The maze's central clearing hummed with tension. Students trickled in one by one, their expressions ranging from triumph to sheer exhaustion. I stood back, leaning against a cold stone wall, watching as rivalries and alliances began to form in whispers and wary glances. The air smelled faintly of damp earth and adrenaline.
Among the group, a girl with platinum blonde hair and piercing green eyes stood out. She carried herself with an unsettling confidence, her smirk daring anyone to challenge her. Her name, if I remembered correctly from the ranking list, was Celeste. She had been ranked third. Watching her, I could tell it wasn't luck that earned her that spot.
"Looks like some of you had an easier time getting here than others," she said, her voice cutting through the uneasy silence. Her tone was teasing, but there was an edge to it that set people on edge. "I wonder how long you'll last."
A boy bristled at her words. He was stocky, with a face that turned red far too easily. "Don't act like you're better than us. You just got lucky."
Celeste's smirk widened. "Luck, huh? Sure. Let's call it that." She stepped closer to him, her gaze unflinching. "But if you're so confident, maybe you'd like to put your rank on the line? A little wager to make things interesting?"
The boy faltered, his bravado evaporating under her scrutiny. He muttered something unintelligible and turned away, eliciting a few chuckles from the crowd. Celeste basked in the attention, her confidence infectious—and dangerous.
I stayed silent, observing. Celeste's ploy was obvious: assert dominance early, identify weak links, and solidify her place at the top. It was a smart move. Too smart to ignore.
"You're awfully talkative for someone who hasn't won anything yet," I said, my voice cutting through the noise. All eyes turned to me. It wasn't my intention to draw attention, but if I didn't challenge her now, she'd run unchecked.
Celeste's green eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink. "And who might you be?" she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.
"Ryuto Kurogane. Rank 47," I replied evenly. "Not high enough to matter, but not low enough to ignore."
She tilted her head, studying me like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. "A self-aware underdog. How refreshing. What's your point, Ryuto?"
"Just that games are won in silence," I said, meeting her gaze without flinching. "The loudest players are usually the easiest to predict."
Her smirk faltered for just a fraction of a second before it returned, sharper than before. "Interesting perspective. Let's hope you're as clever as you sound. Otherwise, this place will chew you up and spit you out."
The tension lingered as the sound of heavy boots echoed through the clearing. A man in a dark uniform appeared, his posture rigid, his presence commanding immediate attention. His sharp eyes scanned the group, and the murmurs died instantly.
"Congratulations to those who made it this far," he began, his voice steady and authoritative. "You've completed the first stage of orientation. The labyrinth was a test not only of your individual abilities but of your instincts and decision-making. Some of you worked together; others did not. Both approaches have their merits."
His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than I expected before moving on. "You will now be escorted to the dormitories. Your rankings will determine your accommodations, so expect disparity. Adjusting to inequality is a fundamental part of life at Karasuma Academy. Consider it another lesson."
Disparity. The word hung in the air like a challenge. It was clear that nothing here would be fair—or easy.
The man stepped aside, and several other staff members began dividing us into groups. As I joined mine, I noticed Celeste being directed to another. She caught my eye and gave a small wave, her smirk returning.
"See you around, Ryuto," she said, her voice carrying just enough mockery to keep me on edge.
I didn't respond. Words were meaningless without action, and I wasn't about to waste mine. The path forward was clear: adapt, survive, and, when the time came, strike. Until then, I'd keep watching, keep learning.
Because in this game, only the strongest deserved to win.