Scene shifts to the next day, inside Kazuki's classroom. The sun shone brightly through the tall arched windows, illuminating the polished wooden floors and shelves stacked with ancient scrolls. The students sat in neat rows, dressed in their academy uniforms, eagerly — or in some cases sleepily — listening to the teacher standing at the front.
The teacher, a middle-aged man with sharp gray eyes and a steady voice, was explaining a lesson about kingdoms, politics, and war.
"Wars," the teacher began, his voice grave, "are destructive events that damage not only the land but also the hearts of the people. However, in the world of spirits and Spritual Force, wars offer power in two main ways. The first is territorial expansion — conquering new lands to strengthen one's dominion. The second, and far more dangerous, is through the consumption of souls."
He paused for effect, letting the weight of those words settle among the young minds.
"In every major war, the victorious kingdom gains the right to absorb the spiritual energy of the defeated kingdom. This includes the spirits of both fallen soldiers and innocent civilians. Through this, both their royals and warriors grow stronger."
A murmur of curiosity spread through the classroom.
One bold student raised his hand. "So… are wars the best way to gain Spritual Force?"
The teacher shook his head, his expression stern. "No. War brings destruction, loss of countless lives, and cripples the economy of both sides. It's a last resort — a path paved in blood. Most rulers avoid war when possible, preferring alliances, pacts, or displays of strength. However, there are always those driven by greed."
Another student spoke up. "But isn't our kingdom the second strongest in the world?"
The teacher nodded. "Yes, our kingdom proudly holds the second-highest position in the world. However, strength invites jealousy. And so, the strongest kingdom, driven by insatiable ambition, declared war on us. They seek to devour our Spritual Force and claim dominance over the world."
The class fell silent, the gravity of the war and its consequences sinking in.
Kazuki, sitting by the window, thought to himself. I've already heard all of this from Father and my siblings. But what they don't say openly is that many of our kingdom's generals and lords secretly support the war, hoping for personal gain. Father and the higher authorities want to end this conflict… but it's already gone too far.
He gripped the edge of his desk, his young heart restless.
Wait… my other siblings have all participated in the war to protect our kingdom and grow stronger. I might be young, but my abilities aren't ordinary. If I fight, I can increase my strength too. Besides, the war's nowhere near ending. It's not like I'll be allowed to go, but maybe… I should ask Father about this.
A flicker of determination sparked in Kazuki's eyes. The path of power was dangerous, but so was standing still.
Scene fades as the lesson continues, the voices of students and the teacher echoing through the halls of the academy.