The morning started like any other for Leo. He walked to school with Dan and Takahashi, exchanging small talk about the usual things—games, homework, and their classes. But as they approached the school gate, Dan leaned in, his voice low with excitement.
"Hey, did you hear the news?" Dan asked, his eyes wide. "One of our teachers went missing."
Leo stopped mid-step, a frown forming on his face. "What do you mean, 'missing'?"
"Yeah, just vanished," Dan continued. "No one knows what happened to her. So, my sister told me that a new teacher is starting today to take over her classes. He's foreign but speaks Japanese fluently. Everyone's buzzing about it."
Takahashi raised an eyebrow. "I hope he's not as strict as our old teacher. We were drowning in work."
"Same," Dan laughed. "Let's hope this guy's more chill."
Leo smiled half-heartedly, but deep down, something didn't sit right with him. He couldn't shake the eerie feeling lingering from yesterday, when that shadow appeared outside his house. Still, he shrugged it off as the three of them entered the building, the excitement over the new teacher quickly overtaking any concerns.
As they made their way to class and took their seats, Leo noticed a shift in the atmosphere. There was an unusual energy in the room, a kind of anticipation that made his skin crawl.
Why am I feeling this way? he thought to himself, looking around at the other students, all of whom seemed cheerful and excited about the change. They chatted eagerly, their minds far from the strange dread that had gripped Leo.
The door slid open, and the classroom fell silent. Leo's heart rate spiked as the man stepped into the room—a tall, well-dressed man with sharp features, deep, piercing eyes, and a smile that seemed too perfect. He had an aura about him, something both captivating and intimidating at the same time.
"Hello, students," the man said in flawless Japanese, his voice calm and commanding. "My name is John Raizen. From today, I will be your homeroom teacher."
Raizen?
The name struck Leo like a lightning bolt. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound of blood rushing in his ears. He felt a wave of dizziness as he locked eyes with the new teacher. His skin turned cold, and a familiar but dreadful energy enveloped him. Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
It couldn't be a coincidence.
Leo's vision blurred for a moment as memories of Lord Raizen—the ancient king—flooded his mind. The face may have been different, but that aura… that overwhelming presence was unmistakable.
Lord Raizen, the very king whose soul was bound by darkness, had somehow appeared in Leo's life again. And now, he was standing in front of the class, disguised as an ordinary teacher.
Leo's breath quickened, and his body stiffened as his mind raced. Is he here for me?
Does he know who I am? What's going on?
Dan, who sat beside Leo, noticed the change in his friend's demeanor. "Dude, you okay?" he whispered, nudging Leo with his elbow.
Leo forced himself to nod, but his mind was anything but calm. "Y-Yeah," he managed to say, his voice trembling slightly. "Just… a headache."
The class continued as normal, though Leo barely registered what was being said. His eyes were glued to John Raizen—or Lord Raizen—at the front of the class. Every word the man spoke seemed to echo in his mind, laced with the power and authority of an ancient ruler.
But Raizen didn't seem to pay any special attention to Leo. He treated him just like every other student in the room. Is it possible he doesn't recognize me? Leo wondered, his thoughts spiraling. Or is he playing a game, pretending not to know?
The fear gnawed at him, growing with every passing second. What if he's just waiting for the right moment?
As the class dragged on, Leo's mind continued to race, searching for answers. The man at the front of the room might look like any other teacher to everyone else, but Leo knew better. Lord Raizen was far more dangerous than anyone could imagine.
When the final bell rang, Leo felt an immense sense of relief. He grabbed his bag and stood to leave, his legs feeling weak beneath him. As he made his way toward the door, he couldn't help but glance back at Raizen, who was still calmly gathering his things.
There was no sign, no hint that he recognized Leo.
Outside the classroom, Dan and Takahashi caught up with him, chatting away about how lucky they were to get such a seemingly "chill" teacher. But Leo wasn't listening. He was consumed by fear, dread, and the questions swirling in his mind. Why was Lord Raizen here? Was it truly a coincidence? Or had he come for him?
That evening, Leo found himself alone in his room, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't shake the encounter from his mind, no matter how hard he tried.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. He sat up as his mother peeked in, giving him a warm smile. "Leo, your cousin Kenta's here again."
Leo's heart sank. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Kenta's suspicions, not after everything that had happened today.
"Tell him I'm not feeling well," Leo called back, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Alright," his mother replied, but before she could leave, Kenta's voice echoed from the hallway. "I can hear you, Leo! Come on, let's talk."
Leo groaned. The last thing he needed was another round of questions, especially with the weight of Lord Raizen's sudden appearance looming over him.
As the door closed behind him, Leo stood in the dimly lit room, his mind racing. The events of the day had confirmed something he'd feared for a long time. There were no coincidences.
The Lord of Shadows, the king he feared most, had returned—and for some reason, he was playing the role of a teacher at Leo's school. Why?
As Leo lay back in bed, his heart still racing, one thought lingered: Lord Raizen was back. And he wasn't just here by chance.
Leo could only hope that whatever his plan was, it didn't involve discovering who Leo Raizen really was—or what secrets he was hiding.
But Leo couldn't ignore the truth forever. And deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before Lord Raizen made his move.
To be continued...