"Could that... could that be a Meteoric Art!?"
The crowd erupted in a frenzy as Haruki's slash tore through the arena.
The prevailing theory among the students was that Haruki had just demonstrated a specialized Meteoric Art—a high-level technique where Star Pulse is channeled to achieve physical effects that defy standard laws of physics. It was a rare skill, a symbol of a true elite that most students couldn't master even with years of dedicated practice.
However, the more observant students were skeptical. Meteoric Arts required a precisely calibrated Lux to act as a catalyst for the user's Star Pulse. Haruki wasn't using a Lux; he was holding a physical blade. To them, the idea of a physical sword producing a conceptual wave-strike was impossible.
While the audience spiraled into confusion, Julis stood at the center of the arena, feeling a profound sense of vulnerability.
Haruki's Ground-Ripper Wave Sword didn't have the flashy, explosive power of her flames, but his swordsmanship was so refined that the strike felt inevitable. It was a blade that ignored resistance.
If Julis had been more cautious—if she had held back some of her energy for a defensive barrier—she might have survived the exchange. But she had been arrogant. She had assumed that maximum offensive output was the only path to victory. That mistake had cost her everything.
BOOM!
The devastating shockwave roared past Julis's side, missing her by a fraction of an inch. Haruki had calculated the trajectory perfectly; he had no intention of actually harming her.
It was a rare gesture of mercy from the Sword Ghost. He didn't know the full legal ramifications of "injuring a Princess" in this world yet, and he didn't want a criminal record to disqualify him from the Phoenix Festa before it even started.
But even though the strike missed, the message was clear. It was a total, undeniable victory for the transfer student.
"Why... why did you hold back?"
Julis stood on the platform, her eyes searching Haruki's face. She felt a swarm of conflicting emotions—confusion, a reluctant respect, and beneath it all, a stinging sense of shame.
To an observer, Haruki's restraint was a sign of character. But to a woman as proud as Julis, being "spared" by an opponent who could have easily ended the fight was a massive blow to her ego. It was an insult to her status as a Page One Twelve member.
She looked ready to lunged again, desperate to reclaim her dignity, but the sound of slow, rhythmic clapping stopped her.
"Alright, that's quite enough. Let's call it a day."
A girl with long, shimmering golden hair walked toward the edge of the arena. Her presence was calm and steady, possessing a beauty that was fundamentally different from Julis's. If Julis was a vibrant, burning rose, this girl was like the deep, still surface of a mountain lake. She looked about Julis's age, but her aura was far more mature.
"Claudia... what are you doing here?" Julis asked, lowering her weapon.
"Exercising my authority as the Student Council President of Seidokan Academy," the girl, Claudia Enfield, said with a charming smile. She placed her hand over her own crest. "By the power of the Red Lotus, I declare the duel between Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld and Haruki Aizawa null and void."
The red glow on both Haruki's and Julis's crests flickered and died.
"The duel is over," Claudia said, her violet eyes landing on Haruki, measuring him with a friendly but piercing curiosity.
"Even the Council President can't just stop a registered duel without a valid reason," Julis argued, her frustration bubbling over.
"Oh, but I have a very valid reason," Claudia replied smoothly. "I've just checked the records. Haruki Aizawa is a transfer student who only arrived this morning. While his data is in the system, his final enrollment papers haven't been processed yet. Legally, he isn't a student of Seidokan until the clock strikes midnight. A duel is only valid between two active students. Therefore, this match never existed. Isn't that right?"
Julis opened her mouth to argue, but Claudia's logic was airtight. She let out a huff and turned away, refusing to look at Haruki.
"Well then, everyone should head to class," Claudia announced to the crowd. "We wouldn't want to be late on the first day, would we?"
As the students dispersed, Haruki moved to leave, but Claudia stepped into his path.
"Is there something else?" Haruki asked.
"I'd like to have a word with you, Aizawa-kun," Claudia said. "It's not every day a 'nobody' arrives and humbles one of our top fighters. I'm very interested in seeing what you're really here for."
"You want to test me?"
"Hehe. You could say that."
Claudia led Haruki to the Student Council office, a spacious room overlooking the academy grounds.
"As a student of Seidokan, I assume you have goals," she began, leaning against her desk. "Perhaps... the Phoenix Festa?"
"You want to know if I'm participating?"
"Indeed. Seidokan's performance in the Festa has been... lackluster lately. Last season, we were fifth out of the six academies. Since Queenvale typically doesn't care about the aggregate ranking, we were essentially in last place." Claudia's expression turned serious. "The Foundation is desperate to break the stalemate. We've introduced a 'Special Cadet' program to fast-track students with exceptional potential."
"Special Cadet?"
"In short: you get special privileges, tuition waivers, and high-level resources. In exchange, we expect results. We want you to win."
"So you're offering me a slot?" Haruki asked.
"You're very direct, Aizawa-kun. I like that," Claudia nodded. "Becoming a Special Cadet usually requires a grueling entrance exam and multiple reviews. But after seeing you handle Julis... I'm going to use my personal recommendation to bypass the red tape."
"Fine by me," Haruki said. He needed the win for his mission anyway. If the school wanted to give him extra toys to help him get there, he wasn't going to say no.
"Excellent!" Claudia's eyes sparkled. "As a Special Cadet, you'll have priority access to Seidokan's Pure Stellar Lux armory."
"Pure Stellar Lux? What's the difference?"
"You know what a standard Lux is, right?"
"More or less."
"A Pure Stellar Lux is forged around a Manadite—a rare crystal with a core density thousands of times higher than standard ore. They possess massive energy reserves and grant the user specialized abilities, similar to a Strega's magic. However, they are sentient, in a way. You need an 'alignment' or 'compatibility rate' of over 80% to even activate one."
"I see." Haruki wasn't overly impressed. He preferred his own strength to the gimmicks of a sentient flashlight. But if a weapon could offer a unique advantage, he would consider it.
Before letting Haruki leave, Claudia handed him a small, metallic cylinder—a Lux activation device.
"You don't have a weapon of your own yet, do you?" she asked. "This is a standard sword-type Lux issued by the academy. It's been synced to your student ID. If you need it adjusted, head to the Bureau of Equipment."
"Thanks."
Haruki took the device. He felt the energy port at the base. He didn't have Star Pulse, but as he experimented, he found that injecting pure Mana from his own reserves achieved the same effect.
VROOOM!
A beam of sharp, stabilized energy erupted from the hilt, looking like a high-tech rapier. Haruki nodded, deactivated it, and tucked it into his pocket.
"Until the armory approves your request for a Pure Stellar Lux, use that," Claudia said. "Don't worry about breaking it. The academy has thousands in stock."
"Generous of you."
"Results are the only thing that matters to the Foundation," Claudia said simply.
Haruki left the office and headed for his assigned classroom. When he arrived, the teacher was already mid-introduction.
"—and he is our second special transfer student for the term, Haruki Aizawa. Please treat him with respect."
"Second?" Haruki muttered.
He hadn't expected to have competition for the "new kid" spotlight. As if in response to his thought, a boy stood up and waved with a sheepish smile.
"Hey there. My name is Ayato Amagiri. I just transferred in today too."
Haruki sized him up. Ayato looked like a typical, somewhat lazy high schooler. But Haruki's Eyes of Absolute Perception saw something else entirely. Beneath the "casual" exterior was a core of incredible, suppressed power.
But something about Ayato's concealment felt... off. To a true master, the boy's attempts to look "normal" were so deliberate they were practically screaming. It reminded Haruki of a chuunibyou kid who creates a "secret identity" for themselves but wears enough accessories that everyone knows they're playing a role.
He's hiding his strength for the sake of hiding it, Haruki thought. A bit dramatic, but efficient.
Haruki ignored the social cues and walked toward his assigned desk. However, as he reached his seat, he found himself staring into a pair of familiar turquoise eyes.
He was sitting directly next to Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld.
The Princess's face turned scarlet the moment their eyes met. She looked ready to explode.
"You...!" she hissed, her voice low so the teacher wouldn't hear. "Don't think this is over. Meet me behind the gym after school. If you have any guts at all, you won't run!"
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