(The Barrier Shatters)
Inside the Imperial Academy's Grand Monitoring Hall, the air suddenly trembled.
Every mana crystal embedded in the walls flickered violently, alarms echoing throughout the campus.
Students, professors, and spectators turned their eyes to the colossal projection showing the island — the very same battlefield where the students were taking their final exam.
A single red notification flashed across every screen:
⚠ SYSTEM ALERT: Unknown Entity Detected.
Barrier Integrity — 82%... 67%... 54%...
The crowd erupted into panic.
"What's happening?!"
"Something's breaking through the academy's barrier—? That's impossible!"
"The island's under protection from six-layer divine seals!"
Even Asfi Larethia's usual cheerful expression hardened as her senses expanded outward, mana flaring lightly around her.
"This isn't normal mana… it's something older. Something ancient."
Head Professor Chroma Valen clenched his fists. "This aura—it's not human. Not even demonic."
He turned sharply to Principal Alice Valefor, who stood calmly at the center of the room, her hands folded behind her back. Despite the chaos, her voice was smooth, calm — dangerously curious.
"Hmm… an intruder."
Chroma's tone was urgent. "Principal, we should evacuate the students immediately. I'm detecting multiple distortions in the barrier's outer layer. If it collapses completely—"
Alice raised a single finger, her tone playful yet commanding.
"Patience, Chroma. Let's see what's interesting enough to defy my barrier first."
"But—!"
"Don't worry," she interrupted gently, turning her gaze toward the screens where three figures remained on the island. "If things truly go wrong… we'll intervene."
---
Island — Examination Grounds
Across the island, every student's System Window appeared at once.
> [Exam Suspension Notice]
The Final Exam is temporarily suspended due to unknown interference.
You will be teleported back to the Academy for safety.
Teleport back now?
→ Yes / No
One by one, teams pressed Yes — their bodies vanishing into streams of light.
Panic spread quickly, and soon, the island began to empty.
Except for three names.
Liyana Lufinze.
Sylus Varellis.
Sho Ardenthal.
The two young women stood amidst the quiet aftermath of their duel, staring at the flickering prompt before them.
Sylus lowered her screen with a small smirk.
"Teleport away now? Not a chance."
Liyana's golden eyes narrowed. "I'm not leaving him." She looked down at Sho, still unconscious, his head resting against her lap, faint traces of battle still visible on his clothes.
"Then it's decided," Sylus said, turning toward the horizon. "We stay."
Moments later, the ground beneath them quaked.
The once-clear sky turned dark — a black mist spreading over the treeline.
The divine barrier shimmered overhead… then cracked.
---
Academy — Monitoring Hall
"Barrier integrity… 9%... 6%... 3%... it's breaking!!"
The alarms blared louder. Mana engineers scrambled to reinforce the seals, but it was useless — the entity's pressure shattered every stabilizing circle they attempted to activate.
Chroma slammed his hand on the table. "We're losing it! The defensive matrix is collapsing!"
Alice simply smiled faintly, eyes glinting with intrigue.
"Such audacity… to walk into my domain."
She leaned forward slightly, her golden hair glowing under the mana light.
"Let's watch closely, shall we? After all…"
Her smile widened.
"Those three are quite special."
Asfi crossed her arms, her tone teasing. "You're enjoying this, aren't you, Principal?"
Alice chuckled. "Guilty."
Chroma exhaled heavily, summoning his mana. "But if that thing lays a hand on them—"
Alice's voice softened, but her eyes glowed dangerously.
"It won't. If it does, I'll erase it myself."
---
Back on the Island
The entire forest went silent.
Every tree bent slightly under the immense mana pressure.
Sylus's eyes narrowed, her instincts flaring. "That… doesn't feel like any beast."
Liyana stood up slowly, her hair fluttering as faint golden light rippled from her skin. "No… it feels older. Like something that's been waiting."
The shadows in the distance stirred.
A voice echoed — distorted, low, and full of echoing malice.
> "Finally… life worth hunting."
Sylus unsheathed her blade instantly, frost gathering at her feet. "Whatever that is, it's not welcome here."
Liyana's hand glowed faintly. "Stay close. I'll protect Sho."
The mist parted.
From the dark emerged a figure — humanoid, tall, wrapped in black veins of mist. Its eyes burned like hollow stars, its body surrounded by a void that devoured light.
It stepped forward slowly, the ground beneath it dying into ash.
[Entity Identified: ???]
Classification: Unknown — Beyond Measurable Rank
Liyana's eyes widened slightly. "It's not even… classified."
Sylus gritted her teeth. "Then we'll make it regret showing up."
---
Academy — Observation Deck
Asfi's playful tone vanished. "That's no ordinary monster. That aura… is like a void."
Chroma's face darkened. "That's not from this realm."
Alice's eyes gleamed. "A Rift Entity… fascinating. I haven't seen one in centuries."
She leaned back in her chair, gaze sharpening.
"Let's see what our young ones will do."
---
Back on the Island
The entity raised its arm — and the world itself seemed to tremble.
The trees blackened, the air grew thick, and mana itself began to corrode.
Sylus shouted, "[Royal Art — Frost God's Wall!]"
An enormous ice dome erupted, sealing them in, the temperature dropping instantly.
The impact came.
The creature's attack ripped through the ice like paper, sending shockwaves across the island.
Sylus staggered, blood on her lip. "Tch—"
Liyana caught her mid-fall, eyes glowing.
"This thing… it's beyond anything we've faced."
Her aura flared golden, shimmering like a thousand stars.
She looked at the unconscious Sho and whispered, "Guess I can't hold back anymore, huh?"
Then she looked up — her expression calm, her voice divine.
"Then come, monster."
The island glowed once more as her power began to rise — slow, steady, and terrifying.
---
Academy
Alice smiled faintly as the image brightened.
"Ah… now this is getting interesting."
Chroma's eyes widened. "She's unsealing more of her power again… that's—"
"—a Celestial." Alice finished for him, eyes glinting.
"And the heavens don't forgive those who disturb their children."
---
The sky above the island burst into light — a blinding flare that swallowed everything.
The Entity roared, its shadow form beginning to warp.
Liyana stood at the center, her hair flowing in divine radiance.
"Let's dance."
To Be Continued…