In this academy, there are rules.

Superiority of abilities. Rank. Victory and defeat.

But above all of them, there is one "exception."

In a corner of the courtyard. A wooden doll stands up with a creak.

@Student A: ...A doll?

Rustle, rustle—multiple sounds. The surrounding dolls all begin to move at once.

@Student B: They're moving...!

A stir from the onlookers.

Click, clack— Mari Kozuki appears at the top of the stairs. The atmosphere of the place shifts.

『Kneel.』

Thud. The surrounding students all drop to their knees at once. The sound of collective gasps. However— Only the dolls continue to move awkwardly. One of them slowly tilts its head.

"...So it doesn't work on wooden puppets." The corners of her mouth lift slightly. "...But the puppeteer must be around here somewhere."

"Sena."

She steps forward. Faint circles appear in her eyes. "...Signal detected, near the back of the school building. I can narrow down the distance."

Shizuka on the rooftop. Moisture in the air converges. A thin lens of ice is formed. "Visual confirmed. One operator."

Behind the school building. A male student has his fingers entangled in threads. "It's useless. Those things don't understand orders."

Rin Shiragami arrives behind the school building. "Found you." She closes the distance empty-handed and pulls a saber out of thin air. "Securing the target."

The tip of the saber is pressed against his neck. "Ugh..."

Mari Kozuki and the puppeteer's gazes cross.

"Coward...! Fight me one-on-one!"

"You have the nerve to say that?"

"One who hides and makes dolls fight for them... That's a very convenient 'one-on-one' you've got there."

"Besides, this isn't a match. It's just disposal."

"Y-You...!"

The puppeteer pulls the threads, and the bodies of Mari and the surrounding students are lifted unnaturally. @Student C: My body...! @Student D: It's moving on its own...!

"Did you think 'objects' were the only things I could control?! The seat of the academy's ruler ends today!"

She wears a composed, mocking smile. "...Are you an idiot?"

"Hmph, sore loser."

"Do you think you've won just by taking away my physical freedom?"

Cold sweat runs down his face.

"As long as my mind is free—" The pressure intensifies. "The moment I speak a command, you are finished."

"...!"

"Even if it were some kind of mental manipulation, You couldn't step into my reason."

Mari's eyes glow red. A dark red pressure expands across the entire area.

『Release your ability.』

Absolute Command Those who recognize the order are forced to act regardless of their will.

Thrum... The threads slacken, and the dolls' movements stop. They collapse on the spot.

@Student C: ...I can move...?"

She approaches slowly. "The moment you appeared before me, your defeat was certain."

He grinds his teeth. "Like hell... I'll accept this...!" He looks at the dolls fallen on the floor. "I... I fought with my own power...!"

"You...! Subordinates, scouting... You just used other people's abilities!"

"What of it? That is what it means to be an absolute King."

"You, who only move dolls, were on a different playing field from the start."

"I have nothing more to say to you. —Execute him."

"...Wait, what are you planning to do...!"

"Stay true to your own ability until the very end."

『Make the dolls attack you.』

The puppeteer's fingers move. The dolls stand up and begin moving toward the puppeteer.

"Stop...!! Don't come near me!"

The dolls attack. Punching, kicking, slamming.

"...H-How... regrettable..." He collapses on the spot with a thud.

She quietly turns her back. While no one else can move, she simply walks away.

The ruler of the academy, Mari Kozuki.

Her words overwrite the rules. Her will determines the outcome.

No matter how strong you are, it doesn't matter.

No matter how much you resist, it's meaningless.

This academy—is established by her alone.

That is why.

When that absolute state collapses, everything will break.

An unfamiliar student in the crowd. They had watched the entire scene.