With every step he took, Isaac's anxiety grew heavier.
But he didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
He had to find Maya — and nothing in this world would keep him from doing that.
Suddenly, another explosion shook the academy.
Isaac turned his head toward the shattered window.
A massive lion made of fire was clashing with two intruders on the far side of the campus.
"That's Claire's familiar..." he whispered.
"She's been sticking close to Maya lately... That must mean Maya's with her."
It sounded more like a desperate prayer than a rational thought.
Isaac's fist ignited with a swirling red mist, forming a crimson gauntlet. Without hesitation, he smashed the glass.
He took a step back—
Then leapt out.
All eyes turned toward the falling boy.
Claire, the intruders — even the flaming lion — seemed caught off guard by his sudden dive.
One of the intruders snarled.
"I'll take care of the boy. I've got a score to settle with him."
He dashed toward the landing zone — fast.
Too fast.
He met Isaac mid-air, tackling him violently into a nearby wall.
Isaac hit hard.
[System Alert]
> Insanity Index: 78%
Warning: Skill ????????? is starting to awaken.
The words echoed inside Isaac's mind, but he didn't care.
He forced himself up, squinting at his attacker — a large, muscular man clad in black, his face hidden behind a blank mask.
Isaac groaned.
"Didn't know Halloween came early this year."
The masked man said nothing. He charged forward, launching a powerful kick toward Isaac's head.
Isaac blocked, but the impact still hurled him into the wall again.
"Come on, kid. That the best you've got?" the intruder mocked.
Isaac wiped the blood from his mouth and smirked.
"I was gonna ask why you're doing all this, but honestly, I'm not in the mood for tragic villain backstories."
He tilted his head.
"What's with the mask, though? Instructor Blade… Was my little sand prank that humiliating?"
The intruder froze. Then he reached up and removed the mask.
It was him.
Blade.
Isaac's smirk widened.
"I could smell that inferiority complex from a mile away. What is it? Daddy didn't say 'I'm proud of you' enough times?"
Blade's expression twisted with rage.
He threw a punch that cracked against Isaac's skull.
"Shut up!" Blade shouted.
"I don't enjoy this. But the future has no place for people like you. Only those blessed by our god deserve to walk this earth."
He threw another punch. Then another.
Blood ran down Isaac's face.
He stopped resisting. His body went limp.
Blade released him, letting him crumple to his knees.
Stepping back, Blade raised his hand.
A divine light gathered in his palm — one final, holy strike to finish the job.
"Blame yourself... for not being one of the chosen."
He launched forward.
But Isaac didn't fall.
He rose.
Not because he wanted to.
But because something inside him refused to die.
Pain erupted across his body — then sharpened. Crimson spikes tore through his flesh and impaled Blade mid-strike.
Blade's eyes widened.
Isaac stood tall, blood dripping from his jaw, eyes glowing faintly red.
"You really think you were chosen for some greater purpose?" he laughed.
He placed his hand on Blade's chest, lowering his head to whisper.
"None of us were chosen..."
"We were cursed."
Blade stumbled, confused.
This wasn't what the intel said.
He had tested Isaac.
He wasn't awakened. He was just... a smart, stubborn kid.
"How... how is this possib—"
"Shhh..." Isaac interrupted, placing a finger to Blade's lips with eerie calm.
"We'll meet in hell."
Then came the whisper.
"Crimson Mist."
The red fog surged, twisting into a single spike that burst through Blade's heart.
The last thing he saw was that devilish, innocent smile.