The inter-class tournament was already a thing of the past.
Three days had passed since the final, and the Academy of Slayers had returned to an almost normal rhythm.
Almost.
The hallways were still lively, but something had changed. Conversations were quieter. Gazes heavier. Some students avoided meeting the eyes of those from the special class. Others, on the contrary, watched them with near-obsessive curiosity.
The world had seen.
And it was beginning to react.
Back to Routine… On the Surface
Diopha walked through the corridors, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. To his right, Milim moved with brisk steps, a thick book tucked under her arm. To his left, Douriel scanned their surroundings, as if subconsciously analyzing every detail.
"Seriously," Milim muttered without lifting her eyes from her book,
"have you seen the faces of the first-years? They look like we're about to eat them."
"They've just realized there's a gap," Douriel replied calmly.
"Before, it was theoretical. Now it's concrete."
Diopha shrugged.
"As long as they leave me alone during my quests, I'm fine with it."
Milim looked at him.
"You're still doing those weird things every morning?"
"Every day."
Daily Quest Completed:
• Intensive physical training
• Bodily adaptation: minor progression
He hadn't said anything out loud, but his gaze drifted for a brief moment, as if reading something no one else could see.
Douriel noticed.
He didn't ask.
The Lecture Hall — A Subtle Turning Point
The main hall was packed. Every high-ranking student had been summoned. Even several secondary instructors stood along the walls.
The Head Instructor stood at the center.
Silent.
When he spoke, there was no amplification—yet every word reached its target perfectly.
"The tournament has served its purpose."
His gaze swept across the room.
"It allowed us to measure what you are capable of showing… and more importantly, what you are not yet capable of controlling."
A murmur rippled through the hall.
"From today onward, your training no longer concerns only the Academy."
He took a step forward.
"It concerns the world."
The Government Enters the Scene
A screen activated behind him, displaying symbols unfamiliar to most students.
"Officially," the instructor continued,
"the existence of abilities has always been regulated. Unofficially… the world looked the other way as long as the damage remained limited."
He paused.
"That time is over."
Milim slowly closed her book.
Douriel straightened slightly.
Diopha remained impassive.
"Specialized governmental structures already exist. Some observe. Some analyze. Others…"
He let the word hang.
"…recruit."
A single term floated through the air.
"Guilds."
This time, the agitation was impossible to contain.
"Guilds are not clubs," the instructor went on.
"They are recognized entities capable of handling large-scale incidents, exploring unstable zones, and operating where conventional forces fail."
A student raised his hand.
"Can we create one?"
The instructor gave a brief smile.
"Not yet."
Then, colder:
"The minimum rank required to found a guild is S. And only after governmental approval."
A Promise… and a Threat
"At the end of your academic course," he continued,
"you may apply to official representatives. Some of you will be approached. Others ignored."
His gaze lingered for a second on the special class.
"And a few of you…"
"…will frighten them."
At the back of the room, Isaac Ifrey was slouched in his chair, arms crossed behind his head.
"Tch… they talk like we're already weapons," he said aloud.
"You could at least pretend to ask for our opinion."
Several gazes turned toward him.
Isaac smiled.
"What? I'm just telling the truth."
His eyes slid toward Diopha.
"Right, Artemis?"
Diopha didn't respond.
Isaac clicked his tongue.
"Still silent as ever… honestly, it kills the mood."
Milim frowned.
"You should probably talk less."
"And you should read a little less, princess."
Douriel sighed inwardly.
After Class — The Trio
The sun was sinking when they left the building.
"So basically," Milim said,
"the world is starting to panic."
"And to organize," Douriel added.
"Which is more dangerous."
Diopha stretched.
"As long as it doesn't interfere with my training…"
New Quest Available:
• Structural reinforcement of the body
• Objective: surpass current limits
He stopped abruptly.
Milim looked at him.
"Again?"
"Yeah."
He smiled faintly.
"I've got some catching up to do."
Above them, invisible to ordinary eyes, Mini-Zenkai floated lazily, watching the scene like a show he was deeply invested in.
"The government… the guilds…" he murmured.
"The stage is set."
He took a sip of juice.
"Now let's see how they survive what they've started."
The world was moving forward.
So was the Academy.
And somewhere—beyond classes, rules, and structures…
Something far greater had begun to stir.
To be continued…
With guilds, governments, and fear entering the equation, who do you think will try to control Diopha first—and what happens when control fails?