The morning after Arthur's birthday arrived with a crisp, gentle dawn. The royal mansion, once bustling with celebratory chatter and laughter, now echoed with the sounds of departure.
One by one, the royal siblings made their way out — Arthur, Shristi, Ezabela, Sazuki, Isabela, and Shang. Each exchanged brief farewells with Kazuki before leaving. Kazuki stood by the gates, offering a calm, almost tender smile as he watched them go. There was a strange comfort in seeing his family together, even if just for a fleeting celebration.
And now, the mansion returned to its usual quiet.
After they had left, Kazuki, with his hands in his pockets, turned and began walking toward the Royal Academy. The path was familiar — winding through ancient trees and streets painted golden by the morning sun. Yet, in his mind, a storm of thoughts churned.
"Three more years…"He thought to himself as his sharp gaze drifted to the distant horizon."Three more years is all it will take to defeat North Ryehem. Three more years to ascend to Body Refining Tier 4."
His steps were steady, his mind precise, each word in his thoughts carrying the weight of fate itself.
"I've already predicted the outcome after North Ryehem's fall… how South Ryehem will rise victorious through my carefully threaded events. But the unsettling truth is — beyond that, my predictions reach a dead end."
Kazuki's brow furrowed, a rare shadow of uncertainty passing through his sharp features.
"Even with all my reincarnated knowledge and this life's intelligence, there's a singular point in the future where even I can't foresee what lies ahead. I don't know if I'll be able to push that boundary, to extend my prediction beyond that wall…"
He took a deep breath as the wind tugged lightly at his hair, carrying with it the scent of distant wildflowers and ancient soil.
"What I do know… is that after the fall of North Ryehem, two possibilities could take shape. Two fates, both equally uncertain, standing before that end point like doors without keys."
His eyes hardened, a spark of defiance igniting within them.
"And when that time comes, when the final battle of my plan is fought, I must find a way to uncover what lies beyond that end point. I have to move toward it, confront it, and claim control over it. That's the only path forward. That's all I can think for now."
With those resolute words anchoring his thoughts, Kazuki arrived at the gates of the Royal Academy. Students bustled about, teachers gave orders, and life continued as usual — but none of it mattered.
Because while the world moved in days and seasons, Kazuki Ayanami was moving through fates and futures.
And his story was far from over.