Announcement

"Yo, Takeda!"

I turned to find Ryu Kazuki swaggering towards me. He wore that usual grin—the kind that begged for a fight.

"What's up, Ryu?" I asked, setting down the weighted training staff.

"Feel like sparring? I've been itching to test myself against someone who won't bore me to death." He puffed out his chest, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Sure." I replied, rolling my shoulders. I wasn't about to back down from a challenge, especially not one as promising as this.

The moment we stepped onto the sparring field, Ryu's Ki flared to life. Flames erupted from his palms, controlled yet ferocious. The crowd of onlookers that had gathered whispered in awe.

This kid was talented.

I released a fraction of my Ki, letting it swirl around me like a storm cloud. It wasn't much—just enough to keep him on edge. Ryu grinned, his confidence unshaken, and charged.

I countered with wind Ki, a gust of air knocking him off balance. He stumbled but quickly recovered, his flames surging brighter as he rushed forward again. Impressive. Most would have faltered, but Ryu thrived under pressure.

Activating my own flame Ki, I met him head-on. Our punches collided mid-air, sending a wave of fire and heat cascading through the training grounds. Gasps rippled through the growing crowd, but neither of us paid attention.

Using Phantom Step, I vanished into the smoke. The battlefield was mine now. Ryu spun, scanning his surroundings, his senses sharp. I waited for the perfect moment before striking from his shadow.

But he dodged. Barely. My fist grazed his chin, and his retaliatory strike—a burst of flames—was near-perfect. His control over his element was remarkable.

"Takeda!" he shouted, his voice filled with frustration. "Stop holding back! I know you're not giving it your all. Show me your real power!"

I exhaled slowly, meeting his glare. "Sorry, Ryu." I said, my tone cold. "You're not ready for that."

His expression shifted, anger flashing in his eyes. He stepped back, raising his fists.

"Am I really that weak to you?" he growled.

I didn't answer. Instead, I used Phantom Step again, this time leaving no afterimages. I appeared directly in front of him, my full Ki unleashed. It pressed down on him like a tidal wave, forcing him to stagger.

"This is what I mean, Ryu." I said, my voice low. "You're strong—one of the strongest at our age—but I've lived through battles you can't even imagine. I've had to fight to survive, to grow stronger, just to stay alive."

His eyes widened, and then he laughed. "Takeda, you talk like you've lived multiple lives!" he said between bouts of hysterical laughter.

I smirked. If only he knew.

"That was fun." Ryu said as he caught his breath. "Thanks for the match, Takeda." 

"No, thank you." I replied, nodding.

As he walked off, the crowd began to disperse. I turned back toward the dorms, already planning for tomorrow.

The next morning came quickly. Instructor Hiroto's class passed in a blur, my mind focused on the day's real event—my first meeting with the newly formed Disciplinary Committee.

When the time came, I stood in front of the committee room's towering wooden doors, adjusting the collar of my new uniform. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, but I pushed it aside and stepped inside.

Seven students sat around a large table, their gazes sharp and assessing. At the head of the room stood Director Jin, his expression unreadable but expectant.

"Takeda, reporting in." I said, bowing.

"Right on time." Jin said, his tone warm but firm. "Take a seat."

I nodded and moved to an empty chair. The room was silent, tension thick in the air as the others studied me.

"This is the Disciplinary Committee," Jin began. "Your job is simple: maintain order and enforce the academy's rules. In two days, you'll be introduced to the entire student body."

"Let's start with introductions." Jin continued.

One by one, the other members introduced themselves. First was Mei Saito, the vice-captain. Her sharp black eyes and composed demeanor radiated authority.

"Welcome, Takeda." she said coolly.

"Thanks." I replied, bowing slightly.

Then came Ren Saito, the captain, whose relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with his sister's.

"Yo, Takeda! Let's get along."

I smiled faintly, taking note of their dynamic. The Saito siblings were clearly a force to be reckoned with.

The introductions continued until my gaze landed on a silver-haired boy. For a moment, I thought it was Ryu, but the subtle differences in their features told me otherwise.

"I'm Hiro Kazuki." he said simply, his tone calm but heavy with confidence.

Kazuki. Definitely related to Ryu.

The final introductions were just as intense. Haruto Hachiro's boisterous energy filled the room.

When it was my turn to speak, I kept it brief. "Takeda. I'll do what needs to be done."

Afterward, Jin's expression grew serious. "This committee isn't just for show." he said. "You will be the academy's shield—and, when necessary, its sword. Some will test you. Others will challenge you. Be ready for both."

The weight of his words lingered as the meeting adjourned. I stepped into the hallway, only to find Hiro Kazuki waiting for me.

"You held back against Ryu." he said without preamble.

I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"Call it instinct." His gaze was piercing. "But don't underestimate the Kazuki family, Takeda. You beat Ryu, but you haven't faced me yet."

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Maybe one day."

He nodded, his expression unreadable, and walked away.

Two days later, the announcement ceremony arrived. The courtyard was packed, students murmuring excitedly about the new committee. I stood with the others, my uniform pristine, as Director Jin addressed the crowd.

"And now." Jin declared, his voice booming, "I present the Disciplinary Committee of Ember Academy!"

We stepped forward as one, the weight of thousands of eyes pressing down on us.

Ren Saito gave the first speech, his tone casual but commanding. "Break the rules, and you'll answer to us. Simple as that."

Mei followed, her sharp voice cutting through the crowd like a blade. "We're here to enforce the rules, not make friends. Step out of line, and there will be consequences."

Finally, it was my turn.

I stepped forward, letting my Ki flow just enough to be felt. "We're not here for games. If you think power or status will protect you, you're wrong."

The crowd stilled as I released a fraction of my Killing Intent. It swept over them like a wave, silencing even the boldest students.

"If you break the rules, you'll face me—and I promise, you won't like the outcome."

I let the intent linger for a moment before withdrawing it, watching as the students exhaled collectively, their faces pale.

As I stepped back, Ren whispered, "Damn, Takeda. You sure know how to make an impression."

I didn't reply. The message had been delivered. Let them wonder, let them fear. Ember Academy would never be the same.

After the announcement ceremony, the crowd began to disperse, the tension lingering like a storm about to break. Whispers rippled through the courtyard, but no one dared speak too loudly. My classmates from Instructor Hiroto's room were among the most shocked, their expressions caught between awe and disbelief.

Ren clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin wide and confident. "You've got the whole academy trembling. Nicely done."

"I wasn't aiming to scare them." I replied, shrugging him off. "Just to set the tone." 

Mei Saito approached, her gaze sharp and calculating. "Setting the tone is one thing. Creating enemies is another. Don't think you've won over everyone, Takeda. Fear has its limits."

I met her eyes, unflinching. "Fear is only a tool. It's how you use it that matters."

She studied me for a moment before nodding, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Fair enough. Just remember, tools can cut both ways."

The rest of the committee began to disperse, but I noticed Hiro Kazuki lingering near the edge of the courtyard. His silver hair caught the sunlight, but his expression was dark, contemplative. When he saw me looking, he walked over.

"You're stronger than I thought." he admitted, his tone devoid of its usual arrogance. "But strength alone won't keep you at the top."

"Is that advice or a warning?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Both." He crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. "The Kazuki family doesn't take humiliation lightly. Ryu might let it slide, but others won't."

I smirked. "If they want to challenge me, they're welcome to try."

Hiro didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Just be careful, Takeda. There are things in this academy more dangerous than you realize."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me to ponder his words. What could he mean? I'd faced betrayal, death, and rebirth—I wasn't sure what could be more dangerous than that.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of whispers and stares. Everywhere I went, students parted like the Red Sea, their conversations halting the moment I stepped into earshot. It was clear the announcement had solidified my reputation, but it also painted a target on my back.