While doing my daily objectives, a familiar voice interrupted my workout. It was Ryu Kazuki.
"Yo, Takeda!" Ryu shouted.
"What's going on, Ryu?" I asked.
"Want to spar? I've been looking to test my skills against someone worthy." he said confidently, puffing up his chest.
"Sure." I replied.
As we began, Ryu's Ki sparked in the palm of his hands, quickly forming fire. Destructive yet controlled. This kid was truly talented.
I let my Ki out, just enough to threaten him. Ryu grinned and charged at me without hesitation.
I used my wind element to knock him off balance, but Ryu barely faltered. Impressive. Activating my flame Ki, I went head-on.
Our punches collided, and an explosion of flame Ki lit up the sky, sending a wave through the air that caught the attention of nearby students. A crowd quickly formed, but neither of us called the sparring session off.
Using Phantom Step, I disappeared into the smoke. Ryu was on high alert, paying close attention to everything, his senses maxed out. I charged at him from his shadow, but he narrowly dodged, my fist grazing his chin. He countered with flame Ki, and his control over it was remarkable. I hadn't expected him to be this good.
"Takeda." Ryu shouted. "What's this power? I knew you held back in every fight. This isn't your true self. Show me your real power!"
"Sorry, Ryu." I said, my voice cold. "You don't stand a chance against me right now."
Ryu's expression shifted from surprise to anger, his pride clearly wounded.
We stepped back, glaring at each other.
"Am I really that weak to you?" he growled, gritting his teeth.
I didn't respond. Instead, I used Phantom Step again, leaving no afterimage. I appeared right in front of Ryu and unleashed my full Ki. It pressed him down with dominating force.
"This is what I mean, Ryu. You're strong—one of the strongest at our age—but I've been through things you couldn't imagine. I had to live and fight to survive. I've had to get stronger to stay alive." I said, speaking more from my past life as Damien than from my current one.
Ryu's eyes widened in shock, then he laughed. "Takeda, you talk like you've lived multiple lives!" he said, laughing hysterically.
I couldn't help but laugh with him. Of course, I couldn't tell him who I really was.
"Time to go, Takeda. That was fun. Thanks." Ryu said.
"No, thank you. I appreciate the spar." I replied.
After we said our goodbyes, I headed back to the dorm. Tomorrow would be interesting—I'd be meeting the newly formed disciplinary committee. They were supposed to be the strongest students in the academy.
The next morning, I finished up Instructor Hiroto's class early, as planned. He didn't say anything when I left, probably because he'd been informed beforehand. I could feel the eyes of my classmates on me, wondering why I was leaving early.
I stood in front of the large wooden doors of the committee room, adjusting the collar on my new uniform. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
Seven students sat around a large table. They were the other committee members, each one radiating a menacing aura. At the head of the table stood Director Jin.
"Takeda Hanzo, reporting in." I said, bowing in respect.
"Takeda, right on time. Nice of you to join us." Director Jin said.
I nodded and took my seat. The room was silent, with the other members watching me closely.
"So, as everyone knows, this is the Disciplinary Committee. Our job is to maintain order and ensure the academy's rules are followed. Keep in mind, the announcement is in two days, so be prepared with your speech." Jin said, clearly excited. "For now, let's get to know each other."
I scanned the room and caught the eye of a beautiful girl with sharp features and black hair. She had the aura of a high noble.
"My name is Mei Saito." she said. "I'm the vice-captain. Welcome, Takeda."
"Thanks for having me." I said, bowing slightly.
"Yo, I'm Ren Saito. I'm the captain. Let's all work hard together." a boy said from across the room.
Saito? A brother-and-sister duo? The fact that they were chosen as captain and vice-captain was impressive.
As I continued to observe the room, my eyes landed on a familiar silver-haired boy—Ryu? No, it wasn't him, but the resemblance was there.
The boy glanced at me before standing up. "Hiro Kazuki." he introduced himself in a calm, nonchalant tone.
Kazuki? He must be related to Ryu. Maybe his younger brother.
"Takeda." another boy said, drawing my attention, "I've heard rumors about you. Is it true you beat Class 2-B and Instructor Akashi?"
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head. "We all have our moments."
"Haha! You're amazing! My name's Haruto Haciro."
"Nice to meet you, Haruto."
I could feel Director Jin watching me closely, observing how I interacted with the other students. It seemed things were going well for now.
As the meeting continued, the other committee members introduced themselves one by one. I could sense that this group had earned their spots for a reason, but I also knew that I was being tested.
Once everyone had finished introducing themselves, Director Jin leaned forward, clasping his hands together.
"Alright, now that we're all familiar, let's get down to business. This committee isn't just for show. We are the ones who will be enforcing the academy's laws, and we will be the first line of defense against any threats—internal or external."
His gaze sharpened as he continued. "The announcement in two days isn't just to make us public. It's a challenge. There will be groups who will want to see us fail, and you'll need to be ready for anything."
I glanced around the room, gauging the reactions of the others. Some seemed unfazed, while others tensed at the thought of confrontation. Haruto, for one, seemed eager, a wide grin on his face.
Mei Saito, however, remained composed, her sharp eyes focused on Jin. She seemed to have already expected this. Her brother, Ren, leaned back casually in his chair, but I could tell he was listening closely.
After the meeting adjourned, I stepped out into the hallway. Hiro Kazuki, the silver-haired boy, was waiting by the door.
"Takeda." he called.
I turned, curious.
"You've been holding back, haven't you?" he asked, his voice quiet but intense.
I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"
"I can tell. The way you fought against Ryu—it wasn't at full strength, was it? I've seen Ryu fight before. He's strong, but not invincible. Yet, he seemed completely overpowered by you."
I remained silent. It wasn't like I could just tell him the truth. But Hiro wasn't going to let things go easily.
"Don't underestimate the Kazuki family, Takeda. You may have beaten Ryu, but you haven't faced me yet."
A challenge, huh? I couldn't help but smirk. "Maybe one day."
Hiro's gaze lingered for a moment before he nodded and walked away. I watched him leave. There was more to this academy than I'd thought.
The next morning, I was preparing for the announcement ceremony. The entire school was filled with rumors and excitement about the new Disciplinary Committee. I could feel the tension in the air—this wasn't just about giving a speech. It was about proving ourselves to the entire academy.
As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my uniform, my mind wandered back to Hiro's words. He was right. I hadn't been using my full strength, and it was starting to become noticeable.
I took a deep breath. Today was important. I had to be careful about how much I showed, yet I won't let anyone think we're a joke.
Stepping out of the dorm, I made my way to the central courtyard, where the announcement would take place. The other committee members were already gathered, each one radiating a unique aura of confidence. Ren and Mei stood at the front, their calm, authoritative presence setting the tone.
Director Jin stood before the assembled students, ready to introduce us. As his voice boomed across the courtyard, I scanned the crowd. Thousands of eyes were on us, watching closely, judging.
"And now, I present to you the Disciplinary Committee of Ember Academy!" Jin announced, his voice filled with pride.
As we stepped forward, I could feel the gazes of all the students from every class and class group.
As I stood with the newly formed Disciplinary Committee in the central courtyard, the academy's expectations hung in the air. The announcement ceremony was more than just a formality. It was a stage—an opportunity for each of us to set the tone for the future of Ember Academy.
Director Jin's booming voice cut through the crowd as he introduced the committee, his words full of pride. I stood alongside the others, my face expressionless, scanning the thousands of students who had gathered. Their eyes flickered between us, curious, anxious, and some, indifferent. But this moment wasn't for them to be comfortable.
This was a test. A test of strength, a test of will, and a chance for me to assert my position.
My classmates from Instructor Hiroto's class were in the front row, whispering among themselves. I noticed a few of them pointing toward me. Ever since I left class early, they'd been curious about why. This would be their answer.
Ren Saito, the captain of the committee, stepped forward first. He adjusted his uniform casually before looking out at the crowd.
"Listen up!" Ren's voice carried across the courtyard, calm but authoritative. "I'm Ren Saito, your new Disciplinary Committee Captain. I'm not one for long speeches, but I'll say this: Our job is to maintain order. If you break the rules, you'll deal with us. That's all."
Short and to the point. Ren wasn't someone who needed to embellish his words. His reputation already spoke for itself.
Next was Mei Saito, his sister and the vice-captain. She stepped up with grace, her sharp eyes scanning the audience like a hawk.
"I'm Mei Saito." she began, her voice cold and prepared. "I expect everyone here to respect the academy's rules. We're not your friends, and we're not your enemies—unless you make us one. If you cross the line, there will be consequences. That's all you need to know."
Her words were as sharp as her presence. She wasn't here to make friends; she was here to enforce discipline. I could sense the crowd stiffen under her piercing gaze.
One by one, the other committee members gave their speeches, introducing themselves and explaining their role. Haruto Hachiro's speech was full of energy, promising to protect the academy at all costs. Hiro Kazuki, however, remained calm and nonchalant, his words challenge anyone who dared test the strength of the committee. I caught his eye as he finished speaking, and he gave me a nod.
Finally, it was my turn.
I stepped forward. The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as I took my place at the front. I could feel their eyes on me—some curious, others skeptical. But what they didn't know was that I wasn't here to be questioned. I wasn't here to prove myself to them.
I was here to show them who they were dealing with.
I took a deep breath, allowing my Ki to flow subtly through my body, steady and controlled.
"My name is Takeda Hanzo." I began, my voice calm but commanding. "And like the others, I am here to ensure that the rules of this academy are followed. But make no mistake—this isn't a game."
I let my gaze sweep across the crowd, locking eyes with several students. Some shifted uncomfortably under my stare.
"There are those of you who believe that power and status will protect you." I continued, my tone growing colder. "That your family name or wealth will give you the freedom to do as you please."
I took a step forward, letting my words sink in.
"You're wrong."
Without warning, I released a fraction of my killing intent. It poured out like a wave, invisible but suffocating, wrapping itself around the assembly hall. The effect was immediate. The crowd went silent, their expressions shifting from curiosity to fear. I could see some students in the front row stiffen, their faces pale. A few even took a step back, unable to handle the oppressive aura that surrounded them.
I continued speaking, but my voice was darker now, more dangerous.
"If you think you can break the rules of this academy and get away with it, you will find out the hard way what I'm capable of."
I took another step forward, increasing the pressure of my Killing Intent. It weighed down on the students, forcing them to feel the extent of my power. The atmosphere was thick, almost unbearable for those untrained in handling such force.
"I've experienced countless battles and training. If you challenge me, I will not hesitate to remind you of that."
I let my words sit in the air, the silence of the crowd deafening. Some students looked like they could barely breathe under the weight of my Killing Intent. Even those who had once been confident, the ones from noble families or with strong Ki, now looked uneasy.
Satisfied with the effect, I slowly retracted my Killing Intent, the pressure lifting. A collective exhale rippled through the assembly hall as students realized they could breathe again. But the fear in their eyes remained.
I gave one final look to the crowd, my eyes cold and unyielding.
"This committee is not here to play games." I said, my voice cutting through the silence. "We are here to uphold the academy's laws, and we will do so without mercy."
With that, I stepped back, my expression unreadable. The crowd remained silent, their earlier whispers and mutterings gone. They now understood what they were dealing with—and who they should fear.
Director Jin stepped forward, smiling, clearly pleased with the impact I had. "Thank you, Takeda." he said, turning back to the crowd. "Let this be a lesson to all of you. The Disciplinary Committee is not to be taken lightly."
As the ceremony came to a end, I could feel the tension in the air. The students dispersed, but many of them kept glancing over their shoulders, clearly shaken by what had just happened.
Ren Saito approached me, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Damn, Takeda, you sure know how to make an impression."
"I'm just doing my job." I replied, my voice casual. But in truth, I was satisfied. The message was delivered. No one would dare question the Disciplinary Committee now.
As I turned to leave, I felt a familiar presence behind me. Hiro Kazuki was standing there, his eyes narrowed.
"So, that's your true strength." he said quietly.
I glanced at him, offering a small smirk. "Not even close."
Hiro chuckled, though his expression remained serious. "I look forward to seeing the rest."
As he walked away, I knew that my presence at Ember Academy had just changed. I was no longer just another student, no longer just another face in the crowd. The entire academy knew what I was capable of—and what would happen if anyone dared to cross me.