On the rooftop of the Takeda mansion, Kael Ardent stood alone.

  The wind swept across the tiles, tugging at his black blazer and the red disciplinary sash at his side. From this height, the town looked quiet—too quiet. Lantern lights flickered faintly below, unaware of the violence unfolding above and within the mansion walls.

  Kael’s eyes moved methodically.

  “Where’s the guy?” he muttered.

  “I thought Akitsu said that he’d be here.”

  A voice answered him from behind, calm and unhurried.

  “Who exactly are you looking for, hero?”

  Kael turned.

  A man dressed entirely in black stood several steps away, his presence oddly muted, as if the night itself had wrapped around him. No insignia. No wasted movement. Only quiet confidence.

  “Oh?” Kael said.

  “So you must be the guy!”

  “Who are you referring to?” the man asked.

  “I just work for the family who lives here.”

  “There’s no reason for small talk,” Kael replied.

  “I’m here to accomplish my task.”

  He unsheathed his katana.

  The blade was white, flawless, resting moments ago in a white sheath adorned with red roses, a strip of red cloth tied firmly around it. As the steel caught the moonlight, Kael leveled it directly at the man.

  “Hero,” the man said calmly,

  “aren’t you breaking the law by trespassing into private property? If so, what’s the reason you’re here?”

  “I’m here to help a friend of mine.”

  The man straightened slightly.

  “Are you talking about the girl? The one named Ryozen Kaoru?”

  “I’m only following my young master’s orders.”

  “Who is the young master?”

  “Haruya Takeda. He ordered me to transport the girl.”

  “And why didn’t you refuse?”

  The man didn’t hesitate.

  “I wanted the cash prize for doing it. I couldn’t resist.”

  Kael’s grip tightened slightly.

  “I understand what you’re feeling,” he said evenly.

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  “But it is wrong to disobey the law.”

  “Yeah, I know,” the man replied.

  “I have a question to ask of you, hero… Does your purpose here endanger the family?”

  “It could,” Kael admitted.

  “But I’d rather not do it.”

  The man drew his daggers, metal whispering softly as they cleared their sheaths.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “But I have to eliminate any threats.”

  He vanished.

  Kael lunged forward—

  And the next second, the man appeared behind him, blade already descending.

  Kael spun instantly.

  Steel met steel.

  The dagger shattered into glittering fragments that scattered into the air like broken glass. Kael leaped back, creating distance.

  “That’s some nice reflexes you got there,” the man said.

  “I already know what type of power you have,” Kael replied calmly.

  “You can bend and manipulate light and switch positions with it. It’s pretty nice.”

  “That’s the gist of it.”

  Kael’s eyes narrowed.

  If I can reflect that light…

  For a split millisecond, a faint glow appeared in Kael’s vision.

  The light bent.

  Moved.

  Shifted behind him.

  Kael turned—time slowing around him—and swung.

  The edge of his katana struck the light itself, reflecting it several feet away. Instantly, the man swapped places with it, reappearing at the edge of the rooftop.

  “You sure are fast,” the man said.

  “I wonder how life would be like if I was in your body… It would be pretty easy, wouldn’t it?”

  “Not exactly,” Kael replied.

  “Being special means people have high expectations for you. I cannot fail at anything.”

  “Is that so?”

  “I guess we both have our differences.”

  “Indeed, we do.”

  Another light particle bent into existence behind Kael.

  He turned—

  Too late.

  The light rose above his head.

  Kael reacted instantly, striking upward. The katana reflected the particle away, sending it skidding across the air.

  Kael rushed forward.

  The man switched places with the light.

  Kael swung—

  The man vanished again.

  Appearing behind him.

  Kael spun as the dagger descended—

  And shattered it with a single strike.

  “You thought I could only manipulate one photon particle?” the man laughed.

  “I could create millions and you wouldn’t be able to read my movements!”

  Kael backed away slightly.

  “Alright,” he said calmly.

  “Do your best to try and touch me. I’ll resign as the kingdom’s hero if you can do it!”

  “Alright!”

  The rooftop exploded with light.

  Dozens—hundreds—of particles shimmered into existence, flashing brilliantly before vanishing and reappearing in chaotic patterns.

  Kael didn’t panic.

  His hands moved on their own.

  Each swing was perfect.

  Every light particle that came within reach was reflected, redirected, denied. The air rang with metallic echoes as photons rebounded again and again.

  Then—

  They rushed back toward him.

  Kael coated his katana with a thin, impossibly dense layer of mana.

  The light was absorbed.

  Vanished.

  “What?!”

  “How did you do that?! That’s impossible!”

  “You can expect the unexpected,” Kael replied calmly,

  “if you are cursed to win no matter what.”

  “I’m still not giving up!”

  The next second—

  Kael disappeared.

  And reappeared behind the man.

  He sheathed his katana.

  The man froze.

  Why can’t I speak?

  What did he do? Where did he go—

  Blood poured from his neck.

  His head fell.

  The body collapsed silently.

  Kael turned toward the edge of the rooftop.

  “I should go and check on Akitsu,” he said calmly, trust steady in his voice.

  Below—

  Guards surrounded the great chamber.

  Bows drawn.

  Swords raised.

  “…What’s that?” Kael muttered.

  “What’s happening down there?”

  Then—

  The window shattered outward.

  Akitsu Shouga burst through.

  Arrows flew.

  Akitsu dodged most of them, deflecting others with the katana in his hands. He charged straight into the archers before they could reload, slicing through their necks even through armor.

  Steel clashed.

  Akitsu met the remaining guards head-on.

  Kael smiled faintly.

  “He’s pretty good at this.”

  He leaped.

  “I should join in.”