That morning, the chirping of birds echoed sweetly in the academy courtyard.
A gentle breeze swept across the open area, where all the new students had gathered.
They stood in rows, each ready to display their magical powers before the teachers.
One by one, the students began to show their talents. Fire, ice, wind, and bursts of magic filled the air.
But me… I just stood still in the back row.
My academy robe fluttered slightly, and I crossed my arms, gazing forward with a lazy look.
"I'm going to hold back my power..." I murmured softly. "I don't want to become the center of attention too early."
The teachers stood on the stage up front, watching each student seriously.
They were searching for talent. Someone who could stand out. Someone who could make them gasp in awe.
But they didn't know.
They were missing someone.
Someone who had no intention of standing out today.
Someone who... would control this story from the shadows.
I let out a quiet sigh. This was all just formalities.
"Let them busy themselves with this little stage," I whispered, lowering my gaze slightly. "Because later… I'll shake the real stage myself."
But before my name was called...
I saw two people who were… quite interesting.
They stood not far from me, not very eye-catching compared to the others.
Lucien and Rean.
Two characters perfectly suited for the role of "side character friends" in my daytime persona...
When I become Kazuki Altherion during the day.
Perfect.
Lucien looked calm and quiet, an observer type. Rean… a bit clumsy, but full of energy. Both of them… easy to guide.
"Hmm... quite interesting..." I muttered with a slight smile.
And on the other side...
I also saw a figure I knew very well.
My sister… Lycia.
She stood among the upper-grade students, wearing a special academy robe. Her aura was different. Her gaze, sharp as always, unchanged.
I lowered my head a bit, hiding my expression.
"I hope she doesn't notice who I really am..."
Because this wasn't the time to make a move.
Not yet.
I'm still... a background character.
For now.
Then… my name was called.
I stepped forward calmly, expressionless.
My steps were light. My academy robe fluttered softly in the wind.
All eyes were on me.
I raised my hand, beginning to release mana…
But…
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Then… laughter started to erupt from the crowd.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"What a joke! His sister's amazing, but the little brother... is trash!"
"Maybe he can't even use magic!"
Their voices were loud, mercilessly mocking.
But me?
I just stood still.
Expression blank. Plain. As if I didn't hear anything at all.
As if... all of this had already been written in my script.
"Perfect... better than I expected," I whispered in my heart.
This was the perfect beginning.
A powerless background character during the day...
But at night?
Heh... the world will learn who's really writing this story.
After all the students finished measuring their magic powers, we were divided into our classes, based on the results.
And just as I predicted...
I was placed in the lowest class, together with Lucien and Rean.
"This is perfect for me..." I muttered casually, sitting at the farthest desk near the window.
Lucien walked over and waved.
"Yoo, Kazuki! We're in the same class!" he said cheerfully.
I glanced briefly, then looked back out the window.
"I actually wanted the top class... so I'd look cool," I answered flatly.
But that was just acting.
A shadow actor doesn't need the main stage.
Rean approached, lightly nudging my shoulder.
"Hey, since we're in the same dorm... how about we sneak into the girls' dorm tonight?" he whispered with a mischievous plan.
I slowly turned my head.
My eyes were blank. Flat. Emotionless.
"Shut up, you idiot," I said coldly.
Rean just chuckled, shrugging like a typical side character who never takes anything seriously.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. No need to be that harsh, Kazuki."
I turned away, leaning back in my chair.
Perfect.
Bottom class.
Foolish friends.
An environment that doesn't stand out.
An ideal place to set the stage...
From the shadows.
After class ended, we were given free time and allowed to have lunch.
But I, Kazuki, only bought the cheapest food from the cafeteria.
Hard bread and plain water.
Simple. Economical. Unremarkable.
I wasn't too interested in girls in this world...
But gold coins?
That's a different story.
My eyes sparkled as a single gold coin fell from a noble student's hand.
"Oh... my... gold coin..." I whispered, my voice trembling softly with divine awe.
Rean and Lucien immediately rushed over.
"Oi! What's wrong with you?!" they both shouted in unison.
I just looked at them flatly, my face emotionless as always.
"It's nothing..." I muttered, slowly turning my gaze toward the cheap food in my hand.
Then, with the brilliant acting I've trained since I was reincarnated...
I stared at the expensive dish on the next table, as if it were my life's dream.
Then calmly sat down in the corner seat by the window.
"Hey, you two. Sit here," I said, pointing at the empty chairs in front of me.
Lucien and Rean exchanged glances, then went quiet.
Maybe they were confused.
Or maybe... they were starting to realize.
That they were sitting beside someone who was building something...
From the shadows.
Night fell…
I lived in the lowest dorm, sharing a room with Lucien and Rean.
In the quiet room, I sat on the bed, my hands slowly forming a new magic spell.
Its name... DEATH BLOOM.
A spell I created myself. A skill that can erase anyone… in the blink of an eye.
Without a trace. Without a sound. Pure annihilation.
A faint purplish-white light enveloped my body, flowing gently… then instantly forming a black cloak.
The cloak covered part of my white hair.
I also slightly modified my body...taller, thinner, and more terrifying in appearance.
The perfect shadow.
I looked at the mirror in front of me.
A faint smile appeared.
Then I spoke in a low, flat tone.
"Tonight… the world will know the White Reaper…"
Elsewhere in the city…
A so-called hero walked arrogantly. In his hand, a female slave with wolf ears was being dragged forcefully.
Probably just bought her...
Just from his face, it was clear. Not a hero... just a lustful man.
"KEEP WALKING!! I'll give you a night you'll never forget!" he shouted, laughing darkly while pulling the slave.
The girl fell. Her foot scraped against a stone.
"Ouch…!"
"Stupid girl! You're just wasting my time!!" the vile hero yelled.
But…
Without realizing it, the fake prophecy Kazuki once spoke years ago, something he said as mere nonsense, was slowly becoming reality.
Footsteps echoed from the end of a dark alley.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
Slow steps… but heavy with pressure.
A silhouette in a black cloak emerged from the shadows. His robe fluttered softly, part of his white hair hidden beneath the hood.
"A man… in a black cloak?!" the hero gasped, instantly panicked.
The figure stood tall… staring sharply, as if the world was nothing but a stage play.
Kazuki lifted his face slightly. His voice was soft, cold, but echoed with power.
"My name is… White Reaper."
"I walk… between shadow and light."
His steps moved forward slowly, eyes unblinking.
"And I've come… to erase filth like you."