The skies above the Academy darkened, not with clouds, but with banners.
Dozens of airships lined the horizon, sigils of sunlight, flame, and purity etched into their hulls.
Beneath them, the Exorcist Knights of the Gleam, the largest militant sect in the Coalition, advanced with deliberate precision.
They were not here to negotiate.
Inside the Academy's war chamber, Rei stood beside Aira and Caelira, facing a projection of the Knights' delegation.
At their front was Grand Inquisitor Velran, armor gleaming like a false dawn, eyes cold.
"You harbor a Vessel of the Smiling Shadow," Velran declared, voice echoing across the marble."A primordial abomination that has ended worlds."
"We demand immediate release of Rei Kazuki to the custody of the Gleam."
Aira's fists clenched.
"He's not a threat."
Velran's gaze flickered.
"That thing inside him is."
"And you would sacrifice thousands, perhaps millions, for the sake of one child's comfort?"
Behind Velran stood other knights, carrying Relic Spears — weapons blessed by borrowed power from minor emergents and lesser Thrones, humming with lethal potential.
They had no illusions of defeating a true Shadow.But they believed they could kill the Vessel before the Shadow fully awakened.
The Principal's projection flickered beside Rei, silent but present, radiating timeless tension.
"You misunderstand," the Principal finally said."You are not here to demand. You are here to ask if we will grant you mercy."
Velran's eyes narrowed.
"Then you refuse."
The ground trembled. Not from the Knights.
From Rei.
The Smiling Shadow pulsed in his veins, unseen but felt, turning the air heavy.
"I don't want to hurt anyone," Rei said, voice strained.
Velran stepped forward, drawing his Relic Spear.
"You may not wish to. But that thing inside you will."
"And we will not wait for it to smile while the world burns."
The Principal raised a hand, silencing the chamber.
"You will leave this place."
Velran's spear hummed.
"Or what?"
A pause.
"Or you will see why we call this place the Last Academy."
For a moment, the air cracked with hidden power. The Shadekin in Aira's shadow hissed softly, rippling outward in silent threat.
The projection cut.
Above, the Knights began to descend, preparing for siege.
Their cannons hummed, spears charged, relic sigils spinning into readiness.
In the hall, Rei turned to Aira.
"They're really going to kill me, aren't they?"
Aira placed her hand on his shoulder, eyes fierce.
"They can try."
The Smiling Shadow shifted in Rei's mind, laughter low but not mocking.
"Let them come."
"We've smiled through worse."