Later that evening, long after the dinner rush had faded, the cafeteria lay bathed in dim golden lights. Most students had already returned to their dorms, leaving only the low hum of distant chatter and the soft clinking of cleaning drones moving between tables.
In the far back corner of the cafeteria—where shadows gathered thickest—the Sovereignty Class sat assembled.
Their presence alone warped the atmosphere.
Even seated, their auras pressed outward like invisible weights, bending the air, making nearby students instinctively keep their distance.
Kael was the first to break the silence.
A demi-human with sharp fox ears twitching in irritation, he slammed his palm lightly against the table.
"That Kira guy… who does he think he is?"
His amber eyes narrowed.
"Barging into our class like that."
Across from him, Selara Wynn—a high-ranking elf—remained composed. Her silver hair shimmered faintly beneath the cafeteria lights, and the soft glow of Sol, the elemental spirit of light bound to her, hovered quietly behind her shoulder.
"Isn't it possible he's the new representative for the Crimson Class?"
Her tone was calm, measured.
Pearl, seated beside her, nodded slowly.
"There is a possibility."
A quiet scoff came from the corner.
Yuujin stood there with his arms folded, leaning against the wall as if he had no intention of joining the table at all.
"I don't think so."
Selara turned her gaze toward him.
"Why do you say that?"
Before Yuujin could answer, Chris spoke instead, his chair creaking as he leaned back.
"Because he wouldn't take the position—no matter how much he's pushed."
Yuujin nodded in agreement.
Selara's eyes narrowed slightly as she processed the information.
"Based on our analysis, he doesn't fit the profile of someone who would act so recklessly," she continued.
"And besides—he's far too weak to take on Chris."
The words hung in the air.
"No… I don't think that's true."
Jayze finally spoke.
His voice was quieter than usual, edged with something uneasy.
Sylara—seated with her legs crossed—turned toward him.
"Why do you say that?"
Jayze hesitated. His fingers curled slightly, as if gripping an invisible memory.
"During the last test… Kira caught Raya's body when it was falling."
Several brows furrowed.
"Leo's aura alone should've crushed him," Jayze continued.
"Based on your analysis."
The table fell silent.
Selara's calm expression cracked—just slightly.
"Then… does that mean he's hiding something?"
Axel leaned forward eagerly, his grin almost feral.
"Doesn't matter what he's hiding. We just crush him."
"Yeah," Kael added, backing him up immediately.
But Sylara wasn't listening anymore.
Her fingers trembled faintly as a thought surfaced—one she hadn't voiced aloud.
The power to transfer elemental spirits…
Her lips moved without sound.
Doesn't that mean he can take them away…?
Pearl noticed.
"Did you say something?"
Sylara blinked, snapping back to reality.
"No… nothing."
Her gaze drifted downward, unfocused.
Ventus…
A familiar voice answered within her mind.
Do you need something?
The Wind Elemental Spirit, Ventus.
Don't tell him—or anyone—anything without consulting me from now on.
A pause.
Yes… sorry.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
It's okay. I understand the situation you were in.
Thank you… You can ask me anything from now on.
Okay.
By then, the conversation had shifted—moving from Kira to training formations, sparring partners, and upcoming strategies.
But the unease remained.
⸻
Staff Room — Same Evening
The staff room was silent.
Too silent.
Every instructor was seated—including Headmistress Liora—yet no one spoke until Professor Thane finally broke the tension.
"How long are we supposed to wait for that guy?"
Aldric scoffed.
"You're giving him too much freedom. It's making him disrespectful."
Liora didn't respond.
Before anyone could press further, a faint presence manifested behind her.
Freda, the infirmary lady.
She leaned down and whispered something into Liora's ear—then vanished as quietly as she had appeared.
Liora's gaze sharpened.
"If you've arrived, why didn't you say anything, Rich?"
A voice answered lazily from the window.
"Didn't see the need."
"And I just got here."
Rich sat perched on the windowsill, half-lit by moonlight.
Liora exhaled.
"Since we've already wasted time, we'll go straight to the point."
"We never start on time," Varos muttered.
"But we always end on time."
The silence made his words echo.
"Yeah," Selene added.
"And it's always because of someone."
Liora's eyes flicked over the room.
"Are you all done expressing yourselves?"
"Yes," they replied in unison.
Except Rich.
"Today," Liora continued,
"We're discussing class divisions for the next test."
She paused—then looked directly at Rich.
"It seems one class has already decided who they're taking on."
Thane leaned forward eagerly.
"And I approve. My class will shatter the Crimsons once and for all."
Rich didn't even look at him.
"Still salty about being frozen for hours?"
Thane's aura flared.
"How dare—!"
He stopped himself.
"Since both sides agree," Liora said,
"It's settled."
Varos shrugged.
"Unfair matchup—but if we're just watching, I don't care."
"Don't you care about the students?" Selene asked.
"I care enough to see how they face stronger opponents."
Aldric smirked.
"Especially Kira. How did he break through your defenses?"
"Maybe you dropped your guard," Selene teased.
"No," Thane snapped.
"That's not what happened."
Liora leaned forward.
"Then what did happen?"
Before he could answer, Liora's phone chimed.
She read the message.
Then typed:
Tell him I'll do it for him if that's what he wants.
She placed the phone down.
"The Shadow King's area is off-limits until the test ends."
"Why?" Aldric asked.
"A request," she said, looking at Rich.
He didn't return the gaze.
Rich stood.
Thane grabbed his arm.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Meeting's over."
Thane released his aura fully.
"You made us late—don't think you can leave freely."
Rich turned calmly.
"I don't have time to entertain someone who lost to a student."
Silence.
"Let go. Before it gets worse."
Thane released him.
"Then how about a tournament?" Liora said.
"Teachers versus teachers."
"I'm in," Thane said.
"Same," Selene chirped.
"No reason to sit out," Aldric added.
Liora looked at Rich.
"If it puts him in his place," Rich said,
"I'll participate."
He vanished.
⸻
Forest — Night
Outside the block, Rich sent one final message.
She accepted.
A reply came instantly.
Thanks.
Elsewhere—
Kira stepped into the forest clearing.
Raya was already there.
"You're early."
"Didn't want to keep you waiting."
"Why call me here?"
"I want to know your plan."
Kira smiled faintly.
"Chris charged in without one before."
She looked away.
"That was different."
"True," he said.
"I do have a plan."
He met her eyes.
"And you're the center of it."
She didn't react.
"Who do I merge with this time?"
"No one."
She frowned.
"You just need to control the last one."
Her gaze sharpened.
"How did you know?"
"Your body can't handle it yet.
And your mind isn't ready."
"Isn't losing myself better?"
Kira sighed.
"You can't rely on him forever. He's time-limited."
"Then how?"
He smiled.
"By learning from the one who gave you the power."
The wind stirred.
And the storm quietly began.