Academy of Slayers — Simultaneous Classrooms
Classes had resumed, bringing with them the illusion of routine.
But that morning… something was off.
In every classroom, without exception, the instructors wore expressions graver than usual.
The rumor spread even before a single word was spoken.
Diopha's Classroom — The Instructor Speaks
The Head Instructor stepped in front of the board, arms crossed.
— "Listen carefully."
Silence fell instantly.
— "Exactly one month from today, the end-of-semester exams will be held."
— "These exams will determine whether you are worthy of the title of Slayer."
Some students swallowed hard.
— "The evaluation will occur in two distinct phases."
He activated the screen behind him.
Phase One — Theory
— "Knowledge of portals."
— "Monster classification."
— "Understanding abnormal environments."
— "Reaction to unforeseen phenomena."
— "You will not be judged on raw memorization."
— "But on your ability to understand, anticipate, and analyze."
Diopha listened calmly.
Classic… but essential.
Phase Two — Practical
The instructor's tone hardened.
— "The second phase will consist of simulated combat."
— "Each simulation will be tailored to your known capabilities."
A murmur ran through the classroom.
— "Take note."
— "You will not be required to defeat the simulation."
Surprise swept over the students.
— "What we will evaluate…"
— "…is your behavior when faced with a situation you cannot control."
— "Adaptation."
— "Composure."
— "Decisions under pressure."
— "Those who fail both phases will be demoted."
— "Those already in lower classes… will be expelled."
No smiles.
No mercy.
A 'Chance' Granted
The instructor paused.
— "However… the Academy is offering you an opportunity."
Heads lifted.
— "Before the exams, you will be sent to a government-affiliated institution."
— "Each student will undergo a temporary capabilities scan."
— "You will be able to consult a Status Window."
— "Statistics."
— "Detectable skills."
— "Known affinities."
The students froze.
For most of them…
this was the first time.
— "This scan is neither definitive nor absolute."
— "It only reveals what your body and energy can currently sustain and manifest."
Milim didn't react.
Douriel noted every detail mentally.
Isaac, at the back of the room, wore a casual smirk.
— "Professor…"
— "What if someone deliberately hides their abilities?"
The instructor fixed him with a look.
— "The scan does not reveal what you hide."
— "It reveals what you are capable of showing without destroying yourself."
Isaac's smile widened slightly.
Government Institution — Scan Day
The building was immense, cold, clinical.
Students filed in one by one.
Wonder.
Shock.
Frustration.
Some discovered numbers lower than expected.
Others realized untapped potential still lingered within them.
Then it was Diopha's turn.
Diopha's Scan — Incident
— "Please remain still."
The machine activated.
One second passed.
Two.
A sharp, strident sound rang out.
— DETECTION ERROR
The technicians exchanged glances.
— "Retry."
Second attempt.
This time, the screen displayed a Status Window.
Statistics.
Skills.
Everything seemed… normal.
Too normal.
— "Scan validated."
Diopha exited calmly.
But the moment he was alone…
— "Status Window."
The system data appeared.
He compared.
And understood immediately.
They hadn't seen anything.
Missing skills.
Haxes nonexistent according to the scan.
No trace of Zenkai.
No anomalies detected.
Mini-Zenkai, invisible to the scanners, watched.
— "As expected."
— "They can't scan what doesn't belong to them."
Diopha clenched his fist slightly.
— "And they even skewed my numbers."
— "For them, you're strong."
— "But understandable."
A brief silence.
— "Keep going like this."
— "Ignorance is your strongest armor."
Final Thought
As the students left the institution, excited or anxious, Diopha gazed up at the sky.
One month.
One month to prove something.
Not just to the Academy.
But to the entire world.
To be continued…