The morning sun gleamed off the newly rebuilt spires of Astralis Academy, the grandest institution in the continent of Veyra. Stone walls that had been cracked during the monster invasion now stood flawless again, covered with shimmering runes of protection that pulsed faintly like veins of light.
Two weeks had passed since the Training Tragedy, as students had begun calling it. The event had changed them all.
Renji walked through the marble courtyard with Kaito at his side, both dressed in freshly pressed uniforms that smelled faintly of new parchment and magic dust. Around them, chatter filled the air — a mix of nervous laughter and forced optimism.
> "Feels weird being back, huh?" Kaito muttered, hands behind his head.
"Yeah," Renji replied quietly. "The air feels… heavier."
"That's just the new security barrier," Kaito said, grinning. "Or maybe the cafeteria lady finally learned how to cook."
Renji snorted. Same old Kaito. Even after nearly dying, he still found a way to joke about it.
---
Class 1-E Reforms
Inside their lecture hall, students took their seats in neat rows, though there were fewer faces than before. The loss of some classmates during the incident had left a quiet ache hanging in the air.
Then came the thunder of a door slamming open.
"GOOD MORNING MY YOUNG STARS OF ECLIPT!"
It was none other than Professor Baro, the academy's most infamous perverted teacher — his red scarf flapping behind him dramatically as he entered. He posed like a hero, chest out, hands on his hips.
A group of girls sitting near the window instantly groaned.
> "Here we go again…" one whispered.
"Oh no, he's doing the pose," another sighed.
Baro's gaze swept the class.
> "Now, before we begin today's Eclipt Flow Synchronization Training, I must remind you all that discipline is essential! Especially when one is staring into the deep abyss of beauty and curves!—Ahem, I mean, the mysteries of energy resonance!"
The room erupted in laughter.
Even the usually composed Lady Seraphine, the elegant teacher of Spirit Studies with cascading silver hair and an hourglass figure that had inspired countless student crushes, covered her face with a gloved hand and muttered, "Baro, please stop embarrassing the faculty."
> "But my dear Seraphine!" Baro declared dramatically. "It is my duty as a mentor to teach passion—"
> "Sit down before I make you disappear again," came a cold voice from the doorway.
The laughter vanished instantly.
Standing there was Sir Kael Draven, the knight instructor — tall, broad-shouldered, and emanating an aura so controlled it made the candles flicker. A descendant of a noble house and one of the youngest knights ever to reach the title of Silver Fang, Kael was a legend among students.
> "T-Teacher Kael!" several students exclaimed.
"Wait, he's teaching our class today?!"
Kael stepped in, his cloak trailing softly.
> "I was asked to evaluate your combat progress. Given… recent failures."
A hush fell over the room. Even Baro straightened his scarf and saluted awkwardly.
---
The New Purpose
Kael's gaze swept the class, his voice steady.
> "You now understand what true danger feels like. Monsters, chaos, and the weight of lives depending on your strength. The academy has restructured your training — no more illusions of safety."
He drew his blade, a faintly glowing weapon whose edge shimmered like liquid moonlight.
> "Each of you will walk the path of mastery not for glory, but because the Dark God's seal weakens. The Zenith Sovereign's power may have kept peace for a century… but it is not eternal."
At the mention of the Zenith Sovereign, everyone grew silent.
The title itself carried the weight of divinity — the one who stood above all. The one who had sealed away the being that once nearly consumed the world. But few knew the truth: that the Zenith Sovereign had lost much of his power that day, leaving the balance fragile.
Renji clenched his fists beneath his desk. He'd always admired the Sovereign's story — the strength, the sacrifice, the determination.
Kaito leaned over.
> "Hey, Renji. If the Sovereign saved the world, maybe one day we'll do the same, huh?"
"...Maybe," Renji said softly, eyes distant. "Or die trying."
---
The Shift
The day continued with sparring drills in the main courtyard, laughter echoing as students compared their skills. Baro tried to demonstrate an advanced movement technique but tripped dramatically mid-air, crashing face-first into the grass.
> "Professor down!" Kaito shouted, and half the class burst into laughter.
Even Kael's lips twitched slightly.
It felt almost normal again… until the wind shifted.
The laughter faded. The sunlight dimmed, though no clouds covered the sky. Every student felt it simultaneously — an invisible pressure crawling up their spines, pressing down on their lungs.
> "W-what is this?" one girl gasped.
"It feels like… the world's watching us…" another murmured.
Renji's heart pounded. His vision blurred for an instant, and he felt it — something inside him resonating, like two notes vibrating at the same frequency.
Kaito fell to one knee, clutching his chest.
> "It's… heavy…"
Baro, usually the first to joke, went completely silent. Even Kael's composure wavered; his eyes narrowed as he turned toward the main hall.
And then… the great double doors opened.
---
The Arrival of the Apex Warden
Light spilled into the courtyard — soft, golden, yet piercing. A figure stepped through slowly, each step echoing like a thunderclap.
Every student, teacher, and even Kael instinctively lowered their heads. None knew why.
Renji tried to look up but couldn't. His body refused to move, pinned by an unseen force — Eclipt. But not like any he had felt before. This was pure, unrestrained dominance.
> "Wh-what's happening…?" whispered Seraphine, her hand trembling despite herself.
The figure stopped.
He wasn't tall, nor did he radiate killing intent — just calm, steady existence. But his mere presence distorted the air, bending the flow of Eclipt in the surroundings until everything hummed in tune with him.
A few students gasped as tears formed in their eyes without understanding why.
Renji's vision flickered white. Inside him, his Eclipt pulsed once, then again — responding. He bit his lip, forcing himself to stay conscious.
The man's voice was deep, smooth, and steady.
> "Rise."
The single word echoed through the courtyard. The pressure vanished instantly — replaced by silence so thick it hurt.
Kael bowed his head slightly.
> "Students… this is your new overseer. The Apex Warden."
Renji looked up at last — and saw the faintest glimmer in the man's eyes, like a dying star reborn.
Something ancient whispered in the back of his mind.
A power that eclipses all others… yet walks among us.
The Warden's gaze swept over the crowd, pausing — just for a moment — on Renji.