Prologue:
“What do you regret?”
This is the type of question I have been asking myself ever-since I was reborn into this world.
In my past life, I was happy, I had a happy life, a good life, a stable income and best of all, a man I had feelings for.
But since that accident.
I have been separated from him.
When I was his face for the time, I could help but see the pure horror in his face. he looked like a dead man.
He had a calm expression behind that, I saw the shadow of someone who used to be outgoing, cheerful and enduring.
There are many things that can destroy a man.
The most destructive way to do it is to destroy what he deems as “Loved ones.”
If I was to guess what happened to him at the time….
I wouldn’t know what to say.
He said very little, yet when you looked at him.
You couldn’t help but have pity for him.
“I am sorry! I wasn’t a good friend. The thing is… I wanted to be more than that. I am really sorry!”
My life in this is very good.
I still have parents who admire me.
I hope that one day, I will see you somewhere in this new reality we are in.
“To my childhood friend, Riah Amakawa”
Chapter 1: The Island like country
At the start of April, the school had finally grouped us together and now we are all in a luxury ship enjoying our youth.
“Don’t you think it is weird that we get to have a vacation in the middle of the rainy season?” Asked Eiichiro.
“Not really, this school has been doing this since the start of its foundation.” Answered Eigi.
“Really, I haven’t been intrigued to learn. But this school has some weird things about it which I have been thinking about investigating.”
“I don’t know. Maybe that is a bad idea,” Answered Eigi.
A school that had many interesting rules: a hard curriculum, great vacation that is celebrated on the cruise ship, a monthly allowance which is depended on student’s own contributions to the class.What kind of school is this?
“Apparently this school was also built during the late era of the first king. Legends say that he built this right after building the Moon kingdom’s academy. Plus, he was in his fifties by then.”
The man known as Riona Okura.
He is famously known as the first king.
He built many infrastructure which helped in education for young children, health for the people and also the greatest magic user of all time.
Another thing he built was the magic tower of “Oscard:” The tower of oscard is the tall tower which the five magical masters live.
“I have also heard that after this exam we will have the chance to compete in the magic scouting party that is held every four years.”
That’s right.
In every four years, there is an exam which is optional.
The premise is very simple yet still very, very harsh.
The first exam is a written test, then after that there is another forest test, then lastly, we have the final battles, the last twenty students standing will be shared among the five magical people respectfully.
In a case where the magic ranger wants a specific person but that person was given to a different magic ranger.
The magic ranger that originally has that person is asked to exchange students but if they refuse, then there are two ways in which this could be settled.
‘A fight: the winner keeps the student.
But if they are evenly matched, then they can settle it on the game called: Rock, Paper, scissors.’
I am really interested in joining the magical rangers myself so I can really say I am excited for it.
Even if I joined, I would most certainly lose.
Rui, Eiichiro and Kakashi all have better magical affinity than me.
Max, Lee, and Alfred also have better physicality than me.
Christina, Max, and Eigi also have better intelligence than me.
There are things which I can’t do but they can do very easily.
For instance, they all can use magic but Eva and I can’t.
His eyes were gazing at the sea.
“I am not,” I replied immediately.
Kakashi and Eigi looked at me simultaneously.
“We are not either. They said that this years exam is going to be extremely hard. The Moon kingdom knights, the Asteroid kingdom and the northern kingdom all will be there. I think the fight will be extremely difficult.”
“Yeah, I know.” Replied Lee.
“And that isn’t enough reason for you to quit.” I said.
“No matter how hard the fight is, never give up or leave until the very end.”
I understand the courage and enthusiasm but I tend to be more with facts that will lead me to the final goal.
If risks are taken, the odds of you failing at the end increases by the second.
“I understand but I will rather know where I stand than take a risk.”
Kakashi, Max, and Eigi also seemed to agree too.
“What about you, Rui?” Max asked.
“… I wanted to at first… But the king said we should until I am of a certain age.”
“…What?” They all said.
Now that I think of it.
Rui once said that he wanted to be a king.
And that is why he is close to the king. he follows his footsteps and perfects the mistakes which he makes.
I guess this is why he was chosen to lead the rescue mission to save princess Chloe and Christina.
“Wait, does this mean that we are going to meet Mistress Lily in the United academy in the next semester ahead?”
“Yeah. The young inventor who invented most of the magically charged items we all use in our daily lives.”
“I heard that she lives in the Moon kingdom. She is also the only daughter of duke Orshed.” I said.
“Yes. That information is correct”
“Over three years ago, She has been able to make magic tablets, magic cell phones, washing machines, favoured foods and drinks, and magic glasses which can help the blind see. She is an extremely important person who I can respect even though she is a lady.” Rui said.
“Yeah, you are right.”
“Putting that aside. I think that the king himself couldn’t allow us to go.” Said Rui.
“King Philip.”
“Mmmhhh.”
The king of the Star kingdom is a very intelligent man.
He is the fifth king to inherit the throne, he is the king with the most peace talk.
Since these times are seen as peaceful and harmonious.
During the time of the first four kings, they had to fight wars, make strategies and tactical decisions.
“I guess that is wise of him but that will also make this kingdom seem weak. No matter how you like it, this is the format of which the other kings and their kingdoms will see the Star kingdom.” Max exclaimed.
This is the scene which that information will display.
But, that is the surface level thinking.
A wise king will either come to this kingdom to see how weak or strong a nation is before making any reckless decision.
I turned to look at him but ce faces showed his usual calmness.
But I would tell there are details which he left out.
“…How old is the Star kingdom…?”
“The Star kingdom was built around the Senin era, around 854, the month which it became publicly recognised as a nation was around 17th, March.” Max laid his knowledge of the kingdom.
He was absolute, he didn’t seem to reconsider his answer.
It almost looked like the answer would be what he said.
But unfortunately he was right.
I had already read the history of this kingdom and whatever Mac said was the truth.
“Beep, beep, beep.” From our watches, the alarm that calls everybody to their groups disassembled us.
From the corner of my corner of my eyes, I blury saw Kakashi speaking to Max.
From the looks of it, it seemed to be an invitation, but was it?
“Alright now, see you guys later.” Then we all left.
Kakashi’s Perspective:
“Good evening, Kakashi.” Max said after I invited him.
The purpose of this exam was very sneaky, I hadn’t expected them to pull of which an amazing move.
What was my answer?
Why did I choose that answer?
And where can this lead me to?
I found myself thinking of all those things, yet, I couldn’t get a conclusion.
Nevertheless, I relentlessly chose my goals over the safety of someone.
I can’t justify it.
I do not have the same mentality as him.
He had the opportunity to join hands with the greatest, but he refused.
“I want to make this clear as simple as day.” I began my sentence with.
Mas’s face looked calm, as if getting him alone was not scary enough for him in order to get scared, Max showed no sign of empathy.
“You also accepted the job that man gave you, did you?”
“What if I said I did, then what would you do?”
“Nothing honestly, but it seems that I was wrong about you. At first, I thought that you were mentally and academically strong but I guess I expected a little too much from you. Now that I think about it, Ria will do just fine.”
There was a dot curving in my head.
“…What do you mean?”
” I know everything.
I have spies everywhere.
I know that your parents are dead and the person that killed them is still out there.
I know that person you are really for is that man, I am just a stepping stone for you to achieve your goal.
And that goal is to kill him.”
As he said.
I couldn’t help but look at myself.
Was I used again”
Wait, am I being used right?
Did that man just use me?
Mr Cain is a wanted criminal, if had his location. he would have told his majesty, this would have gained him more power, more land, and more control.
He said that he would get him to apologise and have him at my mercy.
Was that a lie?
“Yes, everything you are thinking of right now was manipulated by him. He used you. he wanted you to try and expel me, and if you did, you would have lost your one and only chance of finding the man who murdered your parents.”
After saying that, Max grew silent for a bit.
“He also destroyed something I hold dear. He destroyed my life too, you know?”
“But if you say that then, didn’t you use the Minister as well. Plus, aren’t you planning on using Ria for your plans.”
“Yes. I won’t doubt that using people to achieve your goal is cruel but there are things that have to be done to succeed. Even now, I am using you.”
I know, but can you,really?
After all, you are the one who is being used by me.
Because, at the end of the day, I will achieve my goal but you wouldn’t.
“I know but I doubt you can manipulate Ria, he is an incredible person who can’t be deceived that easily.” I said.
“I know. He is a hard not to crack kinda guy. But, there is always something that holds dear to anyone. All I have to do is to use that against him and guide him to protect his weakness at the end.”
For some reason, I understood how Max thinks.
He first destroys you then recreates a stronger version of you.
A version that has dealt with manipulation, deception, and lost of personal identity.
This is the real Max Tsukasa, isn’t it?