The next day began with an unnatural silence—too still, too deliberate.
Ashford Academy's stone halls carried faint murmurs and watchful eyes. It wasn't just admiration anymore. There was wariness. Suspicion. And something far more dangerous: interest.
Riku Aoyama knew the type of quiet that came before a storm.
After all, the encrypted message still lingered in his system's memory.
> [Encrypted Message: "We know what you are. Join us—or we'll expose you."]
[Status: Traceable within 36 hours unless purged manually.]
His fingers tapped his desk rhythmically as he stared blankly at his morning textbook. Around him, voices whispered—not maliciously, but curiously. With rising intensity.
"He beat the alchemy teacher at her own game yesterday."
"They say Professor Kaguya is mentoring him personally now…"
"He's too perfect. He must be hiding something."
He was.
And someone clearly knew.
---
Magic and Application Class – Spell Lab 2
"Today, we'll be pairing off into dual spell-casting teams," Professor Junichi announced, brushing back his graying hair as sparks of elemental energy glowed behind him. "You will be evaluated not just on spell power, but harmony and control."
As usual, the class buzzed with low murmurs of excitement—until it went deathly quiet.
"Riku Aoyama," Junichi said, scanning his roster, "you'll pair with… Ayumi Kirisawa."
The room stirred.
"Ohhh, they're close, aren't they?"
"She was blushing around him last week."
"Lucky…"
Ayumi shot them a glare and walked toward Riku with folded arms. "Ready?"
Riku nodded, stepping beside her.
The test began.
Ayumi cast Hydra Spiral, a rotating column of high-pressure water shaped like a serpent.
Riku cast Static Bind, a containment field that wrapped the target in paralytic lightning.
Most duos would fumble—elemental incompatibilities were common. Water and lightning were particularly volatile.
But not them.
Their skills weaved together.
Hydra Spiral became a live current snake, its body shimmering with electricity—controlled, balanced, enhanced.
The spell struck the target dummy with a thunderclap and a burst of steam. The feedback sensors glowed gold.
"Perfect synergy," Junichi muttered, stunned. "They didn't just adapt—they innovated…"
> [System Notification: New Combo Skill Discovered – Voltic Leviathan]
[Effect: Water+Lightning Fusion spell. High damage and temporary paralysis. Partnership-based efficiency bonus.]
[Bond Skill: User – Ayumi Kirisawa]
The class erupted in applause.
Ayumi grinned at him—just a bit smug now. "Told you I could keep up."
Riku offered a rare smile. "You didn't keep up. You led."
Her cheeks flared pink again.
> [System: Ayumi Kirisawa – Affection +2 (Proud, Flustered)]
[Relationship Status: Budding Connection]
---
Afternoon – Academy Library Annex
While most students headed to lunch, Riku headed elsewhere: the restricted archives. He needed to trace the message—and the only place that stored logs of sub-network transmissions was beneath the academy's public layer.
Unfortunately, someone was already there.
"Didn't expect to see you here," came a deep, calm voice.
Riku turned.
Professor Kaito Ishin, the head of Security Magic. Tall. Monolithic. Always carrying a faint aura of intimidation. Some said he was once part of the royal guard.
Kaito leaned over a sealed tome, his silver eyes scanning Riku.
"I've been watching your rise," Kaito said. "Some say it's unnatural."
Riku didn't flinch. "Some say the academy plays favorites."
Kaito smirked. "Touché."
A long pause.
"You should be careful," Kaito said eventually. "The higher you rise, the more those below you want to drag you down. Especially if they suspect you're hiding something."
"…Are you threatening me?" Riku asked, eyes narrowing.
"No," Kaito said, turning away. "Just making sure you understand the rules of the game."
As he vanished into the corridor, Riku received a notification:
> [Hidden Threat Unlocked – Internal Investigation: Ishin suspects anomaly]
[Stealth Protocol recommended.]
---
Later That Night – Female Dormitory Hallway
"Miss Ayumi Kirisawa?"
Ayumi looked up to see Professor Liora Vex, her alchemy teacher and one of the strictest evaluators at Ashford. With her raven hair and violet eyes, she looked more like a noble than a teacher.
"Yes, professor?"
"Walk with me."
They strolled in silence through the corridor.
"I've been monitoring Riku Aoyama," Liora said quietly. "You're close to him, aren't you?"
Ayumi tensed. "I—I suppose…"
"Then consider this your warning. He is dangerous."
Ayumi stopped. "You don't know him."
"I know he's not normal," Liora said flatly. "No boy jumps five academic levels in two weeks. Not without external interference."
She stepped closer.
"If he drags you down… I won't protect you."
Ayumi's fists clenched.
"Then I'll protect him," she said before walking away.
> [System Update: Ayumi Kirisawa – Loyalty Deepened.]
[New Status: Potential Confidant]
---
Riku's Dorm – Midnight
Riku sat by his desk, fingers racing across his system menu. The trace was complete.
> [Message Source: Local Node F-7]
[User: Masked IP. Proxy Origin: Maintenance Terminal. Location: Old Archives Basement.]
"Got you."
Just as he prepared to move, the system lit up:
> [Urgent Alert: One new message received.]
["You've taken too long. Meet us tonight. Old Archives. Come alone. Or the whole academy learns your secret."]
Riku stood up, cracked his knuckles.
Time to dance.