5:00 AM.
A loud siren blared through the Class F dormitory, shaking everyone awake.
"Attention, students," an emotionless female voice echoed through the speakers. "The First Trial begins in exactly one hour. All participants must report to the Main Arena before the countdown reaches zero. Failure to comply will result in immediate expulsion."
A screen flickered on inside the dorm.
First Trial – The Rules
– Each student starts with one badge.
– The goal is to collect at least three badges within the time limit.
– You may use any method necessary to obtain badges.
– Those who fail to meet the requirement will be eliminated.
The room fell into silence as everyone processed the rules.
A battle for survival, just as expected.
Kaito sat up, stretching lazily. "Looks like they're forcing us to steal from each other."
Riku grinned. "Heh. This is perfect. The weak don't stand a chance."
Toru cracked his knuckles. "So it's a fight, huh? Fine by me."
But Mika's expression darkened. "No. Look at the last rule. 'Any method necessary.'"
Kaito met her gaze. "It means this test isn't just about fighting. It's about strategy. Deception. Manipulation."
Mika nodded. "Exactly. And that means the real danger isn't just the strong it's the smart ones who play dirty."
The room grew tense.
Kaito smirked.
They finally understand. This isn't a simple game. This is war.
5:50 AM – The Main Arena
A massive circular coliseum stretched out before the students, surrounded by towering steel walls. Inside, over 300 students from Classes A to F stood waiting.
At the center of the arena, a massive digital countdown ticked down.
00:10:00
The Headmaster appeared on a balcony above, his cold gaze sweeping across the crowd.
"Welcome to your First Trial."
The murmurs of the crowd died instantly.
"As you've already seen, this test is about survival. You have one hour to collect a minimum of three badges." His lips curled into a small, cruel smile.
"Remember: there are no rules."
A mechanical beep echoed through the arena as steel doors opened around the coliseum, revealing multiple battlegrounds some looked like abandoned buildings, others dense forests, and some were wide open fields.
This isn't just an arena. It's a battlefield with different zones.
The students quickly realized the implications.
Some areas would favor stealth.
Some would favor combat.
Some… would be death traps.
Kaito observed the other students. Class A and Class B students were already forming alliances. The strongest were grouping together, planning to crush the weak first.
Class C and D? Scattered. Some were trying to strategize, others already looking desperate.
And Class F?
Panic. Chaos. Fear.
Just as planned.
The countdown reached zero.
00:00:00
A loud gunshot rang through the air.
The First Trial had begun.
Instantly, some students charged forward, fists flying. Others dashed toward the safer zones, hoping to avoid direct fights.
But Kaito?
He didn't move.
Instead, he smirked.
"Let the real game begin."
The arena exploded into chaos.
Students from higher-ranked classes immediately targeted the weakest. Screams echoed through the battlefield as desperate Class E and F students tried to run.
Fists collided. Strategies unfolded. And just like that, the weak were being crushed.
Kaito didn't move.
He stood still, watching. Observing.
The idiots are throwing themselves into battle without thinking. Just as expected.
The smart ones? They weren't fighting yet.
Mika Tanabe had already disappeared into the abandoned buildings, likely waiting for the perfect moment to strike from the shadows.
Toru Kanzaki had engaged a group of Class D students, using brute force to overwhelm them. A reckless strategy, but effective for someone with his strength.
And Riku? That arrogant fool was already ganging up on weaker students, stealing badges through intimidation.
Good. Let them exhaust themselves first.
Kaito needed information before making his move.
His eyes scanned the battlefield, analyzing the different zones:
he Ruined City: An abandoned district filled with crumbling buildings. Perfect for ambushes and stealth.
he Iron Cage: A fenced-off, tight combat zone with nowhere to hide. The strong would dominate here.
he Fogged Forest: A heavily misted area, good for deception and surprise attacks.
he Dead Zone: A wide-open battlefield with no cover pure survival of the fittest.
Interesting.
Kaito finally took a step forward, his target already decided.
The Ruined City.
Inside the Ruined City 30 Minutes Left
The air was silent. Unlike the rest of the battlefield, there were no mindless brawls here.
Instead, shadows moved carefully between buildings.
Class C and B students who understood the game had come here. They weren't trying to fight they were trying to outsmart everyone else.
Kaito smirked.
This is where the real players are.
A flicker of movement an ambush!
A Class C student lunged from behind cover, aiming for Kaito's badge.
Too slow.
With a swift sidestep, Kaito caught the attacker's wrist and twisted. A painful snap echoed, followed by a scream.
-1 Badge stolen.
The student collapsed, clutching his injured arm. Kaito crouched beside him.
"Did you really think I'd come in here unprepared?" he whispered.
The student whimpered.
Kaito didn't bother finishing him off. Not worth the effort.
He vanished into the shadows, deeper into the city.
The Hunter and the Prey
Mika Tanabe crouched on a rooftop, watching the chaos below.
So far, she had already stolen two badges without lifting a finger.
People are so predictable. Let them fight, then take what's left.
But then movement.
Her sharp eyes caught someone too controlled. Too precise.
Kaito.
He wasn't just fighting. He was hunting.
Mika smirked.
Interesting. Should I test him?
For now, she decided to wait. But soon, she would make her move.
The Deadline Approaches – 5 Minutes Left
The first trial was almost over, but the desperation had just begun.
Many had fallen. Few had risen.
Kaito stood on top of a collapsed building, checking his haul.
Four badges.
More than enough.
But then a presence.
He turned, just in time to see Mika Tanabe standing a few meters away, flipping a stolen badge between her fingers.
"You're faster than I expected," she said casually.
Kaito smirked. "And you've been watching me."
Mika tilted her head. "Observation is key in this game."
Kaito stepped forward. "So, what now? You going to try and steal from me?"
Mika laughed. "Please. If I wanted to, you wouldn't even know."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Cocky."
"Confident," Mika corrected. Then she tossed the badge in the air, caught it, and smirked. "See you in the next round, Kaito."
And just like that, she vanished into the shadows.
Kaito chuckled.
She's dangerous.
And that meant he needed her on his side.