Chapter 7: Unwanted Attention


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    The moment the match ended, I knew I had made a mistake.


    Not because I won.


    Because I won too well.


    Because I did something I wasn’t supposed to be able to do.


    And now?


    People were watching.


    <hr>


    The Crowd''s Reaction


    The arena was still buzzing as I stepped off the battleground, whispers and murmurs following me like shadows.


    "Did you see that?"


    "No way a C-Rank should have that kind of speed—"


    "That sword… what the hell was that?"


    "Takeda lost?!"


    I ignored them.


    Kept walking, kept my expression blank, even as my mind raced through all the ways this could go wrong.


    I had planned to stay low, keep my cover, move through the ranks quietly.


    Instead?


    I had shattered a ranked duelist’s blade in front of the entire school.


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    Rei Takeda’s Response


    I barely made it to the waiting hall before a voice called out.


    "Oi. Kuro."


    I turned.


    Rei Takeda was standing at the entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable.


    The last time I saw him, he had been flat on his back, staring at his broken sword.


    Now?


    He just looked… thoughtful.


    "You fought well," he said.


    I raised a brow. "You don’t sound mad."


    He shrugged. "Not mad. Just… surprised." His eyes flicked to Nyx at my side. "That sword of yours. It’s not normal, is it?"


    Nyx hummed in amusement in my mind. "Oh, this one is perceptive."


    I ignored her. "What makes you say that?"


    Rei smirked. "Because if it was, I wouldn’t be standing here with a broken weapon."


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    I said nothing.


    Because he was right.


    Because Nyx wasn’t a normal blade.


    And because I had just shown my hand to every hunter-in-training in this school.


    <hr>


    Kaien Aldren’s Warning


    Of course, that wasn’t the worst part.


    Because when I turned the next corner, I found someone waiting for me.


    Kaien Aldren.


    My new least favorite person.


    He was leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, watching me like a cat studying an injured mouse.


    "You''re a problem," he said simply.


    I sighed. "Great. You figured that out fast."


    Kaien pushed off the wall, stepping toward me, his presence unnervingly heavy. "Do you know how things work here, Kuro?"


    "Let me guess," I muttered. "The strong rule, the weak follow, and you’re at the top of the food chain?"


    His smirk was slow, dangerous. "Something like that."


    His eyes locked onto mine. "And now you’ve put yourself on the board."


    I didn’t answer.


    I didn’t have to.


    We both knew what he meant.


    I had drawn attention.


    Not just from the students.


    From the academy itself.


    And in a place where power dictated worth, that was a dangerous thing.


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    A Meeting with the Instructors


    I wasn’t even back in my dorm for an hour before I got the summons.


    <blockquote>


    [REPORT TO HEAD INSTRUCTOR VANCE IMMEDIATELY.]


    </blockquote>


    Of course.


    I followed the directions, making my way through the administrative wing until I reached a dimly lit office, lined with old weapons and battle-worn maps.


    Behind the desk sat Instructor Vance.


    A former A-Rank hunter, built like a war tank, his face lined with scars, his aura sharp and predatory.


    He didn’t look up as I entered. Just kept reviewing something on his screen.


    Then, after a long, tense moment—


    He spoke.


    "Explain."


    I hesitated. "Explain what?"


    His eyes snapped up.


    "Don’t play dumb." His voice was like gravel, low and dangerous. "That blade of yours. The way you fought. That wasn’t normal."


    I kept my face neutral. "Maybe I’m just talented."


    Vance snorted. "You could be. But talent alone doesn’t let a C-Rank move like an A-Rank, or cut through reinforced weapons."


    He leaned forward. "You hiding something, kid?"


    A test.


    A trap.


    I was one wrong answer away from disaster.


    So I did what I did best.


    I lied.


    "Of course not, sir."


    Vance stared at me. Hard.


    Then, finally, he exhaled.


    "Fine. Keep your secrets."


    I blinked. That easy?


    "But understand this," he continued, his voice dropping into something heavier. "Whatever game you’re playing, whatever trick you’re using, it just made you a target."


    He leaned back, crossing his arms.


    "And in this school?" His eyes darkened.


    "Targets don’t last long."


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    The Weight of Victory


    When I finally returned to my dorm, my head was pounding.


    Too much had happened.


    I had won, but in doing so, I had put myself in the spotlight.


    I had caught Kaien’s attention.


    I had been summoned by an instructor.


    I had outed Nyx as something unnatural.


    And worst of all?


    I still had no idea what the academy was planning next.


    Umbra wiggled onto my shoulder, sensing my mood.


    "Are we in trouble, Master?"


    I sighed. "Not yet. But soon."


    Nyx’s voice curled into my thoughts, amused and knowing.


    "Then let’s make sure that when trouble comes…"


    Her blade pulsed faintly.


    "We’re the ones who survive it."


    I exhaled slowly.


    She wasn’t wrong.


    Because from now on?


    It wasn’t just about staying in the academy.


    It was about staying alive.


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