Three days have passed since the Champion Trial. Nihil is confined within his sterile white room. Outside his door, two Imperial Guard Holy Knights stand like statues, their presence a constant reminder that he is no longer a student, but an asset—or threat—of the state.
He spends his time in meditation, trying to control his Void Sync, which now hovers at a dangerously high threshold. At 9.5%, he can feel the Whispers of the Void growing clearer in his mind. The whispers no longer merely offer power, but also cold, efficient solutions to his problems. Solutions that often involve total annihilation. Heze's soul must struggle fiercely to maintain control.
The door to his room opens. It is not Celia who enters, but Headmistress Alina Sunstone, her face more serious than usual.
"He has come to see you," Alina says succinctly.
"Who?" asks Nihil.
