... To Destroy Their Image.

"What the hell do you want, brat?" Kamoshida's voice was laced with irritation as Ren interrupted his lunch. Adding to the anger he already felt.

The night before, Ren had called Shiho for the full story. From what she told Ren, Kamoshida would physically attack any student who made even the slightest mistake. As for the female students, he would "Fix their posture" by groping them. He even called them to his office after ours to try to blackmail them about their position on the team. Apparently, there was even a student who moved away after he had called her to his office. The students who saw her the next day said that she looked as if she had lost all will to live.

It was with this information that he had come up with a risky plan to ruin Kamoshida's image. And all he needed was to push him over the edge.

Taking his glasses off and placing them on the table, Ren spoke.

"Time's up, Kamoshida. I've talked to the volleyball team. They're ready to come forward about your abuse. The girls in your team specifically mentioned how you would touch them inappropriately." Ren declared, bluffing boldly.

The fact that Kamoshida would do whatever he pleased was an open secret inside of the school. However, the full extent of his abuse was not widely known The reason he was so sloppy in his execution was because no one was willing to challenge him. Even when he spoke to the students yesterday, no one would rat him out.

It would take quite a large push to get the car rolling, and Ren was going to turn himself into exactly that.

'The moment they are questioned by the police, those kids are going to break.' Ren thought as he let out a grin.

Standing up from his chair, Kamoshida walked to Ren before grabbing him by the shirt and slamming him against the wall.

"Do you think I am stupid? You've been here for only two days. You don't know shit." Kamoshida said. Though his voice sounded confident, Ren could tell his eyes were panicked.

"You really think I am lying?" Ren taunted as his smile grew even wider.

"Bullshit! They would never speak up! They know what will happen to them if they do." Kamoshida said before grabbing one of his hands and placing it on Rens's neck.

"You'd beat them up? Come on, what are you going to do to them if you are behind bars? By the time you get out, they are going to be full adults." Ren said before sticking out his face as far as he could whilst being held. 

Enraged, Kamoshida struck Ren, sending him crashing into a desk. 

"If anyone is going to jail here, it's you." Kamoshida said as a smile grew on his face.

"Those brats are not going to say anything. Shiho can say whatever she wants, but all I gotta do is say that she made it up because I kicked her off the team because she was performing badly. As for you, I am going to turn you into an example of what will happen to them. After all, this is all just going to be self-defense." 

"Self-defense? I haven't laid a finger on you. I only came here to try to stop you from hurting anyone else." Ren's voice trembled as he pretended to be afraid.

Kamoshida moved in, kicking Ren in the stomach. "Who will they believe? A criminal or a teacher who's raised this school's profile? Sakamoto couldn't even get a word in, and he was a good student back then. What makes you think they'll listen to you?"

'God, I swear this dude is a cartoon villain.' Ren thought before letting out some exaggerated grunts of pain.

— —- —-

"I need help! Something's happening in Kamoshida's office!" Shiho exclaimed, rushing into the teacher's lounge. She wasn't sure what Ren's plan was, but she trusted him because of how confident he seemed.

She had been pacing about, waiting for the ten minutes Ren had asked her for before barging in. If she was being honest, she was feeling somewhat anxious. From the message Ren had sent her she was supposed to grab his phone the moment they saw each other next and show what he had recorded to the teachers.

In the lounge, Kawakami, the Japanese language teacher, Ushimaru, the Social Studies teacher, and Chouno, the English teacher, were startled by Shiho's alarm.

The group hurried towards Kamoshida's office, their pace quickening as they neared, drawn by the sounds of shouting and banging. Bursting into the room, they were met with a shocking scene.

Kamoshida stood with a bloodied fist, over Ren, who lay on the floor, bruised and bloodied, barely conscious.

"Ren!" Kawakami and Shiho shouted in horror before rushing to his aid.

"What the hell is going on, Kamoshida?" demanded Ushimaru, pulling Kamoshida away from Ren, who appeared dazed and unprepared for their sudden entry.

Ms Chouno, on the other hand, ran out of the room to call for an ambulance. Her skin had turned pale as she ran out of the room.

All of the commotion had drawn in some students who were all shocked at the sight in front of them. The few students who were part of the volleyball team all exchanged glances of guilt between each other as more and more students filled the outside of the office to try to catch a glance.

Gathering his bearings, Kamoshida cleared his throat before facing the extremely angry Ushimaru.

"This… this student barged into my office and attacked me. He-" His voice was slightly hesitant at the beginning before his expression turned serious. "This student tried to kill me because I was going to kick his girlfriend off the volleyball team. I knew nothing good would come from taking a criminal like him into our school."

Seeing the shocked expressions of everyone around him, Kamoshida gained some confidence as he continued.

"After I told him I wasn't going to change my mind, he said he was going to kill me before jumping on me. I feared for my life, so I must have accidentally used too much force when protecting myself. It's embarrassing, but I was scared of-"

["It's over for you, Kamoshida. I spoke to the students on the volleyball team, and they have all decided to step forward about your abuse. The girls in your team specifically mentioned how you would touch them inappropriately.]

A voice rang out, which drew everyone's attention, only for them to notice Shiho holding a phone that was loudly playing a recording.

As the recording played, the realization of what had transpired dawned on everyone. In Kamoshida's eyes, the world seemed to crumble around him.

Kawakami clung to Ren, trying to offer comfort amidst the chaos and disbelief.

— — —

Wakened by the soft, familiar melodies of piano music, Ren realized he was back in the Velvet Room. The soothing tune enveloped him felt quite nice after what had happened. Though, the piano melody was accompanied by a somewhat disturbing deep chuckle. As the curtains parted, Igor greeted him with an unusually wide, almost manic, smile. 

"Trickster. To think you would take my words as a challenge. Your approach to dismantling a Palace is... unorthodox. Yet, the castle still stands."

Ren exhaled a resigned sigh. 

"Well, that's a bummer. There goes my speedrun record. So, what's next?" Ren asked, hoping to get a hint.

"Ah, I disagree. I think you have earned yourself an award. Your plan unfolded precisely as you envisioned. A commendable feat, Trickster. You'll receive your due reward once you've fully conquered the Palace," Igor responded with a hint of approval in his tone.

Igor then grunted in annoyance as if he had been told something before continuing.

"As I mentioned previously, the show cannot be completed with you alone. With your actions today, you have left quite a deep impression in the hearts of many. I would recommend you pursue those partnerships in order to strengthen your heart. That said, I am not advising the formation of superficial relationships."

Igor's expression became serious as he continued.

"It must not be of frivolity, but a ring of those who would, by morals or faith, lend you their strength. In other words, they are bonds with those who have been robbed of places to belong. The expansion of said ring will, in return, help you mature as well."

"Personas are the strength of heart. The stronger the bonds that surround you, the more power your personas will gain." Justine said to elaborate on Igor's words.

"There are countless people in this city that have talents that could elevate the level of your play. If you are able to bring them to your side, we will be able to use your bond as a source of power." Caroline added.

"So you're telling me the power of friendship is real, then?" Ren asked with a joking tone but was greeted with a serious answer.

"Indeed. You should be prepared to use even myself, or the show will not have a satisfying ending. I must leave you for now, but I look forward to your next move. If you ever wish to check on your bonds, then all you must do is look into your heart."

As the curtains began closing, Ren could feel a bond form between him and Igor. It was strange, almost as if their connection had finally been acknowledged by the world itself. Once the curtains fully closed, Ren was left alone with his two assistants.

Justine, whose expression was laced with concern, admonished him gently, 

"What you did was risky, Trickster. Please, be more cautious."

"Yeah, you're no good to our master dead!" Caroline said, echoing her sister's words with evident worry.

"Just this once, let us soothe your pain slightly. But we do beg you, Trickster, to take care of yourself." Justine added, summoning a small fairy next to her. Followed by a soothing warmth that enveloped Ren.

He responded with a reassuring smile to both before muttering.

"Lights out"

Engulfed by darkness, Ren gradually regained consciousness, his body aching profoundly as he stirred on what seemed to be a hospital bed.

A beautiful woman in a doctor's coat approached him at the sound of his movement. Her short, dark blue hair framed her pale face, and a black studded choker adorned her neck, along with another necklace. She looked mildly taken aback to see him awake.

"I didn't expect you to come around until tomorrow. You took quite the beating." she said, her voice gentle but firm as she approached with a penlight, ready to examine him.

"Hold still; I need to conduct a quick examination," she instructed, her concentration evident as she worked methodically. Her face, expressive despite her professional demeanor, displayed a hint of confusion.

"That's strange…" she mused after completing her checks, her gaze now laced with curiosity. 

"Your concussion symptoms seem absent, and your vitals have improved dramatically from just hours ago. The bruises, however, will still need time to heal."

With a light chuckle, Ren responded, "I've always bounced back quickly from injuries. It's just how I am, I guess."

The doctor appraised him for a moment longer, then made a decision.

"I was initially going to have you stay overnight. But you seem to be well enough to go back home if you want to. Do you want to stay here or go back to Leblanc? We are only a few minutes away."

Thinking for a moment, Ren answered he wanted to go back to Leblanc. He had to call Shiho to find out everything that had happened since he passed out. From what Igor mentioned, the plan must have worked, but since the Palace didn't collapse, it probably meant that Kamoshida must not have gotten arrested.

Surprisingly, the doctor was right when she said they were only a few minutes away. It was pitch black outside, so it must have been quite late in the day. She walked him back to Leblanc before handing him a card with her contact information and saying.

"Come back tomorrow afternoon for another checkup. If you want to skip school, just give me a call in the morning, and I'll call the school to ask for a medical leave. Otherwise, you know where to find me. If you feel like you are in a lot of discomfort, just call me, and I'll swing by to give you the check-up here."

"Thank you for your assistance, Miss…"

"Takemi, Tae Takemi." The doctor answered before turning away and heading back to her clinic.

As the doctor departed, Ren felt the same inexplicable connection form between them.

~Confidants~

Igor (The Fool) Rank 1

Tae Takemi (The Death) Rank 1

Sadayo Kawakami (The Temperance) Rank 1

Shiho Suzui (The Tower) Rank 1

I'll only show the confidants at the end if there are any changes or additions. Also, remember to leave a comment with any feedback or ideas! Remember to drop your powerstones! It really helps motivate me. It's weird seeing my story around rank 20 when it has so many fewer views in comparison to the ones around it. Thank you all for reading!