Chapter 3

  Rei leaned forward, finally interested.

  “They’re making monsters now?”

  “Not just monsters,” Kaien said grimly.

  “Symbols. Just like you became one after Blackridge Pass. They’re creating hope. Their own hero.”

  He turned to face both Rei and Sera fully.

  “That’s why you’re here. Both of you.”

  “This academy is your cover. But your real mission—surveillance, investigation… and if necessary—containment or elimination.”

  Rei blinked slowly. “So I’m bait. Again.”

  “You volunteered, son.”

  “Nope. You dropped a dossier on my bed and said, ‘Rei, this might be fun.’”

  Kaien coughed. “Semantics.”

  He turned to Sera now, his voice softer.

  “And you, sweetheart... you’re the only one I trust to watch his back.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Sera nodded. “He’s reckless… but strong.”

  Rei smirked. “You’re falling for me already?”

  “In your dreams, Reaper.”

  Kaien stepped between them again.

  “One last thing. We suspect the Four Horsemen may already be involved. Working both sides… again. If that’s true, this school could be crawling with spies.”

  Sera raised a brow. “Wait. You said ‘Five’ Horsemen before… but everyone only ever talks about four. Who’s the fifth?”

  Kaien glanced at Rei—his gaze steady.

  “Remember how all records of Rei vanished after the war? That wasn’t an accident. He wasn’t just honored... he was recruited.”

  He stepped forward, his voice low and firm.

  “You guessed it right.”

  “Rei Archlight is the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse.”

  Sera is surprised beyond word and looked at Rei as if asking for confirmation about the bombshell her father dropped.

  Rei nodded his head slightly to confirm it but then said," But don't you worry I am not part of their evil schemes."

  "But the thing is...." Rei said in deep thought.

  He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, that usual lazy smirk barely hiding the sharp glint in his eye.

  “About the Horsemen...” he muttered, mostly to himself—but loud enough for both Kaien and Sera to hear.

  Kaien raised an eyebrow. “You’ve dealt with them?”

  Rei nodded slowly.

  “Only one. The First Horseman—Famine. We crossed paths once during the war… and trust me, I barely walked away in one piece.”

  Sera turned, eyes narrowing. “What are they like?”

  Rei’s smirk faded.

  “They’re monsters. Not flashy. Not loud. Just pure dread, walking. No one really knows their limits… because no one’s ever pushed them that far and lived.”

  Kaien’s expression darkened. He knew Rei wasn’t exaggerating.

  Rei continued, voice low.

  “I don’t even know who the others are. No names. No faces. All I know is—if any of them show up here, it won’t be for anything small.”

  Sera crossed her arms. “But if you fought one and survived, maybe the others aren’t as tough?”

  Rei shook his head.

  “No. I’ve fought war generals. Faced entire platoons. But the Horsemen?”

  He turned to Kaien.

  “They’re on your level, General. Maybe higher. You and the other two Chiefs… you’re the ceiling of this continent’s strength. Even then—you wouldn’t win without blood.”

  Kaien let out a breath, tension creeping into his usually unreadable face.

  “That’s why you’re here, Rei. If the Horsemen are already moving… if one of them is inside these walls…”

  “…Then we need our own monster too.”

  Rei chuckled, smirk returning.

  “Tch. Don’t call me that. I’m just a guy trying to pass his school exams… and maybe win over a pretty girl while I’m at it.”

  Sera rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

  Kaien smirked.

  “Just make sure you don’t blow up the school, Chain Reaper. Keep it in your fists… for now.”