Inside the Adaptation Zone, the atmosphere was tense.
"Sir, the results are out. Please take a look," said a fairy with silver wings.
"Zen, Assistant Teacher, Rank 4."
A tall man with crossed arms stepped forward, his presence heavy.
"Hm… quite a few talented ones this time," he said calmly.
This was Bardok, Celestial Academy teacher, Rank 4.
"Sir," Zen continued, "the batch of elderly people and children was also processed a few minutes ago. Among them… there were some who could be called god-gifted."
Bardok laughed deeply. "Hahaha. I expected as much. With this many survivors, our future strength will be solid."
He glanced at the floating screen.
"Let's see…
300 F-rank.
250 E-rank.
200 D-rank.
100 C-rank.
50 B-rank.
20 A-rank…
and 5 S-rank."
His eyes gleamed.
"Five S-ranks. None the less. Twenty A and fifty B as well."
He laughed again. "Wonderful. Truly wonderful."
Zen hesitated. "Sir… many also failed."
"Don't mention it," Bardok replied calmly. "Not everyone is suited for greater power. At least they can live normal lives. Because people like us—"
His gaze swept across the students.
"—and people like those standing in front of me will protect them."
A few minutes ago Before the results came out -
A few rows back, Ziro stood stiff.
His hands were shaking.
What if I fail…?
What if I get F…?
I need strength.
I need it to find my friends… and my—
"Hey, dumbass," Riya whispered, elbowing him. "Stop vibrating. Everything's gonna be okay. Just put your hand on the glove."
Jamal grinned confidently. "Ziro, don't worry. I'll protect you."
He puffed out his chest. "Because I'm meant to be the greatest! Hahahaha—"
"EVERYONE QUIET!" Bardok roared.
Silence crashed down instantly.
"Start placing your hands. I won't repeat myself."
One by one, students stepped forward.
Click!
Click!
"Congratulations—Potential C."
"Potential D."
"Potential E."
Then—
"Potential A."
Riya's eyes widened. "Hey, Ziro! I got A!"
She grinned proudly.
Jamal stepped forward next, rubbing his hands.
A strange, creepy laugh escaped him. "Mwhehehe…"
The result flashed.
Potential B
Jamal frowned hard. "Sir, this is wrong. I should be S-rank."
Bardok didn't even blink. "Shut the fuck up. There's nothing wrong."
"Oh." Jamal nodded immediately. "My bad."
He turned back to Ziro, sighing dramatically. "Hmm… sorry, bro. Looks like I can't protect you."
Ziro stepped forward.
His heart pounded.
S is impossible…
But A, B… even C would be fine…
The light flashed.
Potential E
Silence.
Ziro's face went pale.
E.
One step above F.
Riya and Jamal rushed to him.
"It's okay—"
"Rank isn't everything—"
Their voices didn't reach him.
Ziro's mind was blank.
E…?
How?
This is barely stronger than F…
How am I supposed to search for them like this?
How am I supposed to protect anyone?
Then Selly's words echoed faintly in his head.
If you work hard, potential doesn't matter.
Ziro clenched his fists.
She's right.
I can't give up.
I have something I must do.
I'll gain strength through effort.
I won't let some rank decide my future.
"Hey…" Riya asked softly. "Are you okay?"
Ziro forced a smile. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."
He turned and walked out of the Adaptation Zone.
It felt like his future had just been stamped by a single letter—
But he refused to accept it.
No matter the grade…
He would change that future himself.
At the same time—far away, on what remained of Earth.
Inside a heavily fortified command room, holographic screens flickered nonstop, displaying red-marked zones, evacuation routes, and casualty numbers that refused to stop climbing.
"Status report."
Commander Babar's voice was calm—but tight, like a blade held too long.
Sherry stood straight, eyes fixed on the data.
"Sir, there are still civilians roaming the outer sectors. We can't rescue everyone at once, but evacuation units are actively working."
Babar nodded slowly. "Good. Keep the pressure on."
A black shadow suddenly peeled itself away from the air.
Sherry stiffened.
It condensed into a familiar figure.
"Shintaro," Babar said without turning.
"Yes, sir," Shintaro replied. "The area division has been officially published. Please take a look."
A hologram expanded midair.
The moment Babar read it—
BOOM !!
The floor beneath him cracked.
The room shook as raw killing intent flooded the space.
"Those fuckers…" Babar growled.
"They gave us two continents—Asia and Antarctica—and now they want half of Asia as well?"
His fists trembled.
"They claimed Antarctica would be handled by a six-city military coalition…"
He laughed darkly. "What a joke. All they want is profit."
The cracks spread farther.
"If I could," he snarled, "I'd tear them apart with my own hands."
Sherry swallowed, then spoke carefully.
"Sir… if we give up half of Asia, we'll lose massive resources, manpower, and survivors within our jurisdiction. The market impact alone would be devastating also some of them use survivors as slaves..."
She hesitated, then continued.
"And if we fail to secure Antarctica ourselves, we'll also lose authority over it entirely."
Silence followed.
Then—
Babar straightened.
His voice was firm. Absolute.
"So they choose profit over human lives."
He turned, eyes burning.
"Then they get nothing."
Sherry's breath caught.
"They want Antarctica ?! half asia?!" Babar continued coldly.
"Fine. I'll accept that responsibility."
Shintaro's eyes narrowed slightly.
"If I have to personally step into that frozen hell and explore it myself," Babar said,
"I will."
He clenched his fist.
"But I will not hand them a single resource, a single survivor, or a single inch of Asia."
The room fell silent.
Outside, the world burned.
And somewhere far beyond Earth—
A new generation was already being forged.
Flossh!!
The door slammed shut.
The room fell silent.
Ziro leaned against it, head lowered, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
"So this is it…" he muttered.
"They want me to accept my destiny."
A bitter smile formed on his lips.
"Fine."
He straightened, eyes burning with quiet defiance.
"From tomorrow onward, my destiny won't be in anyone's hands."
"Not gods."
"Not beings beyond gods."
"I will create my destiny myself."
"And I will write it down with my own hands."
He took a deep breath.
"Don't give up, Lily."
His voice softened—but did not weaken.
"My friends… no—my brothers."
"I will find you all."
Outside the closed door, the world continued moving.
Inside that small room—
A fate that refused to kneel was born
....
[TO BE CONTINUED]