The dorm was silent. Moonlight slanted through the windows, brushing the floor in pale silver.
A whisper cut through his head:
"KADO…"
His tuff twitched sharply. He shot upright, gasping, eyes snapping open.
A hulking demon silhouette crouched just outside the window, crimson eyes glowing.
"Kado? What… what is it?" Riku mumbled, still half-asleep.
"There's a demon… close!" Kado hissed, heart pounding.
Riku groaned. "You're dreaming… it's night—"
"This isn't a dream!" Kado snapped,
grabbing his arm. "Listen to me!"
The voice came again, low and menacing, curling through the darkness like smoke.
Riku's eyes went wide. "Okay… okay! Everyone—wake up!"
Laughter and mocking erupted from the boys.
"Ha! Kado's scared of ghosts!" one sneered.
"You dreaming about monsters again?"
another laughe.
Kado's glare was ice. "This is real. If you don't move—"
He bolted from the room. "I have to alert a teacher!"
Minutes later, he returned, breath ragged.
The dorm door creaked—and his eyes froze.
Riku lay at the threshold, bleeding from deep cuts, pale and trembling.
"Riku…" Kado gasped.
Past him, six of their roommates lay sprawled, motionless. Dead.
"No… no… this can't be real!" Kado whispered, horror tightening his chest.
A teacher stepped into the room, calm and cold.
"Weaklings," the man said flatly. "They weren't ready. Academy rules—fight or die."
Kado's fists clenched, shaking. "You're just leaving them here?! Their bodies like this?!"
The teacher's eyes were steel. "Survival isn't given—it's earned. You want to live? Train. Or die."
Kado's tuffs twitched as his breathing quickened, a mixture of fear and determination igniting inside him.
"I… I won't let this happen again," he growled.
The teacher turned away, walking into the shadows. "See that you don't."
Kado sank to his knees, the metallic scent of blood thick in the air, eyes burning with resolve.
...
...
Kado was shoved into the new room. A broad-shouldered boy glared at him.
"You're sleeping here now," the boy said, voice low and rough. "I'm Taro. Don't snore."
Kado climbed to the second bunk, keeping his bag close. "Understood."
Taro grunted, dropping onto the lower bunk with a thud. "Try not to get in my way. I don't like weaklings."
Kado stared at the ceiling, mind racing. Riku… are you going to be okay?
...
...
Morning came quickly. The boys were assembled on the training ground, dew sparkling on the grass, the academy logo gleaming in the rising sun. Whispers ran through the students as they eyed each other.
Kaori sauntered past, flipping her hair. "Lucky you, Kado Namakura. Didn't think you'd survive last night," she sneered.
Kado's jaw tightened. Lucky? That's how they see me?
A stern-looking man stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning the crowd. He cleared his throat.
"I am Sensei Hayato. Today, you will demonstrate your abilities," he said, voice carrying over the murmurs.
"This is not merely for combat. Wisdom, control, and ranking are measured here.
Those who cannot prove their worth will not remain. The token you carry is earned—it is not a gift."
The students shuffled nervously. Kado's hand brushed the token in his pocket. Akira… you trusted me. I won't let that go to waste.
One by one, students were called forward. Water swirled at a girl's fingertips. A boy lifted chunks of earth effortlessly. Flames danced in another's hands.
Taro, grunting, hefted a massive wooden club with ease. "Strength," he muttered under his breath.
Riku's decoys mirrored every movement he made, perfect copies acting and reacting as if alive.
Kaori blurred past the line, appearing and disappearing, her speed making her a living shadow.
Finally, it was Kado's turn. He stepped forward, heart pounding, palms empty.
Sensei Hayato squinted at him, reaching for the record sheet. "Name?"
"Kado," he said quietly.
Hayato's eyes narrowed. "Namakura…? Is this your surname?"
Kado swallowed. "No… a friend gave me this token. A girl from another town."
The crowd snickered. "Ha! His girlfriend wants him to be useful!"
Kaori leaned closer, voice sharp. "No power, huh? Weakling as usual."
Hayato adjusted his glasses, lips pressed in a thin line. "I've never had a student with no power submit a token. Did you steal this?"
"No," Kado said firmly. "It was given to me."
A tense silence fell over the ground. Whispers ran like wildfire. The students expected an expulsion.
Hayato sighed, scanning Kado with a thoughtful gaze. "I value will and ambition," he said finally. "You may stay. But understand this: the academy does not reward weakness.
You must prove yourself."
Kado's hand clenched the token. I'll prove myself. I'll make her proud. I won't be weak.
Sensei Hayato raised his hand just as the students started shifting to leave. "Wait," he called, voice firm.
"Due to the casualties in recent battles, we shall be recruiting special students whose abilities focus on healing rather than combat. They will join your ranks starting today."
The chatter around Kado spiked. New first-years walked forward in crisp, bright uniforms, their steps measured. Most were ordinary-looking, but Kado's eyes scanned, detached… until someone caught his gaze.
He froze.
His mouth went dry.
"Akira Namakura?" he whispered under his breath, disbelief threading his voice.
Kado's gaze locked on the new student as she stepped forward—Akira Namakura. Her eyes caught his for a brief moment, sharp and bright.
He froze. Breath hitched. Heart pounding. Just staring at her made the world tilt.
Then she smiled.
A small, knowing smile that made him feel dizzy. She looked away, chuckling softly, turning to talk to another girl beside her. Kado could barely move, his fists tightening at his sides.
The assembly ended, and the students began to disperse. Kado's mind raced—he couldn't stop replaying that smile.
Suddenly, a gentle voice called from the
side.
"Kado? Are you… doing okay?"
He looked up. Akira Namakura was walking toward him, her eyes curious, calm but
tinged with concern.
"My dad… he was so angry at me for letting you go," she said, shaking her head.
Kado exhaled, a small laugh escaping. "I… I can't believe you're really here. After everything… I never expected to see you at the academy."
Akira smiled, tilting her head. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. And I had to see for myself… that you survived."
He swallowed, still dazed. "I did survive… barely. But seeing you… makes me realize just how unreal all this is."
She reached out, lightly touching his arm. "You'll get used to it… I know you will."
Kado nodded, feeling both relief and a strange weight in his chest he couldn't name.
Kado's paused, eyes flicked away, jaw tight. "I… I'm a prince," he muttered, voice low but tense. "I should be the one protecting you, not the other way around."
Akira tilted her head, her hand lifting to gently touch his cheek. "Kado… you have a lot to work on," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his skin. "A lot."
He clenched his fists, cheeks burning, and didn't reply.
They started walking down the bustling academy street. The sounds of students, merchants, and distant training filled the air.
Akira's curiosity finally got the better of her.
"So… this curse you mentioned… it's really taking over you?" she asked, eyes wide with interest.
Kado ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "It's… it's inside me. Some part of me—curse or whatever it is—takes control sometimes. I'm… half lynx. I can see and hear things from far away… even understand demons when they speak."
Akira blinked, then let out a short, sharp laugh. "That's… quite the imagination you've got. You're exaggerating."
He glanced at her, a hint of irritation crossing his face. "I'm not exaggerating," he said firmly. "It's real. You'd understand if you saw it."
She shook her head, smiling. "Alright, alright, mysterious prince. How about we get some lunch first? You can tell me all about your half-lynx curse then."
Kado hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Fine… but don't underestimate what I'm capable of," he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
Akira laughed, linking her arm with his. "Oh, I won't… I'll just have to see for myself."
Kado's fists clenched, muscles taut. His tuff twitched sharply, like a lynx sensing danger. His eyes flicked to Akira, and for a moment, the world narrowed—the bustle of the street, the chatter, the sun-dappled pavement—all of it vanished.
"I… I can show you," he said, voice low, edged with something raw and dangerous.