The Plan

I couldn't seem to read that doll-like character. Since she's in my class, that means she must also be a second year like me. She apparently also knew the previous me. I wonder what she thinks of me.

Guess I'll check into my dorm first. After talking to the receptionist and asking a bunch of questions, I managed to get my room key. Considering the scale of this place, I will most likely have roommates, which I am not too excited about. Might as well check out my room.

The dorm building was simpler, with stone walls and wooden doors. After entering the dorm building and walking up two flights of stairs, I finally reached a worn-down wooden door. I started feeling depressed about what kind of people I would have to stay with. I put the key in the lock, twisted it, and opened the door.

Inside, smoke was immediately blasted into my face. I started coughing out my lungs, smoke stinging my eyes and making me tear up inadvertently.

"Welcome, new arrival," I heard in a jovial deep tone.

Still coughing, I managed to muster out, "Are you smoking drugs?"

"Ha, of course not. This idiot just can't stand losing."

I could see a tall man with blue hair that looked dyed sitting on a windowsill. Considering future-world logic, I wasn't ruling out that it might be his natural hair color.

"Shut up! I'm sure you're cheating."

Through the smoke, I saw four beds squeezed into a small space, a single desk, and a window that overlooked the training grounds. It felt cramped but livable.

Two other people were sitting at a makeshift table playing a card game. The angry red-haired man's hair was literally on fire. A short, freckled, black-haired guy grabbed a pitcher of water sitting on some sort of desk and splashed it on Fire Hair's face.

"You're going to make people panic if you keep smoking up the place."

Now completely drenched and looking depressed, Red Head looked down and muttered, starting to whine about how much he hated being wet.

"Would you care to join our game?"

"I'm Todd, the fun one. Freckles over there is Finn—he's too normal—and Smokey doesn't like his name, so you can call him whatever you want. Hot Head fits pretty well, right?"

Todd was suddenly knocked to the floor by a pelted pillow, its thrower being Smokey.

"I told you to stop calling me Hot Head."

This whole exchange was so comedic that it changed the genre to comedy. It was fun to watch, but I didn't want to be a part of it.

"Maybe later. I'm planning on checking out the dueling ground and the library."

"Okay, maybe next time. If you have a question, feel free to ask."

"Yeah."

I immediately shut the door and quickly walked back down the stairs.

"I won't be able to sleep tonight, will I? Might as well explore."

Prince Caesar POV

I can finally complete my mission.

It wasn't fun answering an amnesiac's questions. Is this what it's like to have a child? It's an annoying experience—just endless questioning. Well, I no longer have to explain his authority since he figured it out on his own, though not in the smartest way. Anyway, back to the main topic: it's time to set bait for the flies.

After giving a letter detailing the quote-unquote leaked info to one of my subordinates, I decided to go to the stadium and watch a few of the duels. Watching these weaklings battle against each other with arrogance is so hilarious—every time one of them wins, they get so cocky.

After reading Kyler's past thoughts on Magister Dorian, I learned a few things. It seems Dorian tried to take Kyler's symbol in the past. Dorians's lucky he avoided two of the worst-case scenarios. First, his black group, called Clip, could have been wiped out by the previous Kyler. Second, Dorian could have succeeded in removing Kyler's symbol and replacing it with his own.

Clip specializes in finding people with powerful divine contracts, known as symbols, and swapping their own symbols for stronger ones to enhance their power and influence. They then use that power to control things from behind the scenes. From what Kyler told me before his amnesia, his symbol was just part of his powers; it was a curse worse than death. All I could gather was that it gradually erodes one's sanity in exchange for physical strength. I still don't fully understand it, especially since his body still bears the symbol, and he's only slightly stronger than the average person.

My mission is to remove his symbol as soon as possible, but I currently lack the understanding and resources to do so. So, I'll have to take a gamble. I need to alert Clip to Kyler's vulnerability and get him to an isolated location. Once there, he'll serve as bait to lure me to their main base. It's taken a lot of subtlety and planning, but I'm nearly there.

Step 1: I deliberately turned a blind eye to a suspected Clip executive to let him see Kyler's vulnerable state—Magister Dorian.

Step 2: I leaked news of Kyler's amnesia to the press, spreading rumors of his weakness.

Step 3: I had to get Kyler to the academy ahead of schedule while the academy's security wasn't fully prepared, and fewer eyes were on the place since students were still arriving. I had a two-day window.

Step 4: I placed a tracker on Kyler's skin without him noticing. I couldn't do it at the hospital, as I expected some kind of obstacle, and when my plan proceeded so smoothly, I was caught off guard. I couldn't place the tracker on his clothes because they might get ruined or changed, which would have ruined everything. Fortunately, he gave me the perfect opportunity to punch him and put the tracker on him.

Step 5: I need to lure them here with the intent to kidnap Kyler. By doing so, I'll eliminate Clip and take their resources. I should be able to remove Kyler's symbol without causing him any harm. It's a complete win.

I will lead him to an isolated area in the nearby city. I could probably make an excuse that he needs a haircut. I'll intentionally leak news of this to Magister Dorian, and hopefully, he falls for the bait. But I will have to alert him ahead of time since they need time to prepare for the kidnapping. So, Kyler should have about a day and a half to relax. He's not a baby, so I shouldn't have to monitor him, right?

After making my way to a crowded colosseum-like building filled with noise, I could hear cheering and booing simultaneously. Seems like this is going to be a rowdy match. Making my way to the VIP seating area, reserved only for faculty and previous dueling champions, I managed to find a nice open seat next to a seemingly new faculty member. Seeing me, they immediately bowed down at a 90-degree angle.

"Greetings, Your Highness, or Your Majesty, or the Prince, or—?"

Feeling annoyed, I could only scoff internally and interrupt this young man. "Just call me Caesar. Stop making it weird."

He quickly stuttered back a response. "Ye-yes, Your Majes—I mean, Caesar."

Forcing a smile and trying to mask my annoyance, I asked, "Who are you?"

"Me?" (Can I possibly tell him that I am his teacher starting this year? What if he thinks I'm arrogant? Aghhh, what should I do?)

"My n-name is Jacob, an-and I am the 2nd-year Class A's homeroom teacher?" He said it like it was a question.

Jacob's inner thoughts were quite transparent—he was just as wimpy on the inside as he was on the outside. Ignoring the coward, I focused my attention on the stadium entrance.

"Is anyone interesting fighting?"

"Interesting? Well, I heard there was a last-second change to the schedule, and—"

The commentator, a popular 2nd-year student, started introducing the match, interrupting whatever Jacob was about to say. He announced, "In the right corner, we have the infamous show-off, Mord! He specializes in unarmed combat with his Blessing of Martial Arts. And in the left corner, we have… wait, no way? One of the previous dueling champions!"

At this, my ears perked up. There weren't too many dueling champions—only five, including me. Who could it be?

Continuing his commentary, he stated dramatically, "And in the left corner, we have… One of the previous dueling champions—Kyler, The Hollow King!"

What? My heart skipped a beat as I leaned forward, my eyes locked on the stadium entrance. The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and murmurs, the atmosphere electrified by the announcement. Kyler? How did that moron get in there?

The gates creaked open, and there he was—Kyler, stepping into the arena with a dazed expression. His usual confidence was missing, replaced by uncertainty. He glanced around, his body tense, as if he had no idea why he was there and was trying to find a way to escape.

The crowd's reaction grew louder, many recognizing him as the infamous former champion. The commentator's voice boomed again, oblivious to Kyler's visible confusion and was that a hint of panic?

"Kyler, the man who once reigned supreme in this very arena! Let's see if he still has what it takes to hold that title!"

The other fighter, Mord, grinned wickedly as he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "I've been waiting for this moment. A chance to crush a so-called legend."

I tried to focus on Mord's thoughts. (Blackmailing this guy to fight me was too easy. Now he's a complete pushover. Without his memories, he's only human. He doesn't know anything, and if I beat him, I can say that I'm the strongest.)

Kyler's gaze shifted to Mord with a mixture of fear and anger.

"What's the matter, champ?" Mord taunted, stepping closer. "Or is that amnesia I've heard about real?"

Hearing his words, the crowd made some confused noises.