Morning – Central Campus, Aetherion Academy
The bell tolled six times as a golden sunrise spilled across the courtyard of Aetherion Academy. Uniformed students flooded the marble-paved walkways, their chatter light and carefree—except for one name that was now spreading like wildfire:
"Riku Aoyama."
Unassuming. Quiet. Supposed dropout.
But now—a tournament specter who took down Shiba Kazeharu and survived the underground bracket.
And that made him...dangerous.
---
Main Lecture Hall – Advanced Theoretical Combat
Professor Valestria's class was normally dry. Today, though, it was unusually full—students squeezing in to catch a glimpse of the "masked genius" now attending her invite-only lecture.
Riku sat in the middle row, shoulders relaxed, eyes sharp.
Ayumi, seated just two rows behind, kept glancing forward.
Why is he suddenly acting like he belongs here?
He raised his hand before class started.
