous he truly is."
---
✦ **To Be Continued...**