The scene shifts as Kazuki arrives at school, but something feels off. The air was thick with unease, and an odd tension settled over the school grounds like a storm about to break. Kazuki, sharp as ever, quickly sensed that something was wrong. The teachers glanced at him with unreadable expressions, and the students whispered among themselves, their gazes flickering his way — something no one usually dared to do in his presence.
'Strange,' Kazuki thought. 'The principal isn't here today either, though I know he had important business. But why is everyone acting like this?'
As he entered his classroom, his suspicions solidified into certainty. Every student turned toward him in eerie unison, their eyes cold, lacking their usual spark. Kazuki calmly set his bag down, his expression innocent, though inside his mind sharpened like a drawn sword. Elsa, ever watchful in his soul realm, instantly activated a physical boost and his 2-second future foresight ability, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
Kazuki stayed perfectly still, giving away no sign that he was aware — but he was already mentally preparing for what he sensed was imminent.
Then the teacher spoke, his voice devoid of warmth."Today's lesson… is how to fight a royal."
Kazuki sighed internally. 'Here it comes.'
Just as he predicted, a student lunged at him with a concealed knife. Thanks to his foresight, Kazuki saw it a full two seconds before it happened. He easily sidestepped the attack, moving with grace and speed far beyond what an ordinary 8-year-old should possess.
To his grim realization, every other student in the room drew a blade as well, and the teachers followed suit — their faces empty, their eyes glazed, like puppets pulled by invisible strings.
'They're being manipulated… but by who?' Kazuki thought.
While Kazuki was far superior in strength and speed, there was a complication — he couldn't afford to hurt any of them. These were his fellow students, his teachers, innocent people acting under some sinister force's control.
Dodging their attacks was simple enough, even as dozens of blades swiped and stabbed toward him. He grabbed a nearby wooden training stick, parrying blows with calculated precision. But he knew this couldn't go on forever.
'If I don't end this soon, someone might actually get hurt.'
Retreating into his soul realm in a flash of thought, he called out to Elsa."Elsa! I need the skill of Purification, now."
Elsa appeared before him, her expression serious."You know that's a tier 3 body refining skill, Kazuki. You're still in tier 2 — it could damage your body. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Kazuki grinned confidently."Do you think I'm ordinary?"
Elsa let out a laugh, warmth flickering in her eyes."Fine. You've got guts, kid."
With a gesture, she transferred the Holy Purification skill to Kazuki, its radiant power instantly resonating within his body. Returning to the real world in a split second, Kazuki didn't hesitate. He gripped his stick tightly and invoked the chant.
"Holy Purification!"
A brilliant golden light exploded outward from him, engulfing the entire classroom and beyond, washing over every student and teacher like a gentle yet unstoppable wave. The oppressive aura vanished, their glazed eyes clearing as the malevolent influence was expelled.
Silence fell. Everyone looked around in confusion, regaining awareness. The teachers exchanged glances, and though the immediate threat was gone, an undeniable fact remained — the one responsible for this manipulation was still somewhere within the school.
Kazuki, catching his breath, tightened his grip on the stick.'This isn't over yet.'