AUTHOR NOTE: TAKEDA HANZO
Level sixteen. Not bad.
I swiped through the notifications, noting the surge of power coursing through me. My match with Akashi had pushed me harder than I'd expected. Had I been in any other body, any other life, it might've ended differently. But combat was my domain, and the thrill of overcoming someone of his caliber reminded me just how far I'd come—and how far I still needed to go.
The system screen hovered before me, neatly displaying my skill points: 18 unspent.
I leaned back, thinking carefully before allocating them. Strength and agility were no-brainers—I'd need raw power and speed in both training and real combat. But intuition and stamina? That was the foundation of my growth.
I distributed the points and leveled up Phantom Step, pushing it to level two.
An enhanced version of Phantom Step, allowing the user to step deeper into the shadows, making movements more elusive and unpredictable.
Effects:
Speed Increase: Temporarily increases speed by 300%.
After-Images: Leaves up to three after-images lasting 3 seconds, further confusing enemies.
Invisibility: Grants brief invisibility (2 seconds) during movement, making you harder to detect.
Evasion: Increases evasion chances by 50.
Shadow Strike (New): After using Phantom Step, the next attack within 5 seconds deals bonus damage.
Shadow Strike. Now that was interesting. The possibilities spun in my head like clockwork. Combining it with my newly acquired speed would create devastating results. But I couldn't dwell on theories; there was too much to do.
Back in my dorm room, I opened the two mystery boxes I had earned during the chaos of the past few days.
I froze at the sight of the second notification. A weapon? I pulled up its details, curiosity flaring to life.
The description alone sent a chill through me. This wasn't just a weapon—it was an extension of my identity. An assassin's tool, perfectly tailored to someone like me. It was a subtle reminder of my past life, one I couldn't ignore.
I summoned the blade with a thought. In a flash, it materialized on my wrist, its edge gleaming faintly before vanishing into the shadows again.
I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. "You'll be useful." I muttered, sliding it back into my inventory.
The next morning came too soon. My exhaustion from the previous day still weighed heavy, and I ended up oversleeping. By the time I arrived at class, everyone's eyes were glued to me.
"Takeda, you're wanted in Director Jin's office." Hiroto said, his tone neutral but his gaze sharp.
Again? What now?
With a bow, I left the classroom and made my way to the Director's office. I'd barely stepped inside when Jin greeted me with a smile that felt… different. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't condescending either.
"You asked for me, Director?"
He gestured for me to sit. "Takeda, I'll get straight to the point. The academy has been… chaotic recently. There've been far too many altercations outside the sparring grounds—bullying, power struggles. It's becoming a problem."
He paused, leaning forward. "That's why I've decided to create a Disciplinary Committee. A group of students with the authority to enforce the academy's rules and maintain order. And I want you to join it."
The words hit harder than I expected. A committee? To police the academy? It sounded more like a setup for drama than an actual solution.
"Why me?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. "I'm just an orphan, remember?"
Jin's smile widened slightly. "Precisely why I want you. You've already proven your strength, and your fight with Akashi has made waves across the academy. People are watching you, Takeda. They respect you—or at least, they fear you. And most importantly, you're neutral. You have no family ties to sway your judgment."
I leaned back, considering his words. Neutrality. It was true—I wasn't bound by the petty rivalries of the nobles here. But joining the committee meant stepping into a spotlight I'd rather avoid.
"What's your goal with this group?" I asked.
"To make this academy a place where strength is earned, not stolen. Where students can grow without fear of bullies or rule-breakers." His voice carried conviction, but his eyes… they held something deeper.
I thought of my past, of the betrayal that had led to my death. Could I prevent someone else from facing the same pain?
"Fine." I said finally. "I'll do it."
Jin's smile turned genuine. "Good. I'll have your jade insignia delivered soon. It will mark your status and grant you access to restricted areas. And starting next week, you'll join advanced Ki manipulation classes."
I blinked. "Advanced classes?"
"You're the only first-year with the skill to be in them." he said. "Consider it a perk of your position. You'll be learning techniques that even third-years struggle with."
It was unexpected but welcome news. I'd been relying too much on raw instinct and the system. If I wanted to dominate the upcoming tournament, I needed mastery.
"Oh, and one more thing." Jin added. "The Disciplinary Committee will be announced publicly in a week. You'll need to prepare a speech."
A speech? That was where he lost me. "Do I have to?"
Jin chuckled. "Yes, you do. Consider it part of the job."
The words settled heavily in my mind. But then Jin continued, his tone shifting into something heavier.
"You asked about the tournament recently. What I didn't tell you is that this quarter's tournament has caught the attention of the Kensei."
That got my attention. "The Kensei?"
Jin leaned back, folding his arms. "The seven legendary generals of Shinsekai. They represent the pinnacle of martial and elemental mastery. To be noticed by a Kensei is to have a direct path to power, influence, and unparalleled mentorship. That's why the stakes this year are higher than ever."
The room felt heavier as the words sank in. The Kensei. The legends of this land. If they were watching, then every move in this academy was now a game piece on their board.
"I'll keep that in mind." I said, my tone steady.
"I'm sure you will." Jin nodded. "Get back to class. I'll send your insignia soon."
I returned to the classroom after my meeting with Director Jin, still thinking about the Disciplinary Committee and the tournament. The room was filled with energy, but it immediately quieted when I stepped in. Whispers broke out behind me, and though I pretended not to notice, I could feel the weight of everyone's stares.
As I took my seat, Aiko leaned over, her sharp eyes studying me. "What was that about?" she asked, her voice low so only I could hear.
"Nothing important." I replied, keeping my tone casual. "Director Jin just wanted to talk about some academy matters."
Aiko raised an eyebrow. "Academy matters? Sounds serious."
"It wasn't." I said, glancing at her. "You don't have to worry about it."
She frowned, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. "You're always like this, you know. Always keeping things to yourself. It's annoying."
I smirked. "Why are you so curious? Do you always poke into other people's business?"
Her eyes narrowed, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "Only when they're as mysterious as you. You've been here for barely a week, and already everyone's talking about you. First, the fight with Akashi, and now this secret meeting with Jin. What are you hiding?"
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "What makes you think I'm hiding anything?"
"Please." she said, rolling her eyes. "You walk around like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but you don't let anyone in. It's suspicious."
I sighed. "Aiko, let me give you some advice. Curiosity can get you into trouble."
"And avoiding people can make you lonely." she shot back, her expression softening slightly. "Look, I'm not trying to pry—well, not too much. But you should know that not everyone here is out to get you. Some of us actually care."
That caught me off guard. For a moment, I wasn't sure how to respond. Her words felt genuine, and for someone like me, used to living in the shadows, they were oddly disarming.
"I appreciate that." I said finally, my voice quieter than before. "But I'm fine on my own."
Aiko leaned closer, her tone turning playful. "You know, for someone who insists on being alone, you sure do attract a lot of attention. Maybe you're not as invisible as you think."
"I don't need attention. I just do what I have to." I replied.
"And yet, you keep surprising everyone." she said with a small smile. "Just don't forget—being strong doesn't mean you have to push everyone away."
For a moment, we sat in silence, the noise of the classroom fading into the background. Her words lingered, and though I wouldn't admit it, they struck a chord. I wasn't used to people like Aiko—people who saw through the walls I'd built.
Finally, the instructor called the class to order, and Aiko returned to her seat, leaving me with my thoughts. Her words echoed in my mind, a quiet reminder that even in a world of rivalry and ambition, there were still connections to be made.
Maybe, just maybe, she was right. But for now, I wasn't ready to let those walls down. Not yet.
That evening, back in my dorm, a knock broke the silence. I opened the door to find Director Jin standing there, his expression calm but expectant.
"Good evening, Takeda. May I come in?"
I stepped aside, letting him in.
"I wanted to deliver this personally." He handed me a small jade stone, its surface etched with intricate patterns and faintly glowing with Ki. "Your official Disciplinary Committee insignia."
The weight of the stone felt heavier than it should have, as if it carried not just authority but expectation.
"Thank you, Director Jin."
He studied me for a moment before speaking again. "Takeda, you've already proven your strength. But strength alone isn't enough. You'll be tested—by your peers, your superiors, and even yourself. Use this position wisely."
"I will."
Jin gave a rare smile. "I believe you will. Rest well, Takeda. Big days are ahead."
As he left, I couldn't help but feel the enormity of the path ahead. The Disciplinary Committee, the tournament, the Kensei…
Everything was moving faster than I anticipated.