The classroom door opened softly, and Miss Iris walked in with calm, deliberate steps.
A faint smile touched her lips as she spoke,
- "Students, starting today, you'll have a new classmate. Her name is Mira and, just like Touka... she's a beast."
The room instantly fell silent.
Iris' smile sharpened, her tone carrying a hint of mockery.
- "If anyone has a problem with that, you're welcome to take it up with the Headmistress yourself."
No one dared to say a word.
Iris looked around once more, then said with quiet satisfaction,
- "Good. No objections. Now... before I forget Mira must choose one of you for a trial duel, as approved by the Headmistress."
She turned her gaze toward Mira.
- "So then, Mira... who do you wish to fight?"
Mira's eyes swept slowly across the students, calm yet piercing
until she suddenly stopped and pointed directly at Rion.
Rion lifted his head from the desk, his expression frozen in shock.
Iris smirked.
- "An excellent choice. Rion, I believe you'll make a fitting opponent."
Mira walked quietly to the empty seat beside him.
Rion remained stiff, unable to even glance her way.
- "The duel will take place after class," Iris concluded before turning away.
After Class
The room soon emptied, leaving only Rion and Kairen.
She approached him slowly, her tone soft but tinged with sadness.
- "I knew you'd look like this... I don't know everything, but the Headmistress told me about Mira's arrival when I went to ask her about Touka.
She also wanted me to tell you she wishes to see you tomorrow."
Rion stayed silent, his face expressionless, his eyes distant.
Kairen watched him for a brief moment, sighed quietly, and then walked out of the classroom.
The Arena
The stands were crowded with students from Class B, their excited whispers echoing through the air.
Mira entered first, her footsteps steady, her expression unreadable.
Moments later, Rion appeared his face pale, his eyes unfocused, like someone trapped inside a fading dream.
The Headmistress raised her hand high.
- "Let the duel... begin!"
Mira lunged forward in a flash her nails lengthening into sharp claws, her eyes glowing crimson.
She struck at Rion with fierce, relentless blows, her movements fluid and wild.
Blood splattered across the arena floor yet Rion didn't fight back.
He just stood there, motionless.
- "Why?!" Mira screamed between strikes، Why did you leave me alone?!"
Rion remained silent, his dim eyes fixed on hers.
Mira's breathing grew ragged as she stepped closer, her voice trembling.
- "Tell me... why didn't you come looking for me? Why, brother?!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Misaki whispered in disbelief,
- "Did they just stop... fighting?"
Ken narrowed his eyes.
- "Looks like there's a story between them we don't know."
At last, Rion spoke, his voice quiet and heavy.
- "I'm... sorry."
Mira's eyes widened then tears began to spill down her cheeks.
- "Sorry? Sorry for what? For leaving me? For everything I went through alone?!"
- "I truly am," he said softly.
Her fists trembled as she kept striking his chest, her sobs breaking between words.
- "Sorry? That's all you have to say?!"
Finally, her strength gave out. She collapsed against him, crying weakly.
- "Why, Rion... why did you let me believe you were dead...?"
From the crowd, a loud voice broke the tension.
Trangen shouted, full of jealousy,
- "How dare she hug my beloved Rion?!"
Misaki blinked in confusion.
- "What... is even happening anymore?"
Ken exhaled deeply.
- "Clearly... they've known each other for a long time."
Rion gently placed his hand on Mira's head, his tone soft but sorrowful.
- "I'm sorry, Mira... Let's talk after the duel, alright?"
Through her tears, Mira nodded, then slowly raised her hand toward the Headmistress.
- "I... surrender."
The Headmistress's voice echoed across the arena.
- "The duel is over!"
After the Duel
The students left the arena in stunned silence.
Misaki rushed to Mira's side, concern written all over her face.
- "Why are you crying? Don't tell me Rion hurt you..."
Mira quickly wiped her tears and shook her head.
- "No... I'm fine."
Before she could say more, Trangen stormed toward her, fuming.
- "I get that you're upset, but no one and I mean no one is allowed to hug Rion except me!"
Ken stepped between them, sighing.
- "Let it go, Trangen. Mira, are you really okay?"
Mira forced a faint smile.
- "Yes... I'm fine."
Across the field, Rion walked slowly toward the exit, his steps heavy.
He found Kairen leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
- "Will you tell me what happened?" she asked gently. "Or would you rather stay silent?"
Rion turned his face away.
- "I just... want to rest for now."
He walked off without another word, while Kairen stayed behind watching him disappear with quiet worry.
The Next Day
When Rion entered the classroom, he greeted Trangen with a cold nod despite her usual bright smile.
Moments later, Miss Manata entered, greeting the students before beginning her lecture.
- "Today's lesson is about beasts," she said. "Let's start with the Frost type like Touka. They're herbivorous, belonging to a subclass known as the Thorned. They fight offensively rather than defensively, capable of launching spikes from their bodies. Their transformations also alter their height, hair, and eye color."
She then stepped closer to Mira, pointing toward her.
- "Mira, on the other hand, is also of the Frost type but from the Stellar Branch. She bears a star-shaped mark on her right shoulder, which is the source of her energy. Stellar Beasts possess unique, powerful energy and their claws grow sharper as their power rises."
Vodo raised his hand.
- "Miss, are there other known types of beasts?"
- "Yes," Manata replied. "There's a class called Fros. Unlike Frosts, they are carnivorous. We don't know much about them, but it's said their bodies are oddly human-like. Some Fros are weak, usually deformed, while the stronger ones look closer to humans."
She continued the lecture until the bell rang.
The Headmistress's Office
After class, Rion headed to the Headmistress's office.
He knocked once, and a calm voice answered,
- "Come in."
He opened the door and found Kairen already there.
Headmistress Dalia smiled warmly.
- "Welcome, Rion. I've been meaning to speak with you since your first day, but I never had the chance. I want you to know I'm aware of your true lineage. You belong to a rare type called the Froken. Almost indistinguishable from humans."
Rion's eyes widened.
- "Please... don't tell anyone, Headmistress."
- "Calm down, Rion. Even if the council finds out, I'll handle their objections myself."
- "No, please... I don't want that. I just want to keep it secret."
- "Why? Did you do something in your past?"
- "No... I just don't want to remember it."
Dalia sighed softly, then exchanged a glance with Kairen before speaking again with a calm smile.
- "As you wish. But I'll have to report to the council in a week. Anyway, the academy will enter a two-week break soon and I want you to participate in the Level-Up Duel. I'd like to see you among the students of Class S. You're dismissed."
As they left the office, Kairen looked at him with concern.
- "Why did you refuse her offer?"
Rion gave a faint, bitter smile.
- "I'm sorry, Kairen... I can't tell you."
She stayed silent, watching him walk away, thinking to herself,
(If only you'd let me in, Rion...)
The Duel Against Class A
It was officially announced: Rion would face a student from Class A.
The arena was packed with cheering students, their voices filled with both excitement and unease.
In the center stood Seiya Witer his short black hair gleaming under the light, his silver eyes sharp and confident.
He wore a fitted black shirt with short sleeves that revealed his toned arms, loose dark pants with side pockets, and a combat belt. His boots reached up to his ankles, polished and ready.
- "No hard feelings, Rion," Seiya said with a smirk. "But I won't be holding back."
The Headmistress raised her hand.
- "Begin!"
In an instant, Seiya's body transformed into a gleaming silver metal, coating his skin completely except for his hair and eyes, which now shone like lenses of light.
He charged forward at blinding speed, his first strike sending Rion staggering backward before unleashing a barrage of crushing punches.
Then, Seiya clapped his metallic hands together, trapping Rion in a massive block of compressed metal.
- "It's over," he breathed out in relief.
But an explosion erupted from within shards of metal flying in every direction.
Through the smoke stepped Rion, his eyes glowing fiercely.
- "You're strong," he said coldly. "But now... it's my turn."
He vanished, reappearing right before Seiya, driving a brutal punch into his gut that forced him to his knees.
- "You're... stronger than you look," Seiya groaned, smirking through the pain.
Rion stood over him, calm as ice.
- "You could say that."
Seiya kept fighting, summoning metallic constructs from his mana, but Rion dodged every strike with uncanny precision and countered with a storm of lightning-fast punches until Seiya collapsed to his knees, panting.
- "What's wrong?" Rion asked quietly.
- "Guess I reached my limit," Seiya laughed breathlessly. "You're way stronger than I thought. I gave it everything I had."
- "Your attacks were solid," Rion replied.
- "Yeah, but I burn through my mana too fast."
- "That's normal," Rion said. "You just need more training."
- "Heh... fair enough."
The Headmistress raised her hand.
- "Winner Rion Grein! Starting tomorrow, he will be transferred to Class A!"
Cheers erupted across the arena as the healing systems activated for both fighters.
Seiya stood, extending his hand toward Rion.
- "It was an honor to fight you."
Rion smiled faintly.
- "Likewise, Seiya."
Just as Rion was about to leave, a sharp voice echoed from above.
- "Wait, Rion!"
He looked up and there she was.
A girl with long crimson hair and amber eyes, floating down gracefully.
She wore a tight black combat suit under a short, bright red jacket, her black boots glinting as she landed lightly on her feet.
- "I'm Alex Wilson," she said with a confident smile. "And I challenge you... for two thousand points."
The arena burst into murmurs of disbelief.
Rion glanced toward the Headmistress, who simply nodded.
- "Approved. Let the match begin!"
Alex smirked playfully.
- "Let's make this fun, Rion. Hope you're in a good mood today."
- "The pleasure's mine," he replied coolly.
She raised her hand and suddenly Rion felt his body grow unbearably heavy.
His knees trembled, his feet sinking into the ground.
- "My ability," Alex said with a sly grin, "is gravity."
The pressure intensified until Rion could barely breathe but then, slowly, he straightened up, his eyes blazing.
- "You think this'll stop me?"
Alex's eyes widened.
- "Impossible... how are you standing?!"
Rion stepped forward, seized her by the throat, and growled coldly,
- "I'm not as weak as you think."
He hurled her across the arena, slamming her into the mana barrier.
She staggered to her feet, pain twisting her features but she smiled.
- "You're strong... good. Then I won't hold back either!"
Her mana surged, wrapping her in a black armor laced with glowing red veins.
The ground trembled as gravity itself warped around her.
She charged, each punch heavier than the last.
- "I haven't fought this hard in ages!"
Rion stood tall, blood trickling down his chin, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
- "You're strong too... Alex."
From the stands, Trangen shouted,
- "Rion! Don't you dare lose to her!"
Kairen whispered under her breath,
- "Don't worry... Rion won't fall that easily." (At least, I hope so...)
And Mira, watching quietly, added with a sad smile,
- "Rion isn't weak."
Finally, the Headmistress raised her voice.
- "The duel is over! Winner-Alex Wilson!"
- "What?!" Alex snapped. "But I wasn't done yet!"
- "Enough," the Headmistress said firmly.
Rion was treated by the arena's system, then left silently, heading back to his room his thoughts heavy, his heart even heavier.
After the Battle
The students left the stands in utter shock.
Misaki rushed to Mira's side, her voice trembling with worry.
- "Why are you crying? Don't tell me... Rion hurt you?"
Mira quickly wiped her tears and shook her head.
- "No... I'm fine."
Trangen stormed forward, anger flashing in her eyes.
- "I get that you're sad, but no one's allowed to hug Rion except me!"
Ken stepped in with a sigh.
- "Leave her alone, Trangen. Mira... are you really alright?"
Mira smiled faintly, her voice soft.
- "Yeah... I'm fine."
Across the arena, Rion walked out slowly, his steps heavy.
Kairen was waiting by the wall, arms folded, her expression unreadable.
- "Will you tell me what happened?" she asked gently. "Or do you prefer to stay silent?"
He turned his gaze away.
- "No... I just want to rest."
He walked past her, leaving her standing there in quiet worry, eyes following him until he disappeared around the corner.
The Next Day
Rion entered the classroom, answering Trangen's cheerful greeting with a cold, half-hearted "morning."
Moments later, their teacher, Miss Manata, entered with her usual calm smile.
- "Today, we'll be discussing Monsters," she began. "Let's start with the Frost type, like Touka.
They're herbivores part of a race known as the Thorned.
Their combat style is more offensive than defensive. They can launch spikes from their bodies, and their transformations often change their height, hair, and eye color."
She walked toward Mira and gestured toward her.
- "Mira here is also a Frost, but she belongs to the Star Lineage.
She has a star mark on her right shoulder - the source of her energy.
Star-type monsters possess unique and powerful energy, and their claws become sharper as their power increases."
Vodo raised his hand curiously.
- "Miss Manata, are there other kinds of monsters?"
- "Yes," she replied. "There's another race called Fros.
Unlike the Frosts, they're carnivorous some even prey on humans.
Not much is known about them, but their bodies are oddly shaped... somewhat human-like.
The weaker ones tend to be more deformed than the stronger ones."
Her tone grew darker as she continued the lesson, until the bell finally rang.
The Headmistress
After class, Rion made his way to the Headmistress's office.
He knocked softly.
- "Come in," came a calm voice from inside.
He entered Kairen was already there.
Headmistress Dalia smiled warmly.
- "Welcome, Rion. I've wanted to speak with you since your first day, but the timing wasn't right.
I'll be honest with you... I know what you are.
You're from a rare lineage called the Froken a being that looks almost entirely human."
Rion's eyes widened.
- "Please... don't tell anyone, Headmistress."
- "Relax, Rion. Even if I tell the council, I'll handle their objections myself."
- "No... please, I don't want anyone to know. I just want it to stay secret."
- "Why? Did something happen in your past?"
- "No... I just don't want to remember it."
Dalia sighed, glancing at Kairen before speaking again.
- "Very well. But understand this I'll be speaking to the council in a week.
In the meantime, the academy will soon have a two-week break.
And I want you to join the Rank Advancement Duel.
I want to see you in Class S."
- "Understood," he said quietly.
- "You may go now."
Rion left with Kairen following behind.
- "Why did you refuse her offer?" she asked softly.
He gave a faint, bitter smile.
- "Sorry, Kairen... I can't tell you."
Kairen watched him go, her eyes dim with quiet worry.
(I wish you'd trust me enough to tell me, Rion...)
The Duel of Class A
It was officially announced that Rion would face a student from Class A.
On the day of the duel, the stands were filled with cheering students the air thick with tension and excitement.
Standing in the center of the arena was Seiya Witer, his black hair gleaming under the lights, silver eyes sharp as blades.
He wore a tight black shirt with short sleeves that showed off his toned arms and chest, black combat pants with side pockets, and high boots built for battle.
- "No hard feelings, Rion," Seiya said with a confident grin. "But I won't go easy on you."
Headmistress Dalia raised her hand.
- "Begin!"
In an instant, Seiya's body turned to shimmering silver metal his entire form armored in living steel.
He charged forward with lightning speed, his punches striking like hammers, forcing Rion backward with every hit.
Then, Seiya clapped his hands together, trapping Rion inside a massive block of metal.
He exhaled in relief, assuming victory
but a sudden explosion tore through the air!
Shards of silver scattered everywhere, and Rion emerged from the smoke, eyes glowing with fierce determination.
- "You're strong," he said coldly. "But now it's my turn."
He vanished-then reappeared right in front of Seiya, landing a crushing blow to his stomach.
Seiya fell to one knee, gasping, but smiling faintly.
- "You're... stronger than you look."
- "You could say that."
Seiya summoned more metallic spikes, launching them from all sides, but Rion evaded them effortlessly and countered with a flurry of rapid punches.
The barrage overwhelmed Seiya until his knees finally gave out.
- "What's wrong?" Rion asked coolly.
- "Guess I've reached my limit... You're far stronger, Rion.
Even though I used everything from the start, you barely seem tired."
- "I won't deny your hits were powerful," Rion replied.
Seiya chuckled weakly.
- "But I burn through energy too fast."
- "That's normal. You just need more training."
- "Maybe... you're right."
Dalia raised her voice.
- "Winner: Rion Grein! Starting tomorrow, he'll be transferred to Class A!"
Cheers erupted from the stands as both fighters were treated by the arena's healing system.
Seiya stood up and extended his hand with a smile.
- "It was an honor fighting you."
- "Likewise, Seiya."
Before Rion could leave the arena, a voice echoed from above.
- "Wait, Rion!"
He looked up a girl with long crimson hair and amber eyes hovered above the stage.
She wore a tight black bodysuit covered by a short red jacket, her combat boots glinting under the lights as she floated gracefully down.
- "I'm Alex Wilson," she said with a smirk. "And I challenge you... for two thousand points."
Gasps filled the crowd.
Rion glanced at the Headmistress, who raised her hand.
- "Challenge accepted. Begin!"
- "Good morning, Rion," Alex said teasingly. "Let's make this fun."
- "Sure," Rion replied coldly. "Pleasure's mine."
She lifted her hand and suddenly Rion's body grew heavy, the ground beneath him cracking from the force.
His movements slowed, breath straining.
- "My ability..." she whispered with a grin, "is Gravity."
The pressure intensified until it felt like the world itself was crushing him.
But Rion's eyes sharpened; he clenched his fists, muscles trembling and stood up against the impossible weight.
- "Impossible..." Alex gasped. "You're still standing?!"
He appeared before her in an instant, grabbing her by the throat.
- "I'm not as weak as you think."
He hurled her across the arena, her body slamming against the mana barrier with a thud.
Alex staggered to her feet, smiling through the pain.
- "You're strong... Rion. Then I won't hold back!"
Her body flared with black mana streaked in red.
The ground trembled as gravity multiplied, distorting the air.
She charged her strikes like falling meteors.
- "I haven't fought this seriously in ages!" she shouted.
Rion grinned, blood dripping from his lip.
- "You're strong too... Alex."
From the stands, Trangen shouted desperately:
- "Rioooon! Don't you dare lose!"
Kairen watched quietly, whispering:
- "Don't worry... Rion won't lose easily." (I hope...)
And Mira smiled faintly.
- "Rion isn't weak."
The duel raged on until Dalia finally raised her voice.
- "That's enough! The winner is Alex Wilson!"
- "What?! I wasn't finished yet!" Alex protested, panting.
- "Enough," Dalia said firmly.
The arena's system healed their wounds, and Rion left quietly, heading back to the preparation room.
After the Duel
Sweat poured down Rion's face as he sank into a chair, exhausted.
Moments later, his classmates burst in.
- "You were amazing, Rion!" Vodo grinned. "You took some serious hits!"
Kairen waved happily.
- "Don't worry about it, Rion! That was a tough fight, but hey you're officially in Class A now!"
Suddenly, Trangen burst into tears and ran to hug him tightly.
- "My poor Rion! Are you hurt?! Don't worry, I'll go yell at that witch myse"
- "Trangen!" Mira interrupted sharply. "Don't speak about others that way."
Trangen froze, lowering her gaze.
- "But..."
- "No buts," Mira said, folding her arms. "That was rude."
Trangen sighed softly.
- "I'm sorry..."
Then she looked up at Mira again, still clinging to Rion, and smiled through her tears.
- "Don't worry, Rion... I'll get revenge for you myself."
A few days later...
Rion sat alone in his room. Three days had passed since the battle enough time to recover from the fatigue that followed.
He sat quietly at his desk when a sudden memory surfaced his meeting with the Headmistress.
Headmistress Dalia had smiled at him with calm confidence.
- "You are not a monster, Rion. I trust you. I don't know much about your past, but I know this you're kind at heart, no matter what you've done.
Anyway, you should remember: Class A is responsible for protecting the academy itself, while Class S guards the entire island."
The words echoed in his mind.
Rion leaned back on his bed, muttering to himself:
- "At least the Headmistress solved the points issue... she reduced the target from two thousand to one."
Then, exhaustion took him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.
The Next Day
A new duel was being held in the arena - Amani Walter versus Atsuri Rika.
Rion sat on the spectator's bench, watching quietly.
(Let's see how the higher-class fighters handle themselves...)
Across the seats, he noticed Alex sitting among the members of Class S.
She wore a sleek black turtleneck top with long sleeves, a shiny leather-like skirt, and thigh-high stockings paired with high-heeled boots.
She noticed him and smiled warmly, leaning on the railing.
- "Hey, Rion."
- "Hey," he replied calmly.
She tilted her head playfully.
- "Why are you sitting so far away?"
Before he could answer, she used her gravity ability, pulling him effortlessly through the air until he landed right beside her.
- "Now you're close enough for me to actually see you," she said with a teasing grin.
Rion blinked in surprise.
- "Why did you do that?"
- "Because Amani's fighting today," she said simply, "and I thought you'd make a good companion to watch her match with."
He shrugged.
- "Fine... whatever you say."
Both Amani and Atsuri stepped into the arena.
- "Who do you think will win?" Alex asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Rion thought for a moment before answering.
- "I think... Amani."
- "Really? Why?"
- "Just a hunch."
Alex smiled confidently.
- "You'll see. The winner will be Atsuri."
- "And why's that?"
- "Because Amani's too kind for her own good. She never fights seriously... and sometimes, she's just plain dumb."
Amani summoned her elegant armor - matte black, glowing faintly with sharp violet neon lines.
In her hand, she held a long, slender spear that pulsed with ethereal purple energy: Viin.
Across from her, Atsuri called forth his own a silver-gray armor etched with glowing cyan marks, and his weapon, the Vyzon Blade, a wide sword crackling with blue wind energy.
The match began.
Atsuri lunged forward in a blur, his strikes fierce and precise.
Amani blocked each blow smoothly, yet never countered.
Rion narrowed his eyes.
- "Atsuri's clearly trained in close combat... but he relies too much on his weapon. Amani's defense is solid but she doesn't attack at all."
Alex nodded.
- "Exactly. She could win easily, but she never gives it her all. Viin's one of the strongest spears ever made, and Vyzon's only advantage is its speed."
Minutes later the battle ended. Amani had lost.
Rion raised an eyebrow.
- "Huh? Already?"
Alex sighed with a sad smile.
- "That's Amani for you. Sweet, kind, and always holding back."
Amani and Atsuri soon joined them in the stands.
Atsuri crossed his arms, clearly furious.
- "When will you ever take a fight seriously, Amani?!"
She replied flatly.
- "I told you, the spear slipped from my hand. What did you expect me to do?"
- "Slipped from your hand?! That's your excuse?!" he barked.
Alex stepped in, waving a hand.
- "Enough, Atsuri. What's done is done. Anyway this is Rion Grein."
Atsuri blinked.
- "When did he join Class S?"
Amani clapped her hands in amusement.
- "Oh? A handsome guy in our class? Finally, someone better than that arrogant Yuya!"
Alex laughed.
- "No, no.. he's not from our class. I just brought him over to watch."
Amani sighed dramatically.
- "Aww, what a shame."
Then she grabbed Rion's hand with a playful smile.
- "What if I ask the Headmistress to transfer you to Class S?"
Atsuri's voice exploded.
- "You can't just decide things on your own, Amani!"
- "Why not?" she replied innocently. "Headmistress Dalia loves me!"
Alex groaned.
- "This is exactly what Class S is like... Atsuri yelling, Amani teasing, Yuya showing off... and me, the only one trying to keep us from falling apart.
I seriously don't know how we're supposed to protect the island like this."
Rion smirked slightly.
- "How old are you guys, anyway?"
Alex thought for a second.
- "Amani's twenty-three, Atsuri's twenty-four, Yuya's twenty-one... and me? Twenty-three."
- "I'm outta here!" Atsuri snapped, storming off.
- "Take care," Amani said flatly.
Then she turned to Rion again.
- "So, what'll you do during the academy break?"
- "Nothing special," he replied. "I'll stay here."
Alex stretched.
- "I'm heading to Kenimar City. Could use a change of view."
She turned to Amani.
- "And you?"
- "The ocean, of course," Amani said with a soft smile.
The two girls walked away, chatting.
Rion stayed behind, staring up at the glass ceiling, where the sunlight spilled through the clouds above.
Meanwhile On the Road
Headmistress Dalia sat beside Iris in the car, both heading toward the Council's headquarters.
Iris frowned as she looked out the window.
- "Ma'am... do you feel it? That dark aura?"
- "No," Dalia replied calmly.
- "Strange... I have a bad feeling about this."
Dalia smiled confidently.
- "Don't worry. Even if something happens, I trust our students especially Rion. He'll know what to do."
The Next Morning
Rion left his room, heading to the library.
There, he found Mira sitting by the window, reading.
She looked up with a gentle smile.
- "Good morning, Rion."
- "Morning," he replied, taking a seat across from her.
He nodded toward her book.
- "What are you reading?"
- "It's about a brown rabbit who carries a big silver pocket watch," Mira said, eyes sparkling.
"He wears a blue shirt and a red scarf, and keeps appearing to a boy reminding him of the time. It's strange... but kind of fascinating. I want to know the rabbit's secret."
Rion smiled faintly.
- "Sounds like a good fantasy story. I'm reading one about a boy who gets transported to another world."
Mira giggled.
- "Oh, those are my favorite kinds of stories!"
The two of them soon fell silent, each lost in their books.
An hour passed.
Then suddenly, Rion closed his book.
A strange energy pulsed faintly in the air dark, distant, and familiar.
He frowned and moved toward the window.
> "What is it?" Mira asked, noticing his tension.
- "Probably nothing," he said. "Just my imagination."
But only seconds later
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the academy.
The windows rattled. Smoke rose from the western district.
- "What was that?!" Mira screamed.
Rion didn't answer. He threw the window open and leapt out.
- "Wait, Rion!" she cried, reaching for him but he was already gone.
She clenched her fists, frustrated.
- "Ugh! Why can't I ever be as reckless as him?! Fine, I'm coming too!"
She ran toward the stairs.
Moments Before the Explosion At the Market
Teacher Manata was shopping in the open market, wearing a sleeveless crimson top with a high collar, short denim shorts, and sleek black heels.
- "How much for the apples?" she asked the vendor.
- "Five Dexils," he replied.
- "Perfect. I'll take them."
Just then, Teacher Toby walked by wearing a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, black trousers, and polished shoes.
- "Well, well! Miss Manata, what a coincidence," he said with a smile.
- "Good morning, Mr. Toby," she replied pleasantly.
- "How are you?"
- "I'm fine، just getting some fruit. You should try the apples, they're a good deal today."
Toby's expression shifted suddenly. His eyes narrowed, scanning the area.
- "Something's wrong... I've got a bad feeling."
Manata chuckled.
- "Relax. If there were danger, the Headmistress would've noticed it first."
- "Maybe..." Toby murmured.
Then the explosion hit.
The ground trembled, a wave of heat and dust tearing through the street. Shards of glass and debris rained down.
- "What's happening?!" Toby shouted.
Manata grabbed his wrist.
- "That feeling of yours was right! Come on we need to check the source!"
They ran toward the blast zone.
And there among the ruins and smoke stood a monster.
Its body was towering and muscular, every vein and fiber pulsing with raw strength.
Its skin was a dark, bruised purple. Long black hair flowed down its back, brushing against the ground.
Its face was sharp and feral, with glowing white eyes that lacked pupils, and a twisted grin that reeked of madness.
Its fingers ended in long claws. Its legs were those of a beast.
It held a civilian in its hand, licking the blood from their skin with grotesque delight.
- "Disgusting creature!" Manata shouted, summoning her Mana Armor and striking but the attack did nothing.
Toby dashed forward to assist, only to be thrown back violently with a single swipe.
Manata ran to him, kneeling.
- "We need to get the civilians out first, Toby! Fighting it now is pointless!"
At that moment
Rion arrived.
He froze as he saw the scene the smoke, the bodies, the towering creature.
Toby shielding Manata... and the monster's glowing eyes turning toward him.
It grinned, lips curling in a crazed smile.
To be continued...