Zian couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.
The academy had become a web of lies and half-truths, and every corner seemed to echo with the whispers of past mistakes. Kaen's shadow lingered in the back of her mind, like a darkness that never fully left.
It was the morning after the incident with Drayven—who now, once again, stood before the class as their A-2 homeroom teacher. His presence was unsettling, his very existence a mockery of Zian's trust. How long had he been a pawn in Kaen's game?
She barely heard Drayven's lecture on the dungeon's layout as her thoughts swirled around the unsettling truth: nothing in the academy was real.
Her hand curled into a fist beneath her desk.
"Zian," Kaen's voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and teasing. "I see you're lost in thought. Careful, you'll get lost in that head of yours."
She shot him a look but didn't answer.
"I've noticed," he continued, "you've been avoiding the other students."
Zian's eyes narrowed. "I'm not in the mood to entertain anyone."
Kaen's smirk deepened. "You're going to have to get used to them, sooner or later. After all, your new teammates are about to be tested."
As if on cue, the classroom door swung open with a loud bang. A new figure stepped inside—a tall man with platinum blonde hair, piercing silver eyes, and an air of undeniable power. His presence was imposing, like a storm cloud on the horizon.
The class fell silent. Even Drayven stiffened.
"Is something wrong, Professor?" the man asked, his voice like steel cutting through the tension.
Drayven cleared his throat. "Nothing at all, Leon. Please, join us."
Leon nodded once, his gaze flicking to Zian for a split second, before moving to the front of the class. He didn't introduce himself—his silence spoke volumes.
Kaen, from his seat beside Zian, leaned in. "Meet Leon Raskov, the grandson of the second strongest hunter in the world."
Zian's eyes widened. Second strongest?
She watched Leon take a seat at the back of the room, his presence like a shadow that loomed over everyone. But what unsettled her most was how he looked at her—not with curiosity, but with recognition, as if he had already seen her somewhere.
Before she could question it further, a familiar voice broke in.
"Class A-2 is getting crowded." A new girl had entered the room. Her confidence was apparent, and her gaze was sharp. A red dress, silver hair, and cold, calculating eyes.
"Ah, another new face," Kaen murmured. "Her name is Mira Valen, and she's the daughter of the president of Valen Enterprises. They fund a lot of the academy's research."
Zian observed the girl carefully. Mira Valen didn't seem to care much about the attention she was drawing. Her eyes briefly met Zian's, and a silent exchange seemed to pass between them.
Drayven cleared his throat once more. "Enough distractions, class. Today's practical test will begin shortly. You'll be paired with someone else, and you'll be tested in combat. Your goal is simple—show us your strength, your skill, and your teamwork."
Zian's heart rate quickened. Another test?
But before Drayven could elaborate further, the classroom doors slammed open once more.
A roar echoed from the courtyard—loud, furious, and unmistakably dangerous.
"I hope you're all ready for this," Drayven said, turning toward the door. "The practical test will be your first real battle. You'll face what's waiting outside. And remember, only the strongest survive."
Zian glanced at Kaen.
"You don't look worried," she said flatly.
Kaen smiled. "Why should I be? They won't even know what hit them."
As Zian followed Kaen out of the classroom, her thoughts churned. Leon, the grandson of the second strongest hunter, and Mira, the powerful heir of a business empire. It seemed that the academy was far more than just a place of training—it was a battlefield, one where everything and everyone had a hidden agenda.
And somewhere, in the shadows of the academy, Zian felt something stirring—a presence that watched from the darkness, waiting for the right moment to strike.