"The throne isn't just for the strong; it's for those who can command strength."
-Lee Sejong
The morning classes dragged on as students stole glances at Sejong, whispering behind their hands. He sat calmly, taking notes in his elegant script, seemingly unfazed by the growing anticipation in the air. When the lunch bell rang, most of his classmates hurried out, eager to spread the latest updates about the upcoming showdown.
Sejong, however, remained at his desk, savoring the last grains of rice in his bento. Aunt Somin had indeed packed extra - he'd need the energy for what was to come. As he closed the lid, a shadow fell across his desk.
"Uh, Sejong-sunbae?" A timid-looking girl stood before him, her eyes darting nervously. "The, um, the Night Shine seniors want you to meet them behind the old gym during lunch."
Sejong arched an eyebrow. "I'm aware."
The girl flushed. "O-oh, I see. Well, they said to come alone. And..." She hesitated, worrying her lip. "Good luck."
He inclined his head. "Thank you."
As she scurried away, Sejong took one last look around the classroom. Most of his peers avoided his gaze, save for a few curious stares. He caught Dongho's eye, and the other boy quickly looked away, the bruises on his face a testament to Sejong's power.
Brushing invisible dust from his sleeve, Sejong stood and made his way through the now-empty halls. The closer he got to the old gymnasium, the more the air crackled with tension. Groups of students had gathered, whispering excitedly, their eyes glued to the double doors that led to the back courtyard.
Sejong pushed through them without a word, their chatter falling silent in his wake. The courtyard was deserted save for a cluster of Night Shine members, Park Minho at the center. As Sejong approached, they parted to reveal Song Minjun, already stripped down to his shirt and slacks, his muscular arms bare.
Minho stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Glad you could make it, Lee Sejong." He gestured toward Minjun. "You know the rules. One fight. If you win, you lead Night Shine."
Sejong met Minjun's gaze, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Then let's begin."
Without another word, Minjun lunged forward, his fist snapping out in a powerful jab. But Sejong was already moving, his body flowing like water as he slipped inside the attack. A sharp elbow strike caught Minjun in the ribs, eliciting a grunt of pain.
The larger boy staggered back, eyes narrowing. "Not bad, kid." He launched a flurry of blows, each one precise and lightning-fast.
Yet Sejong evaded them effortlessly, his feet shifting, his upper body twisting with a dancer's grace. Every strike found only air as he deftly maneuvered around Minjun's assault.
The watching Night Shine members muttered in disbelief, their confident smirks fading. Minho's eyes widened fractionally, the only hint of his surprise.
Minjun's movements grew more erratic, frustration creeping into his features. "Hold still, damn you!"
Sejong ducked under a wild swing, his counter-strike snapping Minjun's head back. "A king," he murmured, "does not dance to the music of his subjects."
With that, he launched a relentless offensive, his strikes flowing into one another with the precision of a metronome. Minjun stumbled, desperately trying to block the onslaught, but Sejong was unstoppable. A knee to the gut, an elbow to the temple - each blow found its mark, chipping away at the senior's defenses.
Finally, Minjun crumpled to the ground, consciousness slipping away. Sejong stood over him, chest heaving slightly, his uniform pristine. He looked up at the stunned Night Shine members, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
"I believe we have a coronation to attend to."
Park Minho was the first to recover, his shock melting into a wary respect. He stepped forward, appraising Sejong with new eyes. "You really are something else, kid." He nodded to the fallen Minjun. "Looks like you've earned your place."
Sejong accepted Minho's outstretched hand, his grip firm and confident. "I told you, sunbae. I don't fight for a place. I fight for what's mine."
The other Night Shine members shifted uneasily, glancing at each other. Minho chuckled, a knowing gleam in his eye. "Well then, King Sejong. Welcome to the court."
As the older students ushered Minjun off to the infirmary, Sejong surveyed the courtyard, taking in the sea of awed faces peeking through the gymnasium doors. Word would spread quickly - the new king had claimed his throne.
He allowed himself a small smile. This was merely the first step. The true challenge lay in maintaining his position, in bending this school - this entire world - to his will. But that was a concern for another day. For now, he had tasted victory, and the taste was sweet.
The lunch bell rang, jolting him from his thoughts. Straightening his blazer, Sejong turned and made his way back toward the main building, his stride confident and unhurried. Let the others hurry to their meals, to their petty concerns. A king did not rush to his coronation feast.
As he passed through the parting crowds, Sejong caught sight of Junho, his cousin's eyes wide with a mix of pride and apprehension. Junho opened his mouth, no doubt brimming with questions, but Sejong merely raised a hand, silencing him with a look.
"Not now, Junho-ya." Sejong's voice was soft, but held an unmistakable weight. "There is much work to be done."
Without another word, he continued on, his shadow stretching long before him. The other students watched in awed silence, their whispers following in his wake.
"He really did it..." "Night Shine's new leader is a middle schooler?" "I can't believe he beat Song Minjun!" "Does that mean he's the new king of Hanseong?"
Sejong let the whispers wash over him, like the distant buzzing of insects. He knew his worth; the opinions of these sheep were irrelevant. He was no mere student, no fleeting king of a schoolyard hierarchy. He was destined for greater things - a true ruler, born to command the respect of all who crossed his path.
As he reached the main building, the security cameras tracked his every step, their blinking lights like the eyes of silent guardians. Sejong allowed himself a small, private smile. Even the school's vaunted control could not contain him. He was above such petty constraints, above the rules that bound his classmates.
He was the king. And this was only the beginning.