CHAPTER 33: KYOUSUKE’S PLAN

Chapter 33: Kyousuke’s Plan

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The evening sun was setting as Arios and Lucy continued their stroll toward their respective dorms. Their discussion lingered, drifting between the day’s events and their study group, until Lucy’s voice cut through the comfortable silence with an intriguing question.

"Arios," Lucy began, her voice a little softer than usual. "Is there anyone you would personally want to make sure doesn’t get expelled?"

Arios paused, his mind drifting back to Greg Tunley. In the original anime, Greg was the one who was expelled. Arios didn’t feel a particularly deep bond with him, but he knew one thing for sure: he didn’t want Kyousuke to get what he wanted. If Greg were expelled, Kyousuke’s plan would succeed, and Arios was determined to prevent that.

He remained silent for a moment, weighing his options. He couldn’t reveal his true intentions to Lucy, she wouldn’t understand were his coming from.

"No one in particular," Arios finally replied, his voice calm and steady. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," she said, shrugging. "I’m sure there are a lot of people in this class who don’t want to get expelled, but only a few of us are taking this seriously." She paused for a moment, then added, "You know, if you ever change your mind and decide you want to help someone, you can tell me. I might be able to help."

Arios nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. Lucy’s offer was intriguing, but he wasn’t ready to let anyone in on his plans just yet. He knew what he needed to do, and he would do it on his own terms.

His thoughts about Greg Tunley made him recall the action he had taken to put his plan in motion. He remembered from the anime that Kyousuke had gotten ahold of the test questions beforehand, guaranteeing Rian Blake a spot among the highest scorers.

Kyousuke had blackmailed Mr. Calborne, threatening to expose his falsified cultivation stage unless he handed over a sample of the test questions. Calborne, out of fear, had agreed. But Kyousuke later reported him anyway, afraid that Calborne would snitch on him first. All of this was done to make Rian Blake a loyal pawn, a mindless muscle to do Kyousuke’s dirty work.

Kyousuke’s plan had two stages. First, he’d ensure Rian scored high on the test to prevent his expulsion, confident Rian would excel in the combat portion. Second, he’d sabotage Greg’s performance in the same combat test.

Arios smiled to himself, recalling his own move. After a certain class period had ended, he had gone outside the academy to meet someone. They had leaned against opposite sides of a wall, beginning their conversation.

"Thanks for agreeing to meet with me," Arios began.

"No need for formalities," the person replied, their voice cool and direct. "I just hope what you have is worth the time I’m wasting with you."

The student council president is truly straight to the point, Arios thought. The person he had arranged to meet was Damien Ravencroft, a second-year student and the current student council president. Regarded as the ’Golden Star,’ a title given only to students who excel unmatched in both academics and cultivation, Damien was a prodigy of the kingdom, already cultivating at the early stage of Core Formation.

"It’s about Mr. Calborne," Arios said, his voice low. "His cultivation stage is below the required mandate."

The moment Arios said that, Damien swiftly moved, turning and pinning him against the wall. Arios struggled, but he couldn’t break free from Damien’s grip.

"So it was you all along," Damien said, a subtle intensity in his tone. "Don’t be uneasy," he added. "I won’t tell anyone. I just wanted to know who was giving me this information. If it’s true, it’s a major development. If it’s not, you’re committing slander against an academy employee— for a crime that could eventually land him in prison."

Arios wasn’t moved by Damien’s words. His plan was to ensure Mr. Calborne would be dismissed before Kyousuke could get his hands on the question paper.

Back in the present, a feeling of satisfaction coursed through Arios as he chuckled. He had just outsmarted Kyousuke, someone he had spent most of his last moments in life watching.

"What’s so funny?" Lucy asked, observing Arios’s sudden amusement.

"It’s nothing," he said. "I just remembered a joke."

Arios’s smile lingered as he watched the peaceful scene of students making their way from the academy. For a brief moment, he wasn’t a struggling outworlder but a king watching over his kingdom. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he imagined the potential look on Kyousuke’s face—a mix of confusion and defeat.

Is he insane? Lucy thought, watching Arios’s sudden laughter. The test stress must have gotten to him.

Maybe some fun would help.

She quickly grabbed his hand and began pulling him forward. "Hey, Lucy," Arios protested. "The dorms are that way."

"I know, dummy," she replied without stopping. "We’re going to have some fun." She flashed a wide, bright smile that made Arios’s heart skip a beat. She’s beautiful, he thought.