Prologue

Sakata Akio's POV

Welcome to Seishin High.

Outsiders think this school is just a normal prestigious school for rich kids. But no, this is the underworld where rich parents make their kids become fighters for power and money. They treat their kids like a wild dog used for gambling. What's worse is that the government is supporting this school for corruption purposes. The government offers their so-called "scholarships" to the poor children who are smart and has a potential in fighting.

For normal people, they see Seishin as a school for the smart and good players of mixed martial arts. Seishin High Mixed Martial Arts Team always represents the country for international games. In every national game, Seishin recruits the best players from different schools and offers "scholarships." Every year, Seishin recruits only one student.

"Why am I here?" You asked. Because I am the son of the owner of this school. Yes, believe me or not. But I am against this stupid school. Nobody knows. But my goal is to stop this illegal and unjust institution. I don't care if my father goes to jail and I will be left alone because I need to stop what he is doing. He is blinded by power and money.

By the way, I am Sakata Akio (Akio - first name Sakata - last name). I got my looks from my father. Not to brag, but my father is quite a looker even in his late 30's. I have a blue upturned protruding hooded tapered eyes. My straight silver brows matching my silver straight 4/6 parted bangs. I have a medium dainty nose and thin lips. And my goal is to stop this messed up government and school. From describing my looks to stating my goal. Pfft. Well, just to brighten the mood.

[At the school hallway]

As I walked through the hallway, students who were busy chitchatting stopped and stared at me and bowed.

Students: Akio-sama! (Master Akio)

(A/N: The use of the word -sama (Japanese honorific) is the most formal, and is very special. This higher version of -san is used in very specific situations towards people who have a high status, such as with customers in the customer service industry)

I am well-respected here because I am currently the Top 1 in both academics and in fighting. I am called by my first name so as to not to confuse me with my father. I don't mind being called by my first name though. I worked hard to be on top to gain power. Not in a bad way, but I gained power to fight against both the government and the school. It was not easy climbing to the top. Honestly, I never cared for my rank before. Not until my friend, Matsumoto Rei-kun, died during a fight.

(A/N: -kun (Japanese honorific): This is a suffix seen as masculine, used for teenagers and young men. Sometimes, it is used to refer to young women, but only in very specific situations. It’s usually used by people seen as superior, since this honorific is mostly used when one person of higher status is talking to a younger person. Its politeness level is low and its kanji is the same as the one used for kimi (君), which is an informal way of saying “you”. It can be used when talking with a classmate, a younger brother or younger man. Men only use it with women they are close to and likewise, women will use it with men.)

I was there. I saw everything. I tried to stop the fight but because I didn't train enough, I had no enough strength to stop the fight. I never joined fights because I was confident that my father won't let me join the matches because my mother won't allow it. I was hated by the students back then. They teased me for being a "scaredy-cat" for not fighting though I was only good in academics. They loathed me because they said I had father's protection.

But Rei-kun did not see me that way. He was the kindest friend I could ever ask for. He may be rough during the fights, but he has a kind heart. He was also forced to join this school because his parents said so. Right after Rei-kun died, his parents went bankrupt because the school's policy is that, when one dies, all their family's properties shall be surrendered to the government and the parents are to be killed to protect the secrets of Seishin High. Rei-kun really hated the school. I cannot really blame him for it.

*Flashback*

[School park (night)]

Rei-kun and I were laying on the grass, staring at the dark sky full of stars.

Rei: Hey Akio.

Akio: Yeah?

Rei: I really hate our school. No offense.

Akio: I don't blame you though but I don't understand why this school exists, either. What good will fighting, money, and power would bring to our families?

Rei: Yeah. I wish we could stop this. I'm tired of fighting different kids especially those who were forced like me.

Akio: I don't know how. I love my father but I don't understand why he is like this.

Rei: I want to establish a secret group that would put up a fight against the government and our rotten school.

Akio: Could we?

Rei: Seriously?

He started to chuckle.

Rei: Oops. I am talking to the school owner's son.

Akio: Gahhhh! As if I wanted to be in this school, either. But we're still talking about the impossible.

Rei: Yeah, right. We're talking about the government. And talk about how dangerous this is.

We stared at each other and began to laugh.

Akio: Students are even barely hanging.

Rei: Yeah. I really wish we could do something about this.

*End of flashback*

If only I was strong. If only I was not a coward. If only I helped him establish the group he wanted to build. He would have not died. I blame myself for everything. I blame myself for being a coward. A stupid coward.