Prologue: Lies, Fictions and a Declaration of War

My new pair of leather shoes resonate.

Thousands of eyes are watching me, focused on my every move, even

without looking back I can feel their presence on my skin.

A tradition at the opening ceremony of Four Seasons' Island, commonly

known as Academy Island, is for the freshmen who take the highest

enrollment rank to give a short speech.

In fact, it was that way too this year. The speech of the best-scored of the

new generation has just ended with barely any applause… But now the place

is full of an enormous enthusiasm that can't begin to compare.

"…"

I calmly leave the uproar of the place and walk slowly to the microphone.

Taking a deep breath, I took a glance around...

I had heard that this was the largest hall on the island, but today, all the

seats are taken. As some whisper to their friends, others yawn silently, and

some of them play with their phones. Even those who pretend to be

uninterested must be watching me.

This should not surprise anyone, however.

At the admission test for the most difficult school in the country, I

received the highest scores of all the generations and made an unexpected

move on my first day here. One day after another, I found myself the

strongest man on this academic island. This is my personal file.

The fastest student to rise to Seven Stars in the history of Academy Island.

I defeated last year's Absolute Queen within a day's notice; I'm now the

super-novice with the most attention.

Of course, all of the above is all a lie.

This isn't good, this isn't right… My heart is about to stop beating. What

is this? Why should I do this?

Almost all of the information that went public is false. I'd say that only

my name and gender are accurate.

I failed my grades. I have no reason to be a Seven Stars, nor am I the

strongest. I heard my test was one of the lowest scores in the academy. That's

right, in truth I'm a piece of garbage compared to what's being said about

me.

…But this cannot be known by anyone.

I need to avoid being exposed.

Therefore, I grasp my frantically pounding heart and open my mouth with

a calm smile.

"Listen, everyone, I am one of the new students: Hiroto Shinohara. For

the next two years, I will continue to rule the top of this island as the best

student. Whether my opponent is the Empress or whoever it may be, I have

no intention of giving up my throne as Seven Stars. You may come to me at

any time if you are not convinced. I'll welcome your proposal of a duel. No

matter what you do, I do not intend to lose," I keep a provocative tone until

the end. My voice must not tremble.

"…"

I avert my gaze from the place, that's now a firestorm due to the unusual

content of my speech, and decided to leave the meeting early. There's a

deceptive smile on my face, but, on the other hand, regret and anxiety whirl

in my heart… Ah, really, am I insane? Or am I a fool? No, there is no doubt

that I am a fool. At this point, there is no way to justify it. Until it's all over, I

can't look back or go back.

But that's why—

In the next two years until graduation, I'll be deceiving people here, at

Academy Island. No matter what methods are required, I will keep on lying

until the end.

—And now, do you wonder how I came to this?

In order to explain what happened, let's go back to the morning events.