A week passed.
And a lot had changed.
With Ragnar's return—
The entire academy shifted.
First—
Aurelia Von Astra had personally lifted the barrier that had surrounded the academy.
After a thorough investigation.
A very thorough one.
The results—
Were ugly.
Many students were found in possession of illegal artifacts.
Forbidden items.
Things that should never have been inside the academy.
Punishments followed immediately.
Some were suspended.
Others—
Imprisoned.
Awaiting judgment.
As the academic year approached its halfway mark—
The fourth years were assigned their graduation missions.
Real missions.
Across kingdoms.
Dangerous.
Unforgiving.
Quests that would decide their future.
With that—
The student council saw a shift as well.
Yelena Zephyr stepped down from her position.
Her role passed on to Seraphina Frost—
Previously the vice president.
And Chrono—
Hadn't been idle either.
This past week—
Had been nothing but training.
Relentless.
Focused.
Especially with Vayne.
Chrono sat cross-legged in his room.
Eyes closed.
Breathing steady.
Meditating.
He was trying to understand it.
Time.
His affinity.
But even after a week—
Progress was… slow.
"…Tch."
His brows furrowed slightly.
There were moments—
Rare ones—
Where if he touched an object…
It would freeze.
Completely.
As if time itself had stopped.
But only for a few seconds.
And completely out of his control.
"…That's it?"
He exhaled in frustration.
—
His eyes opened.
A familiar blue screen appeared.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Chrono
Age: 18
Academy: Eldoria Nexus Academy
Academy Rank: #323
Attributes:
Strength: E+
Speed: D−
Defense: D−
Mana Core: SSS−
Charm: S
Affinity: Time (SSS−)
"…Huh."
He stared at it for a moment.
"…Not too bad"
—
Knock.
Knock.
—
Chrono glanced at the door.
"…?"
He stood up and opened it.
Only to blink in confusion.
Five… maybe six students stood outside.
All of them—
Third or fourth years.
And then—
He saw her.
"…Sis?"
Yelena stepped forward.
A small, bittersweet smile on her face.
Behind her—
A girl with pink hair frowned slightly.
"President Yelena… why are we here?"
"Give me a second, Sakura."
Yelena walked past Chrono.
Into his room.
And closed the door behind her.
Chrono turned.
"Sis… what's going on?"
Yelena didn't waste time.
"I'll be leaving today."
A pause.
"The academy is sending the fourth years on their missions."
Chrono's expression softened.
"…I see."
"I've been assigned to the Elven Kingdom."
A brief silence.
"…How long?"
"…Six months."
Chrono nodded slowly.
No hesitation.
No complaint.
Just understanding.
"I wish you the best, sister."
Yelena smiled.
Genuinely this time.
Then—
She stepped forward.
And hugged him.
Chrono froze for a split second—
Then relaxed.
"…Stay safe."
A pause.
"…And good luck."
"Thank you, Chrono."
She pulled away.
Gave him one last look—
Then turned.
A few seconds later—
The door opened.
And closed again.
She was gone.
The room fell silent.
Chrono stood there for a moment.
Then slowly looked toward the window.
Six months.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'By the time she returns…'
A quiet resolve settled within him.
'I won't be the same.'
___
The scene shifted—
Leon stood within the training grounds.
Sword in hand.
Breathing steady.
Across from him—
Liam.
They had been training consistently.
Pushing each other.
Refining their skills.
Leon lowered his blade slightly.
"…Hey."
A pause.
"…How strong was he?"
Liam exhaled.
He didn't need to ask who.
"…Ragnar?"
"Yeah."
A brief silence.
Then—
"…Terrifying."
Liam's voice was quiet.
Serious.
"As if… if he wanted to…"
"He could wipe out the entire human kingdom."
Leon's grip on his sword tightened.
"…That strong, huh."
He looked up.
Toward the sky.
A faint smile formed.
'One day…'
'…I'll reach that height.'
"You will."
A voice.
Ancient.
Gentle.
Echoing within his mind.
"With your growth… it is only a matter of time."
Leon's eyes softened slightly.
"…Right."
The Goddess of Light.
Watching.
Guiding.
And waiting.
Meanwhile—
Inside the girls' dormitory—
Cards slammed onto the table.
"This game is shit."
Rina Emberheart leaned back, clearly irritated.
A few veins visible on her forehead.
Across from her—
Nia Veridian smirked.
"…How are you bad at literally every game?"
"Shut the hell up, bitch."
"Make me."
"Y-you guys—!"
Lia Heartly panicked slightly, trying to calm them down.
Her voice soft.
Gentle.
"…Can we not start fighting again?"
Rina clicked her tongue.
"…Tch. Whatever."
Nia leaned back casually.
"So…"
A pause.
"What do you guys think about the VR Dungeon Trial?"
That caught their attention.
Rina grinned immediately.
"Heh. I'm excited."
"I wanna see those weak-ass Voidborns."
Lia laughed nervously.
"Haha… I'm curious too…"
"It's next week, right?"
"Yeah."
Nia nodded.
"We'll be assigned teams soon."
Rina crossed her arms.
"…I just hope I don't get stuck with weak idiots."
Lia smiled softly.
"…I think it'll be fun."
Rina and Nia both glanced at her.
"…You're too nice."
"…You're too naive."
"E-eh?!"
Laughter filled the room shortly after.
But beneath it—
Anticipation grew.
Because the next week—
Would change everything.
The VR Dungeon Trial.