A few staff members ventured into the courtyard to inspect the damage. Their eyes widened in absolute shock—nothing in their lifetimes, neither injuries nor deaths they had witnessed before, compared to this catastrophe. Mass death lay before them.
The courtyard appeared utterly devastated. Scorched earth covered every inch, with bodies, ash, and dust from both beasts and students scattered throughout. One couldn't take a step without treading on human remains or creature carcasses.
The staff continued their grim inspection, stepping carefully around the fallen as they surveyed the devastation.
Then they found him—Lucas Chain. He appeared largely unharmed except for burned hands and singed hairs on his legs. Otherwise, he looked eerily peaceful.
Recognition dawned in their eyes. The Chain family wielded enormous influence and wealth, having funded most of the school's wings. Lucas had been a star student whose strongest element was fire. His death would undoubtedly bring severe consequences to the academy.
The staff hastily retreated inside, unwilling to witness more carnage or confront the trouble that loomed before them. They promptly reported the incident to the Head.
Ryan, the headmaster, blanched at the news, all color draining from his face. "What do you mean Lucas is dead? He can't be dead. He's alive, I know he is," he insisted, desperation edging his voice.
"He's not, sir," replied a staff member, trembling with fear.
Ryan slammed his fist on the desk. "How dare you! How dare you let him die! Do you understand what this means for the school? For me? For you? Your families will be ruined!"
"Sir, we didn't know—"
"I don't care," Ryan interrupted sharply. "Fix this problem however you can. Whatever you do, do not contact Mr. Chain. I cannot let him destroy the school or our families."
"Yes, sir," the staff members murmured as they departed.
Michael Starr, a student lingering nearby, overheard everything. After the staff left, he slipped around the corner and quickly dialed a number on his phone. Bearing multiple scars on his face and chest, even missing an eye that another student had cruelly taken, Michael harbored deep resentment toward the academy. Now he would seize this opportunity for revenge.
In his office, Mr. Chain was directing employees and managing his company with businesslike efficiency when his phone rang. He sighed as he answered, "What do you want?" His tone was grim, already weary and not wanting additional problems to fuel his temper.
"Sir Chain," Michael said with determination, relishing what he was about to reveal. "The academy let your son die."
"What?" Mr. Chain yelled. "You're pulling my leg. You're lying to me!"
"I assure you, I am not kidding, Mr. Chain," Michael replied. "There was a beast attack at the academy. Unfortunately, your son died while trying to be a hero."
"So you're telling me my son died, and the school sent a student to inform me instead of calling themselves?" he roared.
"They were afraid to call you—afraid you might ruin the school, take away their funding, hurt their families, or burn everything to the ground."
"Since they couldn't bother to call me themselves, I'll burn them to ashes when I see them. As for you, for bringing me this news, I'll reward you with a million dollars. Thank you. Good day," Mr. Chain said, ending the call as he stood up.
"I'll kill every last person who failed to save my son," he muttered. "I regret helping build that academy. I regret giving them money. Despite all their security measures, they couldn't protect my son. They're all failures. The students fought to survive while the staff merely watched. And worst of all, they let my son die. For that, I will have their heads." With that, Mr. Chain stormed out of his office and down the stairs, his mind set on vengeance.
Meanwhile, Phase was clearing rubble and helping trapped students, healing their wounds with his blue aura. When everyone was finally safe and the area cleared, he decided to go home. He wouldn't be surprised if the academy resumed classes despite the tragedy—the school had done many questionable things before.
Phase left the courtyard and the school grounds entirely, returning to his apartment.
At the hospital, a doctor reviewed the students' conditions. "Matthew is regaining consciousness. His burns aren't severe, but they're still concerning. Alex is improving, though we need multiple surgeries to address his burns and organ damage. Max suffered the least injury—he's fully conscious with only a few burn scars on his face and chest. Leon isn't critical, but requires additional surgeries."
"Well, let's get to work," another doctor responded. "These students fought for us—now we must fight for them. They're counting on us to help them survive."