If the world's first demand to the Alliance was to keep the students' location hidden, and the second was to guarantee their privacy, then the third demand was even more important:
Transparency.
The younger generation couldn't be sent to a place of learning without knowing what was happening beyond the walls. Otherwise, what was the difference between that and a prison?
So, in response, the Alliance began sending daily news updates to all students, covering everything from politics to entertainment, business, and especially the ongoing crisis: The New Age Demons.
However, despite their week of planning, the group hadn't yet decided what to do about the demons.
"That's going to be difficult," Vahn muttered, clicking his tongue in regret. Truthfully, he had avoided the topic altogether because...
"When I was trapped in that facility, the head of the experiment was a two-pair-winged demon… and he could morph between a human and a demon."
Gasp.
The group collectively inhaled in shock. None of them had expected that.
"So that's why they call themselves 'New Age,'" Dante said, nodding thoughtfully.
"How do we identify them, though?" Carla asked, concern in her voice. "Maybe we're safe with the one-pair types, but the danger increases with every additional pair of wings."
Since the long week of planning, Carla had grown more comfortable with the group and spoke more openly.
She continued, "Imagine a three-pair demon walking casually through our camp… then going on a rampage. Thankfully, they don't seem to view us as a threat yet, or maybe they just don't see any use in targeting students."
"Then we need to collect a sample," Dante added, already considering how to create a detection device. But for that, they needed access to a demon, and that wasn't going to happen any time soon.
With nothing more to add, they finished breakfast in silence and left the cafeteria.
Since Vahn, Han, and Carla shared the same class, they walked together. Upon entering, they saw Professor Martis already at the podium.
"Alright, settle down, class," Professor Martis called out, shooting a quick glance at the last three to walk in.
"By now, you should've all selected your elective courses. Today will be the first day you attend them. But before that, I want to talk about the creatures we now know as… 'Marked Beasts.'"
Vahn, Carla, and Han exchanged a brief glance before focusing on the lesson.
Before joining the Alliance, they'd been told that Marked Beasts were leftovers from the demon war. But what exactly the Alliance taught the students about them was still unknown.
It was like giving them what they wanted at the right time.
"Now, as many of you may have heard, Marked Beasts are said to be byproducts of the demon war, but…" Professor Martis paused, then sighed. "The truth is, we don't really know."
A wave of disappointment swept through the room.
"They're called 'Marked Beasts' because of the number of marks that appear instinctively in one's mind upon encountering them. You'll understand when you see one. That aside, we had time after the war to study them closely and categorize them by strength."
Vahn's interest began to wane. What the military knew or at least chose to share wasn't much different from what the public already knew.
"But here's where it gets interesting," the professor continued. "We noticed that some ability users could take on more Marked Beasts than others. So, we thought: why not use these same classifications to rank ability users?"
That got Vahn's attention again.
"And that idea saved countless lives," the professor said proudly.
A student raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Professor, you said it saved a lot of lives, but how is that possible? Was there a method of measuring the ability of users accordingly?" She asked, trying to piece something. and looking back at the professor, he smiled lightly
"Excellent question. The Supremes brought back a device from the final battle that could measure an individual's combat capacity. After extensive study, we managed to mass-produce it."
Vahn, Carla, and Han exchanged glances again. No explanation was needed; it was clearly another reward from the Supremes' victory.
"Starting in your second year, the Alliance will begin measuring each of you annually using that device. Now, let me quickly review the classifications. Some of you may already know, but for clarity…"
"Beasts with 1-10 marks are equivalent to E-rank ability users, 11-30 marks are equivalent to D-rank ability users, 31-50 marks are equivalent to C-rank ability users, 51-100 marks are equivalent to B-rank ability users, 101-200 marks are equivalent to A-rank ability users and finally, 201-500 marks are equivalent to S-rank ability users."
"Ohhh, so that's how it works?"
"Where do the Supremes fall?"
"Duh, obviously S-rank…"
"No, wait—let's ask."
Another student raised their hand. "Professor, where do the Nine Supremes fall under?"
"They're considered beyond S-rank," Professor Martis replied. "They've never been officially evaluated."
A mix of awe and silence followed.
"Now then, off to your electives. For those still unsure about the rankings, they'll now appear on your devices. Class dismissed."
With that, Professor Martis exited the classroom, and the usual student chatter resumed.
Han approached Vahn and Carla. "What electives do you guys have?"
Due to the overwhelming preference for certain courses, a random shuffle had been implemented to split the students. As a result, students who picked the same course could end up attending it on different days.
Vahn checked his phone. "Physical Combat."
"Nice. You?" Han asked as they were attending the same lecture, then looked at Carla.
"Understanding Abilities," she replied, standing up.
"Alright, good luck." Han stepped aside for her to pass.
She gave them one last glance before leaving the room.
"Let's go," Vahn said, nodding toward the door.
"Uh-yeah." Snapping out of his thoughts, Han followed him out.