The third floor quieted after the chaos, leaving only the soft crackle of distant rain against the cafeteria's steel-barred windows. William remained beside Adam, watching his slow, steady breathing. Color had finally returned to his face, something William had feared he would never see again.
Celeste drifted lazily above, lying upside down in the air like gravity held no authority over her. "So Mr indifferent can show such an expression ," she said teasingly. " He should be up and about by tomorrow
William didn't look at her. His focus stayed on the rise and fall of Adam's chest. "He'd better."
Taking advantage of this rare moment of peace and quiet to check out the messages he received earlier
{Title:????, is resonating with current emotional state,}
{Congratulations you've awakened Blood Rage}
{ Blood Rage( Forbidden active skill) second order level 1:
Enters a state of extreme rage. +30 strength, 30% increase to all stats, -5 health every minute state is active}
As confused as William was he couldn't bring himself to ask Celeste about this skill, while she was a walking information hub he didn't trust her enough to talk about his mysterious title.
Calling out to the status window William was surprised by his progress.
{William Riordan
Level:12
Race: Human
Title: ???? ( Partially locked)
Class:none
Strength:36(20)-Agility:24(7)-Stamina:24-Mana:209-Magic:217
Passive skills: Martial Master
Active skills: Blood manipulation, Blood Rage
The scent of fresh flowers took William's focus as he turned to see Celeste's face extremely close to his as she stared at his face. "What?" William asked a little annoyed
Before Celeste could tease him further, a series of light knocks sounded on the storage-room door.
"William?" Henry's voice came from outside. "We need you downstairs."
William hesitated, glancing once more at Adam. Celeste gestured toward the unconscious figure with a flick of her wrist. "He'll be fine. It's not like you're heading to a war or something"
Ignoring her, William stood. He stepped into the hallway, leaving the door slightly open so he could hear if anything changed.
Henry, Sam,Elnora, Mrs. Smith and two other teachers waited for him at the foot of the stairs. Their expressions were wary, but not confrontational. They made room for him, like a pack recognizing something sharper, something dangerous, among them.
"Glad you could come," Henry said with a tired but genuine smile. "We're organizing roles, supplies, sleeping arrangements, defenses… all that boring survival stuff."
Sam crossed his arms, watching William with an appraising look. "We'll need every capable fighter to pitch in on opinions "
Elnora stood quietly, her icy gaze drifting to the windows where mutated insects still crawled along the outside walls. She didn't look at William for long, but she didn't avoid him either.
Mrs. Smith stepped closer, lowering her voice. "We're deciding what to do in the long term," she said. "The food in the cafeteria can hold us for now, but we need a more long term solution."
"Some students are already down with the flu from the cold, and more might join them if this weather continues." Elnora added "we're going to need to raid the school clinic as soon as possible
Celeste materialized behind William and whispered softly in William's ear, "Such a serious little ice princess. I almost feel bad she can't see me."
William ignored her again.
He crossed his arms. "So what's the plan?"
"Three groups, one to stay here, one to salvage medicine." Henry hesitated. "We need to know if the campus exit is still accessible. If it is, we can move toward safer structures—or maybe find an evacuation point outside."
Sam nodded. "Someone needs to scout it. Quietly. Quickly."
The silence that followed made it obvious who everyone was thinking of.
William raised a brow. "You want me to check the exit."
Elnora spoke bluntly. "You're the fastest and most efficient. Your presence would draw less attention than sending a group."
Henry coughed. "To be fair… she's right."
Mrs. Smith looked uneasy. "But you've already done so much. We can find someone to go with you if…"
"I'll go."
The room fell silent.
William's tone remained flat, businesslike. "The sooner I scout the path, the sooner I know if it's safe to bring Adam through. and I work better alone ."
Henry let out a breath. "Alright. We'll prepare a support team to keep the cafeteria secure until you get back."
Elnora stepped forward. "Don't engage anything you don't have to. If you find something beyond your limit, return immediately."
William simply nodded. "I'll check the path and be back before nightfall."
After checking on Adam, William braced himself as he headed for the exit
The moment William stepped outside the cafeteria's sheltered entrance, the air changed.
Rain drenched the courtyard. Dark clouds churned above, thick with swirling mana. The wind carried the scent of wet soil, blood, and something metallic—something… awakening.
William moved swiftly through broken pavement, overturned benches, and abandoned backpacks. Every step was silent, every breath controlled.
A few wandering zombies staggered near the courtyard fountains, but William didn't bother with them. Their sluggish steps were predictable, clumsy. He slipped past them like a shadow.
Celeste floated beside him, twirling a strand of her black hair. "You're so tense," she said softly.
"You're a talkative." William shot back.
She laughed. "Going toward danger usually makes mortals nervous. I find it adorable."
"I'm not nervous."
"Mm. You will be."
William didn't respond. But the weight of her words followed him as he reached the edge of the courtyard, where the path split toward the primary campus gate.
That was where he heard it.
A deep, rhythmic thrum.
Like a distorted heartbeat beating against the air.
Followed by the crunch of shifting, growing bone.
William crouched automatically, eyes narrowing.
Celeste's smile widened. "Oh? It's already begun evolving."
"What is?"
"You'll see."
The trees near the campus exit were shaking violently, branches snapping as something massive shifted behind them.
William crept closer until he could see through the broken fence.
A creature lay crouched in the mud, its body convulsing—shredding its own skin as something beneath pushed outward. Muscles swelled. Fur darkened. Mana pulsed through its veins in luminous green streams.
A mutated boar… none like he had ever seen before
This one was easily the size of a truck. Bone plates ran down its spine like jagged armor. Its tusks glowed faintly with mana, lengthening with every pulse of its evolving core.
Celeste floated just above William, eyes gleaming. "A newborn first-order beast," she whispered. "Fresh from evolution. Not hunting, not yet. Only stabilizing its power."
William's eyes sharpened.
"So it's not focused on me."
"Not right at this moment."
"Good."
Celeste giggled. "Oh? Going to run?"
William stood up straight, Splitfang materializing in his hands like an extension of his heartbeat.
"No," he said calmly. "I'm checking the exit. That thing is blocking it."
Celeste's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Then show me," she whispered, "how far a mortal with a foreign divinity can go."
William exhaled slowly.
And stepped toward the beast.