Academy War God: Unrivalled Magic

The Return of the Queen's Whisper[1] Dark clouds hung over Tōun Academy, and the early spring wind still carried a chill.

The scars of battle had not yet faded. A lingering smell of scorched earth clung to the edges of the campus.

Yoruomi Sō stood in front of the school building and took a deep breath.

Although the ruins of the Ryūgasha Arena had long since been restored, he knew that some things couldn't be repaired so easily - like the heart.

Like the cracks in the soul.

The Queen Card's whisper still echoed in his mind.

Her voice was mocking - like a queen amused by her pawn.

Or perhaps a warning.

"What are you afraid of? Me... or your true self?"

He didn't answer.

Silently, he stepped into the building.

Behind him, his shadow twisted slightly - as if his lips were softly curling into a smile.

[2] Council of Captains: Reorganizing the Awakened The meeting room was filled with a heavy silence.

They sat around the round table:

Kyoichi Tendō - Captain of the Swordsmanship Club Saya Hōdō - Captain of the Archery Club Retsu Gōzenshi - Captain of the Martial Arts Club (still recovering) Setsura Onimaru - Captain of the Javelin Club representing the Magic Club: Karuma Midō, Hakuran and the newly returned Yoruomi Sō Setsura Onimaru spoke in his deep voice: "You've all seen it... The other world isn't the only threat.

The awakening of abilities, the mutation of magic... It all indicates that a new battlefield is approaching".

Kyoichi Tendō tapped on the table and called up a battle matrix on the screen:

"We must consolidate our forces. Establish a classification system for awakened abilities - and formulate control protocols for Yoruomi and Hakuran's magic."

Karuma Midō scoffed, "Control? Or monitoring?"

The tension thickened.

Saya Hōdō interjected:

"Yoruomi is not our enemy.

If we can't even trust him... how are we supposed to face what's coming?"

Yoruomi remained silent - until a card slipped from his sleeve and landed softly on the table.

The Queen of Spades.

At that moment, the air trembled with the sound of distant thunder.

[As the meeting ended, a shadow appeared in front of Yoruomi.

A robed figure - his voice like an echo from the void:

"You have opened the game... The queen is only the first.

The king is already stirring in your dreams."

"Those who flee responsibility... often become the slaves of the deck."

Yoruomi gripped the card tightly, but said nothing.

He watched the shadow dissolve in the moonlight, leaving only one sentence behind - "In three days... the challengers from Azure Academy will arrive.

Let's see if you can protect this deck."

[4] The Challengers Arrive The top three fighters from the Azure Academy had arrived at Tōun:

No. 8 - Utzuki Rō A silver-haired boy, cold and quick as lightning.

Skill: Neural Overdrive × Twin Blade Surge His reflexes were beyond human - immune to most illusion-based attacks.

No. 7 - Shigane Tsukiyo A crimson-eyed girl with jet-black hair, her grin wild and dangerous.

Skill: Sonic Distortion Field × Resonance Chain Blades She manipulates sound to shatter the mind - a nightmare for illusionists.

No. 6 - Yagami Gōen A bare-chested giant covered in flame tattoos, his fists roaring like cannons.

Skill: Muscle Combustion × Blast Chain Fists Rumored to be a match for Onimaru himself - a beast of raw, unrelenting power.

[5] Tendō's Hidden Wounds Late at Night.

In the dojo of the Sword Club.

Kyoichi Tendō trained alone.

Sword slashes through wooden dummies - until the eighth strike, when blood dripped from his lips.

"The essence of illusion... is the heart.

But hearts can also shatter..."

He leaned against the wall, exhausted.

A memory surfaced - Whitegawa's smile, just before he died.

"Don't die on me, Tendō... If you fall, who will protect Yoruomi and the others?"

Gritting his teeth, he stabbed his blade into the ground and whispered:

"I can't die yet... You'd curse me for it, wouldn't you, Whitegawa?"

[6] Rooftop Reunion Night. The rooftop.

Saya Hōdō stood alone under the starless sky, waiting for Yoruomi.

She whispered into the darkness: "Have you... already forgotten how it felt to fight side by side?"

Yoruomi said nothing.

She stepped closer and pressed her hand gently to his chest.

"This queen in your heart... Can I ever defeat her?"

Yoruomi's throat moved, but no words came out.

He knew - the Queen was watching.

Smirking.

"She is not worthy.

But you will hesitate... because of her, won't you?"

Queen's voice whispered again:

"The knight has fallen.

The queen is awake.

Now... are you ready, Ace?"

Yoruomi slowly opened his eyes - and in them glowed the seal of the King Card.