The gates of the academy stood open beneath the pale evening sky as Kael and the others finally returned from Sector Fourteen, their footsteps quieter than usual as they crossed the massive stone bridge leading back toward the central grounds, and although the academy looked exactly the same as before—the towering spires, the floating mana lanterns, the distant sounds of training echoing through the lower platforms—something about returning now felt different.
Not because the academy had changed.
But because they had.
Aren stretched both arms behind his head as they walked, letting out a long breath. "I swear… this place feels way too peaceful after that mission."
Lyra glanced at him briefly. "You're complaining about peace now?"
"I'm saying it feels suspicious," Aren replied immediately. "After almost dying several times, this much calm feels illegal."
Draven walked silently beside them, his dark coat shifting lightly with the wind, though after a few seconds, he finally spoke.
"…You exaggerated."
Aren looked offended. "Exaggerated? We got chased through half a dead zone by unstable creatures that weren't even supposed to exist."
"…You're still alive."
"That's not the point."
Kael listened quietly while walking slightly ahead of them, his gaze moving across the academy grounds.
Students filled the pathways even this late into the evening.
Some trained on the lower combat fields while others gathered near the open courtyard cafés between the dormitory towers, conversations overlapping beneath the warm glow of mana lamps suspended above the streets. A group of second-year students passed nearby wearing silver-trimmed uniforms different from the standard first-year attire, their movements sharper, calmer, carrying the confidence of students who had already survived the academy's earlier years.
Among them, Kael noticed something else.
Not all of them were human.
Near the northern walkway, a tall elf with long pale hair stood speaking with two instructors, the silver markings near his neck faintly glowing beneath the lantern light, while farther ahead, a broad-shouldered dwarf student carried what looked like dismantled gauntlets over one shoulder while arguing loudly with another student about weapon balance.
Aren noticed Kael's gaze.
"…You don't see upper-year races often in first-year sections."
Lyra nodded slightly. "Different training facilities."
"Still weird," Aren muttered. "That dwarf looked like he could punch through the academy walls."
"…Probably can," Draven said.
Aren blinked once.
"…Fair."
The group continued walking deeper into the academy until the massive central structure rose before them once more, its upper layers disappearing into the darkening sky as streams of mana moved faintly along its outer walls like flowing rivers of light.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Because despite everything—
The academy still felt enormous.
As if they had only scratched the surface of it.
Then—
"You're finally back."
The familiar voice caused Aren to flinch slightly before turning.
Selene stood near the entrance stairs with her arms crossed, silver hair shifting softly in the wind as her sharp eyes moved across the group one by one.
"You took longer than expected," she continued.
Aren frowned. "You say that like we went on vacation."
Selene ignored him completely.
Her gaze stopped on Kael.
"…You saw one of them."
It wasn't a question.
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Even Lyra's expression became more focused.
Selene remained silent for a few moments before speaking again.
"…Then you understand why the academy restricted information."
Aren folded his arms. "Honestly? No. We barely understand anything."
"That's intentional," Selene replied calmly.
Aren stared at her.
"…That somehow sounds worse."
Kael looked toward Selene. "The distortions… how long has the academy known?"
Selene's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Long enough."
Not a real answer.
But enough to understand she wouldn't say more.
Draven spoke quietly. "…So the Headmaster was telling the truth."
"Yes."
A small silence followed.
Then Selene shifted the topic entirely.
"The academy board issued temporary adjustments while you were gone."
Aren blinked. "Adjustments?"
"The first-year structure is changing."
Now that—
Caught everyone's attention.
Lyra tilted her head slightly. "…Changing how?"
Selene turned toward the upper academy towers visible beyond the central courtyard.
"The instructors believe standard progression is becoming insufficient."
Aren groaned immediately. "Please don't say more combat evaluations."
"You'll have more than evaluations."
"…I hate where this is going."
Selene ignored him again.
"Starting next week, selected first-year students will gain limited access to upper academy facilities."
Kael's eyes sharpened slightly.
Upper academy facilities.
Those were normally restricted almost entirely to upper years.
"…Based on rankings?" Lyra asked.
"Partially."
"Meaning?"
Selene looked toward Kael briefly before answering.
"Performance."
That single word explained enough.
Aren sighed heavily. "So basically students who survived the insane missions get rewarded with even more insane missions."
"…More advanced opportunities," Selene corrected.
"That's literally the same thing."
For once—
A faint smile appeared on Selene's face.
Small.
Brief.
But real.
"You'll receive the official assignments tomorrow morning," she said. "Until then, you're dismissed."
Aren looked ready to collapse from relief. "Finally."
The group began separating slowly after that.
Draven returned toward the eastern dormitory sector without another word while Lyra paused briefly near the academy fountain before glancing toward Kael.
"…You're going to train tonight anyway, aren't you?"
Kael looked at her.
"…Probably."
A soft sigh escaped her.
"You really don't stop."
"No."
"…I noticed."
But despite the words, there wasn't irritation in her voice.
Only understanding.
After a brief silence, she spoke again.
"…Get some rest first."
Then she turned and walked toward the upper dormitory path, her silver-blue hair disappearing gradually into the evening crowd.
Aren stared after her before looking at Kael.
"…You know she worries about you, right?"
Kael frowned slightly. "…Why?"
Aren looked genuinely shocked.
"…How are you this unaware?"
"I'm asking seriously."
"That somehow makes it worse."
Kael said nothing.
Aren sighed dramatically before waving one hand dismissively.
"…Forget it. You'll figure it out in like… fifty chapters."
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly. "…What?"
"Nothing."
Aren immediately started walking backward toward his own dormitory wing.
"I'm sleeping for twelve hours. If the academy collapses again, don't wake me."
"…You wouldn't survive twelve hours asleep."
"I BELIEVE IN MYSELF."
Then he disappeared into the crowd.
Silence returned.
For the first time in days—
Kael stood alone.
The academy wind moved softly through the courtyard as students continued passing around him, their conversations blending into distant noise beneath the glow of evening mana lights.
And slowly—
The tension inside him settled.
Not disappeared.
Just—
Quieted.
His gaze lifted upward toward the higher sections of the academy.
Toward the structures most first-years never reached.
Toward the floating rings and distant towers hidden behind layers of mana barriers.
There was still so much of the academy he hadn't seen yet.
So much hidden beneath its structure.
And now—
The academy itself was beginning to open those doors.
Kael exhaled quietly before finally turning toward the first-year dormitory sector.
But before he could leave—
A familiar presence stopped him.
"…You returned safely."
Kael turned slightly.
Elaris stood near the stone pathway beneath one of the silver lantern trees lining the courtyard, her white-and-gold academy coat moving softly in the night breeze, golden eyes fixed calmly on him.
For a brief moment—
Neither spoke.
Then Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
Elaris studied him carefully.
"…You changed again."
Not physically.
Something else.
Kael understood that immediately.
"…So did you."
A faint silence settled between them.
Different from before.
Not tense.
Not hostile.
Just—
Quiet.