Chapter 48: Storm Beneath the Mask

The morning sun filtered through the large arched windows of the academy's eastern tower, spilling golden light onto polished marble floors. Riku Aoyama stood alone in one of the training chambers, his breathing calm, focused. He had been up since dawn—again—not because he had to be, but because something in him refused to stop. Not anymore.

The system notification from the night before still lingered in his mind:

> [System Mission: Build Momentum – Strengthen reputation through public duels or displays of skill. Progress: 2/5]

He had already made waves by excelling in several classes and dismantling a minor disciplinary gang on school grounds. But now the stakes were climbing. Everyone was watching, especially the elite circles and academy instructors who once considered him an outlier.