REIKENS

The shrill sound of an alarm shattered the morning silence. Sukasa, still half-asleep, lazily stretched out her hand and slammed the device to turn it off.

—Mmmm... —she groaned, forcing herself to sit up. As she looked around the cabin, she noticed it was empty. —Mmmm... looks like that idiot didn't come to sleep. Not that I care, —she muttered indifferently as she began to get dressed for the day.

She adjusted her trench coat, feeling a spark of excitement run through her body. —Alright, today's going to be a great day. Today marks the start of my duty as a Sentinel of Arkanum Academy.

Shortly after classes...

Walking through the academy hallways, Sukasa couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. —Today was all theory again. It's so stressful... —she said, stretching as she walked.

Hino, walking beside her, sighed. —I know, but I'm sure there's a reason behind it all. Sometimes you have to learn the basics to understand the complex stuff.

Sukasa frowned. —Yeah, but we already covered those topics in middle school. It's just so boring, —she complained, as usual.

Hino chuckled softly. —Haha, you're right about that. Look, we're here. —She pointed to a large, elegant door. —The Sentinels' meeting room.

Sukasa and Hino entered the room, where the rest of the Jotas were already waiting. The others' eyes landed on them, sizing them up with curiosity.

Isein greeted them with a warm smile. —Well, well, the new recruits. I'm glad you made it. We were just about to start. Please take a seat while we wait for the others, —he said in a friendly tone.

—Thank you, sir, —Hino replied, bowing her head respectfully.

As Sukasa thought to herself, —That's Isein Mūsu, one of the four Jotas of the academy. He seems like a really kind person... —she reflected, taking her seat.

Suddenly, the door burst open. —Hello, everyone! —Kaiyō shouted with his usual enthusiasm.

Beside him, Blaike, with his calm demeanor, also greeted them. —Good morning, everyone.

Sukasa, upon seeing Kaiyō, quickly stood up along with Hino to greet him. —Oh, Kaiyō! —Sukasa exclaimed.

Kaiyō smiled at them. —Oh, hi, Sukasa! Sorry I didn't congratulate you yesterday for passing the tests. I was busy with some things, —he said casually.

Sukasa laughed, crossing her arms. —Don't worry, it's understandable, since you're one of the four Jotas of the academy, —she said in a teasing but playful tone.

Kaiyō laughed too. —Hey, don't make fun of me. Starting today, I'm your superior, so be careful with what you say, —he replied, though his smile didn't fade. Then, he turned to Hino. —And congratulations to you too, Hino. You did amazing yesterday.

Hino, somewhat shy, bowed her head. —Thank you very much, Superior Kaiyō.

Kaiyō waved his hand, uncomfortable. —Please, let's drop the formalities. It's weird being called 'superior,' haha. —He turned to Blaike. —Oh, right, girls, this is Blaike Ōyamaneko, also one of the four Jotas of the academy.

Blaike nodded with a slight smile. —Nice to meet you. I didn't get the chance to meet you before, but I must say you were incredible yesterday. I would've liked to face you, but I'm sure I'll get the chance someday. —Everyone laughed at the comment as Sukasa thought to herself.

—Blaike Ōyamaneko, another one of the four Jotas. He seems like a reserved and serious person... but I can't deny he has impressive strength. —Images of his battle against Hiro flashed through her mind.

—Well, —Blaike interrupted, turning serious again, —we should probably sit down. Remy will be here any moment.

—Yeah, you're right, —Kaiyō added, as everyone took their seats. Sukasa continued to think to herself.

—Any moment now, Remy will walk through that door... and give us our first mission as Sentinels. I can't wait! —she thought excitedly, as everyone looked expectantly toward the entrance.

The door slowly opened, and everyone present immediately stood up.

—Good morning, Sentinels! —said a familiar voice, but to Sukasa's surprise, it wasn't the voice she was expecting.

It was Kuro.

All the Sentinels present bowed their heads respectfully. —Good morning, Second King of Arkanum! —they said in unison.

All of them... except Sukasa.

—What's this idiot doing here? —she thought, crossing her arms and giving him a challenging look.

Kuro, ignoring the tension, walked in with a relaxed smile. Blaike, frowning, was the first to speak, addressing Kuro directly. —Kuro, what are you doing here? —he asked as the other Jotas present approached him.

Kuro, with his characteristic carefree attitude, smiled and waved. —Oh, hey guys! Well, how do I explain this... Hmm, Remy and I decided to switch roles.

The three commanders exclaimed in unison: —Whaaaaaaat?!

Flashback

Kuro and Remy were walking toward the meeting room when Kuro decided to pitch an idea. —Hey Remy, wouldn't you like to spend more time with Igurū? —he asked casually.

Remy, excited at the thought, grabbed him by the collar of his uniform with force. —Of course! What do I have to do? —she replied enthusiastically, her face filled with determination.

Kuro, though slightly uncomfortable with Remy's physical reaction, remained calm. —Hey, relax. All we have to do is switch roles.

Remy loosened her grip, confused. —What do you mean by switching roles?

Kuro smiled slyly. —Think about it: I'll do your job as Queen, but I'll still be the King. Meanwhile, you'll do my job, but you'll still be the Queen of the academy.

Remy, somewhat skeptical, eyed him. —Hmm... I don't know, Kuro. We could get in trouble.

Kuro looked at her seriously. —Come on, Remy, think about it. We both win: you get to spend more time with Igurū, and I get out of the boring King duties.

Remy stared at him, realizing Kuro's true intentions. —I knew you were doing this for your own benefit... but I can't deny the offer is tempting, —she said, still thinking about the possible consequences.

Kuro raised an eyebrow. —So, do you accept or not?

Back to the present...

Kuro finished his explanation with a carefree smile. —And that's basically what happened.

Blaike, clearly skeptical, crossed his arms. —Hmm... It's hard to believe Remy would agree to such an... unorthodox proposal, —he said dryly. Then, he looked at his companion. —What do you think, Isein?

But Isein didn't respond. He was too lost in his own thoughts. —Dammit… —Isein thought, desperate. —The only reason I wanted to stay as a Jota was to be close to Remy... I want to die!

Isein, with a defeated look, broke his silence. —I'm sorry, but I want to resign as a Jota... —he said, completely giving up.

Blaike, without losing his patience, smacked him on the head. —Stop talking nonsense, —he said as he dragged him back to his seat. —Maybe that'll knock some sense into you.

Then, he turned his attention back to Kuro. —What do you think, Kaiyō?

Kaiyō shrugged. —Honestly, this is really strange for everyone, but... I'm sure Kuro wouldn't joke about something this serious, —he replied, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

Blaike responded. —Seems like you don't know him very well. —He sighed, resigned. —Well, since there's nothing we can do about it, let's take our seats.

Kuro, visibly more relaxed, smiled as he opened a large book titled Activity Schedule in golden letters. —Good decision, guys. —Kuro flipped through the book and stopped when he saw a long list of tasks. His eyes widened.

—Crap... I never thought Remy had so many responsibilities as Queen... —he thought, feeling the weight of the work on his shoulders.

He sighed before speaking. —Alright, it says here that we need to welcome the new Sentinels... But, nah, I don't think that's important.

—What did that idiot just say? —Sukasa thought.

Sukasa, indignant, jumped to her feet. —Hey, idiot! —she shouted, catching everyone's attention. —That's disrespectful to all the new Sentinels who worked hard to get here.

The room fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Sukasa's bravery in responding to the King in such a manner.

Kuro looked at her with a mix of surprise and amusement. —Ah! You're the troublemaker. I almost forgot you passed the tests. —Kuro chuckled lightly.

—Did he just call me a troublemaker...? —Sukasa thought.

Kuro continued, still smiling. —But you're right. I apologize for that, —he said, his tone much more carefree. —Well, it's a pleasure to welcome the new Sentinels...

An awkward silence filled the room.

—Alright, that's all, —Kuro added with a smile, seemingly satisfied with his brief speech.

The Sentinels and Jotas present exchanged glances, astonished by how short and superficial the speech was.

—That's all he could come up with...? —some murmured, still in disbelief.

Kuro flipped through the pages of the book with obvious disinterest, reading the next task aloud. —Alright, it says here that the next activity is the assignment of daily tasks... but first, it mentions that I need to assign the new recruits under the command of one of the four Jotas. Hmm, Kaiyō, is it okay if the new recruits join your group?

Kaiyō nodded calmly. —I don't have any problem with that, Kuro.

Kuro smiled with relief. —Perfect. —He continued reading. —Now, the assignment of activities... Isein's group will be in charge of monitoring the exterior of the academy. Blaike's group will monitor the courtyard and the various training fields of the academy. And finally, Kaiyō's group will monitor the academy hallways. Any objections? —There was an uncomfortable silence.

Everyone remained silent, though some exchanged confused glances.

—Well, since there's nothing else to say, you're all dismissed, —Kuro said, abruptly ending the meeting.

Meanwhile, in the Kings' office...

Igurū was flipping through a stack of papers while Remy stood in front of him. —So, that's what happened, —Remy said, summarizing the situation.

Igurū leaned back in his chair, as if he had already expected it. —Honestly, I figured something like this would happen. —He paused, smiling slightly. —But I thought Kuro would do this with one of the Jotas, since he likes fieldwork, but I'm glad it's you who's taking his place.

Remy, somewhat surprised by the comment, smiled. —Really? —she asked, seeking more from Igurū's words.

Igurū leaned forward, maintaining his composure. —Yes. You're much more responsible than that idiot.

Remy laughed softly, though she hadn't expected that response. —I didn't think that was the reason.

Igurū, avoiding direct eye contact for a moment, added: —And... also because I like working with you.

Both of them blushed slightly at the unexpected confession, but Igurū quickly changed the subject to avoid making the situation awkward.

—Well, I think we should get started. —Igurū pulled out a huge stack of papers from his desk. —This is everything we need to review.

Remy looked at the mountain of documents in awe. —Wow... now I understand why Kuro wanted to switch tasks. But why so much paperwork?

Igurū, with a small smile, explained: —Most of these are requests from the academy's clubs. They're asking for money, rooms to hold their activities... among other things.

Remy raised an eyebrow. —Wow, you really have a lot of work. —She said, surprised by the amount.

Igurū responded. —I don't complain. Most of the time there's not much to do, so this is a good way to pass the time.

Remy looked at him with admiration. —You're the only one who trades rest for work, —she joked. —I don't know how you do it.

As they laughed, Remy noticed a letter on the desk with a distinctive seal. She picked it up curiously. —Hey, Igurū, this letter has the seal of Arkam Academy.

Igurū, upon hearing the name, set the papers down and took the letter from Remy's hands, opening it quickly. —Arkam? —he repeated as he unfolded the paper.

Remy watched expectantly. —What does it say? —she asked, noticing how Igurū's expression slowly changed.

Igurū's eyes widened, and then he smiled maliciously. —Looks like things are about to get interesting...