Chapter 3: The Curtain Rises: First Impressions and Hidden Strengths

As soon as the homeroom teacher left, the classroom quickly became lively again.

Since today was the first day of school, there were no formal classes scheduled. Lectures wouldn't begin until tomorrow.

For Kure Ragna and the rest of the first-year students, today's task was simply to settle in—attend the opening ceremony, get to know their classmates, organize their dorms, and use the points they'd been given to buy daily necessities.

Oh, and in the afternoon, there was a club recruitment session.

All in all, the day's schedule was relaxed and stress-free.

Kure Ragna was still thinking about how to arrange his day when a clear and crisp clapping sound caught his attention.

Yukinoshita Haruno, who had been sitting next to him earlier, had moved to the podium at some point. With a confident smile, she clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention before speaking in a warm, reliable tone.

---

"Everyone, may I have your attention for a moment?" she began, her voice smooth and composed. "Since we'll be sharing this class for the next three years, I think it'd be nice to get to know each other. There's still plenty of time before lunch, so how about we do some self-introductions?"

It was a simple suggestion, yet one that most students had likely been considering but felt too awkward to bring up themselves.

"Yes!"

"Sounds good!"

"Agreed!"

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with students nodding and murmuring in approval. Someone in the back cheered, and soon the rest followed suit.

"Since I suggested it, I'll go first," Haruno said with a bright smile. Placing a hand on her chest, she began her introduction.

---

"My name is Yukinoshita Haruno. You can call me Yukinoshita or just Haruno, whichever you prefer. I'm good at housework, and I enjoy reading. I hope we can all get along for the next three years. And of course, if anyone ever needs help or advice, feel free to come to me."

Her introduction was smooth and well-received, perfectly setting the stage for the others.

Applause erupted throughout the classroom. With her good looks and approachable demeanor, it was no surprise that her words immediately won over the class.

"Haruno-san, you're amazing!"

"We support you!"

Various voices echoed their approval.

"Alright, who's next?" Haruno asked, scanning the room.

---

"Since this is voluntary, I'll go next."

Before Haruno could choose someone, Kure Ragna casually walked up to the podium, his hands in his pockets. Standing beside her, he smirked slightly before speaking.

"My name is Kure Ragna. If you don't mind, just call me by my full name—Kure Ragna."

He paused briefly, then added with a relaxed tone,

"I'm good at everything. As for what I'm not good at... well, I guess I'll find out when I encounter it."

---

"Bro, that was so cool!"

"Too cocky!"

Laughter erupted throughout the class as students reacted to his words.

What kind of answer was that? Saying he wasn't good at something only if he found out he wasn't good at it—what a ridiculous yet oddly confident statement!

Kure Ragna, pleased with their response, pushed up his sunglasses and continued.

"Oh, and one more thing—"

The class quieted down, waiting for what he would say next.

---

"About these sunglasses—I'm not wearing them to look cool. I actually have a condition called severe mydriasis, so I need them to see properly at all times. Please don't take offense if I keep them on. Also, I'd appreciate it if no one tried to touch them."

Of course, this was a complete lie.

Kure Ragna smirked inwardly, but his expression remained composed.

"Alright, next person," he said, stepping down from the podium.

Haruno smoothly resumed control of the introductions, calling on students one by one.

---

The introductions proceeded smoothly.

For example, there was Shinoko Inokashira, an athletic girl whose father ran an imported grocery store.

Then came Hirata Yosuke, a cheerful sports enthusiast who loved soccer.

There was also Haruki Yamauchi, a self-proclaimed sports prodigy. He boasted about excelling in billiards during elementary school, then becoming the ace pitcher of his junior high baseball team—only to suffer a back injury that forced him into recovery.

Not to mention the blond-haired boy who nearly stole the best seat on the bus.

And, of course, the charming Kushida Kikyo, who radiated an almost angelic aura and declared that she wanted to be friends with everyone.

The atmosphere was lively. But, as expected, not everyone was keen on introductions.

---

"Do you think we're kids or something? Self-introductions are pointless! If you wanna do it, do it yourself!"

A loud, irritated voice rang out.

The speaker was a delinquent-looking boy with short red hair, sharp eyes, and a slightly intimidating aura. He stood taller than most of the other boys, likely around 180 cm, and had a few lightning-shaped shaved lines near his temple, as if to reinforce his rebellious image.

He glared at Haruno, his expression clearly annoyed.

---

"Tch, I didn't come here to play some dumb getting-to-know-you game."

Haruno raised an eyebrow, ready to respond.

But before she could, a strong hand clamped down on the red-haired boy's shoulder.

---

"What's the problem? Just saying your name won't kill you. We're gonna be classmates for three years—it's easier if we at least know each other's names, right?"

The voice was deep and casual, but the pressure on his shoulder wasn't.

Sudo Ken's body stiffened.

He instinctively tried to shake Kure Ragna off—but he couldn't move.

Impossible. He was an athlete, a dominant presence on the basketball court. He'd never met anyone who could physically suppress him like this.

And yet, the hand on his shoulder felt like it was made of solid steel.

---

After a brief moment of resistance, Sudo finally relented.

"Tch… Sudo Ken. Just call me Sudo. That's it."

As soon as he finished, the pressure on his shoulder lifted.

Ragna patted him lightly, flashing a playful grin.

"There. That wasn't so hard, was it? Nice to meet you, Sudo-san."

Just as the tension began to ease—

Snap!

A pair of hands suddenly reached from behind, grabbing at Kure Ragna's sunglasses.

Instinctively, he reacted.

---

With lightning-fast reflexes, he caught the wrist of the prankster and twisted it.

"Ah—ow, ow, ow!"

Haruki Yamauchi, the culprit, yelped in pain as he was forced to bend forward.

Kure Ragna tilted his head slightly, his voice calm but firm.

"Care to explain, Yamauchi?"

"Chill, man! It was just a joke!" Yamauchi groaned, struggling.

Kure Ragna tightened his grip slightly before releasing him.

"Good joke. Don't do it again."

"I got it, I got it!" Yamauchi whined, rubbing his wrist.

---

A soft chuckle came from nearby.

The blond boy from earlier—Koenji Rokusuke—stood up, flashing a smug smile.

"Interesting. I didn't expect you to be so... assertive," he mused. "A word of advice: that guy is the eldest son of the Kure clan. You'd best avoid provoking him."

Kure clan?

Kure Ragna turned to him.

"And you are?"

Koenji straightened his posture, running a comb through his hair.

"Koenji Rokusuke. The sole heir to the Koenji Zaibatsu. A man destined to shape Japan's future."

Rather than addressing the class, his introduction seemed directed entirely at Kure Ragna.

"Oh, the heir of the Kouenji chaebol..." Kure Ragna muttered, nodding as if it were only natural.

"By the way, what's my current price (reward)?"

"I don't know. I didn't pay attention, but it's probably quite low."

"Hahaha, that's not exactly a very beautiful answer," Kouenji Rokusuke said with a hearty laugh.

After introducing himself, Kouenji let out a deep, booming laugh and walked out the door, leaving the rest of the class staring in confusion.

---

The introductions continued until two students, who had remained silent so far, finally stood up.

The first was a boy with unremarkable brown hair and a completely neutral expression. His presence was so subdued that many had almost forgotten he was even there.

He stepped forward and spoke calmly.

---

"I… I'm Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I don't really have any notable talents or anything… Uh, I guess I'll be in your care."

The way he introduced himself made it clear that he wasn't particularly good at socializing. His tone was flat, and his delivery felt slightly hesitant, as if he were nervous. Yet, with his expression completely unreadable, it was impossible to tell what he was actually thinking.

---

Some students looked at him strangely, but he didn't seem to care. He simply returned to his seat, completely unaffected.

And then, a girl with long black hair and a cold gaze stood up.

She exuded an aura of elegance, but her expression was distant, almost unapproachable.

---

"Horikita Suzune. That's all."

That was it. No extra words, no forced politeness.

The room fell into awkward silence.

Kushida Kikyo, still smiling, nervously clapped her hands.

"Um… I think we should all try to be a little friendlier with each other!"

But Horikita merely sat back down, indifferent.

---

Despite some minor conflicts, the self-introductions were completed without major incident.

The next step was moving into the dormitories.

An hour later, Kure Ragna found himself in his single dorm room—modern, well-equipped, and surprisingly spacious.

In the bathroom, he washed his face, letting the cold water wake him up.

Setting his sunglasses down on the sink, he slowly opened his eyes, staring at his reflection.

His black-and-white irises, reminiscent of white hair Ichigo, stared back at him.

He smirked.

"Yeah… this feels much better."