The academy didn't stop.
It never did.
Ranks were decided.
Paths were assigned.
And by the next morning—
Everything had already moved on.
"E-Rank group, this way."
The instructor didn't even look at them.
Kaizen followed silently.
Around him—
A small group gathered.
Some annoyed.
Some embarrassed.
Some pretending not to care.
"…so this is it."
A boy clicked his tongue.
"Trash batch."
Another laughed.
"At least we're not alone."
Kaizen said nothing.
He observed.
Not their words—
Their energy.
Weak.
Thin.
Unstable.
But not like his.
Not interrupted.
Just—
Limited.
The training ground was smaller.
Simpler.
No elevated platforms.
No reinforced barriers.
Just open space.
Like they weren't expected to do much damage.
"Listen carefully."
The instructor finally turned.
"E-rank means one thing."
A pause.
"You survive."
No inspiration.
No encouragement.
Just truth.
"You will not fight alone."
"You will not engage high-level targets."
"You will follow instructions."
"And maybe—"
His eyes scanned them briefly.
"—you'll live long enough to improve."
Silence.
Then—
"Begin."
No ceremony.
No buildup.
Just—
Start.
Basic drills.
Control exercises.
Energy shaping.
Everyone tried.
Some failed.
Some barely managed.
Kaizen watched first.
Then—
He stepped forward.
Raised his hand.
Focused.
Slow.
Careful.
That feeling again—
The almost—
Energy gathered.
Faint.
Unstable.
Then—
It split.
Flickered—
And vanished.
"…again."
He tried again.
Same result.
Interrupted.
Cut.
Zane groaned nearby.
"This is pointless."
Eira sighed.
"Just focus."
Nyra—
Was watching him.
Not the others.
Him.
Kaizen lowered his hand.
"…pattern."
He whispered it to himself.
Not power.
Not force.
Pattern.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Replayed the moment inside the circle.
The flow.
The break.
The interruption point.
"…there."
He raised his hand again.
Slower this time.
More precise.
Not forcing energy—
Guiding it.
For a second—
It worked.
A thin line formed.
Clearer than before.
Stable—
For half a breath.
Then—
It shattered.
But this time—
It lasted longer.
Kaizen's eyes sharpened.
"…again."
And again.
And again.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure.
But each time—
A little longer.
A little clearer.
Zane stopped.
"…why are you still going?"
Kaizen didn't look at him.
"…because it's not failing."
Eira tilted her head.
"…what do you mean?"
"…it's repeating."
Nyra's eyes narrowed.
"…a loop."
Kaizen nodded slightly.
"…a broken one."
Before anyone could respond—
The ground trembled.
Just slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But Kaizen felt it immediately.
His head snapped up.
"…again."
Zane frowned.
"What again?"
Then—
It came.
A distant sound.
Low.
Heavy.
Like something—
Dragging itself across reality.
The instructor's expression changed instantly.
"…everyone stop."
Silence fell.
The air tightened.
Then—
A crack.
Not loud.
Not explosive.
But—
Wrong.
It echoed.
From somewhere beyond the training grounds.
Nyra whispered:
"…a rift?"
The instructor didn't answer.
Because he was already moving.
"…stay here. Do not move."
Too late.
The crack widened.
And something—
Was trying to come through.