"Every era has a moment where the world holds its breath.This… was that inhale."⸻
The Academy Alarm — Full Panic Mode
The crimson horn kept blaring like someone's alarm at 6 a.m. that refuses to die.
Students panicked.Teachers sprinted.One kid threw up.Another kid fainted dramatically for attention.
Kayden just stood there blinking.
Lyra grabbed him by the collar like a mother dragging her child away from a burning stove.
"KAYDEN, LISTEN TO ME—this is NOT your problem."
Kayden: "But my heart is vibrating like a microwave, Lyra."
Mira (who just recovered from fainting):"M-Maybe your heart is telling you to run away! That's valid too!"
Before Lyra could drag him into a broom closet for safety, a trio of students cut through the chaos—
And the entire courtyard went SILENT.
Because these weren't normal students.
These were the Student Council.The Holy Trinity of Academic Chaos.Feared. Loved. Worshipped.And annoyingly pretty.
New Character Introductions — Student Council (3 of them)1. Arien Solmere — Student Council President
Golden hair. Robes lined with sun-thread.Smiles like a prince. Fights like a war-crime.
"Everyone remain calm," Arien announced, his voice soothing, commanding, disgustingly perfect."We will ensure safety. The academy shields are rising."
Lyra whispered, "He's hot and I hate it."
Mira whispered, "I think he has divinity in his skincare routine."
Arien's eyes landed on Kayden.
He frowned.
Like he was looking at a living nuclear warhead.
"…You're the boy from the arena."
Kayden: "Uhhh. Yes? I think."
Arien's gaze zoomed in like a hawk evaluating prey.
"You're unstable."
Kayden: "EXCUSE ME?!"
Arien: "Your aura is fluctuating like a broken sun-core. Stand near no flammable objects."
Kayden: "I AM A CHILD!?"
Lyra: "He means yes."
Mira nodded sympathetically.
—
2. Veldora Quinn — Vice President
Tall. Black hair. Deadpan expression.Energy of a depressed cat.Vibe: "I didn't choose this job, the job hunted me down."
Veldora muttered, "Great. First Toren explodes, now beasts break the wall. My schedule is allergic to peace."
His eyes drifted to Kayden.
Then narrowed.
"I saw the mana report. You caused a dimensional ripple."
Kayden: "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT."
Veldora: "Accidents usually don't bend physics."
Kayden: "Maybe I am physics."
Veldora: "Don't talk."
Lyra elbowed him. "He didn't mean it."
Veldora turned away like he already regretted speaking.
—
3. Selene Wu — Head of Combat Affairs
Short. Silver hair. Eyes sharp enough to skin a dragon.Aura colder than iced heartbreak.She walked like she was born during a war and never left it.
Selene stopped right in front of Kayden.
"Raise your hand."
Kayden blinked. "Why?"
"Because I told you to."
Kayden raised his hand.
Selene pressed two fingers against his wrist.
Mana pulsed.
Selene froze.Her eyes widened—just a fraction—but enough for Lyra to gasp.
"…This mana signature…" Selene whispered."It feels like—"
But she cut herself off. Eyes sharp again.
"You should not be on the frontlines."
Kayden brightened. "FINALLY! Someone rational—"
Selene: "Because whatever you are, we cannot predict your explosions."
Kayden: "I TAKE THAT BACK."
—
The Teachers Arrive — The Reactions Are HILARIOUS
Instructor Marvek (the exhausted king):"Oh gods, not again. Please tell me he didn't break anything YET."
He sees Kayden.
Marvek immediately massages his temples."I haven't even filled out the paperwork from the ARENA INCIDENT."
Kayden: "Sorry…?"
Marvek: "STOP APOLOGIZING LIKE YOU DIDN'T CREATE A NEW SPELL CLASSIFICATION."
—
Professor Iliana (Head Mage Instructor):Elegant. Soft-spoken. Scary when angry.
She placed a hand near Kayden's mana field, examining him.
"Oh dear…" she whispered.
Kayden: "Is it bad?"
Iliana: "Your mana is singing."
Kayden: "That… sounds pretty."
Iliana: "No. It is singing in ancient dialect."
Lyra: "OH COOL, HE'S POSSESSED."
Kayden: "PLEASE STOP."
—
Professor Galen (Combat Instructor, retired war general):Voice like gravel. Muscles like a mountain.
He stared at Kayden.
Long.
Quiet.
Terrifying.
Finally he grunted,"You fight like a reincarnated warlord."
Kayden: "I literally don't even fight, I just panic really well."
Galen: "Exactly."
Kayden: "?"
—
Kirti Arrives — And the Atmosphere Shifts
The courtyard parted.
Golden aura.Calm poise.Eyes burning with something she didn't understand.
Kirti Elyndra stepped toward the council.
Arien smiled. "Lady Kirti. You should return to the manor—"
"I will not."Her voice cut clean through the noise."I will join the defensive line."
Selene raised an eyebrow."You are gifted, but you are still a child—"
Kirti turned to face her.
Golden mana rippled like a contained solar flare.
"Do not underestimate me."
Selene clamped her mouth shut.
Kayden blinked.
"…She's really intense."
Lyra whispered,"Don't look at her too long or you'll spontaneously combust."
Kayden: "That's already happening inside my chest."
Lyra: "Kayden no."
Kirti walked directly to Kayden.
The Student Council literally stepped aside for her.
She stopped in front of him.
Close.Too close.Dangerously close.
"Are you going to the frontline?" she asked softly.
Kayden swallowed."I think so."
Kirti nodded slowly.
"…Then I will too."
Kayden coughed."WHY because of ME?!"
Kirti blinked, flustered."I didn't say it was because of you."
Kayden: "That was extremely specific denial."
Kirti: "…Be quiet."
Lyra: "I SHIP IT—"
Kayden: "LYRA PLEASE—"
⸻
The Threat Reveals Itself — The Beast Breakthrough
A guard sprinted into the courtyard.
"THEY'RE HERE!—IT'S NOT JUST BEASTS—IT'S—"
He didn't finish.
Because the sky darkened.
A shadow spread across the academy grounds.
Students screamed.Teachers backed up.Kirti grabbed Kayden's wrist on instinct.
And Kayden—
felt his heart crack open.
Because he recognized it.
A feeling from a place he didn't remember.A dread older than his small body.
A monstrous silhouette rose over the academy wall.
Long limbs.Hollow mouth.Eyes like black moons.
Its roar rattled the world.
Mira collapsed.Lyra trembled.Selene drew her sword instantly.
Arien's face tightened."Impossible…"
Veldora muttered, "This… shouldn't exist anymore."
Kayden whispered—
"…Voidspawn."
Everyone froze.
Kirti turned sharply."You… know what it is?"
Kayden's eyes glazed for a moment—the silver in them glowing faintly.Words escaped him like instincts from another life.
"They shouldn't be here.They don't belong in this realm…"
He clutched his head, dizzy.
"…Why do I know that?"
Kirti grabbed both his shoulders."Kayden, look at me."
He did.
Her voice softened instantly.
"It's okay.Just breathe."
For a moment—the world shrank to just the two of them.
Then—
A crackled voice echoed across the courtyard.
"This academy hides two sparks.The Golden Flame…and the Silver Star."
A cloaked figure stood atop the academy gate.
Arien stepped forward."Identify yourself!"
The figure laughed—a low, distorted sound.
"We have found you… at last."
Kayden's blood ran cold.
Kirti stepped protectively between him and the figure.
The figure raised a hand.
Dark energy swirled.
And whispered—
"Children of the old world…your rebirth ends today."
⸻To be continued in Chapter 7 — "The Silver Star Shines Wrong"