Inside the hall was quiet. Very quiet.
Not even the wind dared to disturb the tense atmosphere that was as a result of the day's chaos. The Martial Art Hall stood restored — its cracked walls, it's destroyed arena, and broken glass all perfectly reconstructed as if time itself had been reversed --- which was really what happened. But the silence that lingered there was unnatural.
Inside, Professor Richard Leo stood beside the Dante who had his head lowered, his hands clasped behind his back. His golden eyes studied the boy's motionless form with a mix of fascination and unease. Around them, Rio, Mia, Dabi, Smith, and Lee sat in a nervous circle.
Richard could still sense it — faint traces of that wild, overwhelming energy that had nearly torn the academy apart. The aura was gone, but its echo remained, clinging to the air like an invisible scar.
He had seen power before. He had taught prodigies, trained warriors who could split mountains with their fists. But this… this was different. The energy Dante released had an ancient resonance — a vibration that felt older than the academy itself.
And no one must know.
Richard turned sharply. "Not a word of this leaves this hall, you guys should know that," he said, his voice calm yet cold enough to make the students freeze. "If anyone outside learns what happened here, you will all be expelled — or worse."
The threat was unnecessary; they already understood.
Mia looked down, with mixed expressions. Rio only nodded once, silent.
"Good," Richard said, glancing once more at Dante. "He's stable for now. But we need answers — and I intend to get them."
He turned toward the doors. "We're going somewhere private. Follow me."
The students obeyed immediately, none daring to question him.
Outside, the evening light painted the academy's tall spires gold. Students stayed clear of the area, it was an order from Richard. The corridors were deserted — Richard had personally sealed the area with a sound barrier to prevent prying ears. Even the guards had been dismissed under false orders.
No one knew what was about to happen. And that was exactly how Richard wanted it.
"Where are we going?" he asked weakly.
"To the place where truth doesn't hide," Richard replied cryptically. "And where power answers to those who seek it."
None of them understood what he meant.
They followed him down a narrow, dimly lit passage that spiraled deep beneath the academy. The air grew cooler, heavier. Strange runes glowed faintly on the walls, humming in quiet rhythm to their footsteps.
Mia frowned. "Sir… are we still inside the academy?"
Richard didn't respond. His silence was answer enough.
Finally, they reached a large iron gate engraved with symbols none of them recognized. Richard placed his palm against it, and golden light spread from his hand, tracing the carvings until the gate creaked open with a deep, ancient groan.
A faint, bluish mist drifted out.
"Welcome," Richard said softly, "to the Chamber of Silence."
The students stepped inside, wide-eyed. The chamber was enormous — circular, with obsidian walls and a glowing emblem in the center of the floor. The air vibrated with restrained energy, and the faint echo of distant whispers danced along the edges of hearing.
"This place isn't on the academy map," Dabi whispered.
"It's not meant to be," Richard replied. "This chamber predates the academy itself. It was built by the founders — not as a classroom, but as a trial ground."
Rio exchanged a glance with Smith. "A… trial?"
Richard turned toward them, his expression unreadable. "Yes. The Academy Trial. But not the one you know."
Before anyone could question him, footsteps echoed behind them. Slow, deliberate, almost playful.
"Well, well… Richard Leo, walking the hidden corridors again. That's not something you see every day."
The group turned sharply.
A tall man approached, wearing a long dark coat over his uniform. His silver hair glimmered faintly in the low light, and his eyes — sharp and mischievous — carried the lazy amusement of someone who knew far more than he should.
"Sir Mark Paul," Richard said coolly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Nor did I expect to be here," Mark said with a grin. "But curiosity is a terrible habit of mine."
He stopped a few paces away, his gaze drifting to Dante. His smile faded. "Ah… so that's him."
Richard narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly brings you down here, Mark?"
Mark tilted his head, his expression shifting into something strange — whimsical yet distant. "I heard whispers, Leo. The walls talk, you know. They said a storm was born yesterday — a blue storm that bent the world's spine."
The students looked at each other uneasily.
Richard sighed. "Your riddles are as irritating as ever. Speak plainly."
Mark's grin returned. "I came to see the vessel."
At his words, the atmosphere tensed.
Rio frowned. "Vessel? What do you mean by that?"
Mark's gaze didn't leave Dante. "The boy who holds something that shouldn't exist. You feel it too, don't you, Richard? The power inside him."
Dante looked confused, his hand instinctively touching his chest. "Vessel…?"
Richard's golden eyes sharpened. "Mark, this is none of your concern. Turn around and forget what you've seen."
Mark chuckled softly. "Ah, but that's the thing, old friend — I can't forget what sings so loudly. It's been centuries since I've felt energy that old. I'll come with you."
Richard's tone turned firm. "You won't."
Mark's smile didn't falter. "Oh, I think I will. You see, my schedule today is rather empty, and I do so enjoy watching secrets unravel."
"Mark…"
"Relax, Leo," he said lightly, waving a hand. "You'll still have your mystery. I'll just be the one humming while you solve it."
Richard exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to argue. He knew how stubborn Mark Paul could be — and how dangerous. The man hid his intelligence behind riddles and smiles, but beneath that façade was an unpredictable mind that understood things others couldn't even perceive.
"Fine," Richard said at last. "But you'll stay silent. I lead the Trial, not you."
Mark made an exaggerated bow. "As you wish, oh mighty lion of the academy."
Richard ignored him and stepped into the glowing circle at the center of the chamber. The students followed hesitantly, Dante in the middle.
When everyone stood within the circle, Richard raised his right hand. Golden light burst from his palm, tracing the floor's emblem and illuminating the chamber walls.
"The Chamber of Silence," he began, "is not just a place of punishment. It is a mirror. It shows the truth hidden within the heart — and sometimes, what even the soul refuses to see."
He turned toward Dante. "You will stand in the center. The Trial will begin when I give the command. No one outside this chamber will know what happens here."
Mark chuckled under his breath. "Ah, a secret within a secret. How very Leo of you."
Richard ignored him again.
Dante stepped forward, trembling slightly. "What… will happen to me?"
"That depends," Richard said softly, "on what's inside you."
The golden light intensified. The air grew heavy, humming with unseen force. The runes began to rotate slowly, their glow shifting between blue and crimson.
"By the authority of the Founders," Richard declared, "let truth awaken."
The light flared — and Dante's body convulsed. His eyes shot open, glowing faint blue. Whispers filled the chamber, indistinct voices overlapping in dozens of tones, speaking in languages none of them understood.
Rio tried to move forward, but Richard held up a hand. "Don't interfere."
Dante clutched his head, pain shooting through his skull. Memories flashed again — images of war, broken worlds, and a shadow with glowing eyes whispering his name.
Mark's expression shifted — his usual smirk replaced by quiet astonishment. "That… that's not human energy."
"I know," Richard said grimly. "That's why this must stay hidden."
The ground shook violently. Cracks of blue light spiderwebbed across the floor, but Richard slammed his foot down, forcing the energy back.
"Contain it!" he commanded, his voice echoing. "Don't let it escape this room!"
Mia and the others,fell on their knees as the pressure nearly crushed them. But slowly, the light receded. The whispers faded.
Dante fell forward, gasping for air, the glow in his eyes vanishing.
For a long moment, there was silence. Only the faint hum of the runes remained.
Then Richard lowered his staff. "It's done."
Mark let out a low whistle. "Impressive containment. For a moment there, I thought we'd have a new crater under the academy."
Richard glared at him. "Not another word, Mark."
Mark raised his hands innocently. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. But tell me, Leo — what will you do now that you've confirmed it?"
Richard didn't answer. He only looked at Dante, who knelt weakly on the floor, breathing heavily, his expression lost and afraid.
"I'll decide," he said quietly, "after they tell me what they believe their punishment should be."
The chamber fell silent once again. The students exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts pounding.
Mark only smiled faintly, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "Ah," he murmured, almost to himself, "the lion tests his cubs again. Let's see who roars… and who breaks."