The academy did not reopen the next day.
Or the day after.
Military vehicles surrounded the campus. Black barricades blocked every entrance. Officials moved everywhere, speaking in low voices, pretending control existed.
Students were told it was a structural accident.
Nobody believed it.
Arjun sat on the dorm rooftop, watching helicopters circle above the city.
The symbol on his hand pulsed faintly beneath the bandage.
It had not stopped since the trial.
Mira walked up quietly and sat beside him.
Everyone's scared, she said softly.
Arjun nodded.
They should be.
He could still feel it. Something had changed inside him. The world felt sharper now. Sounds clearer. Movements slower.
Like reality itself had lowered its guard.
Kael pushed open the rooftop door carrying drinks.
Good news. Authorities say everything is safe.
He paused.
Which means something is definitely not safe.
Mira almost smiled.
Lyra arrived last. Her expression was unusually tense.
They are here.
Arjun turned immediately.
Who?
Lyra looked toward the distant skyline.
Hunters.
As if summoned by the word, a loud boom echoed from across the city.
A pillar of blue light shot into the sky several kilometers away.
Students on nearby rooftops gasped.
Kael squinted.
That's not military tech.
Lyra shook her head.
No. They track anomalies. When reality breaks, they appear.
Arjun felt the symbol burn suddenly.
Pain flashed through his palm.
They're looking for me, he realized.
Before anyone could respond, the air above the academy distorted.
Space twisted like heat waves.
Then three figures appeared midair and landed silently on the rooftop.
No sound. No impact.
Just presence.
They wore long dark coats marked with silver symbols. Masks covered their lower faces, eyes glowing faintly with artificial light.
The one in front stepped forward.
Target located.
Mira stood up instantly.
Who are you people?
The figure ignored her. His gaze remained locked on Arjun.
Unregistered anomaly detected during Guardian activation. Identification required.
Kael stepped between them.
Yeah, how about you start with your own introduction first?
The second hunter moved faster than sight.
In a blink, Kael was pushed back several meters, sliding across the floor.
Non-hostile interference discouraged.
Arjun stood.
Enough.
The air around him trembled slightly as his power reacted instinctively.
The hunters paused.
Energy signature confirmed, the leader said. Classification rising.
Lyra whispered urgently.
They belong to the Order of Balance. They erase threats before disasters begin.
Mira's voice sharpened.
He's not a threat.
The hunter tilted his head.
All anomalies claim innocence.
He raised his hand. A glowing device formed from light around his wrist.
Evaluation begins.
Energy waves spread outward, scanning Arjun.
The symbol on Arjun's hand ignited through the bandage, glowing gold.
Wind spiraled around him.
The hunters stepped back slightly.
Unexpected resonance detected.
The leader's calm voice changed for the first time.
Impossible… Guardian recognition?
Arjun clenched his fist.
I'm not going anywhere with you.
The rooftop trembled as his power reacted again, cracking tiles beneath his feet.
The hunters exchanged silent signals.
Risk level increasing.
Capture protocol authorized.
The second hunter drew a blade made entirely of condensed light.
Mira moved closer to Arjun.
We're not letting them take you.
Kael wiped dust off his jacket and stood again.
Yeah, next time warn me before teleporting ninjas show up.
Lyra's eyes glowed faintly silver.
Conflict unavoidable.
The hunter leader pointed toward Arjun.
Final request. Submit peacefully.
Arjun looked at his friends beside him.
For the first time, he didn't feel alone facing danger.
He took a step forward.
No.
Energy burst outward from his body, scattering dust into the air.
Then come and try.
The hunters moved at the same instant.
And above them, the cracked sky pulsed once more — as if watching the beginning of a much larger war.