The academy had granted a one-week break before classes resumed—
A brief pause.
Before everything truly began.
Chrono walked into the cafeteria.
Same as always.
No rush.
No interest in the noise around him.
He grabbed his usual—
Bread.
Simple sides.
Nothing special.
Then sat down.
Alone.
Unbothered.
—
Elsewhere—
Leon Ardent walked through the academy hallway, eyes casually scanning the ranking screen on his device.
Unchanged.
Rank #1.
As expected.
"Leon!!"
A bright voice echoed.
He turned slightly.
Lia Heartly approached, her golden hair bouncing lightly with each step, her usual cheerful energy untouched.
"Oh, good morning, Lia."
"Good morning!"
She stopped beside him, smiling.
"Did you check out the new rankings?"
Leon nodded lightly.
"Yeah. The top six are still the same."
Before Lia could reply—
Another voice cut in.
Sharp.
Fierce.
"How can that useless fucking commoner get a rank above me?!"
The air tightened instantly.
Rina Emberheart.
Her presence burned—literally.
Small sparks flickered around her fingertips as she stormed forward.
Beside her—
Nia Veridian walked calmly, though her expression carried a hint of awkwardness as she tried to keep Rina in check.
"Hello, Leon…"
"H-ha… good morning."
Leon gave a strained smile.
Lia blinked, confused.
"Why is she so angry in the morning?"
Rina stopped.
Slowly turned.
"Why am I angry?"
A dangerous pause.
"…Did you really just ask that?"
Lia visibly shrank.
Rina raised her wrist sharply.
"LOOK AT THIS."
Everyone leaned slightly.
"Mhm?"
Her finger jabbed at the screen.
"You're Rank #5 in the physical examination."
"…Yes?"
Lia tilted her head.
"Wait… then who's Rank #4?"
A beat.
Rina's eyes darkened.
Her jaw clenched.
"…That trash over there."
She pointed.
Directly.
Across the cafeteria.
Chrono
Sitting alone.
Completely unbothered.
Eating his bread.
As if none of this had anything to do with him.
Silence spread across their group.
Lia blinked.
Leon's gaze shifted.
Nia followed quietly.
All eyes—
On him.
"…Chrono?"
Lia whispered.
Rina's flames flared slightly.
"I don't care what kind of trick he pulled—"
Her voice dropped.
Low.
Burning.
"…but I'm not letting some nobody stay above me."
Meanwhile—
Chrono took another bite.
Calm.
Unaware.
Or maybe—
He just didn't care.
"H-haha… anyways—where is your brother, Nia?"
Leon asked, trying to shift the tension.
Nia blinked once.
"Mhm?"
"Liam apparently headed toward the Royal Palace."
A pause.
Leon frowned slightly.
"The Royal Palace? Why?"
Lia immediately turned toward him.
"Dummy, did you not know?"
She crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"Today is the meeting."
A beat.
"The one about the recent killings and the kings younger brother."
The atmosphere shifted.
Subtly—
But noticeably.
Lia continued, her tone a little more serious now.
"The entire Council of Humanity will be there."
"And all four ducal houses."
A brief silence followed.
Ardent.
Veridian.
Emberheart.
Desmund.
The pillars of power.
The ones who stood at the very top.
Nia spoke calmly.
"…Father sent Liam."
A small pause.
"To gain experience."
Leon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So it's that serious."
Rina scoffed lightly, though her irritation hadn't fully faded.
"Of course it is."
"People don't just start dying for no reason."
Lia shifted uneasily.
"…Do you think it's connected to the death of Jake Umbra?"
No one answered immediately.
But the thought—
Lingered.
Because if the Council was involved…
Then whatever was happening—
Was far bigger than the academy.
____
The scene shifted—
To the Royal Palace.
To call it enormous—
Was an understatement.
It wasn't just a structure.
It was a symbol.
Towering spires of white marble stretched toward the sky, their tips crowned in gold that shimmered under the sunlight. Vast pillars lined the grand entrance—each one carved with ancient runes and stories of past victories.
Wide stairways led upward like a path meant only for the powerful, while massive gates of polished obsidian stood open—guarded by elite knights clad in silver armor that gleamed like mirrors.
The palace radiated authority.
Weight.
History.
As if the very air around it demanded silence and respect.
—
Outside—
Chaos.
A massive crowd had gathered.
Reporters.
Citizens.
Nobles.
Voices overlapped.
Cameras flashed.
Everyone waiting—
For them.
The first car arrived.
Sleek.
Luxurious.
The moment it stopped—
The crowd erupted.
The door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Beautiful.
Overwhelmingly so.
Long crimson hair cascaded down her back like flowing fire.
Her dress—deep red—fit her perfectly, enhancing her presence rather than overshadowing it.
Every step she took felt deliberate.
Graceful.
Dominant.
"Lady Fiona! Over here!"
"Lady Emberheart!"
The crowd roared louder.
Cameras flashed endlessly.
This was Fiona Emberheart.
An SS+ rank Archmage.
A living legend.
She didn't look at them for long.
Instead—
She turned slightly.
A maid stood beside her.
Dressed sharply in a suit.
Composed.
Professional.
"Zara."
Her voice was soft.
Melodious.
"Have the others arrived?"
Zara bowed her head slightly.
"Not yet, Mistress."
Fiona nodded once.
"Very well."
She began walking.
"Let's head inside."
And just like that—
She passed through the gates.
As if the noise behind her didn't exist.
—
A few minutes later—
Another arrival.
This time—
The atmosphere shifted again.
Heavier.
Sharper.
The car door opened.
A man stepped out.
Silver hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
A presence that cut through the noise itself.
William Ardent.
Leon's father.
An SS+ rank swordsman.
The crowd reacted—
But not the same way.
Less excitement.
More… respect.
Fear.
No smile.
No wave.
He didn't acknowledge them.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't care.
He simply walked forward—
Each step steady.
Unstoppable.
And entered the palace.
—
The final arrival came soon after.
A more modest car.
But no less important.
The door opened—
And Liam Veridian stepped out.
Calm.
Composed.
Right behind him—
Sylvia Veridian.
The sister of the current patriarch.
Unlike Liam—
Her hair was black.
But her eyes
The same striking blue.
Sharp.
Intelligent.
The moment she stepped out—
Her expression changed.
Brightened.
A perfect public smile.
She immediately pulled Liam closer.
Wrapping an arm around him slightly.
Then—
She waved.
Graceful.
Elegant.
The crowd responded instantly.
Cheers.
Cameras.
Attention.
Liam stiffened slightly.
"A-aunt…"
His voice low.
Awkward.
"…is this really necessary?"