Inside the principal's office, a calm and tranquil atmosphere lingered in the air.
Shinomiya Kaguya sat behind her desk, her posture perfectly straight, her expression composed and focused. She resembled a statue carved from marble—motionless on the surface, yet intensely alive beneath.
In front of her, documents were neatly arranged in flawless order.
She had carefully gathered and organized all the intelligence provided by Yukinoshita Haruno and Nakahara Mizuki, integrating every detail before presenting it one by one to Yami Tsukishiro.
They had made full use of the weekend.
Not only had they conducted a thorough investigation into recent global developments, but they had also compiled and analyzed the latest data concerning every student within the academy.
The report submitted by Reich contained three primary sections.
The first was a comprehensive ranking list, detailing the current strength classifications of all academy students.
Over the past few days alone, a considerable number of students had successfully achieved rank promotions. Their progress reflected both the academy's harsh environment and the accelerating pace of evolution among its students.
The second section focused on the structural composition of the newly formed operational units—the teams that would shape the academy's future combat framework.
And finally, the third section outlined the recruitment roadmap, including the projected timeline for future personnel intake. Only the final implementation date remained to be personally approved.
As for recruitment, Yami Tsukishiro had already formed a clear plan in his mind. He intended to begin execution within the next few days.
When his eyes reached the roster of the newly formed teams, a faint glimmer of interest flickered across his otherwise indifferent gaze.
"This combination…"
He leaned back slightly.
"…is quite interesting."
[First Team]
Captain: Nishikigi Chisato
Vice-Captain: Inoue Takina
Members: Kasumigaoka Utaha, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, Megumi Kato, Nakahara Mizuki, Kurumi, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Sawamura Sayuri
This team was already exceptionally well-rounded.
Each member possessed a distinct specialty, forming a balanced and highly capable unit.
[Second Team]
Captain: Yukinoshita Yukino
Vice-Captain: Yukinoshita Haruno
Members: Hiratsuka Shizuka, Yui Yuigahama, Miura Yumiko
Compared to the first team, this unit was still incomplete. At least two or three additional members were urgently required to achieve operational stability.
[Third Team]
Captain: Shinomiya Kaguya
Vice-Captain: Hayasaka Ai
Members: None
[Fourth Team]
Captain: Yor Forger
Vice-Captain: Kushida Kikyo
Members: Chabashira Sae
At present, both the third and fourth teams were still in their infancy.
They existed more as frameworks than fully operational squads.
As the topic shifted toward recruitment, Kaguya hesitated.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the desk.
After a brief moment of internal deliberation, she gathered her courage and spoke.
"Principal… regarding the recruitment plan… may I request a slight adjustment to the assessment order?"
Yami Tsukishiro's eyes narrowed faintly.
He immediately understood her implication.
"Oh?" he said calmly. "Is there someone in particular you wish to recruit?"
Kaguya's eyes widened slightly.
She immediately shook her head, her voice firm and clear.
"No. I would never abuse my authority or show favoritism."
She took a breath before continuing.
"It's simply that… based on my analysis, adjusting the assessment order may improve the overall recruitment efficiency."
She lowered her gaze slightly, choosing her words with precision.
"I do have certain candidates in mind. However, whether they pass the evaluation will depend entirely on their own strength and performance."
Her tone grew firmer.
"If they truly possess the necessary ability, then I will do everything in my power to recruit them into my team."
She paused briefly before adding,
"Of course, everything will remain fair, transparent, and conducted under the academy's official selection standards."
In essence—
She merely wished to move certain candidates forward in the evaluation sequence.
Nothing more.
Yami Tsukishiro watched her silently for a moment.
Then, he nodded.
"It's a minor matter."
His tone was casual, almost indifferent.
"If they can pass the test, then their identity is irrelevant."
After all, strength was the only standard that mattered.
Personal connections meant nothing without ability.
"In that case," he added calmly, "I'll inform you once the assessment schedule is finalized."
For just a brief moment—
Kaguya's eyes brightened.
It was subtle.
But unmistakable.
Like a child who had just received something she deeply wished for.
"Thank you, Principal."
A trace of genuine joy surfaced on her usually composed face.
But it disappeared just as quickly.
Her expression returned to its usual calm and disciplined state as she continued the report.
"There is also important external intelligence… provided by Yukinoshita Haruno."
Her voice grew more serious.
"During your absence, a major incident has occurred."
She turned to the next page.
"A Demonic Domain has manifested inside a large hospital in Tokyo."
Yami Tsukishiro's expression did not change.
Kaguya continued.
"The structure and behavior of this Domain are nearly identical to the one previously encountered at Potential Academy."
Ordinary humans could not enter it.
Attempts by the Superpower Management Bureau had ended in complete failure.
Even elite ability users dispatched by official organizations had been unable to resolve the situation.
Many had died.
The losses were severe.
After hearing this, Yami Tsukishiro simply responded,
"That's only natural."
His voice remained calm.
Unmoved.
Outside Potential Academy, the vast majority of superpowered individuals were still confined to the second level or below.
Most people had not even unlocked their Genetic Lock.
They were nothing more than ordinary humans.
Even reaching the First Level was considered exceptional in the outside world.
Yet the evil spirit that had previously appeared within the academy…
Had possessed strength equivalent to the Fourth Level.
Against such an entity, conventional weapons were meaningless.
As insignificant as insects.
Failure was inevitable.
Now, the authorities had no choice but to watch helplessly as the Demonic Domain continued to expand.
They hesitated.
Delayed.
And finally—
They made their decision.
Evacuation orders were issued to all civilians within the surrounding area.
The military began preparations for a full-scale bombardment operation.
The announcement shook society.
Public opinion was divided.
Some believed it was humanity's last hope.
Others feared it was nothing more than desperation.
But regardless of opinion—
Everyone was watching.
Waiting.
If the bombardment succeeded…
It would prove that human weapons could still challenge supernatural threats.
That humanity was not yet powerless.
That there was still hope.
Even if only a fragile one.
A single light—
Shining against the encroaching darkness.
--
"Principal… do you think this operation will succeed?"
After finishing her report, Shinomiya Kaguya finally voiced the question she had been holding back.
She couldn't suppress her curiosity.
Yami Tsukishiro's judgment had always been precise—almost frighteningly so. If anyone could see through the uncertainty surrounding this situation, it was him.
Without looking at her, he answered calmly.
"Without high-yield strategic weapons… failure is inevitable."
His tone was absolute.
There was no hesitation.
No uncertainty.
From the scale of the evacuation alone, it was clear the authorities were still holding back. They had not resolved themselves to complete destruction.
They were hesitating.
Still clinging to restraint.
In his eyes—
That hesitation was a fatal mistake.
However…
In the next moment, Yami Tsukishiro's eyes suddenly gleamed.
As if a new possibility had just crossed his mind.
"Kaguya."
He spoke quietly.
"Have Yukinoshita Haruno continue monitoring this situation closely."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"This may turn into a valuable opportunity."
"…An opportunity?"
Kaguya didn't understand what he meant.
But she didn't question him.
She simply nodded.
"I understand. I will inform Haruno."
Yami Tsukishiro's smile deepened slightly, carrying an unreadable meaning.
"You should prepare as well."
He turned his gaze toward the distant city.
"When the time comes… you'll understand."
Night fell.
Silence filled the academy.
Yami Tsukishiro sat alone on the sofa in his room.
His eyes were deep and still, like a lake untouched by wind, quietly observing the darkness beyond the window.
The night stretched endlessly.
After some time, he lifted his hand and rubbed his temple, easing the faint tension in his mind.
Not far away—
Hayasaka Ai stood quietly.
Watching over him, as she always did.
Yami Tsukishiro looked at her and sighed faintly.
"Ai-chan. Go to sleep."
"You don't need to wait for me every night."
Hayasaka Ai nodded obediently.
"…Okay."
Her voice was soft.
But she didn't move.
She remained where she was.
As if waiting was the most natural thing in the world.
Yami Tsukishiro watched her for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
This time, his voice carried authority.
"Ai-chan."
"Return to your room. Sleep."
"—Yes!"
Hayasaka Ai responded instantly.
Her body moved without resistance.
She turned and walked back to her bedroom.
Watching her leave, Yami Tsukishiro murmured quietly,
"…Word spirit"
"It's still as useful as ever."
Only after confirming she had returned did he head toward his own room.
Hayasaka Ai lay beneath her blanket.
Her eyes suddenly opened.
"…?"
A trace of confusion surfaced.
"…Was that… hypnosis?"
She had experienced Reich's hypnosis before.
But this felt different.
This wasn't just simple interference or anything like normal manipulation...it was something of a higher level.
She stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Then slowly closed her eyes again.
A faint warmth lingered in her chest.
"…It doesn't feel bad."
Just as Yami Tsukishiro was about to fall asleep—
He sensed something.
His eyes opened instantly.
A projection of the dungeon appeared before him.
New entrants.
At first, he simply observed.
But when he saw them clearly—
He paused.
"…Is it them?"
At first glance, they seemed familiar.
At second glance—
He was certain.
They were from the world of Black Bullet.
This realization completely erased his remaining drowsiness.
A status panel appeared.
Name: Kayo Senju
Rank: First Level
Race: Human
Magic Stone: 0
Trait: Gastrula Factor (Level 2)
She had short golden hair, neatly tied into twin braids that rested against her shoulders.
Her black eyes were calm and clear.
Her petite frame and delicate appearance gave her the image of a harmless girl.
But Yami Tsukishiro recognized her immediately.
Kayo Senju.
At the same time, his gaze shifted.
Not far away—
Aihara Enju and Tendo Kisara were fighting desperately against the approaching zombies.
"…This world."
A quiet thought surfaced in his mind.
An instinctive urge.
An urge to claim it.
To bring it under his control.
But he soon regained control of his thoughts, he couldn't be led by his emotions so easily.
The three of them had not encountered any other adventurers.
Instead, they formed a team immediately and advanced into the dungeon.
But—
They had underestimated the danger.
Suddenly—
Zombies began pouring in from every direction.
Surrounding them completely.
Enju's pupils shrank.
Her mind calculated every possible escape route instantly.
Every outcome.
Every possibility.
"…Survival probability…"
Her voice was barely audible.
"…Zero."
"Kisara!"
Tendo Kisara reacted immediately.
"Move!"
She kicked an approaching zombie away and used the recoil to retreat.
Her katana stabbed into the ground, stabilizing her body.
But it was already too late.
They were surrounded completely.
The three of them stood back-to-back.
Encircled and with no escape.
Moments later—
Their bodies began dissolving.
Turning into particles of light.
Their dungeon challenge had ended in failure.
The three figures disappeared completely.
Silence returned.
Yami Tsukishiro remained still.
Watching the empty dungeon.
His expression unreadable.
He didn't know how to judge what he had just witnessed.
But one thing was certain...
A new world had entered his sight.
And once he noticed something...
He never let it remain beyond his reach.
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