Morning sunlight poured across the towering walls of the Imperial Palace, its golden rays reflecting against marble pillars and jeweled ornaments. At the center of the palace sat the Court of Lords, vast and silent like a sacred temple.
Upon the highest platform rested the throne of the Grand Lord—a majestic seat forged from silver, ruby, and jasper. Its crimson gems glowed faintly, radiating authority throughout the chamber.
Seated upon it was the grand Lord himself.
Below the throne stood Regent Anoki.
The air between them was calm, yet heavy with unspoken history.
"Regent," the Grand Lord spoke, his deep voice echoing through the hall, "are your injuries healing properly?"
Anoki lowered his head slightly. "Yes, my lord. I manage."
"Good."
The Grand Lord leaned back against his throne before continuing.
"Today, the graduating students of the academy will be assigned to their squads and military units. I want you to attend the ceremony."
Anoki's expression remained unreadable.
"You might take a liking to a particular squad."
"My lord," Anoki replied calmly, "I have no desire to train a squad. I am not suited to guiding children who may simply die the moment they step onto a battlefield."
For a brief moment, silence filled the chamber.
Then the Grand Lord smiled faintly.
"And what are the chances the squad you choose dies in battle?"
Anoki remained silent.
The Grand Lord's eyes softened slightly as he continued.
"You survived."
"I survived."
"The Grand Regent survived."
"We are all standing here today because someone once gave us a chance. Someone guided us when we were young and foolish."
His gaze turned distant, as though staring into memories buried long ago.
"Our comrades died protecting that future… so it is only right that we pass that chance on to the generations beneath us."
The chamber fell quiet once more.
Finally, Anoki bowed his head.
"Yes, my lord."
"Your wish is my command."
---
Far away from the palace, the academy grounds buzzed with excitement.
Students crowded the enormous training yard, chatting loudly while waiting for the squad assignments to be announced. Nervous laughter mixed with anxious whispers as everyone speculated about who they would end up working with.
Then suddenly—
The noise began to die down.
Kei Asura had arrived.
Just as usual, he was late.
Bruises covered his arms and neck, while fresh patches wrapped around parts of his body. His academy uniform was worn and dusty, making him look less like a graduate and more like someone who had crawled out of battle.
The moment people saw him, whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"He actually graduated?"
"He's going to drag his squad down."
"They should've failed him."
"No… he probably bribed the academy."
"Someone like him will only get his teammates killed."
Kei lowered his head and walked forward quietly.
The students moved aside instinctively, forming a path out of pure disgust. No one wanted to stand near him.
Kei said nothing.
He simply continued walking until he reached a secluded corner of the yard, where he slowly sat down on the ground by himself.
For a while, he remained there in silence.
Then a familiar voice called out.
"Looks like someone's depressed today."
Kei looked up.
Standing before him was Hori Hima.
A warm smile rested on her face.
"Hey… Hori," Kei muttered.
She crossed her arms lightly. "Why the sad face?"
Kei hesitated before speaking.
"Everyone hates me."
His voice was quiet.
"I don't understand what I did wrong… I finally managed to release my chi, but now they all look at me with even more disgust."
For a second, sadness flickered across his eyes.
Hori stared at him before sighing softly.
"Cheer up."
She sat beside him casually.
"You passed. That's what matters."
"People will always talk. So just ignore them."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Someday… they'll come around."
Kei stared at her quietly.
Before he could respond, the large academy doors suddenly opened.
A teacher stepped out carrying several papers in his hand.
Instantly, the entire yard fell silent.
The squad list had arrived.
"All graduating students, listen carefully!" the teacher shouted.
"Each squad will consist of four members. Once your names are called, assemble together immediately."
And so, the announcements began.
One squad after another.
Students cheered excitedly as names were called. Friends celebrated together while others groaned in disappointment.
Time slowly passed.
Ten minutes.
Twenty.
Forty minutes later…
Only four students remained standing without a squad.
The crowd began murmuring .
The teacher glanced at the final paper in his hand before speaking clearly.
"Hori Hima."
Hori blinked in surprise.
"Kei Asura."
The entire yard erupted into whispers.
"Peiren Inuzuka."
A tall teenage boy stepped forward calmly, his expression cold and unreadable.
"And lastly…"
"Hayatte Shiromane."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
A silver-haired girl stood silently among the crowd, her expression completely emotionless. Nobility radiated from her mere presence.
Now only four people remained standing at the center of the yard.
Hori looked completely shocked.
Kei looked equally confused.
But Peiren and Hayatte remained calm, almost as though they had expected this outcome from the beginning.
The teacher raised his voice once more.
"The four of you are hereby designated as a Special Squad."
"You will not belong to any military unit."
The students stared in disbelief.
The teacher continued.
"From this day onward, you shall serve directly under the Regent himself."
"He shall become your master… and personally teach you everything necessary for the road ahead."
The entire academy exploded into chaos.
"The Regent?!"
"No way—!"
"Why them?!"
Kei himself could barely process what he had just heard.
---
Later that day, inside one of the academy's private chambers, the four newly assigned squad members sat in silence.
The room felt tense.
Nobody spoke.
Then—
The door slowly opened.
Regent Anoki entered.
Immediately, all four students rose to their feet and bowed respectfully.
But Anoki sighed lightly.
"Please, drop the formalities."
His sharp eyes swept across the room.
"I am your sensei now. There is no need to bow every time you see me."
The students slowly sat back down.
Anoki remained standing before them.
"You are likely wondering why I accepted the role of leading your squad."
His gaze narrowed slightly.
"Unlike the other squads, yours does not possess a numerical designation."
He continued calmly.
"The military structure of every graduating set consists of four primary units. Within those units are six squads each, all numbered accordingly."
"But your squad is different."
A brief silence followed.
"You are not part of the standard military system."
"You are a direct special operations squad."
The atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavier.
"From this day onward, your squad shall be known as…"
"The Regent's Squad."
Kei's eyes widened slightly.
"You will accompany me on missions personally," Anoki said. "And the things you will experience… will not compare to ordinary academy exercises."
His piercing gaze swept across each of them.
"Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," they answered in unison.
Anoki nodded once before looking toward Hayatte specifically.
"And is that clear, young mistress Hayatte?"
The silver-haired girl met his gaze calmly.
"Yes, sir."
For the first time since entering the room—
A faint smile appeared on Anoki's face.