Astralis Academy's elite dorms—located on the western tier of the floating central tower—weren't just dormitories. They were miniature fortresses.
Each student in Class Zero had their own private suite with temperature-controlled windows, spell-reactive floors, smart-scroll desks, and a view of the mana gardens so breathtaking that even high nobles might get jealous.
Hades Draker stood in the doorway of his suite with his arms folded, surveying the room like an emperor judging a throne room.
"Hmm," he said, tapping his chin. "Spacious, fancy, moderately ostentatious. Definitely missing a hot tub."
A projection orb near the ceiling beeped softly.
[Dorm AI Interface: Room Customization Available.]
[Would you like to install: Mirror Mode, Tactical Wall Display, or Indoor Fountain?]
"Indoor fountain," Hades replied. "With dramatic lighting. And throw in a bookshelf that hides a secret passage, even if it goes nowhere."
[Request accepted.]
His bed adjusted itself to the optimal softness for physical training recovery. His wardrobe rotated automatically to maintain wrinkle-free uniform presentation. A crystal pot brewed calming tea in the corner—because of course it did.
"I could get used to this," Hades muttered. Then he paused, raised a hand, and called out:
"P_REX, do I get XP for interior decorating?"
[System Notification]
P_REX System v2.0
Seraphim Sync: 49%
Academy Dorm Network Linked
Answer: No XP gained for decor.
Response: Please stay focused.
Suggested Action: Review team formation data and class schedule.
Outside, the other members of Class Zero were exploring their own rooms. Kaela had requested a spell-forging anvil. Mirth had customized his shelves into a tactical strategy nook. Selwyn, predictably, installed a meditation pod that hovered three inches off the ground.
And across the hall from Hades, Renis Cartaine was punching a dummy golem in frustration.
Hades leaned out of his door.
"You're doing great, Renis!" he called. "Only seven thousand more swings and you might actually land one next time."
"Shut it, Draker!"
"Aw, don't be salty. It's bad for your mana flow."
That evening, just as everyone was settling in, an announcement echoed through the dorm corridors.
[Notice: Class Zero will report to Simulation Hall 2. Immediate rematch scenario requested by Team B.]
[Mission Type: Squad Gauntlet Challenge]
[Format: 4v4 — Same teams.]
[Winning team may alter next week's training schedule.]
Kaela glanced up from her tea.
"Another match?"
Mirth blinked. "Already?"
Selwyn's wind crystal buzzed faintly.
Hades stretched his arms above his head.
"Oh goody," he said. "Another opportunity to disappoint our enemies."
Within minutes, they stood once more in the simulation chamber.
The arena was different this time—a shifting urban environment with alleys, rooftops, and movable platforms. Floating lights simulated nightfall. Illusionary shadows moved just beyond vision range.
Instructor Veylan stood by the control pedestal.
"Team B has requested rematch rights. You may decline."
Kaela looked to Hades. "You want to sit this one out?"
He grinned.
"Absolutely not. I've been emotionally preparing to embarrass them again all day."
The match started with immediate aggression.
Team B charged in coordinated formation, flanking from two sides. Tova and Renis focused on pushing Selwyn and Kaela into a bottleneck while Ina tried to disable Mirth's support magic.
But what they didn't expect—was Hades going full ghost mode.
He disappeared off the radar with a Flash Step, reappeared behind Ina, knocked her mana staff clean out of her hands with a single sweep, and winked.
"Sorry, darling. You're not allowed to disable my support. He's squishy. I'm protective."
He vanished again.
Kaela blocked a fire bolt, countered with a rotating kick, then glanced toward Hades.
"Can you not flirt mid-fight?"
"It's tactical. Lowers their guard."
"I will hit you myself."
"Only if you buy me lunch first."
Back on the other side, Mirth launched two tactical pulses from a hidden rooftop, feeding Kaela and Selwyn with visual overlays. Selwyn's air shields kept Renis at bay, until Hades swooped in from above like a silver streak, dropped a mist orb, and flash-tagged Renis with a pulse rune to his back.
"Tagged you," he said. "Again."
Renis screamed.
Match over: Team A victory.
[System Update]
Match Result: Victory
Team Bonus: +3 Stat Points Shared
Individual Reward:
+90 EXP
Skill Unlocked: Team Guardian (Lv.1) — Increases defense to nearby allies
Seraphim Sync: 50%
[System Status Panel]
Name: Hades Draker
Age: 10
Level: 2
EXP: 290/300
Core: Seraphim (Synced: 50%)
System: P_REX (Lv. 2)
Stats:
Strength: 14
Agility: 17
Endurance: 18
Intelligence: 27
Charisma: 26
Luck: 12
Skills:
• Seraphim Resonance (Lv. 2)
• Modular Engineering (Lv. 3)
• Spell Compression Theory (Lv. 3)
• Swordsmanship: Draker Form (Lv. 3)
• Flash Step (Lv. 2)
• Aura Flash (Lv. 1)
• Team Guardian (Lv. 1) — Auto-boosts defense of allies nearby
After the match, the team gathered outside under the starlit dome of the rooftop observatory.
Kaela sat cross-legged on a marble bench, sipping tea.
Mirth leaned against a glowing pillar, humming softly while sketching spell patterns.
Selwyn meditated mid-air, quiet as ever.
And Hades?
He lay on the grass, arms folded behind his head, staring up at the floating rings of mana orbiting above the academy's central tower.
"...You know," he said, "this isn't so bad."
Kaela glanced sideways. "What, winning?"
"Life. This. All of it. It's rare when the pieces actually start falling into place."
Mirth asked softly, "You've had a lot of pieces?"
Hades paused. Then smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "More than most."
He didn't tell them that his soul had been from another world. That his last life ended with a thunderbolt, and that Seraphim now beat like a second heart in his chest.
They didn't need to know.
They weren't just teammates now.
They were his people.
And if anyone—professor, rival, royal, or monster—ever tried to lay a hand on them?
He'd burn the damn academy down before letting it happen.
With a smile.