The battlefield had fallen into an eerie silence.
Moments ago, it was filled with chaos, roars, and destruction…but now—
Nothing.
The Ogre King's massive body Fallen… Motionless .Its head… completely crushed.
Blood had splattered across the ground, staining the ruins of the academy in deep crimson. Broken walls, shattered pillars, and burnt ground stretched as far as the eye could see.
It wasn't just damage.
It was annihilation.
And right in the center of it all… stood a girl.
Her presence was calm. Too calm for a battlefield like this.
A member of the unknown Sixth Division.
Her long cloak moved slightly with the wind, and her cold eyes observed the destruction without a hint of emotion.
Beside her stood Kyron.
A faint, almost amused smile rested on his face—as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than entertainment to him.
In front of them, Leo and Ray stood frozen.
Their breathing had slowed, but their minds were still racing.
They had seen strength before.
But this… this was different.
"That shot…" Ray muttered under his breath.
Leo didn't respond.
His eyes remained locked on the girl.
That wasn't normal…
The girl suddenly began walking.
Each step was slow, steady… controlled.
Leo instinctively tensed.
Is she coming toward us?
For a split second, his body prepared itself.
But then—
She walked right past them.
No glance.No hesitation.
And then, without warning—
She stopped… and bowed.
Leo blinked, confusion flashing across his face.
"…Huh?"
He turned around.
And that's when he saw them.
From the distance, walking through the remains of the academy—
Principal Valeria.
And behind her, her ever-silent butler.
Understanding hit instantly.
She wasn't greeting us…
She was greeting her.
Valeria stepped forward, her expression calm, yet her eyes carried the weight of everything she was seeing.
Her gaze briefly swept across the destroyed academy.
A flicker of pain appeared—
and vanished just as quickly.
"Kyron."
Her voice was steady.
"There were no students left inside… correct?"
Kyron placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"As expected of you, Principal… yes. I sent my men ahead of time. Every student has been evacuated safely."
For a moment, Valeria said nothing.
Then—
"Good."
A single word.
But the relief behind it was undeniable.
Her gaze shifted.
To the girl.
"Skye… thank you for arriving on time."
The girl straightened.
Her voice, when she spoke, was cold… yet perfectly composed.
"Principal Valeria… I was in a nearby town, handling an investigation."
A slight pause.
"The moment I received news of the attack… I came here immediately."
No pride.
No arrogance.
Just facts.
Valeria gave a small nod… then turned her attention toward Leo.
"And you, Leo…"
Her eyes softened slightly.
"You did well. Holding that monster back… was no easy feat."
Leo scratched the back of his head, a bit awkward.
"I didn't do it alone."
He glanced behind him.
"My friends helped too."
As if summoned by those words—
Noah, Kio, and Nico arrived, slightly out of breath.
The moment they saw Valeria, they straightened and bowed respectfully.
Valeria responded with a gentle smile.
But that smile didn't last long.
Her gaze drifted again.
To the academy.
Or what remained of it.
Silence fell over everyone.
The wind passed through the broken walls… carrying dust and the faint smell of blood.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then, slowly, Valeria turned away.
"…Tomorrow morning."
Her voice was quieter now.
"I will make an announcement."
Her butler nodded immediately.
"As you wish."
Ray stepped forward, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"What kind of announcement?"
Valeria closed her eyes briefly… as if organizing her thoughts.
Then she spoke.
"The academy… will take time to rebuild."
Her eyes opened again.
"Weeks… perhaps months."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"Until then, all students will be sent back to their homes."
No one interrupted.
Because deep down—
They already knew.
"This responsibility…"
She placed a hand lightly over her chest.
"…belongs to me. As the head of this academy."
Silence.
Agreement.
Acceptance.
But then—
"There is no fault of yours."
A voice cut through the stillness.
Cold. Calm. Clear.
Everyone turned.
Skye.
Her eyes were fixed on Valeria.
"No one could have predicted this attack."
Her tone didn't change.
But there was something beneath it.
Not emotion.
But intention.
She was trying… in her own way.
Valeria looked at her.
For a brief moment—
their eyes met.
Then Valeria simply turned away.
No reply.
But she had heard.
"Prepare accommodations for the remaining students," she said to her butler.
"Tonight, they will stay safely."
A pause.
"And bring them… to my residence."
The butler bowed.
"It will be done."
The group began moving.
Carriages had already been arranged.
Leo's eyes widened the moment he saw them.
"These are… insane…"
The design, the build, the comfort—it was nothing like anything he had ever experienced.
As they boarded and began their journey—
The tension slowly faded.
But the exhaustion remained.
When they finally arrived—
Leo stepped out… and froze.
In front of him stood a mansion.
No—
A palace.
"…You live here?"
His voice was almost a whisper.
Valeria simply nodded.
Inside was even more overwhelming.
High ceilings, elegant decor, expensive artifacts—
Everywhere Leo looked, there was something that screamed wealth and power.
"…This is crazy…"
He couldn't stop staring.
Valeria didn't react.
"Take them to their rooms," she instructed calmly.
Then her gaze shifted slightly.
"Skye… you should rest as well."
Skye gave a small nod.
Moments later—
Leo saw the bed.
And without hesitation—
Jump.
"This is SO soft!"
Ray facepalmed instantly.
Nico sighed.
Kio shook his head.
Noah muttered, "Hopeless…"
"This guy will never change…"
They all looked at Leo again.
He was already asleep.
"…Seriously?"
One by one, they gave up—and lay down as well.
Silence filled the room once more.
Near the door—
Skye stood still.
Her eyes rested on Leo.
Unblinking.
Unreadable.
For a few seconds—
She simply watched.
Then, slowly, she removed her cloak… and lay down.
Morning came quietly.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Leo's eyes opened slowly.
"…Huh?"
He looked around.
Empty.
Everyone was gone.
He stood up, stretching slightly, and walked toward the mirror.
For a moment—
He just stared at himself.
"…My hair has grown."
His expression changed.
From confusion—
To determination.
"I need to become stronger…"
His voice lowered.
"…much stronger."
He reached for the bandage on his shoulder—
and removed it.
The wound was still there.
A reminder.
I'm not strong enough yet.
Knock.
The door opened.
The butler stepped inside.
"Miss Valeria has arranged a carriage for you."
Leo turned.
"It will take you to your destination."
A pause.
Something in Leo's eyes shifted.
The next phase…
was about to begin.