The days slipped by in a quiet rhythm, yet Naro did not waste a single one. Every night, when the academy slept, he wandered in silence. Hallways, towers, the training grounds, the library, even the sealed archives — he had memorized every corner of the radiant academy. At this point, he could walk the academy blindfolded and never miss a step.
And still, the Light Travel Nyx eluded him.
Each failed attempt ate at his mind, but he never lost composure. He knew the higher-ups would not leave something so precious to be easily found. There had to be another layer, something hidden in the folds of the academy itself.
One moonless night, as he prowled the eastern wing, Naro froze. A faint sound — the deliberate rhythm of boots against stone. One of the teachers.
But this was no casual patrol. The man's movements were tense, cautious. His eyes scanned the shadows like a predator wary of being stalked.
Naro's pupils narrowed. He hid himself between two pillars, holding his breath until the man passed. Then, soundless as a drifting shadow, Naro followed.
The teacher reached the far end of the library, where an ancient wall of bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling. Naro had checked this place dozens of times, run his hands along every inch, pressed and tapped the wood until he was certain it was solid.
The man paused, glanced behind him once more, and whispered words under his breath.
The bookshelves shimmered. Their form bent, wavered like water disturbed by a stone, then dissolved into thin air. Beyond them, only darkness.
Naro's eyes gleamed. So that's what it is… an Illusion Path Nyx.
He had suspected it once. In fact, this wall had been one of his top three guesses. But suspicion was one thing — confirmation was another. He had never uncovered the incantation, and without it, the illusion remained as solid as steel.
Naro exhaled softly, the sound more a whisper than a sigh. Finally…
He lingered in the shadows until the teacher vanished inside. Minutes passed. Naro counted every breath, then stepped forward.
He placed his palm against the shelf. Nothing. Solid, unyielding. He closed his eyes, recalling the rhythm of the teacher's lips, the words he had mouthed. He mimicked them silently, shaping the air.
The wall quivered.
Books dissolved into mist, revealing a hidden passage of pale light.
Naro stepped through.
The scene beyond was unlike anything in the academy proper, vast, empty, and unnervingly silent, as if sound itself dared not linger. At the center loomed a colossal translucent barrier, smooth and mirror-like, radiating with shifting hues — red, gold, violet, blue. The colors pulsed slowly, like a living heart.
Naro's breath stilled. His instincts screamed that beyond this veil lay the secret chamber, the Light Travel Nyx itself.
But the barrier was more than just a door. He could feel its power from where he stood, a dense aura pressing against his skin like invisible blades. Entering it without permission would be suicide. Detection was guaranteed, and termination would follow in moments.
His eyes lingered on the shifting mirror, memorizing every detail. His lips curved in the faintest smile. So this is where you've been hiding it. A year of searching, and the path finally reveals itself.
He did not push further. Not tonight.
Turning silently, he slipped back through the illusory shelves, the library returning to its normal state as though nothing had ever shifted.
By the time he reached his dorm, the moon was high. Not a soul stirred in the academy. Naro slid into bed, his expression calm, but deep within his heart lay a rare satisfaction.
The hunt was far from over. But now he had the scent.
And soon, the prize.
…
The academy's central plaza was overflowing. Students from every division, instructors standing along the perimeter, even some of the higher-ranked overseers had gathered. The hum of chatter filled the air like a living storm — anticipation, curiosity, excitement, and dread tangled into one.
Naro stood with Elara and Markus near the heart of the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning the restless students. Elara's violet gaze glimmered with eager anticipation, while Markus kept stretching his arms as though ready for whatever was coming. Naro alone looked calm, his face a mask of indifference, though inwardly he sharpened his focus.
Across the plaza, Lloyd stood tall, his hand gripping the strap of his sword tightly. His companions, Elizabeth and Darian, behind him, both with nervous looks. Lloyd's expression was iron, determination etched into every line. No matter what they announce… I'll surpass him. I'll surpass Naro.
The crowd's chatter began to grow frantic. Rumors flared:
"Another expedition?"
"No, maybe it's the annual ranking test."
"I heard it's something even greater."
And then—
The plaza's chatter slowly fell into a halt.
Thalgor appeared.
The man was a mountain draped in blackened robes, his presence alone forcing silence into every throat. His aura rolled off him like a storm tide — heavy, oppressive, commanding. Even the instructors unconsciously straightened their backs. Students found themselves clenching fists, their breath shallow, hearts hammering faster.
Thalgor walked slowly onto the stage, each step echoing like the toll of a war drum. When he finally reached the center, he gave a simple cough — "Ahem. Ahem."
That sound was enough. All chatter died completely, as though the world itself held its breath.
His deep voice boomed across the plaza.
"Students of the Radiant Academy. Today, I bring you an announcement that will shape the future of many among you."
Naro's eyes narrowed. His instincts pricked — something good was coming.
Thalgor paused, letting the tension thicken. His gaze swept over the crowd, sharp as blades. When his eyes passed over Naro, Lloyd, Elizabeth, and others of note, they lingered just a fraction longer, as if weighing them in silence.
Then he spoke.
"A new contest will begin. An all-out battle royale."
The words struck the crowd like thunder. Murmurs erupted instantly, anxious voices colliding:
"Battle royale!?"
"That's insane—"
"Does he mean everyone?"
Thalgor raised a single hand. Silence slammed down again.
"Yes. An all-out battle royale. Students between rank two and rank three will enter. You will fight in teams of three. And whichever team stands victorious at the end…"
His lips curved in the faintest of smiles, though his aura only grew stronger, more suffocating.
"…will be granted a reward worthy of legends — a rank three Nyx, compatible with the victor's path."
The plaza exploded. Shouts and gasps filled the air, disbelief and hunger mixing in equal measure.
"A rank three Nyx!? That's impossible!"
"If that's true, it could change everything—"
"Do you know what kind of power that holds!?"
The weight of the announcement spread like fire through dry grass. Students' eyes burned with greed and fear alike. Some cheered, others looked pale, their bodies trembling at the thought of facing stronger opponents.
Lloyd's hand tightened into a fist until his knuckles whitened. Elizabeth glanced at him nervously.
"Lloyd… rank threes will be there too. Isn't this too dangerous?"
He didn't look at her, his eyes locked across the plaza toward Naro.
"Dangerous or not… I can't lose."
Darian swallowed hard, his usually confident face shadowed by unease. "Still, this isn't fair… some of us will be throwing our lives away."
Meanwhile, Markus let out a low whistle beside Naro. "Heh. They're serious this time. A rank three Nyx for the winners? That's like handing a crown jewel to a commoner." His grin faltered slightly. "But fighting rank threes? That's… not exactly a laughing matter."
Elara's hands twitched nervously at her side, her voice hushed. "It's reckless… so many could die." Yet despite her words, her eyes shimmered with a dangerous kind of excitement. "But… it could also be glorious."
Naro said nothing at first, only watching Thalgor. His mind, however, was already racing. So… they're forcing the students into slaughter. A tournament dressed as spectacle. But more than that—it's bait. They want to see who can endure, who can kill, who can rise above the others.
A trembling voice rose from the crowd, a student daring to ask the question that's in everyone's minds.
"When… when will this battle royale be held?"
Thalgor's gaze shifted to the speaker. The man nearly collapsed under the weight of it, but Thalgor's answer came like a steel hammer.
"One month from now. Outside the radiant kingdom's walls."
The eruption this time was deafening. Students shouted in alarm.
"Outside the walls!?"
"Are they mad!? The wilderness is crawling with Nyx-beasts!"
"We'll be slaughtered before we even fight each other!"
Even some instructors exchanged uncertain looks, their stoic expressions cracking at the thought of unleashing so many half-trained students beyond the safety of the radiant barrier.
Lloyd's composure faltered just slightly, his jaw tightening. Elizabeth's face paled, Darian muttered curses under his breath. Even they — elites among the students — felt the edge of fear.
Elara whispered to herself, "Outside the walls… it's practically a death sentence."
Markus clenched his fists, eyes wide. "This is… no, this is insane."
Naro, however, simply lowered his gaze, his mind was in ecstasy. Where others saw madness, he saw opportunity. Blood, chaos, fear — all of it could be used. All of it could be bent to his will.
Thalgor spread his arms wide, his aura pressing down one last time, heavy and absolute.
"This battle will be a crucible. A trial by blood and fire. Only the strongest will walk away. The rest…" His voice darkened, almost amused. "…will serve as lessons written in flesh."
The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the pounding of countless racing hearts.
The month ahead would not be one of training.
It would be one of survival.
The announcement left the academy buzzing like a bee hive struck by fire. One month. One month to prepare for the most dangerous event any of them had ever faced.
The next morning, teams began forming like lightning. Students whispered, bargained, argued. Friendships strained, rivalries ignited.
But for Naro, Markus, and Elara, the decision had already been made.
They gathered beneath the shade of an old stone archway near the training fields. Markus leaned against the wall, arms crossed, Elara sat on the steps with a bright smile, and Naro stood with that calm expression.
"So that's it then," Markus said, scratching the back of his neck. "We're a team. The three of us against… well, everyone."
Elara clapped her hands together, eyes practically glowing. "Finally! I've been waiting for something like this. A real challenge, a real chance to show everyone what we're capable of!"
Naro smiled faintly, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. "You certainly don't lack enthusiasm, Elara."
"Of course not!" she said, bouncing slightly on her seat. "Don't you see? This isn't just some test—it's glory! It's our chance to carve our names into the academy's history." She leaned forward, with a wide smile. "Imagine it. Us, standing at the end, victorious. And me—shining brighter than anyone else."
Markus chuckled. "Well, at least you're honest about it. But don't forget—we'll need more than just enthusiasm. We'll need tactics. Coordination. And a hell of a lot of training."
Naro gave a shallow nod, folding his hands behind his back. "He's right. Passion is fuel, but only precision wins wars. We'll sharpen both."
…
The three trained daily in the fields behind the academy, where the grass was worn from generations of sweat and battle.
Markus focused on strengthening their endurance. "We'll be fighting multiple opponents, one after the other. Doesn't matter how strong your first strike is if you can't last till the tenth." He drilled them in relentless running, sparring rounds, and stamina exercises.
Elara's aura shone brightest here. Even after hours of pushing herself, she'd always carry a smile, hair clinging to her sweaty forehead, her laughter ringing out. "Come on, Markus, you're slowing down!"
"Slowing—?" Markus gasped, sweat pouring down his face. "I'm carrying two of those weights you tied to my back!"
Naro would chuckle lightly, offering Markus a mock-sympathetic look. "You can't let her beat you, Markus. It would hurt your pride too much, wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah," Markus grumbled, glaring, but he pushed harder.
And in truth, both of them admired Elara's fire. She never faltered, never complained, and always encouraged the others with boundless energy.
At night, when they sat together by the dorm fire, she would lean back and sigh contentedly. "This is the best. I feel alive every single day."
Markus smirked. "Alive now. Let's see if you're still smiling when you can't move your arms tomorrow morning."
"Ha! I'll still beat you in sparring!" she shot back.
Naro, meanwhile, wore his practiced smile, but his thoughts were elsewhere.