The next morning, I woke to the buzzing of my tablet. Another notification lit the screen, summoning all students to a meeting in the outdoor amphitheater. The message was brief and devoid of details—a deliberate tactic to heighten tension.
By the time I arrived, the amphitheater was already crowded. Rows of stone seating curved around a central stage, and the surrounding trees rustled in the cool morning breeze. Headmaster Cole stood at the center, flanked by two assistants, their stiff postures hinting at the gravity of the situation.
I found a spot in the back row, keeping a clear view of both the stage and the exits. Daichi spotted me and hurried over, his face twisted in worry.
"Any guesses on what this is about?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"None that matter," I replied, scanning the crowd.
Celeste sat a few rows ahead, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp as they flicked from one student to another. She caught my gaze and gave a small, knowing smirk before turning back to the stage. She was clearly in her element—a predator among prey.
Headmaster Cole stepped forward, silencing the murmurs with a single raised hand. "Good morning, students. Today marks the next phase of your journey here at Karasuma Academy. You've been introduced to the Hierarchy System, but a system is only as effective as the challenges it imposes."
The screen behind him came to life, displaying a grid of names and numbers. My name was there, nestled safely in the middle ranks. Daichi's name, however, teetered closer to the bottom. His sharp intake of breath didn't go unnoticed.
"Today, we begin the first Ranking Trial," Cole announced. "These trials will occur regularly and serve as the primary mechanism for advancing or demoting within the Hierarchy System. Success will grant you points and elevate your rank. Failure will… complicate things."
The word "complicate" sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. I leaned forward slightly, my mind already spinning with possibilities.
"For this trial," Cole continued, "you will be divided into groups of five. Each group will face a series of challenges designed to test your intellect, teamwork, and resolve. Your performance as individuals and as a group will determine the points you earn."
Daichi turned to me, panic in his eyes. "Groups of five? We don't even know anyone."
"That's the point," I said, my tone flat. "They want to see how we adapt."
Cole's assistants began calling out names, assigning students to groups. When my name was called, I noted the others in my group with detached curiosity. Celeste was one of them, along with a tall boy named Hiroshi, a quiet girl with glasses named Naomi, and a jittery first-year named Kenta.
Celeste's smirk widened as she approached. "Looks like fate has a sense of humor," she said.
"Or a sense of irony," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
Hiroshi crossed his arms, his broad shoulders giving him an intimidating presence. "Let's just get this over with."
Naomi gave a small nod, her gaze fixed on the ground. Kenta, meanwhile, fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting between the rest of us. It was an interesting mix—and not one that inspired confidence.
"Your first task," Cole's voice boomed, "is simple: make it to the finish line. The path is marked, but obstacles will test your ability to think and act quickly."
The amphitheater's floor split open, revealing a descending staircase. As we moved to the entrance, I noticed Celeste studying the layout, her eyes gleaming with calculated intent.
"This will be fun," she said, falling into step beside me.
"For you, maybe," I said. "For them, not so much."
She let out a soft laugh, the kind that didn't reach her eyes. "Let's see if you're as sharp as you think, Ryuto."
The staircase led to a dimly lit corridor. A monitor at the entrance displayed a countdown: five minutes to strategize before the trial began.
"Alright," I said, turning to the group. "If we're going to make it through this, we need to play to our strengths. Hiroshi, you're clearly the muscle. You'll handle any physical barriers. Naomi, I need you to stay focused and analyze any puzzles we encounter. Kenta… just keep up and don't panic."
Kenta nodded quickly, though his trembling hands betrayed his fear.
"And me?" Celeste asked, her tone almost playful.
I met her gaze. "You'll handle the unpredictable. Anything that requires quick thinking or… unconventional methods."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "And you?"
"I'll keep us moving forward," I said simply.
The countdown reached zero, and the trial began. The corridor lit up, revealing the first challenge: a locked door with a complex keypad. Symbols and numbers flashed across the screen, a puzzle meant to stall us.
Naomi stepped forward without hesitation, her fingers flying across the keypad as she muttered calculations under her breath. Within seconds, the door clicked open.
"Impressive," Celeste said, giving Naomi an approving nod.
The next obstacle was a narrow path over a pit, the floor beneath us shifting unpredictably. Hiroshi took the lead, his size and strength allowing him to stabilize the group as we crossed. Kenta stumbled but managed to cling to Hiroshi's arm, avoiding a fall.
The final challenge was less straightforward. A wall of mirrors blocked our path, each reflecting distorted versions of ourselves. The exit was visible on the other side, but every attempt to move forward resulted in us hitting an invisible barrier.
"It's a distraction," I said, studying the reflections. "The real path isn't through the mirrors. It's around them."
Celeste grinned. "Smart. Let's test that theory."
She moved to the edge of the wall and pressed her hand against the surface. It passed through, confirming my suspicion. One by one, we followed her lead, emerging on the other side just as the clock above the exit hit zero.
As we stepped into the light, a voice announced, "Trial complete. Group 14: Pass."
Kenta let out a shaky breath, collapsing onto the ground. "That was insane."
"Welcome to Karasuma Academy," Celeste said, her tone dripping with mock cheerfulness.
I didn't say anything, but as I looked at my teammates, one thing became clear: in this academy, survival wasn't just about intelligence or strength. It was about using every resource—and every person—to your advantage.