Kazuki's first breath as a human was sharp and ragged. He lay on a cold metal bench in a dimly lit classroom, the faint hum of fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. His body felt foreign—muscles taut and unfamiliar, skin warm and sensitive. A quick glance in the cracked mirror revealed a teenage boy with dark hair and piercing eyes.
A notification blinked in his vision:
System Activated: Template Rindaman
Passive Skill: Unshaken Will
Active Skill: One Strike Suppression (3 uses)
He was no longer just a spectator. He was a fighter reborn.
Housen High was a stark contrast to Suzuran. The school's motto—"Strength Through Order"—was emblazoned on banners hanging from the walls. The students here were disciplined but ferocious, their loyalty to the school absolute. Kazuki's arrival did not go unnoticed.
Within hours, he encountered his first challenge. Three second-year thugs blocked his path in a narrow stairwell, their faces twisted with amusement and malice. "New guy, huh? You gotta pay if you wanna walk these halls," the tallest sneered, cracking his knuckles.
Kazuki's body reacted instinctively. His fist shot out, connecting with the leader's jaw in a clean strike that echoed through the stairwell. The thug crumpled, stunned. The others lunged, but Kazuki's reflexes were razor-sharp. He caught a swinging chain, yanked it, and sent one attacker crashing into the other.
The System rewarded him immediately:
EXP +150
Mission Complete: First Blood
Word spread quickly. Whispers of the "new kid with iron fists" reached the ears of Housen's upperclassmen. Among them was Raoh, a cold-eyed third-year with a scar running down his cheek, known for his brutal efficiency. He watched Kazuki from a distance, his expression unreadable.
Kazuki's System logged a warning:
Faction Suspicion Rising: 40%
Recommended: Engage in controlled conflict to build reputation.