Autumn has come, and Sakura leaves flew on the breeze as the smell of vanilla drifted with them within the kingdom of Chiseido. A kingdom neighboring the kingdom of Hikari to the south, once united, now separated. The kingdom of Hikari had its focus on military strength and martial arts, while Chiseido focused on knowledge and the pursuit of the arcane. However, they too had their fair share of trouble when a civil war erupted a few years after the civil war of Hikari ended. Although it didn't last long due to the heroes' help, it was still a brutal massacre.

They preferred diplomacy over military victories, but it is not a weak nation; after all, the two human heroes hail from this kingdom. Within it lies the School of Knowledge for Gifted Children, the most prestigious academy on the continent, a place for research and learning, where talented individuals come to enhance their magical knowledge and pursue a greater understanding of mana and its uses. However, within the last few decades or so, this school has slowly turned from a research facility into a playground for nobles.

Merging all sorts of magic, swordsmanship, and martial arts, discrimination is abundant within it. Children of higher-born nobles are treated as kings, while commoners are treated as slaves, available to their betters for the occasional thrashing. Watching over the school is the Headmaster, Elian Stewart, a commoner from the late kingdom of Lindsey, aged two hundred years, who has surpassed all of those who came before him in arcane knowledge, gaining high renown even among the spiteful nobles.

Within his office, a conversation can be heard...

"So, what seems to be the problem, Professor Tomo?" Elian asked snarkily.

"Why him? Why bring him here? He's more trouble than he's worth!" Tomo snapped, his voice rising with frustration.

"Is there something wrong with my judgment? Please, enlighten me, why are you so opposed?" Elian asked.

"He's nothing but a nuisance! And more importantly, he's a commoner!" the professor said angrily.

"Shall I remind you that I also am a commoner? Such prejudice should not be used in a place of knowledge, wouldn't you agree, Professor?" Elian's tone shifted, his frustration clear.

"I-I meant no disrespect, headmaster, but the boy will bring nothing but disaster!" Tomo said hesitantly.

"My judgment remains the same. The boy stays, and I will be watching him closely. There's no need for concern, Professor. Now, kindly return to your duties." Elian commanded sternly.

Though convinced the headmaster is making a grave mistake, Professor Tomo knows better than to challenge him further. He bows stiffly in respect before leaving the chamber.

"Causing trouble already? And he hasn't even set foot in the school yet." The headmaster chuckles as he thinks to himself.

Through the grand doors of the school, there he can be seen. A tall, handsome young man. Seventeen years of age, with glistening, soft skin and long black hair tipped with red. He wore a sharp black and red suit. The other students around him couldn't help but stare in awe.

"Who is this handsome young man? From which great family does he hail?" The students thought to themselves.

The young boy, visibly nervous, proceeded into the school. As he made his way toward the headmaster's office, he crossed paths with Professor Tomo, who was just leaving. Tomo glanced at him with wary eyes, already familiar with the boy's reputation. With a scoff, he turned and returned to his office.

Unbothered, the boy continued down the corridor and arrived at the Headmaster's door.

A knock echoed softly...

"Come in," Elian said.

"You told me to come to your office first thing when I arrived. A deal's a deal, old man. Here I am." The young man said.

"Well, if it isn't Ryuji Sato. Welcome, young man. You seem a bit tense. Is my school not to your liking?" Elian said sarcastically.

"It's not that, headmaster... I just don't think I belong here." Ryuji said nervously.

"Nonsense! All gifted children are welcome here, and you are among the most talented. Your potential would be wasted elsewhere," Elian said excitedly.

Elian rose from his chair and walked over to pour a cup of tea.

"Here, young man. This will help calm your nerves," he said as he offered the tea to the young man.

Ryuji accepted it cautiously. The headmaster was right; the scent of the herbal tea did calm his nerves slightly.

"You overestimate me, headmaster. But you already know why I'm here..." Ryuji said cautiously.

"I know you seek answers, and what better place to find them than the greatest school on the continent?" Elian said with a chuckle.

"Fine. I'll take your word for it. It's not like I have much of a choice anyway. But honestly... I'm not even sure where to begin." Ryuji said.

"Wonderful! Then let's start with your classroom. You'll be in Class 2-B. Head there promptly, if you would be so kind. As for your accommodations, you'll be staying in room number 505 in the school dormitories." Elian said excitedly.

Elian paused for a moment, then added,

"And remember, Ryuji, fate may be cruel at times... but it does not define who we become. Our actions do." He said, his words stern yet full of empathy.

"Words of wisdom? Or a warning? Something to think about, I suppose," Ryuji thought to himself.

He placed the empty teacup gently on the headmaster's desk, nodding in appreciation.

"Thank you for your hospitality," he said before turning to leave.

"Now... let's see where this leads," Elian thought.

As Ryuji made his way through the school's grand halls to his classroom, admiring the towering arches, polished floors, and glowing crystal lights that lined the corridors, students around him were still looking at him intensely.

Rumors had already begun to circulate about the mysterious newcomer.

"A prince from a foreign land," some whispered.

"A noble from a distant, powerful family," said others.

No one knew the truth. But speculation had taken root and was already spreading like wildfire.

And there it was, a classroom with an ornate wooden door, and above it, a small sign that read "2-B." As Ryuji stepped inside, it seemed as if the entire class had nothing better to do than stare at the mysterious newcomer. After all, he was a complete enigma to them.

Spying an empty seat at the back of the room, Ryuji made his way toward it and quietly claimed it as his own. Nearly every pair of eyes, save for a few, remained locked on him, brimming with curiosity.

Eventually, one girl broke the silence and approached him with confident grace.

"Hello there! I'm Sophia, from the great House of Dion, of the Kingdom of Helio. It is my utmost honor to meet you," she said with a shy smile and a gentle bow.

Ryuji looked up and met the gaze of a charming young lady. She had beautiful blonde hair, ocean-blue eyes, and the refined elegance of a noble upbringing. Her dress alone looked more expensive than the entire classroom. He recognized her immediately for what she was, a noble, and a high-ranking one at that, and He already knew what to expect.

The whole class was silently observing to find out who this young boy was. Ryuji stood up from his seat, returned the curiosity, and bowed in respect.

"It's my honor to meet you, Lady Sophia. I'm Ryuji Sato," he said, offering a gentle smile.

"Sato?" she echoed.

"I don't believe I've heard of that family before. Do you perchance hail from the Kingdom of Hikari?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

"It's to be expected that you do not know of it, my lady. I do not hail from any great house. I am a commoner, I hail from a village close to the border," he replied confidently, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"A Commoner?!" Sophia shouted, her voice rising.

Ryuji watched as the shy, gentle smile that had been on her face shifted into one of shock and disgust. He knew exactly how this would play out the moment she and those around him discovered his true status, but he did not care.

"A Commoner dared to speak to me as if we were on the same level?! Such an insult!" Sophia continued to shout.

"I merely returned the same courtesy, my lady. I meant no disrespect," he said, offering another polite bow.

Ryuji glanced around the classroom. As expected, curiosity quickly morphed into something more opportunistic. Some saw him as a weakling to exploit, a new slave to dominate, or perhaps just a new plaything to entertain themselves within the otherwise dull school days. There were only two students, however, who seemed completely uninterested in him.

A charming young boy with short blonde hair, dressed in what looks to be a knight's uniform with what seems to be a rapier at his side. And a beautiful young girl with long, almost fur-like, golden orange hair, she's noble, and yet she's dressed in what seems to be common clothing, wearing shorts rather than an elegant dress or long pants.

"Interesting," Ryuji thought to himself as the orange-haired girl noticed his gaze and their eyes locked.

"Listen here, Commoner," Sophia said, and Ryuji's focus turned back to her.

"The likes of you do not survive in this school, so here's my offer: Rejection is not an option," Sophia said condescendingly.

"Being a commoner in this school is like being prey. You will be hunted till your final days. However, it would be a shame to waste your good looks. I can protect you, you shall be my slave, and you will swear fealty to me now and forever. None will dare touch you, and I shall grant you a life the likes of you would never attain even if you grew older than the demon king himself!" Sophia said demandingly, "Now, bend your knee, swear to serve me till your death".

Ryuji scoffed at her suggestion. He stared at her, bloodlust flickering in his eyes, and said, "A life I would never attain? My lady, pray tell, what life would you give me, that I cannot attain with my own hands?"

A rush overwhelmed Sophia. It felt like she was drowning. It felt like the air itself feared this boy and escaped her lungs. She had sensed this kind of fear before, from warriors with decades of experience. She knew that this boy was a disaster waiting to happen.

"Y-Y-you will regret this decision! Mark my words!" Sophia stutters as she walks away in fear.

Ryuji sighed, already knowing what was coming. More of her and others like her would be waiting in line. If not her, then someone even worse. As he finished that thought, his eyes met those of another boy, a red-haired noble with an evil smile on his face. Looks like he'd found something to do.

"Guess I'll prepare myself for what's to come." Ryuji thought to himself.

"Impressive," A voice came from the seat next to Ryuji's. He looked to see the blonde-haired young knight speaking.

"But perhaps next time curb your bloodlust," said the blonde-haired boy. "The nobles here may seem strong, but most of them just depend on their family's name with little to no strength to back it up. Save a few, of course,"

"Are you one of those 'few'?" Said Ryuji.

 "Hah! I've still got a long way to go. Name's Yuki, Yuki Hayami. Nice to meet you, Mister Sato".

"Just Ryuji is fine, nice to meet you too. I'm impressed that there is a noble who's willing to talk to a commoner like myself," Ryuji said cautiously.

"I'm not like them. I prefer to judge people based on their strengths rather than status, and you have shown me a whiff of your strength. You might be a worthy opponent in the battles to come," said Yuki with a provocative smile on his face.

"Battles to come?" Said Ryuji curiously, "Care to elaborate?"

"Ah, I suppose you are new to this school. Let me explain," said Yuki.

"This school has a tournament-style system, called Battle of the Kings. It's an annual event that pits second-year students against each other in one-on-one battles. To determine who is the strongest. All second-year students who wish to join the tournament can register to join it. The winner of the tournament earns the title of 'King' and rules with absolute authority within the school for the next year. However, this means they cannot join the tournament in their third year and will lose that authority as they come close to graduation, and a new king is nominated. The two students, after the winner, also gain the titles of Queen and Jack, respectively. It follows the same rules, but their authority is limited. As in, they gain authority over other students and some facility members. But the authority diminishes towards the students higher than them in rank. Of course, none of it is enforced. And it's meant as a way to see how future generations handle power. Will they abuse it? Or will they lead wisely?" Yuki explains.

"Sounds like a way to filter out problem children if you ask me," said Ryuji mockingly

"Haha! Perhaps you're right. I'm only in it to test my strength against other students, to see how well I would fare against them," Yuki said excitedly.

"I've been in this school for a year now. I've trained rigorously and waited patiently for this opportunity. Would you be interested in joining Ryuji?" Said Yuki excitedly.

"Playing king doesn't suit me, I'm not interested," Ryuji replied in discontent.

"Well, that's a shame. If you ever change your mind, you can find me at the training grounds. I've got to continue honing my skills for the tournament. Can't get lazy now". Yuki said in a determined tone.

"Good luck with it, I suppose. You'd make a better king than most rotten apples in this school," Ryuji said with a smile.

"Thanks, although I would've loved for us to meet on the battlefield. To each their own, I suppose," Yuki chuckles.

"Cowardly. As expected from a lowly commoner," The red-haired boy said as he approached Yuki and Ryuji.

"The likes of you have no hope of achieving anything from this tournament. You're better off being a footstool for me when I become the next king," said the red-haired boy condescendingly.

"Who invited you to this conversation, Riki?" said Yuki, frowning his eyebrows.

"Well, I couldn't help but overhear a coward giving excuses as to why he refuses to fight!" Riki said while looking at Ryuji.

"That is not your concern, Riki," said Yuki, irritated by Riki's interference.

"Hah! You should be more concerned with yourself, Yuki. You're the son of the hero! And yet here you are hanging around with worthless trash," said Riki Angrily.

"The hero's son? The ones who ended the war forty years ago?" Ryuji thought to himself as he looked at Yuki.

"That's irrelevant! My lineage does not determine who I am and who I can talk to!" Yuki said, frustrated by Riki's words.