The scene shifts to two hours later, as the sun began to set and the scheduled departure time for the students arrived. Outside the school, everything looked serene. Parents and guardians waited by the entrance, casually chatting among themselves, unaware of the sinister events unfolding behind the barrier.
Arthur arrived on foot, wearing a simple yet elegant royal robe instead of his usual knight's armor. He looked around, immediately sensing something was off. The air felt unnaturally heavy. Faint traces of Spiritual Force lingered, and despite the peaceful illusion, Arthur's instincts screamed danger.
As he reached out to open the school gate, his fingers brushed against an invisible wall of energy. His eyes narrowed, and without a word, he pressed his palm flat against it.
"A barrier… no ordinary one either. Spiritual Force-made, strong enough to hold an entire school hostage."
He wasted no time. Arthur closed his eyes and activated his Spirit Ability: Spiritual Force Manipulation. A ripple surged through the barrier as its gathered energy condensed into a glowing sphere hovering just above Arthur's outstretched index finger. The moment he spun the sphere, the illusion shattered — like fragile glass breaking under pressure.
What he saw made even a seasoned warrior like Arthur tense.
Inside, the school was in complete disarray. Desks overturned, glass shattered, scorch marks against the walls. Students huddled in fear, some with minor injuries, and teachers looked exhausted and shaken. Amid them all stood Kazuki — scratches on his face, clothes slightly torn, but standing tall with calm, unwavering eyes.
Arthur's gaze sharpened, impressed despite the grim situation.
A teacher hurried to Arthur's side, explaining everything in quick, anxious tones — the sudden demonic appearance, the students and teachers being manipulated, and how Kazuki fought alone to protect everyone until help arrived.
Arthur remained silent, his expression unreadable. But inside, his thoughts churned.
"Father told me Kazuki fights against him every night at the royal training grounds… and I knew he possessed the strongest Spiritual Force in the entire kingdom, alongside a Celestial Spirit. But for him to handle a demon, purify corrupted students, and still be standing at his age… that's beyond prodigy. That's the mark of fate's chosen."
He gave a brief nod to the teacher and then approached Kazuki, who blinked up at him like an innocent eight-year-old — though Arthur could see the fierce determination lurking in those eyes.
"Well done, little brother," Arthur said, ruffling Kazuki's hair, though he masked the pride in his voice.
Kazuki acted surprised, as though he hadn't expected praise. "Ohh… uh, thanks, brother!"
Arthur smirked. Still playing the innocent act, huh?
He glanced around once more, then spoke to the remaining teachers. "Evacuate the students safely. I'll have the Royal Cleanse Unit handle the rest of this area."
The scene transitions to later that night, back at the royal mansion. Arthur now sat in his private study, a single candle illuminating the parchment before him as he wrote a detailed report about the school incident in a thick, leather-bound journal reserved for military records.
"Father must hear of this immediately. Kazuki isn't just a royal heir — he's a storm waiting to reshape this world. The boy's strength is already unnatural for his age… and this incident proved it."
He paused his writing, staring out the window toward the training grounds where, even now, faint flashes of light marked ongoing training sessions. A small smile formed on Arthur's lips.
"Fate's chosen path… looks like it's already begun."