The tournament had outgrown the academy.
What once belonged to students now drew the attention of kingdoms. Representatives filled the stands, their gazes sharp, their silence heavier than the noise of the crowd itself. Pride lingered in the air, mixed with something colder—something that watched and waited.
Kashikari walked through the courtyard alone.
As always.
This time, people didn't just ignore him.
They noticed.
From a distance, Nyari stood still, her eyes fixed on him.
No matter how cold you are… I still want to understand you.
Before she could move, the atmosphere shifted.
A group entered through the academy gates, their blue cloaks marked with a royal insignia. Students instinctively stepped aside, whispers spreading quickly.
At the front walked a girl.
Platinum hair, moving softly with each step. Eyes clear and distant, carrying a calm that didn't feel gentle.
"Who is she…?"
"Iria von Esmaria."
"The Northern Princess…"
Kashikari didn't turn.
But Jinwi spoke.
"A new light. But this one… is cold."
Even light can burn.
Kashikari waited near the arena, sitting in silence.
Not thinking.
Not reacting.
Just… still.
A shadow stopped in front of him.
"Kashikari Lior."
He raised his gaze.
Iria.
Her eyes studied him, not with curiosity—but with certainty.
"They say you're cold. That you don't feel anything."
"…People talk."
"They also say you don't lose."
Kashikari stood.
"People like stories."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Then let's stop talking."
A pause.
"My first match is against you."
Kashikari looked at her for a moment.
"…Fate has a strange sense of humor."
The arena fell into a focused silence as they stepped in.
Not quiet.
But controlled.
Kashikari moved forward, his presence barely noticeable yet impossible to ignore. Iria answered with a faint blue aura, steady and sharp.
"Don't hold back," she said.
"Mercy is unnecessary."
They moved at the same time.
Steel met steel.
A wave of force spread across the field, shaking the edges of the arena.
Nyari watched.
And something inside her tightened.
She's… beautiful.
Why doesn't Kai react?
But Kashikari wasn't listening.
Jinwi's voice echoed.
"Don't do this. Emotions slow you down."
In battle, maybe.
But not as a human.
Iria struck first.
Fast.
Precise.
Her blade cut across Kashikari's shoulder.
A clean hit.
The crowd reacted instantly.
For the first time—
He had been touched.
But Kashikari didn't flinch.
Didn't step back.
Slowly, he raised his hand.
"…Good technique."
Iria narrowed her eyes.
"Is that praise?"
"It's fact."
Something shifted.
The ground beneath them trembled slightly.
A faint gray layer formed around Kashikari—
Invisible at first.
Then—
It appeared.
Bodyguard Aura.
Iria attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Her blade struck—
And shattered.
Not cracked.
Not bent.
Gone.
Reduced to dust in an instant.
Silence fell.
Kashikari stepped closer.
Calm.
Untouched.
He extended his hand.
"Stand."
Iria looked at him, her expression unreadable.
"…Are you pitying me?"
"Don't pity yourself."
A pause.
"The fight isn't over."
The crowd erupted.
But not everyone felt the same.
Nyari stood frozen.
Something inside her burned.
The next day, the academy felt quieter.
Kashikari walked through the garden when someone stepped into his path.
Iria.
"I couldn't sleep."
"…Why."
"Your eyes," she said. "It felt like you were seeing everything."
Kashikari didn't stop.
"Seeing is a burden."
"Then why do you look so clearly?"
He didn't answer.
He walked past her.
Iria smiled slightly.
"Maybe I'm the only one who can see your darkness."
Before Kashikari could respond—
Another voice cut in.
"Looks like you found a new target."
Nyari.
Her tone was sharp.
Too sharp.
"Kai—"
"Don't," she cut him off. "So that's it? Someone better shows up and you forget everything?"
Kashikari's gaze shifted.
"I didn't forget anything."
"Of course not. You just gave special attention to a princess."
Silence.
Nyari turned to leave.
"Nyari-."
She stopped.
Kashikari stepped closer.
His voice was calm.
Cold.
But something beneath it carried weight.
"You're wrong."
A pause.
"For me, everyone stands in the shadows."
Another step.
"But you… became my light."
Nyari froze.
"…So I won't replace you."
Her face flushed instantly.
Her eyes shook slightly.
"…Where did you even learn to say things like that?"
Kashikari turned away.
"Silence teaches."
From a distance, Iria watched.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…So someone already holds that place."
That night, Kashikari stood alone.
The moonlight reflected faintly, but something about it felt dimmer than before.
Jinwi spoke.
"Your heart… is becoming a battlefield."
Kashikari didn't move.
"Let it burn."
"If it burns, you'll lose control."
A short silence followed.
Then—
"Even uncontrolled fire… gives warmth."
The light above shifted slightly.
For a moment—
It almost turned gray.
Kashikari's eyes flickered.
Jinwi went silent.
"…This time," he said quietly,
"…it will be different."