Chapter 4

When the headmaster mentioned his grandfather's name, Kiri tried to suppress a sigh.

Even here, the name of the cane was still clinging to him.

"Was he an acquaintance of your grandfather? Unfortunately, that old man is still alive and kicking."

"No, not exactly an acquaintance. He took one of my eyes when I was young, so I've held a grudge ever since."

The headmaster rubbed the scar on his right eye. Kiri then recalled the complaints his grandfather used to repeat every time he drank.

"There's a young man I failed to take down. He's a disgrace to our clan."

"…Ah, I've heard that story many times. You managed to escape from him, didn't you?"

"By the skin of my teeth. …At that time, I was fully prepared to die. But why are you suddenly so formal?"

Kiri, who usually spoke bluntly, had suddenly started using polite language, so the headmaster narrowed his eyes and asked.

"Because I think you deserve respect."

Kiri detested the Japanese custom of unconditionally showing respect to someone just because they are older. His aversion was so strong that he even considered it rude to suddenly show respect to a stranger. In his view, if the other person showed respect on the surface, he would do the same, but if they didn't, he would take a similar attitude. After that, he would decide whether to respect them or not. That was Kiri's way of thinking.

He had fought and survived against his grandfather. Knowing that the person who had given his hated grandfather a crushing defeat was still alive, Kiri no longer wanted to be disrespectful.

"It's an honor."

The headmaster slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and continued.

"Anyway, let's get to the point."

"Yes. Why is 'the cane,' who has lived in the deepest shadows, here at this academy?"

"You catch on quickly. That's right. Depending on the answer, we might have to reject your application."

Kiri had anticipated that he would be asked about his clan once it was mentioned. He had expected this when he decided to enroll, but he hadn't thought it would come so soon. He had underestimated the notoriety of "the cane."

(No, it's strange that the headmaster survived against the old man.)

He revised his thoughts.

"Since we're at it, I'll ask you directly. Is it your profession?"

When asked so bluntly, Kiri couldn't help but smile wryly.

"No, it's not. I've cut ties with my clan."

This time, he shrugged.

"Hmm. Why is that?"

"Because it's pointless."

When he left home, Kiri had said the same thing. It wasn't just because of those words, but afterward, he was relentlessly pursued. The destination of his retreat was this Adamas Academy.

"…I see. Then, why did you come to this academy?"

Kiri closed his eyes.

This was the foundation of his beliefs, something he didn't want to talk about lightly. However, given that he had faced his grandfather, it was natural for the headmaster to be wary of him.

—To fulfill a certain promise.

If asked for a reason, that was it. But if he said it as is, it wouldn't be enough to understand his philosophy. Thinking about this, Kiri decided to change his approach. Why he kept his promise. The core of that reason.

"Have you heard of 'Ultimate Victory'?"

The headmaster shook his head slightly.

Kiri was momentarily surprised, but it wasn't unreasonable for the headmaster not to know. After all, "Ultimate Victory" was a concept that Kiri had stubbornly believed in since childhood. Just as the body instinctively seeks air, Kiri had always sought "Ultimate Victory," sometimes mistakenly thinking it was a well-known concept.

"'Ultimate Victory' is the highest quality of victory among the many victories that exist. It's the pinnacle of victory."

"…?"

The headmaster tilted his head slightly with a pleasant smile, seemingly confused by Kiri's sudden explanation.

"For example, in any competition, isn't it a higher quality victory to win against a stronger opponent rather than a weaker one? Isn't a victory achieved through one's own efforts of higher quality than one obtained unexpectedly? While people's views on victory vary, the quality of victory is something everyone can understand. The quality is created by various factors such as what one has cultivated, the environment they grew up in, and the situation they are in. 'Ultimate Victory' is a mythical victory that can only be achieved when all these elements align."

Kiri realized he had spoken passionately and was taken aback. However, the headmaster seemed impressed and exhaled, "Hmm."

"Fascinating. So you came here seeking that?"

"Yes."

With a sincere gaze, Kiri nodded. It was the truth, without any lies.

Their eyes met for a moment.

"…I see. A student like you might be a good influence on the others."

"Does that mean…?"

"I'll allow you to enroll. I apologize for taking your time."

"No, no, thank you."

Kiri bowed slightly and thanked the headmaster. When the headmaster snapped his fingers, the door behind him opened, and the female dormitory staff appeared. She seemed to be there to escort him back to the dormitory.

Kiri bowed and was about to leave the headmaster's office.

"Wait, Kiri Kiri. One more thing."

Hearing this, Kiri stopped. The female staff took a step back in front of him.

Was there something else?

"One more thing?"

Kiri turned and asked.

"One more thing, shall we have a match?"

—Huh.

A smile involuntarily escaped his lips. Kiri slowly looked around the room.

"Sure, but with who?"

"Who else but me?"

Kiri glanced at the wall clock in the headmaster's office. There was still time before his appointment with Luna.

(I'll just get a quick victory.)

With this resolve, Kiri looked at the elderly one-eyed man with a bold and challenging gaze, not a sincere one. His lips were still curled up.

Kiri had kept his resistance active to show he had no hostility, but at this moment, he reactivated it.

He raised both hands, signaling that he was ready for any kind of match at any time.

"Sorry, but forget it. It seems my curiosity got the better of me."

The headmaster quietly closed his eyes and withdrew the offer.

It seemed he had reconsidered. Perhaps his position as the head of the academy made it inappropriate to have a casual match.

Despite looking disappointed, the headmaster declared:

"Alright! So that means I win by default."

Even the headmaster couldn't help but smile at this one-sided victory declaration. Shrugging, he said:

"Have a good school life."

"Yes, thank you."

With that, Kiri left the headmaster's office.

---

After Kiri left, three men and women appeared behind the headmaster, who was sitting in a wooden chair.

"Phew. Another extraordinary student has joined us."

The three teachers, called in by the headmaster as a precaution, had indeed used the "Doppelganger" magic to make their bodies transparent and blend into the background. They had also completely hidden their presence.

Despite this, each of them had "made eye contact" with the boy once. They had been "seen" with a gaze that seemed to be evaluating them.

"He didn't flinch at all, even when the headmaster's 'presence' was felt."

"He seemed a bit off in the head. Exploring victory itself, huh?"

They shared their impressions of Kiri.

"But, such dedication is necessary for someone who handles skills."

The headmaster saw value in Kiri as a student. He was not a threat to Adamas Academy. If anything, the opposite was true.

The headmaster was in charge of managing over a dozen geniuses and was confident in his judgment.

"But, 'the cane'—isn't that a pretty dangerous clan?"

A young man in a tracksuit asked the headmaster.

"I've never heard of them. What kind of people are they?"

"You'll find out."

The headmaster placed his hand on his right eye, which had lost its light, and smiled.

In the case of a boy who had cut ties with that clan, he was a treasure trove of skills. An unparalleled opportunity to unravel the wealth of skills that "the cane" had honed over a long history. The true purpose of this academy, which aimed to preserve and pass on skills.

"Arrange for him to be a G-rank."

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