News of the S-rank gate spread like wildfire across the globe. Media outlets speculated. Hunter forums buzzed. Most notably, whispers of the unnamed prodigy who had slain the Fragmented Titan were beginning to circulate.
In the academy, students buzzed about the returning team. Zian walked the hallways quietly, her expression unreadable. Lirien, ever stoic, trailed close behind, glaring down any student bold enough to speak rumors aloud.
Kaen, as usual, acted as if nothing had changed. He sat on a bench in the courtyard, lazily spinning an ice cream cone in one hand. Birds landed near him, only to be gently swallowed by shadows and returned a moment later, completely unharmed.
Kyel met with Professor Drayven—who had fully re-assumed his humanoid form. They discussed the group's performance.
"She's awakening," Drayven said simply.
Kyel frowned. "Zian?"
Drayven only nodded. "The next gate will push her beyond the veil."
Meanwhile, Mira met with her sister Selene in the Academy's conference hall. "Kaen," she said softly. "He's different."
Selene narrowed her eyes. "Dangerously different. I don't trust him."
Mira didn't argue. But deep inside, she remembered how Kaen's shadow had shielded her during the wyvern's blast.
And her heart fluttered.
Zian stood in the academy's ancient hall. Her hand trembled as she lifted her blade, staring at its reflection.
"Who am I… really?"
In the shadows behind her, Kaen whispered without sound, "Soon, you'll remember everything."