Chapter 326
Beautiful (2)
It simply hovered there, perfectly upright, rotating ever so slightly as if adjusting its balance. Light ran cleanly along its edge, glinting across steel while the forest around it seemed suddenly distant and muted.
It almost seemed like the divine weapon of an ancient being had descended, its power and authority so immense that all it needed was its weapon to deliver its will.
For that single second, the moment stretched thin. The impossible sight pressed against reality itself. A weapon that should have clattered uselessly to the ground instead hovered in absolute defiance of nature.
Then, without warning, it tilted — hilt snapping in a direction — and shot backward at an overwhelming speed, vanishing in a blur before the sound of its departure could even catch up.
IAM stood in silence for a brief moment, assessing his options.
Then he began running after it.
Away from the black flag.
Because he recognized that sword. And it belonged to a very specific person.
He quickly ducked underneath a low-hanging branch and hopped over a thick exposed root as he sprinted in the direction he remembered it flying. The forest floor was uneven, scattered with loose stones, fallen leaves, and creeping vines that threatened to snag at his shoes. Each step was made harder by the low hanging fog that seemed to blur the distance.
His breathing remained controlled despite the sudden burst of speed, chest rising steadily as he weaved between tree trunks. Shafts of light flickered across his vision as the canopy shifted above, shadows breaking and reforming with every stride. Twigs snapped underfoot despite his efforts to stay quiet, the sound was loud in the tense stillness of the woods.
He adjusted his pace instinctively when the terrain dipped, sliding down a small decline before pushing off hard and propelling himself up the opposite slope. His hand brushed against rough bark to steady himself as he cut sharply between two closely packed trees, his shoulders twisted to avoid collision.
All the while, his eyes scanned relentlessly.
A deadline creature could erupt from beneath the soil. A student could be crouched behind a tree, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As he neared a clearing, IAM gradually reduced his pace until he came to a complete stop. The shift from sprint to stillness was seamless. He listened first. There no immediate movement or guttural shrieks from lurking creatures.
Only then did he advance in careful steps. He positioned himself behind the thick trunk of a tree at the clearing's edge and slowly leaned his head past the bark, taking a cautious glance.
The sight that greeted him stilled him far more effectively than any threat could have.
Perched atop a broad, weathered boulder, dressed in the academy's tight-fitted training gear, she sat with effortless composure—like an autarchess presiding over a silent dominion. There was no throne, no court, no kneeling subjects… yet the posture alone implied sovereignty.
In this particular pocket of the forest, a single shaft of sunlight had pierced through the canopy above, descending directly upon her figure. It did not scatter. It did not diffuse. It settled on her as though chosen, illuminating her silhouette with reverence. The surrounding shade seemed deeper by comparison, as if the forest itself had dimmed to ensure she remained the focal point.
Her frame appeared almost delicate at first glance—slender lines, narrow shoulders, a build that seemed light rather than imposing. There was nothing overtly aggressive about her presence. Yet beneath that refined exterior lay something undeniable. Strength, contained and controlled. The kind that did not need to announce itself.
Her skin was the palest he had ever seen. Not the pallor of illness, nor the washed-out tone of someone deprived of sun. It was luminous. A flawless, porcelain expanse so pristine it seemed sculpted rather than born. Light did not merely fall on it—it lingered. It reflected with a soft sheen, reminiscent of moonlight stretched across untouched snowfields beneath a clear winter sky. There was a clarity to it, almost crystalline, as though any imperfection would have been an offense to its existence.
Her lips stood in striking contrast—a vivid, deep pink that seemed impossibly saturated against the pale canvas of her complexion. They were naturally defined, neither thin nor overly full, yet shaped with such perfection that they commanded attention without effort.
Her ears, longer and more pointed than average, subtly altered her silhouette. They lent her an otherworldly refinement, as though her lineage belonged somewhere just adjacent to humanity...almost seraphic
Her hair fell like a cascading veil of ink-black silk, straight and impossibly smooth. It flowed down her back in a seamless curtain, each strand aligned as though guided by unseen order. Even in the faint stir of forest air, it did not tangle or misplace itself. It moved with restraint, controlled, obedient to some quiet law.
And her eyes…
They were deep brown at first glance, but at their center lingered a faint golden hue, subtle yet unmistakable—like sunlight trapped behind tinted glass. The gold did not blaze; it glimmered softly, lending her gaze an almost imperceptible radiance. It was difficult to determine whether the glow came from reflected light or from something inherent.
Those eyes were currently lowered, resting upon the sword IAM had seen moments ago — now laid neatly across her lap.
Her expression remained blank, cool and unreadable. The same detached composure she always carried. She seemed neither bored nor engaged. Neither tense nor relaxed. Simply present. Yet even that presence felt slightly displaced, as though she existed a fraction out of sync with the surrounding world.
The air in the clearing felt subtly altered. As if stepping into a space curated around her.
Beautiful...
Her visage was resplendent in a way that did not rely on ornament or exaggeration. It was not merely physical appeal — it was symmetry, poise, and quiet authority intertwined. In the midst of the rugged forest, surrounded by uneven stone, tangled roots and pale white fog, she appeared almost mythic. Like a relic of something ancient and higher, momentarily set down among the ordinary.
Unfathomable...
It was Natsuki.
IAM's mouth parted slightly before he could stop himself.
Did she get prettier?
Her description in his mind felt longer than usual, more detailed and more intense. That had to mean something, right? People didn't just randomly become more visually impressive overnight… unless they did. Or maybe it was just him...
He exhaled slowly and forced his thoughts back into order. This wasn't why he was here. His expression settled, smoothing back into its usual unreadable picture.
Before he could step out from behind the tree, her voice drifted across the clearing, soft yet perfectly clear.
"Who is it?"
There was no alarm in it.
He stepped out from cover and approached in silence. Her face turned toward him smoothly, her eyes settling on his figure without surprise. She said nothing.
The quiet stretched for a second too long.
IAM cleared his throat. There wasn't time for prolonged staring.
"I need your help."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And why would I help you?"
IAM allowed a faint smile to appear. He had to admit, she was slightly strange. In this situation, wasn't the normal response to ask with what? Instead, she questioned motive first, as though the actual problem was secondary and potentially irrelevant.
"It will benefit both of us," he replied evenly.
She remained silent.
"It has to do with passing the trials. I have a theory. As I'm sure you're aware… we weren't told how we could pass."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"What is this theory of yours?"
IAM's smile widened just a fraction.
"I don't think there is a pass condition."
!!?
Those were the same words the woman had spoken earlier.
What exactly was he implying? And how had he reached that conclusion?
Natsuki's expression didn't change.
"Can you explain?"
"Maybe I should rephrase that," IAM continued calmly. "There is a way to pass. More than one, actually. And I think it depends entirely on how we choose to approach this trial. I believe each individual will pass for different reasons—based on what they do."
"…Go on."
"To understand what I mean, we need to take a step back and look at what we're actually doing. We're taking the Student Council trials. The council's primary responsibilities aren't random."
He raised a hand slightly as he spoke, organizing his thoughts.
"In most academies—especially ones like ours—a Student Council exists to maintain order among students, to mediate disputes, to uphold the institution's rules and values, to coordinate major events, and to act as a bridge between faculty and students. They also represent strength, stability, and leadership. They are supposed to embody discipline, judgment, and the ability to protect the academy's interests."
His eyes locked with hers.
"None of those priorities include slaughtering your fellow students."
!!!