Mrs. Kuroda: "Definitely, we can't hide anything from you, Mr. Director."
The director smirked.
Director: "That's why I'm a director."
Mrs. Kuroda: "So, I also can't hide the desire I have to see this student in my class."
Director: "Indeed, you have difficulty hiding this desire"
Mr. Ken: "I don't think that's a good idea"
Mrs. Kuroda: "Oh, come on, Kenichou! Don't be so rigid."
Mr. Ken: "But have you seen what he's capable of?!"
Ms. Kuroda (satisfied): "And have you seen his test results?"
Mr. Ken (worried): "That's what scares me"
The headmaster was silent for a moment, his eyes boring between the two teachers.
Director: "Madam Kuroda, we must act with the greatest caution in this matter."
Ms. Kuroda smiles confidently, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Ms. Kuroda: "What if I told you I would be that careful you are talking about?"
Mr. Ken couldn't help but chuckle.
Mr. Ken: "So, I would say we could directly turn the school into a psychiatric hospital…"
The director raised a hand to restore calm.
Ms. Kuroda: "Expand, Ms. Kuroda."
She stepped forward a little, her heels clicking softly on the wooden floor.
Ms. Kuroda: "He will be under my wing and under my responsibility. He will have the right to my personal training, and I will make sure that he follows the right path.
The headmaster frowned, realizing the seriousness of the commitment.
Director: "Do you know what that entails?"
Ms. Kuroda: "Of course, and I will fully bear the consequences."
Aiko, who had been observing the scene in silence until then, stepped forward.
Aiko: "So I'm a guarantor too!"
Mr. Ken shook his head, exasperated.
Mr. Ken: "Mr. Director, you are not going to entrust this heavy responsibility to a student and someone released from an asylum!"
Before anyone could react, Ms. Kuroda, as quick as lightning, attempted to bite Mr. Ken, who narrowly dodged.
Director: "Enough! Calm down! I feel like I have two students and a teacher in front of me!"
Ms. Kuroda: "I know, I'm pretty mature!"
The director rubbed his temples, trying to remain calm.
Director: "Madame Kuroda may not look it, but she knows how to discern the potential of students and guide them accurately on the right path."
Standing up, he concluded in a firm voice:
Director: "That's why I think, Mrs. Kuroda, that you have a new student to welcome into your class."
Mr. Ken, disappointed, left the room sighing heavily.
Mr. Ken (whispers): "You really want me dead…"
The headmaster turned to Aiko, his expression softer.
Director: "Aiko, thank you for your commitment. I'm counting on you to help Mr. Kurayami."
Aiko: "You can count on me, sir."
Aiko bowed her head slightly before walking out, followed by the principal and Ms. Kuroda, who, visibly excited, left in the opposite direction.
Ms. Kuroda was skipping happily through the halls of the academy, a wide smile on her face. Under the skeptical gaze of the director, she danced levitating on puddles, humming merrily.
Ms. Kuroda (Sings): "I've been waiting for a student like that for years!"
The principal just shook his head silently, aware that he could never fully understand Ms. Kuroda's eccentric enthusiasm.
Kurayami slowly woke up, his mind numb and his body still aching. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times before making out the silhouette of the director at his bedside.
Director: "Mr. Kurayami, are you feeling better?"
Kurayami groaned, bringing a hand to his still sore head.
Kurayami (whispers): "Where am I?"
Director: "At the academy infirmary."
Kurayami was gradually regaining his senses, even if the pain was still throbbing.
Just as he tried to stand up, Ms. Kuroda appeared, jumping in front of him.
Ms. Kuroda: "Hi, it's me! I am the main teacher of the elite class, the best! And I've heard a lot about you. Besides, do you have a scar on your forehead?"
Kurayami, still stunned, did not answer.
The principal pulled Ms. Kuroda back before she got too close.
Director: "What Ms. Kuroda is trying to say is that based on your test scores, you are admitted, and will join Ms. Kuroda's class, the elite class."
Kurayami blinked, amazed.
Kurayami: "Best class?"
Ms. Kuroda: "Exactly! You understand quickly! Standing up to Kenichou is not for everyone. You fully deserve your place in the prestigious elite class!"
Kurayami shook his head, his mind still confused by the turn of events.
Kurayami: "Wow… I feel like everything is going way too fast…"
Director: "Don't worry, Mr. Kurayami, you will take evening classes, supervised by Mrs. Kuroda, in order to catch up with the level of the other students."
Kurayami frowned.
Kurayami: "Am I going to have to work twice as hard as the others?"
Ms. Kuroda: "Yes! But that's the price you pay to be among the best and make your dreams come true!"
She knelt in front of him, staring intently into his eye.
Ms. Kuroda: "So, are you joining the elite unit? Say yes, say yes, say yes!"
The director intervened, lifting Ms. Kuroda by the arm.
Director: "Mrs. Kuroda, please calm down and let him think."
Kurayami thought for a moment, his face grim. His thoughts drifted to the demon that had killed his sister.
Kurayami (thought): "Making your dreams come true…"
After a moment of silence, he made his decision.
Kurayami: "J'accepte."
Mrs. Kuroda jumped with joy, surprised by his answer.
Ms. Kuroda: "Excellent! You won't regret it!"
She shook his hand vigorously, while the director smiled slightly.
Director: "Okay, his choice having been made, I think you can take him to his new class to introduce him to his classmates."
Kurayami, still stunned by the speed of events, protested slightly.
Kurayami: "Already?"
Ms. Kuroda: "Yes! Time is a precious resource, so let's not waste it!"
Kurayami allowed himself to be led by Ms. Kuroda through the halls, as she continued to skip happily, her excitement palpable.
Mrs. Kuroda: "You'll see, they're adorable!"
Kurayami, meanwhile, had his mind elsewhere. His thoughts returned to Akira and Shiro, his former comrades.
Kurayami (thought): I would have liked to say goodbye to them...
Outside, Akira and Shiro had just gotten out of class and were heading towards Kurayami's house.
Akira: "It will never be the same without him…"
Shiro: "He's not dead!"
Akira sighed.
Akira: "Stop, Shiro… You have to accept it. Even though his body was not found, he…"
Shiro (furious): "Shut up! Shut your mouth ! He would never have abandoned us!"
Shiro slapped him hard and ran away.
Mrs. Kuroda opened the classroom door with a bang, pushing Kurayami in front of her.
Ms. Kuroda: "Take the plunge and introduce yourself, my little dark magician!"
Kurayami (thought): "Is she crazy?!"
Kurayami felt uncomfortable in front of all these unfamiliar faces.
Kurayami: "Salut…"
An awkward silence settled over the room. All the students looked at him with palpable curiosity, some whispering among themselves.
Kurayami: "My name is Kurayami Hoshino… I'm 16 years old…"
At the back of the class, Ryota burst out laughing.
Ryota (mocking): "Woah, why is he making that face? Is his family dead or something? Hahaha!"
Ms. Kuroda glared at him, chilling the atmosphere.
Ryota: "Um… Sorry, Madam Kuroda… And sorry, Kurayami…"
Kurayami, silent, went to sit down, painful memories of his sister resurfacing. Eyes met in the class, each studying the attitude of this mysterious new arrival.
Mrs. Kuroda, always cheerful, spoke again.
Ms. Kuroda: "Okay, enough joking! We are going to start the course… and little surprise for you, it's a practical course today! Everyone out!"
The students stood up in silence, intrigued by this announcement.
The students were waiting for Ms. Kuroda to arrive in the courtyard, chatting among themselves.
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded.
Mr.Sato: "Hello to you, elites."
Everyone immediately turned around to face Sato, a respected teacher.
Mr.Sato: "Please forgive me for interrupting your class, Ms. Kuroda."
Ms. Kuroda: "Oh, there's no harm."
Mr.Sato turned towards the students, his expression more serious.
Mr.Sato: "The selection for the Celestial Summoning will take place next week. Prepare seriously. We are counting on you to honor the academy this year."
The students responded with one voice.
— Yes, Mr. Sato!
Mr. Sato turned back to Ms. Kuroda, giving her a final bow.
Mr.Sato: "Madame Kuroda."
Ms. Kuroda: "You heard it, everyone! Let's start the lesson! Remember, other academies are ready to fight for victory!"
Ms. Kuroda (thought): "If this boy is as powerful as I think, this tournament is a foregone conclusion."
At Virelia Academy, Mr. Shinomiya stared harshly at his students.
Mr.Shinomiya: "The selection for the Celestial Summoning will take place in a week. There is no question of you tarnishing the honor of this academy. We are counting on you, Liora, to represent us. Don't forget what awaits the losers. Did I make myself understood correctly?"
Across the country at Eldoria Academy, Mr. Fujimoto looked at his students with undisguised severity.
Mr..Fujimoto: "The Celestial Convocation is approaching, and it is in your interest to bring honor to our academy. Especially you, Takeshi. You are our best element. Is this clear to everyone?"