Sora Amamiya pushed open the worn wooden door of the bar first.

  Akitsu Shouga and Seraphine Orion followed him inside. The interior smelled of stale alcohol and old wood, lantern light flickering weakly against the walls. At the counter stood an elderly bartender, quietly polishing cups as if nothing in the world concerned him.

  Sora walked up casually.

  “Old man,” he said, “I’d like a devil shot.”

  The bartender did not look surprised. Without a word, he nodded and motioned for them to follow. He led them through a narrow door behind the counter into a cramped storage room filled with crates and dusty bottles.

  The old man bent down and pulled a hidden lever concealed behind one of the boxes.

  With a low grinding sound, the floor shifted.

  A secret passageway opened, revealing a staircase descending into darkness.

  “Let’s head down,” Sora said calmly. “Be careful not to look directly at others, or they’ll kill you mercilessly.”

  Seraphine stiffened.

  “…Charming place.”

  They descended the stairs slowly.

  At the bottom, the space opened into another bar—far larger, far darker. Lanterns cast dim red light across the room, illuminating dozens of criminals and villains drinking, laughing, and exchanging quiet conversations. The air was thick with menace.

  Akitsu clenched his jaw.

  “Seeing so many crooks relaxing and having fun makes me sick,” he muttered.

  No one responded.

  Sora led them away from the crowd and into a narrow, shadow-filled hallway. Their footsteps echoed faintly as they moved deeper, stopping at the very last room.

  Inside, a single lantern rested on a table.

  A man sat there quietly.

  He had black hair and piercing red eyes, his posture relaxed yet alert, like a predator resting between hunts.

  The moment Akitsu and Seraphine entered, Sora turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Akitsu did not waste time.

  “I didn’t expect to meet you so soon, old man.”

  The man smiled faintly.

  “Same goes for you,” he replied. “My name is Kaito Morikawa. It’s nice to meet you once more, Akitsu Shouga.”

  “You know what I’m here for,” Akitsu said sharply. “So cut to the chase.”

  Kaito calmly slid a folded note across the table.

  Akitsu grabbed it and opened it.

  Inside was an address.

  “That information comes at a cost,” Kaito said.

  “Then why did you let me open it?” Akitsu asked.

  “Because I know you’ll do anything for your mistress.”

  Akitsu’s eyes hardened.

  “…What do you want?”

  “This seems sketchy!” Seraphine snapped.

  “It’s not sketchy at all,” Kaito replied calmly.

  “I only want one simple thing. That is, to be your acquaintance. It’s a reasonable demand for the current situation.”

  “…And why do you want to be my acquaintance?”

  “I simply want to get rid of all this hostility between us. That’s all.”

  Akitsu stared at him for a moment.

  “…Thanks, I guess. I’ll be leaving now.”

  Kaito watched him stand.

  “I’d like to see what’s in store for you, Akitsu Shouga,” he murmured.

  They exited the underground bar together.

  Sora glanced at Akitsu as they walked.

  “How was it? You seem awfully calm compared to before.”

  “I got the location of where Kaoru is,” Akitsu replied.

  “…And sorry about earlier. I was so stressed about what happened to her that my rage burst out.”

  Sora smiled faintly.

  “It’s alright. She’s important to you, after all.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I still don’t trust you, decently handsome guy!” Seraphine snapped.

  “I have a name, you white fox!”

  “Orion, shut up,” Akitsu said flatly.

  “Let’s go. We don’t have time to argue.”

  Meanwhile…

  High above the town, inside the dark discussion room on the top floor of Fiester Academy’s academic building—

  A long table stretched across the room.

  Seated around it were eight figures, along with the headmaster himself.

  Itsuki Shiraishi sat at the head of the table, his expression calm but wary.

  “Shall we start this discussion?” Figure One asked.

  The others nodded.

  “First,” Figure One continued,

  “Itsuki Shiraishi will begin by laying out the progress of the students in the academy.”

  Itsuki cleared his throat.

  “There are many new and current students with promising futures. The academy continues to teach them using the Illecran teaching style, making it easier for both teachers and administrators. There is also a new star student who enrolled recently. His name is Akitsu Shouga—”

  “Akitsu Shouga?!” Figure Five interrupted sharply.

  “Isn’t he the one on the execution list?”

  Itsuki’s eyes widened.

  “What? I haven’t been informed of this. Why is he ordered to be executed?”

  “There seems to be a communication barrier,” Figure Two said calmly.

  “However, I can confirm he is ordered to be executed by a certain date. The reason is unauthorized use of power.”

  “Since when did people need permission to use their powers?” Itsuki demanded.

  “Since yesterday,” Figure Five said with a cunning smile.

  Itsuki stared straight at him.

  “A new law requires at least three months of notice before becoming official. This is illegal. I will not tolerate such corruption.”

  “The both of you need to shut your mouths!!” Figure Three roared.

  “The law is confirmed the moment it is made since it protects civilians. That’s final!”

  The door suddenly exploded inward.

  It flew off its hinges and slammed directly into Figure Five’s face.

  Kael Ardent stepped into the room.

  “Did you say Akitsu Shouga has been ordered to be executed?”

  “Yes,” Figure Two said calmly.

  “It has been confirmed. We are doing this to protect civilians, so please do not interfere, hero.”

  Figure Five staggered to his feet, furious.

  “You insolent brat! You dare hit me?!”

  “Who’s the one in charge of making this decision?” Kael asked coldly.

  “It was me!” Figure Five shouted.

  “And if you don’t like it then—”

  He never finished his sentence.

  In a single motion, Kael drew his blade.

  The next second, Figure Five’s body split in half.

  He collapsed lifelessly onto the floor.

  “You’re wrong,” Kael said quietly.

  “I’m the one who makes the decisions. And if you don’t like it, then try to kill me. I’ll be happy to take all of you on at once.”

  “…Alright,” Figure Two said stiffly.

  “We will postpone Akitsu Shouga’s execution order.”

  “You think I’ll believe that?” Kael replied.

  “I know you all very well. You’re corrupt—every single one of you.”

  He turned toward the door.

  “If Akitsu Shouga ever gets killed, I’ll blame it on you. And I will kill every single one of you.”

  “Enough of this nonsense!” Figure Four shouted.

  “You killed the red flag of this kingdom! You must take responsibility!”

  Kael walked out without a word.

  “…Kids these days,” Figure Four muttered.

  “They have no manners whatsoever.”