A long time ago… there existed what we call the Demon King.

  Minori places her hands behind her back and begins to walk around the room.

  He was extremely powerful, until a woman appeared who was just as strong as he was.

  Minori returns to her desk.

  — The Heroine went through many trials and finally found him in the war.

  Dark, excited, looks at Lavin, not understanding why the atmosphere is so serious.

  — In that war, humans sealed a large portion of the demons into another plane.

  Dark turns his attention back, eager to know how the story ends.

  — At the end of the war, the Demon King and the Heroine disappeared from history.

  Dark throws himself over the desk.

  — That’s it? Where’s the ending where the Heroine wins everything?

  Minori smiles and extends her hand toward the door.

  — The last thing that remained was her sword… Excalibur.

  The door opens.

  Two men enter the room.

  The first is an elegant man. His hair is black, with a blue streak. His body is broad and slightly tall, and his eyes are a very dark shade of brown. He wears the school uniform with his family’s crest written “Yumi.” A sword rests at his waist.

  The second man is a guard, wearing his uniform but without a helmet. His hair is brown and his eyes are the color of dark honey.

  The guard pushes a cart covered with a cloth. They stop beside the teacher.

  — Meet Isuki Yumi, a member of the Yumi Family. Those who, nowadays, wield Excalibur.

  Isuki smiles.

  — Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you all. Of course… there are some here that I already know.

  His gaze fixes on Ingrid.

  She stares back at him with contempt.

  Isuki seems amused by this.

  — Professor Minori asked me, one of her former students — he says proudly when saying “former student” — to bring my family’s weapon from that legend. My father ended up allowing it, and here it is.

  He pulls the cloth off the cart.

  Excalibur appears, resting on a pedestal.

  — As the legend says, no one can lift it except the purest and most powerful.

  Takumi raises his hand.

  — Then could you tell me how you brought it here without lifting it?

  Isuki snaps his fingers, excited.

  — Good question. As you can see, it’s on a pedestal. It wasn’t before, but it was placed there to make things easier.

  Takumi crosses his arms.

  — I already understood that. But I want to know how you moved it onto the pedestal.

  Isuki sighs, irritated, but restrains himself.

  These brats are nothing… Isuki, remember to be nice. The teacher is here.

  He raises his hands, pretending calm.

  — We used machines. Machines are not beings, they are objects. That’s why they can lift it.

  — We simply attached it to a hook and placed it on the altar.

  Takumi brings a hand to his chin.

  That… makes sense? Is he lying? It doesn’t matter.

  His gaze shifts to Dark.

  — I already have the sword I want right here…

  He smiles, thinking about the experiments he will do.

  Dark raises his hand, feeling a strange discomfort.

  — Isuki, right? Why didn’t anyone from the Yumi Family wield it to place it on the altar?

  The atmosphere grows heavy.

  Isuki becomes even more irritated. The question makes his family seem inferior — especially coming from someone he doesn’t even know.

  — Well… because the sword is very difficult to wield. Only a hero can wield it.

  He forces a smile.

  — A pure hero.

  — So there’s no one in your family who’s heroic enough to wield it? — Dark asks, innocently.

  At that very moment, Dark feels three heavy gazes on him.

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  The guard’s.

  Isuki’s.

  And, unexpectedly, Ingrid’s, far away, at the back of the room.

  — Dark, you shouldn’t— — Minori begins to speak.

  — It’s fine, professor — Isuki cuts her off, raising a hand.

  He smiles with a calmness that is impressive, even though it is clearly forced.

  — There’s no problem at all. He’s just a freshman.

  Inside, Isuki is boiling with rage.

  — Skipping that question… how about a small test?

  He turns to the class.

  — All of you may try to lift Excalibur, if you wish, of course.

  His smile tightens slightly.

  He just wants to see Dark fail.

  — But sir, we shouldn’t— — the guard tries to intervene.

  Isuki stares at him seriously.

  The guard immediately falls silent.

  Ingrid slams her hand on the desk, startling Asami beside her.

  — Isuki! What do you think you’re doing?! You can’t do this with Excalibur!

  Isuki approaches her.

  — I can, and I will. Our father allowed it.

  He leans in and whispers in her ear:

  — What are you going to do? You don’t even have much power compared to me…

  Isuki steps away and returns to the sword.

  — So, who wants to try lifting it?

  Several students raise their hands, excited.

  — Ah… how about you first? — Isuki points. — You, from the Arkhart family.

  A boy with black hair and a well-built body stands up. His eyes are a beautiful shade of blue.

  He walks to the center of the room.

  The air around him feels cold and suffocating.

  He approaches the sword in silence.

  — Come on, try lifting it, Kaito — Isuki provokes, like a demon whispering temptations.

  Kaito grabs the sword’s hilt and tries to lift it.

  Nothing happens.

  Excalibur doesn’t tremble even a millimeter.

  — Damn… — Kaito mutters, frustrated, letting go of the sword.

  Isuki sighs, pretending disappointment.

  — What a shame… I thought the Arkharts were better than this.

  Kaito simply returns to his seat, completely ignoring Isuki.

  That irritates Isuki even more.

  Dark raises his hand and looks at Lavin, who is completely relaxed.

  — You’re not going to try?

  — No — Lavin answers indifferently. — I don’t think I could do it anyway.

  — You should try! What if you become the new wielder of Excalibur?! — Dark gets excited just imagining it.

  — I highly doubt it — Lavin replies, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

  — Alright then… — Dark murmurs. — I guess…

  Another student tries.

  Fails.

  And returns to his seat, frustrated.

  Isuki points directly at Dark.

  — Hey, you! Don’t you want to try? You’ll be the third one.

  Dark stands up.

  The students whisper among themselves.

  Everyone thinks it’s crazy for someone so weak to even try.

  Dark approaches the sword.

  He grabs the hilt.

  And tries to lift it.

  He strains.

  A lot.

  But fails.

  Dark sighs, discouraged.

  — I guess I failed…

  He laughs nervously and returns to his seat.

  — Man… I thought I could be a hero…

  Isuki swallows dryly.

  — Well… I think that’s enough!

  Inside, he thinks:

  If this kid were just a little stronger… he would lift it…

  Isuki leaves the room abruptly, taking the sword with the guard.

  It trembled…

  No… it was the altar, right?

  Isuki breaks into a cold sweat.

  In the room, Minori looks surprised by the sudden departure.

  She coughs lightly.

  — Well… that was today’s lesson. I hope you enjoyed it. Everyone may leave… except Dark.

  Dark throws himself over the desk.

  — Ah, right… my extra classes… Lavin, don’t leave me!

  He desperately grabs his friend’s hand.

  — You know, Dark… sometimes sacrifices are necessary. Farewell.

  Lavin runs away as fast as possible.

  — I hate you… — Dark murmurs, thinking of revenge.

  — Dark… — Minori’s voice echoes beside him.

  A chill runs down his spine.

  — Y-yes, Miss Minori?

  — Your extra classes!

  She smiles.

  Clearly excited to turn them into hell.

  After many books, long explanations, and impossible questions from Minori, Dark is finally released.

  He walks toward the arena, completely exhausted.

  — I never want to study history like that again… — he murmurs, dragging his feet.

  Meanwhile, Ingrid was waiting for him in the stands, visibly irritated by the delay.

  Dark tries to sneak past, walking as far away from her as possible, hoping not to be noticed.

  — Dark!

  The shout echoes through the arena.

  He freezes.

  Ingrid approaches with heavy steps and a sharp gaze.

  — You’re late! As if leaving me alone for so long wasn’t enough, now you show up late too?!

  — S-sorry, Ingrid… — Dark tries to explain, raising his hands in surrender. — The teacher gave me extra classes, I can’t refuse, right…

  He slowly tries to back away, clearly scared.

  — Let’s train. — Ingrid turns around and jumps into the arena.

  She was really irritated.

  Dark gulps.

  I’m going to end up back in the infirmary today…

  — I really wish I were paired with Asami… — he murmurs, daydreaming, almost making a silent prayer.

  He takes a deep breath, focuses, and jumps into the arena, summoning his own sword into his hands without anyone noticing.

  Dark and Ingrid face each other.

  — Ready!

  — Aim!

  — Begin!

  The instructor gives the signal.

  Ingrid advances immediately.

  She attacks from top to bottom.

  Dark barely manages to dodge.

  — Professor, I give up! I don’t think my partner is in any condition to fight!

  Morgrin, the instructor, an extremely strong man, begins to laugh.

  — To me, it looks like she’s in excellent condition.

  — What?! But she almost ki—

  — You’re still in the battle. — Ingrid interrupts him.

  Her voice sends a chill down Dark’s spine.

  She raises her sword and delivers a horizontal strike, without using the blade.

  The impact is brutal.

  Dark is thrown against the arena wall, which cracks around him.

  He falls to the ground, staring at the sky.

  — That hurts…

  — Ingrid Yumi wins! — Morgrin announces.

  No one seems surprised.

  After the fight, Dark is in the locker room, cleaning his body.

  Somehow, he didn’t break as badly as he expected.

  Someone passes by, notices him, and stops.

  — You’re Dark Fiore, right?

  — That’s me.

  Dark looks back and sees Kaito.

  — Nice to meet you. I’m Kaito. But I think you already know my name.

  He bows slightly.

  — You don’t need to bow — Dark replies, wiping his bruised body with a cloth. — You’re a noble, I’m just a guy who showed up out of nowhere.

  Kaito stays silent for a moment.

  — I just wanted to ask… why didn’t you defeat Ingrid?

  — What?

  Dark genuinely doesn’t understand the question.

  — I saw you in class — Kaito continues. — I know you’re strong. Maybe you should stop hiding your power…

  He turns and begins walking back toward the arena.

  — Me… strong? — Dark murmurs to himself. — I wish…

  Dark finishes getting dressed and leaves the locker room.

  He sits in the stands next to his friends.

  — What’s going on here? — he asks, looking around. — Where’s Asami?

  — Asami’s in the infirmary, treating everyone else’s injuries — Lavin replies. — Didn’t you go to the infirmary?

  — I thought Asami would be here to heal me…

  Dark chuckles lightly and then looks at Ingrid.

  — Ingrid… what’s wrong?

  — Nothing.

  She keeps her focus on the arena, not even looking at him.

  Dark follows her gaze.

  The fight is starting.

  The signal is given.

  Kaito grips his sword.

  With a single swing, the enemy is frozen.

  Part of the arena freezes as well.

  — Was that really magic? — Dark asks, unable to believe what he just saw.

  — It was — Ingrid replies. — But that guy isn’t normal. I know him.

  She smiles, excited.

  — He’s an Arkhart… and he also has a blessing from the Ice Spirit.

  — Ice Spirit? — Dark and Lavin ask at the same time.

  — If that’s true… then he’s very strong — Lavin murmurs, worried.

  — Hold on! — Dark leans forward. — What’s an Ice Spirit?

  — It’s just like that giant butterfly we fought during the exam — Ingrid replies, clearly annoyed at his lack of attention in class.

  — Seriously?! — Dark gets excited again. — That’s awesome! So he’s super strong, right?! It’s so cool to watch strong people fight!

  Ingrid stands up.

  — I don’t think there’s anyone else interesting. I’m going to train.

  Lavin also stands up.

  — I’ll read some books, in case there’s a surprise test.

  Dark sighs.

  — I think I’ll go to the infirmary… and then to the dormitory. I want to sleep in my bed…