Kōsokudō: Chronicles of Nexorix Academy

Chapter 4: Clashes and Whispers

Beneath the morning sun, a shadowy figure snuck through the school's corridors. With a hooded cloak, he blending seamlessly with the shadows, he moved carefully along the walls, his face hidden deep within his hood. His gaze darted around as he crept closer to his goal—the headmaster's office. The sounds of the ongoing tournament, the cheers and roars of the crowd, filled the air around him, serving as a perfect cover for his covert actions. Most of the students and faculty were occupied with the battles, their attention focused on the competition in the outdoor arenas.

The figure muttered to himself under his breath, his voice barely audible over the distant noise.

"They'll never know," he hissed softly, eyes narrowing. "The Everstone... soon... I'll find it, even if it's been lost for more than a century."

His footsteps were silent as he moved swiftly down a secluded hallway, approaching the headmaster's office with purpose. This was no ordinary destination. Hidden deep within, he knew, was a secret entrance—one that led to a chamber where the Everstone was hidden. The Everstone was an ancient artifact capable of resurrecting the dead, its power unmatched. But the knowledge of how to use it had been lost with the last Archon.

The figure paused, scanning his surroundings carefully. The sun beat down on him, but he remained undetected, hidden in the shadow of the building. With most eyes on the tournament, now was his best chance. But, just as he was about to take another step forward, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.

He jerked his head up, pulling himself further into the shadows of the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest. Flattening himself against the wall, he held his breath.

Two students turned the corner—Yuki and Lucia, partners for the tournament. Yuki, her white hair glowing in the sunlight streaming through the windows, looked nervous as she adjusted her grip on the strap of her bag. Her shy demeanor was evident as she spoke in a soft voice.

"I just hope we do okay in the first round," she murmured, her blue eyes darting nervously towards Lucia. "We need a good plan to do well."

Lucia, her blond hair caught the light, glanced around the hallway before responding. "We'll be fine, Yuki. We just need to work together and focus. It's about balance. I know you're worried, but you're stronger than you think."

The figure held still, his body pressed tightly against the wall, hidden just out of sight. Yuki didn't notice him as she continued talking with Lucia, her nervousness distracting her. Lucia, on the other hand, seemed more attuned to her surroundings. As they passed by, her brown eyes briefly flickered toward the shadows where the cloaked figure hid.

She paused mid-step, her brow furrowing as if she sensed something was off.

"Yuki, wait a second," Lucia whispered, her tone suddenly serious.

Yuki stopped, her eyes wide with surprise. "What is it?"

Lucia looked over her shoulder, scanning the hallway. For a moment, her gaze rested on the dark corner where the figure had concealed himself, but she saw nothing. After a tense second, she shook her head.

"Nothing," she said slowly, though her voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "Just... stay close."

Yuki nodded, her gaze filled with confusion, but she didn't press the issue. The two continued walking down the hallway, their voices fading as they moved further away.

The cloaked figure slowly released the breath he had been holding, his body tensed from the close call. He waited until he was certain they were gone before emerging from the shadows, his muttering growing darker.

"Close. Too close," he growled under his breath. "I must be more careful... the Everstone can't wait."

Without another glance back, he turned his attention to the headmaster's office and began walking toward the large door.