Level Zero: Season 1

Chapter 3: Shadows of Ambition

The Argent Academy was a labyrinth of mysteries, and while students fought and clawed their way through its trials, a deeper intrigue brewed in the corridors of power. The confrontation between Rai Katsuro and Toru Saito had shaken the fragile equilibrium among the ranks, setting the academy abuzz with speculation. For some, Rai was a curiosity, but for others, he was a target.

After the tense stand-off, Rai moved silently through the stone hallways of the academy, indifferent to the whispers trailing behind him. Maiya followed a few paces behind, her mind still reeling from what had transpired earlier. She wanted to ask Rai about the overwhelming aura he had exuded-how it had felt like being suffocated by an invisible force-but she knew better than to press him.

They reached the entrance to Class 10-E, a dark, windowless room tucked away in one of the academy's less-frequented wings. Inside, the atmosphere was subdued, as if the students here had already accepted their fate as the lowest-ranked.

"I don't understand how you stay so calm, Rai," Maiya said softly, sitting down at one of the wooden desks. "After what just happened... shouldn't you be worried? "

Rai didn't respond at first. He leaned against the wall, his eyes half-closed as if in thought. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold, as always.

"Worrying is pointless. The stronger will come for the weak. That's how it always is. "

Maiya frowned, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "But that's not a reason to just... give up. You have the strength to fight back. "

Rai's gaze shifted toward her, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Fighting is meaningless unless the goal is clear. What does it matter if they come for me? I have no interest in playing their games. "

Before Maiya could argue further, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and a group of students entered the room. Ichiro Takeda, a tall, broad-shouldered boy with a sharp jawline and intense eyes, led the group. He was the unofficial leader of Class 10-E, respected for his physical strength, though he lacked the strategic mind of higher-class students.

"Katsuro," Ichiro greeted, his voice firm. "Heard about what happened with Toru. I thought you'd have more sense than to get involved with someone like him. "

Rai shrugged, uninterested in the discussion.

Ichiro took a step closer, his tone lowering. "Listen, I know you like keeping to yourself, but Toru's not going to let this go. He's already rallied some of the upper-class students. They're planning to challenge us in the next interclass event. If we don't stick together, we're dead. "

Maiya's face went pale. "Wait... they're targeting all of Class 10-E? "

"That's right," Ichiro said grimly. "Toru's trying to humiliate us by taking us down as a group. He's already making deals with some of the higher-level students to back him up. They're planning something big, and if we don't prepare, we'll be wiped out in the next event. "

Rai's expression remained impassive. "Then don't participate. "

Ichiro's fists clenched at Rai's indifference. "That's easy for you to say. You think you can just hide in the background while the rest of us get destroyed? We need you in this fight, Katsuro. Whether you like it or not, you're part of this class. "

The room grew tense as Ichiro's words hung in the air. Maiya glanced nervously between Ichiro and Rai, sensing the weight of the situation. While Rai's detachment made sense to her, she also understood Ichiro's point-without Rai's strength, they were at a serious disadvantage.