Arata Kurogane walked back through the winding paths of the Kurogane estate, the sun now higher overhead, casting shifting shadows that seemed almost to chase him. The forest behind him felt like a rehearsal space, a private theater where he had plotted John Merciless's first moves. Now it was time to re-enter the main stage—the household he had spent his new life quietly observing.
The estate was silent in a way that felt deliberate. Servants moved like whispers, guards nodded but avoided looking directly at him, and banners flapped lazily from the towers overhead. The Kurogane name carried weight, and that weight pressed upon him, though only superficially. To him, the name was nothing more than a suit of armor worn by fools who did not understand how the world bent to intelligence.
Perfect, he thought, stepping into the central hall. Time to watch them underestimate me again.
"Everyone, gather in the main hall immediately."
The voice of Kurogane Haruto, the family head and Arata's father in this vessel, resonated through the estate with the calm authority of one used to command.
Arata entered the hall and found his siblings already assembled, their faces a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. Shizuo, his eldest brother, leaned against a column with folded arms, flames faintly dancing along his fingertips in a casual display of power. Reina's smirk was a challenge waiting to be answered. The family's tutors, advisors, and a handful of loyal retainers stood by, waiting silently.
Haruto's gaze fell on all of them before settling on Arata.
"As you all know," he began, voice steady, "the Sky Severing Academy has invited one of the Kurogane family to enter. A prestigious honor. One representative of our lineage will be chosen to demonstrate the family's potential to the world."
Murmurs broke out immediately. Shizuo's eyebrow lifted. Reina's lips twisted into a smirk.
"I think it's obvious who should go," Shizuo said, voice tight with suppressed irritation. "All of us are engaged with ongoing missions. I cannot attend. Reina, you have the provincial inspection—"
"I will not be attending," Reina cut in smoothly, arms crossed. "It would waste our family's prestige for anyone but someone truly capable to represent the Kurogane name."
Haruto nodded solemnly. "Then, it falls upon the youngest, Arata. You are seventeen, and though your abilities… are less impressive than your siblings', you are of our blood. The family expects you to attend if you wish to uphold our honor."
The siblings exchanged glances that mixed disbelief with amusement.
Ha. Of course. They think I'm weak. They think this is a trap to embarrass me. They think the family's name is in danger if I attempt it. Perfect.
Arata's mind was already racing. He strode to the center of the hall with measured steps, deliberately calm, projecting ease and indifference.
"Sure," he said simply, voice steady, almost casual. "I'll go."
The hall froze. Shizuo's eyes widened, Reina's smirk faltered, and even the tutors exchanged quick, surprised glances.
Did they really expect hesitation? Arata mused silently. Am I supposed to act worried? Embarrassed? Oh no, that would ruin the entire game. If I appear nervous, they'll think there's something in me to exploit. No—appear relaxed. Appear ordinary. Appear… weak.
The simplicity of his words—the casual "Sure"—was a weapon in itself. It made him seem naïve, compliant, unthreatening. Exactly as he wanted.
In his head, he began planning already.
Step one: gather intel on the academy. I need every detail. Curriculum, instructors, students, rumors, politics. Step two: create an identity within it, a shadow persona that will go unnoticed while I observe and manipulate. Step three… ah, yes. The first use of John Merciless.
He allowed a small, almost imperceptible sigh to escape, as if the thought of attending the academy were exhausting. The effect was immediate: his siblings relaxed, reassured themselves he would "fail harmlessly," and let their confidence slip.
It's exquisite how predictable they are, he mused. They act as though intelligence and planning cannot hide behind a placid face. How… foolish.
Kurogane Haruto's voice broke through his thoughts, firm and precise.
"You will go, Arata. But remember: do not tarnish the family's name. You are our youngest representative, and the eyes of other noble families, merchants, and officials will fall upon you. This is not a personal amusement. Conduct yourself with honor."
Arata inclined his head lightly, eyes calm, mouth serene.
"Yes, Father," he said softly.
Inside, his thoughts were anything but obedient.
Honor. Tarnish. These are words for children who cannot see beyond the surface. I will attend, yes—but not to represent them. I will attend to map the world, to observe, to lay the foundations of something far greater. And when the world looks at me, they will see a shadow. But in that shadow… I will become a god in secret.
The hall remained silent after that, the siblings still exchanging confused glances. They couldn't read him. They couldn't know he had already decided how this "assignment" would serve him in ways they could not even imagine.
Step one complete, Arata thought with satisfaction. Appear weak. Gather information. And smile while the world underestimates me. Perfect.
He turned from the meeting and walked out of the hall, his stride casual, as if the weight of representing the family rested entirely elsewhere. But in truth, every muscle, every thought, every shadow of the estate was cataloged in his mind. A thousand possibilities flickered through him in the time it took to reach his chambers. Each one meticulously labeled, analyzed, and filed.
Let them all think this is a chore. Let them think I am weak. Let them believe the family's honor rests on my shoulders like a fragile glass. I will not break the glass—they will break themselves upon it.
The cherry blossoms outside drifted in lazy arcs as he looked out the window. One day soon, those petals would witness a storm they could never survive. And he would be the one standing beneath the storm, untouched, smiling.
"Sky Severing Academy… let's see what secrets you hide," he murmured to himself, eyes narrowing just slightly.