"With this competition, you will be risking your status, your throne… and even your lives."
The teacher wore the same cruel expression as before, a thin smile that brought no sense of comfort whatsoever.
"And you are not allowed to withdraw."
The classroom immediately filled with quiet murmurs.
No one dared to speak loudly. Every student discussed what they had just heard in hushed voices, as if saying it too clearly would make it irreversible.
"E-Excuse me, sir…"
A female student slowly raised her hand. Her face was pale, her voice trembling.
"What exactly does this mean? I apologize for my rudeness, but… this is the first time we've ever heard of a competition like this."
"Yes," the teacher replied, smiling wickedly, as though savoring the confusion spreading across the room.
"As some of you may already know, this competition has never been conducted before."
He paused, deliberately scanning every face in the classroom.
"You will be the ones to initiate it."
"What kind of nonsense is this…?" someone muttered under their breath.
"There are no rules in this competition," the teacher continued calmly.
"You are free to use your abilities to their absolute limits."
He raised the long ruler in his hand and pointed it directly at us.
"Fight… or you will die."
THUD.
My chest felt as if it had been struck by something invisible.
That just now—
Was killing intent.
He wasn't joking.
Not even a little.
"I understand that you're shocked," the teacher said casually.
"The test will begin soon, so prepare your bodies, your minds, and your resolve."
His smile widened.
"I sincerely hope you all pass. Teehee."
THUMP.
The teacher left the classroom, leaving behind words that felt like a death sentence.
Silence followed.
No laughter.
No conversation.
Only hollow eyes and tense expressions.
…
…
…
…
The silence dragged on.
"H-Hey…"
A timid-looking girl finally spoke up.
"Doesn't this mean… that some of us might die?"
Yes.
The teacher had said it clearly—clearly enough that no one could pretend otherwise.
Yet no one answered.
Everyone froze.
"Yes. That's correct."
A heavy, firm voice broke the silence.
That student… if I remember correctly…
He was also from the lower district.
"We're allowed to kill whoever stands against us," he continued.
"There are no restrictions. No boundaries. Just you and your opponent in the arena."
"B-But…"
The girl swallowed hard.
"Why… why do we have to kill each other?"
"I don't know," he replied with a long sigh.
"It seems we've truly become toys for the upper families."
My throat felt dry.
To be honest… I was scared too.
I had never fought anyone before.
And I still couldn't fully control my ability.
Iych, who had been sitting beside me the entire time, was visibly shaking now. Her eyes were wide with fear. The only thing I could do was gently pat her head, hoping it would calm her even a little.
"…"
"Why… is this happening to us…?"
There was no time to rest.
I knew that the path to becoming someone important was never easy.
But… I never imagined it would be this cruel.
"R-Rinne…"
A soft voice came from beside me.
"Why do you look… not that afraid?"
"Hm." I gave a faint smile.
"It's not that I'm not scared. I think I'm just… trying to calm myself after everything that's happened."
"H-Heh…"
Iych smiled weakly.
"You really are amazing…"
Hm?
Without realizing it, I noticed that our classmates had gathered into small groups. They stood close together, forming circles.
And me—
I was outside all of them.
Why does it feel like this?
Why do I feel—
ISOLATED?
----------------------
I understand it now.
My presence in this classroom never brought happiness.
Only pain, fear, and disappointment followed wherever I went.
"Hey! You lower-district brat!"
Someone shouted at me.
"Yes?" I replied calmly. "Do you need something?"
"Don't play dumb!"
BANG!
My desk was slammed violently.
"I'LL KILL YOU! JUST YOU WAIT!"
The boy stepped closer.
"For Alex, Robby, and all the classmates who disappeared during the first test!"
"We've already decided," he continued.
"Based on the results of the first test… we do not acknowledge your change."
THUD.
My heart felt like it stopped.
"W-What do you mean…?"
Why had things come this far?
What did I do wrong?
Why me?
"Honestly," he said in a lower tone,
"I had a bad feeling about you the moment you entered this class."
He paused.
"We regret ever accepting you here."
THUD.
Those words cut deeper than I expected.
What was I supposed to do?
Am I—
TRULY UNNEEDED BY ANYONE?
"Stop it!"
A girl's voice shattered my collapsing thoughts.
"Why are you treating Rinne like this?!"
Iych stood up, her face red from anger and fear.
"This isn't the time to decide who's at fault!" she shouted.
"And Rinne has nothing to do with our classmates disappearing!"
"Iych…"
"What we should be doing right now," she said, holding back tears,
"is preparing ourselves for what's coming…"
"So please…"
"Stop fighting…"
Her voice broke as she cried.
"Tch! You stupid lo—"
"That's enough."
A firm female voice came from the doorway.
"We will begin today's lesson."
I let out a slow breath.
Iych was right.
This wasn't the time to worry about how others saw me.
All we needed to do was focus.
Survive.
And keep moving forward—
no matter how much the dream demanded in return.