The stone-paved streets gleamed faintly under the warm afternoon sun, each slab worn smooth from centuries of footsteps. Ai, Jennie, and Miwa strolled side by side, their gazes drinking in the scenery as if it were a rare painting.
Jennie's eyes darted from storefront to storefront, her voice soft but filled with awe.
"It's wonderful… how beautiful this place is."
Miwa inhaled deeply, spreading her arms as if to embrace the air itself.
"Especially the air—fresh, clean… It feels alive here. And these stone pathways…" she tilted her head down to admire them "They might be my favorite part."
Ai smirked, her stride casual but confident.
"I'm enjoying every bit of it. Guess it wasn't that bad of a decision coming out for shopping after all."
But the moment was shattered by a loud groan from behind.
"It was a terrible idea for me to come!"
The three turned slightly to see Jahanox trudging forward, arms overloaded. He was buried under three stacked boxes, with bags dangling from his shoulders to his wrists.
Ai turned fully, raising an eyebrow.
"Jahanox, can you just quietly carry the stuff and not yap?"
He shot her a look of theatrical suffering.
"Oh, I'm gonna keep yapping. This is cruel."
Beside him, Asher carried four boxes, with just as many bags—one even looped awkwardly around his neck.
Jahanox flicked his tongue toward Asher.
"That guy's neck is about to snap."
Miwa smirked without a hint of sympathy.
"He'll heal. He's a vampire."
Asher's voice came out hoarse, as though every step drained him.
"Why me…? Why am I the one getting tortured…?"
Jennie frowned, glancing at Ai and Miwa.
"It's our stuff… We should hold some too.
Asher's head snapped toward her instantly, a spark of hope.
"You're right, Jennie. Please—do that."
Ai rested a casual hand on Jennie's shoulder, smiling slyly.
"Lesson one, Jennie—just keep walking. They'll live."
Miwa glanced back over her shoulder. "And don't drop anything."
Jahanox muttered like a man condemned.
"I'm burning all of it… And why us anyway? Where's everyone else?"
Ai shrugged lightly. "Kiyomasa was dead asleep.
Jahanox scoffed. "Wake him up!"
Ai gave him a mockingly disappointed look.
"Make the youngest carry heavy loads? Shame on you."
Jahanox clicked his tongue in frustration.
"What about Minos?"
Miwa thought for a second before answering.
"Ill. Probably worn out from yesterday."
Jahanox grumbled under his breath.
"I see why he was acting...Should've fallen ill with him."
Ai continued casually. "Neo was busy. And Zazm—"
Jahanox cut her off. "Let me guess. He said no?"
Jennie shook her head. "We couldn't even find him."
Jahanox rolled his eyes. "Just look for the highest point you can find. He's basically a bird found in heights."
Ai narrowed her eyes at him. "Shut up and keep walking."
Asher's tone was flat and deadly calm.
"Just walk. Their complaints are killing my brain."
Jahanox sighed in defeat.
"Yeah… Talking to them is both physical and mental torture."
---
The vast corridors of the castle were lined with towering windows that bathed the marble floor in threads of gold light. Zazm moved through them slowly, his gaze scanning each wall like a man searching for something specific—until his eyes caught on a massive painting.
He stopped.
In the painting, a woman sat elegantly on a throne, her blindfold identical to the Queen's, its intricate black cloth streaked with two graceful pink lines. On her lap sat a small child with pale white hair. Beside her stood a man with the same white hair, his presence stern but regal. In front of the man stood a girl whose black hair faded into a luminous pink as it flowed downward, strands glimmering as though painted with light itself.
Zazm studied the woman on the throne closely. The gradient hair—identical to Queen Elziora's—confirmed it.
A voice broke the stillness behind him.
"Ah… you've found our family portrait?"
Zazm turned, bowing respectfully. "I didn't realize until I saw the child."
Elziora stepped beside him, her expression softened by nostalgia.
"Yes… That was back when I was a child."
Zazm's gaze returned to the painting. "You take after your mother in your hair."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"Yes. My little sister, on the other hand, takes after our father."
Zazm's eyes traced the white-haired figures.
"Makes sense now. But… your little sister?"
Elziora gave him a mildly amused look.
"You've met her already, haven't you?"
Zazm frowned slightly. "I have?"
Her laugh was light, but knowing. "Aina. One of the Supreme Commanders."
Zazm nodded in understanding. "I see."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You don't seem surprised."
"I am. Just… in my own way." Zazm's tone was emotionless.
He studied her a moment longer. "You have pink eyes as well?"
Zazm pointed at her in the painting.
Elziora's expression shifted faintly.
"I was born with them. However they are different now and I can't see either."
Zazm glanced at the portrait again.
"Is it… a family trait? Your mother's wearing the same blindfold."
Elziora's tone lowered, becoming almost sad.
"It's tied to our ability. By sacrificing our sight… we can see what others cannot. The flow of energy, the state of a body, blood, emotions, intentions… even what's invisible to all others."
Zazm nodded slowly.
"That explains how you knew Zephyra was there."
Elziora smiled knowingly. "I suspected you had realized that."
"I had."
Her gaze softened. "I was looking for her, but… Zephyra hasn't appeared today."
Zazm slightly glanced at her, "She stayed up late with you. Still sleeping."
Elziora chuckled faintly.
"We've become good friends lately."
Zazm raised an eyebrow.
"Mind if I ask why? You're the Queen… we are just…some homeless people with powers."
Her laugh was gentle, but it carried a trace of melancholy. "That's your concern?"
Zazm bowed slightly, "My apologies if I sounded rude."
Her smile was warm. "Just call me Elziora. We're friends too, aren't we?"
"…We are?"
Zazm quickly covered up, "Yes, we are."
A silence fell. She turned back to the painting, her fingers brushing against the painted figures. Her voice lowered, touched by something distant.
"Being born a queen… is more of a curse than a blessing. I never had the freedom to make real friends.
My life was lessons, rules… expectations. And if I was ever seen with 'normal' people…" she gave a faint, bitter smile "…it would be something for the court to whisper about."
She sighed, "All that royalty bullshit."
Zazm stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the same image.
"Because your parents wanted you to be Queen? Kept you from being free?"
But before Elziora could say something Zazm spoke first, "Then again your parents don't look like the type."
Her smile deepened, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Yes you're right....My parents weren't that way. It's just… our fate. A Queen wears many faces."
Zazm nodded slowly. "Then I'm glad you found friends now."
Her voice softened, almost vulnerable.
"I know. I can finally speak to someone… Someone I might be able to trust."
He noticed the shift in her tone but didn't press, simply allowing the silence to rest.
After a moment, his lips twitched. "A few sentences back, you swore."
Her smile turned playful.
"I can, because we're friends."
He gave her a pointed look. "You learned that from Zephyra, didn't you?"
"…I have work to attend to." She looked away too quickly.
Zazm's voice was dry.
"Not so fast, friend."
A faint bead of sweat trailed down her temple.
"You really are the way Zephyra says. Too strict. Bossy."
"Since when am I all that…?" Zazm sighed quietly.
Zazm turned around and was about to walk away when Elziora stopped him.
"Zazm."
Zazm turned around taking his hands out of his pockets, "Yes?"
"Can I ask you something personal....something perhaps you don't wanna talk about..?"
Elziora's voice was serious her smile gone.
Zazm gave a slight nod his face not wavering.
"I am old Zazm. Older than all of you combined. And still older."
Zazm was about to say something but before he could Elziora continued.
"In my entire 228 years of living, I've met several people, fought several wars, killed many and saw a lot but....."
"But?" Zazm asked in same cold tone but now as if wanting to understand.
"But for some reason it feels like you're way older than me, way experienced....Someone who has experienced it all way too many times."
Elziora turned to Zazm her blindfold hanging on Zazm's eyes. Behind the blindfold Zazm was sure her eyes were locked on him.
"As you said you're 228 years old and I'm not even 28, how can I experience much more than you?" his question was valid, his reasoning was intact and most of all his face and eyes looked like he wasn't lying.
Elziora looked down slightly, "Being honest with you, I can't seem to understand you. Your intentions are fine you just want to save your friends and live in peace but it's something that my experience says."
Zazm put his hands back in his pockets, "True that's all I really want."
Elziora stayed quiet for a second, "How is the future like....?" her voice was soft as if genuinely asking for something.
"I don't know." Zazm gave a flat yet straight answer.
"Why don't you?" Elziora questioned him.
Before Zazm could begin Elziora continued, "You are a Time master someone who controls time. If not why haven't you seen in the future? Perhaps if something is gonna be wrong you can fix it."
Zazm's eyes looked more hollow and deeper than ever. He pulled his left arm out of his pocket and started looked at his arm.
He looked at Elziora and spoke, "Knowing future doesn't mean one can change it....all it means is that you'll have to accept it."
"I see....."
Zazm's gaze stayed fixed on her, his tone flat but carrying a weight that seemed older than him.
"The future isn't unchangeable, Elziora… but every step you take to change it carries the risk of making it worse. There's no guarantee. No safe path. Only choices… and their consequences."
She studied him carefully. "You speak like you've seen it yourself even when you say you haven't."
He gave no answer—only a faint, unreadable look—before continuing.
"To know what's ahead is to live under a shadow. You'll cling to the idea of avoiding it… but in that struggle, you may walk straight into it. The harder you fight the current, the deeper it can pull you under."
The silence after felt heavier than his words.
Elziora turned around, "You are right... We should live in the time we are."
She gave a soft smile before turning around and leaving, while Zazm stood there quietly looking at her walk away.
---
Zephyra woke with a groan, her hair sticking out in every possible direction, the strands an untamed mess cascading over her face and shoulders. She sat up halfway, rubbing her eyes, the fabric of her baggy shirt creasing as she stretched.
A voice came from the doorway. "So you finally get up…"
Her head turned slowly, and she found Zazm stepping inside, his usual calm expression fixed on her. She lazily brushed her hair back with both hands, then slumped again with a yawn. "It's not good manners to walk into a girl's room right after she wakes up."
He didn't even slow down. "Let me remind you—it's my room."
Zephyra smirked, rolling to one side on the bed. "Just forget it."
Zazm sat at the edge of the bed, arms resting on his knees. "What happened? You slept too much?"
"Yeah. Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, voice still heavy from sleep.
"I was going to, two hours ago," he said, leaning back slightly.
Her eyes narrowed. "So what happened?"
"I got lost in the castle looking for everyone… and then I met Elziora. We talked for a while."
Zephyra sat up fully now, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. "And? What were you talking about?"
"Nothing much. She said she appreciates you as a friend."
That drew a small smile from Zephyra. "I like her too. She's… nice."
"I know," Zazm replied simply.
Zephyra gave a small sigh. "I'm hungry."
"Go to the kitchen and grab something."
"They'll think a ghost is stealing food."
"Then I'll bring you something."
She shook her head. "Everyone's out. Why are we stuck inside?" She grabbed his shoulders and shook him slightly, her pout unrelenting. "I wanna go out too!"
Zazm exhaled slowly. "Alright, alright. Let's go."
She hopped down from the bed, and in an instant, her clothes shimmered, shifting into a casual hoodie and fitted pants.
"What's with that outfit?" Zazm asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just… feeling something different today." She brushed her hands along the hoodie with a satisfied nod.
As they walked out together, Zephyra glanced at him sideways. "Is everything fine?"
"All good," he said without hesitation.
She studied his expression for a moment longer before sighing and continuing beside him. "We're going to EIAA tomorrow, right?"
"That's what Rhyes said yesterday. We'll have to get early admission and all."
"And then?"
"We'll live there."
"All students live there? Wow…" She threw her arms down dramatically. "I'm having fun here."
"You can stay," Zazm said.
She laughed. "I'd love to. But more than that, I'd love to go with you."
"You're speaking like you can't fly here in two minutes," he said.
"That's the plan," she replied with a crooked smile.
---
The scene shifted. Zazm and Zephyra now sat inside a carriage, the interior lined with smooth, enchanted wood that glowed faintly in the daylight. Rhyes and Neo sat opposite them, their gazes fixed out the windows. The rest of their group followed behind in another carriage.
When the carriage came to a slow halt, Rhyes was the first to step outside. Sunlight poured in, and as Zazm followed, his eyes narrowed against the brilliance of the sight before them.
The Euphoria Institute for Applied Arts stretched across the horizon like a city of its own.
In the very center stood a tower—twisting skyward in a spiral of pure emerald and ruby, its jeweled surfaces catching the sunlight and scattering green and red glimmers across the grounds. Veins of gold ran through its structure like frozen lightning, while the base was framed in polished stone etched with intricate runes.
From that central marvel radiated grand structures—elegant halls of pale stone and enchanted timber, their high arches and glass facades reflecting both the clouds above and the carefully manicured gardens below. Each building seemed to hum with magic, as though the air itself carried an undertone of knowledge and power.
To the left stretched the girls' quarters—tall, graceful spires connected by covered bridges of glass and ivy, each balcony blooming with hanging gardens. To the right stood the boys' dormitories—fortress-like yet refined, carved with artistic reliefs of legendary heroes and beasts.
The pathways between them were wide, paved with shimmering cobblestone that seemed to shift in hue with every step. Students in uniforms of deep blue and silver moved along in small groups, their conversations a blend of excitement and focus. Some carried books that floated alongside them; others practiced subtle spells mid-stride.
Jennie stepped forward, her eyes bright. "It's… beautiful."
Minos gave a low whistle. "This place screams expensive."
Asher let out a laugh. "It is."
"How big is it exactly?" Jennie asked, her gaze darting from tower to tower.
Neo pointed to the central spire. "That's only the heart. The campus stretches far beyond what you can see." He gestured upward, where the sunlight caught on a large plaque near the tower's entrance.
Carved in bold, graceful letters were the words: Euphoria Institute for Applied Arts.
Jahanox tilted his head back, a grin breaking through. "So… this is where we'll be studying."
The group stood there a moment longer, the weight of the place settling on them—its grandeur, its history, and the quiet promise that stepping inside would change them forever.
The moment they stepped past the grand archway, the Euphoria Institute for Applied Arts unfolded before them like a painting come to life. Marble pathways stretched in intricate patterns, glistening beneath the morning light streaming through crystalline glass domes overhead. The scent of polished oak, parchment, and blooming moonlilies floated in the air.
Ai slowed her steps, letting her eyes wander. "Okay… I thought you guys were exaggerating," she murmured, almost dazed. "This place feels like… if a royal palace and a library had a child."
"You'd be surprised how accurate that is," Asher replied from behind with a smirk. His gaze swept over the lively scene around them. "The EIAA was built to impress—not just teach. They say every tile here was laid by hand by mage-artisans."
The walkways were alive with motion—clusters of students in perfectly pressed clothes walking between towering lecture halls and open courtyards.
The students weren't rushing; instead, they seemed to be in that pre-semester calm, talking in small groups, visiting the sprawling library, or sitting beneath lampposts whose glass globes shimmered with soft silver light.
Jennie tilted her head. "Why's everyone dressed like they're about to attend a ball?"
Rhyes spoke, adjusting the cuff of his own formal coat. "Classes haven't started yet. It's the week of orientation and registration—so everyone's wearing their formal best to make an impression. First years want to catch the professors' attention early."
"I guess that explains why we look like we're underdressed," Miwa whispered, tugging at her slightly wrinkled jacket.
Asher and Neo walked a little behind the group, and it didn't take long for Jahanox to glance over at them. Asher had a black cap pulled low over his hair, while a sleek black mask covered his face. Neo, on the other hand, had a white mask with gold embroidery and round glasses that gave him a scholarly look.
"Alright," Jahanox said, arching a brow, "I have to ask. Are you two trying to blend in… or planning a heist?"
Kiyomasa laughed slightly giving them a glance,"Yeah, the masks and glasses thing… kind of dramatic, don't you think?"
"Mind your own goddamn business." Neo spoke in a sour and frustrated tone.
Asher's voice was muffled through the mask. "It's not fun getting stopped every five seconds for autographs. Especially here—we are gonna stick out like a sore thumb. They know our faces."
"And our names," Neo added. "Some know way too much."
Neo looked over to Asher and spoke, "This clowns red hair is gonna get us out."
Asher quickly tucked his hair back inside letting out a sigh, "Sorry sorry."
"Fair," Jahanox said, shrugging. "Still… glasses, Neo? Really?"
Neo looked at his with a tired glance, "Screw this."
Asher gave a short laugh. "The cap hides my hair. If one person sees the red streak, the entire school will know by sundown."
Their path curved around a sprawling fountain in the center of the campus. The statue at its heart was a towering robed figure with an open book, from which streams of water flowed upward instead of down, spiraling into the air before vanishing into glittering motes.
"This," Rhyes said as he slowed to let everyone take it in, "is the Fountain of Memory. Supposedly, every drop of water here carries whispers from the past—a record of the institute's history. If you listen closely, you might hear voices."
"Or you might just hear water," Minos said, leaning closer but clearly pretending to listen intently.
They passed by the Grand Library, a monumental building with doors twice the height of an ogre. Dozens of students lingered outside, some reading under floating lanterns. The scent of old books drifted out every time the massive oak doors opened.
"Do we have time to go in?" Jennie asked hopefully.
Rhyes shook his head. "Not today. The principal doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"That's sad," she sighed, eyes lingering on the entrance as they walked on.
The heart of the EIAA soon came into view—a towering spire of white stone and gold inlays, the Central Tower. Its surface gleamed like it had just been polished, and ribbons of light danced lazily around its height.
"That's… huge," Minos muttered, tilting his head back.
"It's the tallest building in the institute," Rhyes said. "Every level has its own purpose—council chambers, archives, private meeting rooms. But the top floor… that's where the principal resides."
They crossed the final courtyard, where streams of students glanced at them curiously but didn't approach. The golden double doors of the Central Tower swung open at their approach, revealing an interior of black marble veined with silver, lit by floating chandeliers shaped like blooming lotuses.
The elevator they stepped into wasn't mechanical—it was a large circular platform that began to rise smoothly, powered by an unseen force. Through the tall glass windows of the shaft, the city-like sprawl of the EIAA campus grew smaller beneath them.
Jahanox let out a low whistle. "You weren't kidding, Asher. This place really is designed to make people feel small."
"Not small," Asher corrected with a faint smile.
"Humbled."
As the platform came to a stop, ornate golden doors slid open, revealing the entrance to the principal's chamber.
And with that, they stepped forward, the air around them carrying the faintest hum of power.
The golden doors slid open with a smooth, almost soundless grace.
Inside, the principal's office looked less like an administrative workspace and more like a private hall belonging to royalty. The ceiling arched high overhead, adorned with sweeping frescoes of constellations drifting across a deep indigo sky.
A colossal window behind the desk revealed the sprawling EIAA grounds and the distant peaks of mist-wrapped mountains. The light from it spilled across shelves of ancient tomes and artifacts—glass cases holding silver quills, jeweled compasses, and scrolls sealed with wax so old it had faded to grey.
The desk itself was an elegant crescent of dark oak polished to a mirror sheen, its surface lined with neatly stacked papers and a single porcelain teacup resting on a matching saucer. The air was faintly scented with bergamot and lavender, creating an atmosphere of both calm and authority.
The high-backed chair behind the desk faced away, toward the vast window and the reflection in the mirror-like glass. A slender figure sat upon it.
They were halfway to the desk when Asher's hand shot out, grabbing Jahanox by the shoulder and Ai by the sleeve.
Jahanox spun around with a low hiss. "What the hell are you doing?"
Asher leaned in, voice barely a whisper. "Listen carefully. No matter what—don't try to act funny in front of her. Pretend there's no one more sophisticated, wise, deep, philosophical—whatever—in the world than you. Got it?"
Ai blinked. "What?"
"Just do it," Asher muttered, pushing them forward again.
Rhyes stepped ahead, clearing his throat. "Principal Seraphina—it's me, Supreme Commander Rhyes Vance of Obsidian Fang."
Silence. The figure in the chair didn't move. The group exchanged glances, tension growing.
Then, with a quiet creak, the chair rotated.
The woman who sat there seemed carved from the very air of elegance itself. Her hair was a deep, dark pink, tied into a single immaculate braid that draped over her shoulder and down to her abdomen.
The braid shimmered subtly, catching light like silk thread. Her dress was a refined grey, embroidered with intricate patterns of silver vines along the hem and cuffs—modest yet impossibly regal. Two long, teardrop-shaped earrings swung gently as she moved, and her gloved hands—white and perfectly fitted—rested lightly atop the desk, giving her an air of precision and control.
Her gaze locked on Rhyes, and her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "It has been a while, Rhyes. How have you been?" Her voice was soft, warm even—but under it was something sharper.
Rhyes coughed lightly. "I've been doing well… though my purpose for coming here is different."
Seraphina leaned forward, resting her chin upon her folded hands. "I'm well aware of why you've come here."
Rhyes nodded. "Then that makes things easier."
Her smile deepened just a fraction. "Just as easy as it was for you to run away, right?"
Rhyes stiffened. "I'm here to get these kids enrolled."
"Of course," she said smoothly. "They're important for the future of humanity. Consider it done—their enrollment is already handled."
Rhyes inclined his head. "Thank you—for making it so simple."
"—Just as simple as when you slapped the vice principal?" she finished, voice feather-light but edged like a blade.
Rhyes froze. "I… also have another request. It's about Neo and Asher."
Neo clicked his tongue quietly, turning his face to the wall, while Asher straightened his back, hands clasped behind him like a soldier under inspection.
"We're screwed," Asher muttered.
"That bastard pulled us into this," Neo replied without looking at him.
Seraphina's eyes flicked to them. "It's been a while, Asher. Neo."
They both turned, wearing identical expressions of polite dread.
"Yes, yes, Principal—it's been a while," Asher said with an awkward smile.
"Pleasure to see you again," Neo added.
"You two became quite popular, didn't you?" she said, tilting her head.
Asher scratched the back of his neck. "Yes, yes… all thanks to you, Miss Seraphina."
Her smile sharpened. "What exactly are you thanking me for?"
Both Asher and Neo's postures went rigid.
Miwa leaned toward Zazm, whispering, "What's going on?"
Jahanox, in front of them, leaned back just enough to whisper, "I'd like to know too."
"Shut up," Zazm murmured. "Or we'll get caught in the crossfire."
Jennie's voice was hushed. "Better to stay quiet than get pulled into trouble."
Minos stepped closer. "Something tells me we're already in trouble."
"Then start praying," Zazm muttered, "like Kiyo."
Seraphina's tone softened again, but it only made the moment heavier. "Do you remember the fun times you had when you studied here?"
Asher nodded quickly. "Of course—it was fun."
"Especially," she said, looking at Rhyes, "when you snuck out of dorms with your band and 10 kids got lost in the forest, it was fun right?"
Rhyes gave an awkward chuckle. "Indeed it was fu—wait, no, I mean… I'm sorry. Please forget that."
Neo muttered, "Why bring up the past? We're respected people now. With status."
Rhyes and Asher both shot him a sharp look—the kind that screamed shut up before you make it worse.
"Oh," Seraphina said with a soft laugh, "it seems Neo is still Neo."
Rhyes took a step forward trying to cover up. "Please—can we focus on why we're here?"
"So little Rhyes now tells me what to do?" she said, leaning back in her chair. "How wonderful."
Asher jumped in quickly. "It's thanks to being here that Sir Rhyes became such a capable commander."
Neo muttered under his breath, "Deeper into the hole we go…"
Seraphina's lips curved again. "So, encouraging students to start a rebellion helped him, did it?"
Rhyes shot Asher a look that screamed Meet me outside.
'THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT', Asher screamed internally.
Finally, Seraphina's smile softened. "We can discuss the rest later, can't we, my dear Asher, Neo… and of course, Rhyes?"
All three nodded instantly.
Her gaze shifted to the rest of the group. "So these are the new students. Polite and sophisticated—unlike certain others." Her eyes slid deliberately back toward the troublesome trio.
"I am Duchess Seraphina Gloria," she continued, "principal of the EIAA."
Everyone straightened instinctively.
"I've handled all the procedures for your enrollment," she said, "but, like all students, you'll have to pass an entrance exam."
"An exam?" Ai asked.
"Nothing complicated," Seraphina assured her. "Introduce yourselves, state your purpose for coming here, and where you're from. It's merely to gauge your confidence—and for us to meet you properly." Her tone cooled. "But remember—your powers are a secret. At all costs, no one must know about them."
Jahanox nodded. "That's a given."
"One slip," she said firmly, "and it could cause… significant problems. The academy is full of political and noble figures, and their greed knows no limits."
Jennie inclined her head politely. "We understand."
Seraphina's smile returned—calm, composed, and impossible to read.
The heavy wooden doors shut behind them with a muffled thud. The air outside felt a few degrees lighter, as though the oppressive aura of Seraphina's presence had stayed locked inside.
Asher exhaled dramatically, letting his back slide down the wall until he landed in a lazy crouch.
"Pressure… way too intense," he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair like a man who'd just escaped an execution.
Neo didn't waste time. He strode straight to Rhyes, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him close.
"Why the hell did you pull us into that?" His voice was low, sharp, and laced with irritation.
Rhyes met his glare without flinching. "I didn't. It was important."
Neo shoved him away with a scoff. "Like I'm buying that."
Jahanox, standing off to the side, raised a hand awkwardly. "Should we even ask what was going on in there?"
Neo's eyes cut to him—still sharp, still sour. "Back in the day, Rhyes here hated studying. Couldn't stand the idea of becoming a soldier. So, he formed a group. A very special group. Made up of nobles whose families dumped them here because they were too lazy or too much trouble to keep around."
Asher gave a sheepish grin and chimed in, "And since we were friends with him, we… might've done a lot of stupid stuff together. We have a Legendary title, even."
Jennie's brows rose. "Legendary title?"
Rhyes sighed, clearly uncomfortable. "…'Hooligans of EIAA.'" he spoke accepting and facing his past.
Neo immediately jabbed a thumb at himself. "Don't count me in with them."
Asher pointed accusingly. "You were involved in everything. Don't even try it."
Ai tilted her head. "Okay, fine. But what was that about slapping the vice principal?"
Minos smirked. "Considering it was Rhyes, not even a little surprised."
Rhyes sighed. "The whole dragon's out of the bag now. I… may have gone a little overboard."
Neo leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "Nah. He deserved it. Guy was accused of a lot worse than that."
Asher chuckled. "And the principal even thanked us for it."
Jennie's lips quirked into a smile. "Honestly, it didn't feel like she hated you. If anything, it felt like she missed you."
Asher stood up straight again. "True. She's a good person—"
The door creaked open behind them.
Seraphina stepped out, her presence instantly shifting the group's energy. "Good. You're all still here. I've called everyone, and surprisingly, they're free, so… we'll examine you now."
Ai blinked. "That quickly?"
Miwa looked down at her casual hoodie. "We're not even properly dressed."
"It's fine," Seraphina replied smoothly. "This is only a formality—introduce yourself, that's all."
Jahanox frowned. "Isn't there any other kind of exam to pass?"
Seraphina's smile was faint as she opened the file in her hands and began handing out sheets. At the top of each: their names. In the center: their scores. At the bottom: the signatures of both the principal and vice principal.
"You've already appeared for and passed all exams," she said simply.
Jennie frowned. "That… doesn't feel fair."
"I wouldn't normally do this," Seraphina said, "but you don't know enough about this world yet. This gives you the chance to adapt without immediate pressure." She glanced at Rhyes. "Take them to the meeting hall. I'll be there shortly."
Rhyes nodded. "Understood."
Kiyomasa stared at his paper, wide-eyed. "Eighty-four percent! Guys!"
"Eighty-six," Jahanox announced.
"Me and Ai got eighty-two," Jennie added.
"Eighty-one," Minos grumbled.
"Eighty-three," Miwa said, then turned to Zazm. "You?"
"Eighty-five," Zazm replied, flat as ever.
"Why are all our scores so high? Won't that draw attention?" Jahanox asked.
Asher smirked. "That's average here."
Ai stared. "Average? Eighty-two?"
Rhyes explained, "Passing requirement is eighty. Anything lower and you're rejected."
"EIGHTY?!" Kiyomasa's voice boomed across the corridor, silencing everyone.
Asher laughed. "Valid reaction, honestly."
Minos scowled. "So why do I have the lowest score?"
Miwa patted his shoulder. "You passed even though you're dumb. That's what matters."
"Yea-…Wait, what?" Minos said flatly and surprised at sudden insult.
Rhyes sighed, "Let's go. The sooner we finish this, the better."
Asher chuckled. "Yeah, if a professor spots us, it'll be awkward."
They started down the corridor—Neo and Asher slipping their disguises back on—when a voice called out from behind.
"Rhyes Vance? Is that you?"
A tall man in a coat approached, squinting at them.
"You kids new here?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Jahanox replied quickly.
The man peered at Rhyes's uniform. "I thought I saw the Obsidian Fang insignia…"
When Ai turned to check, Rhyes was gone.
"Why would someone like him be with us, Professor?" Ai asked innocently.
The man sighed. "Hard to see without my contacts. My mistake—carry on." He began to walk away, then paused to glance at Neo and Asher. "And lose the strange glasses and masks. You're students of elite institute of EIAA now—look the part."
"Yes, sir," Asher replied, his voice slightly altered.
Once the professor disappeared, Rhyes swung himself in through a side window with a smooth one-arm pull-up.
Jennie blinked. "Where did you come from?"
"Kiyomasa grinned. "He jumped out before the guy said his name."
Rhyes nodded slightly. "Thanks for covering."
"Why are you hiding like you're a thief?" Minos teased.
Neo clicked his tongue. "That's why we said wear a mask and glasses."
Asher added, "And a cap. Always a cap."
Rhyes gestured at his full military attire. "And where, exactly, am I supposed to hide this?"
Asher laughed. "Guess you're just gonna have to keep jumping out windows."
Finally, they reached the massive double doors of the meeting hall. Rhyes gestured. "One at a time."
Zazm stepped forward first, opening the door.
The hall was breathtaking—high vaulted ceilings, golden chandeliers dripping with light, enormous windows casting daylight across a polished marble floor. At the far end sat a grand, round table with eighteen seats. The central, tallest chair was occupied by Seraphina, her dark-pink braid glinting softly under the light.
A young woman stood beside her, clipboard in hand. "Introduce yourself," she said firmly.
Zazm bowed his head politely. "My name is Zazm."
From the right, a man spoke, "Congratulations on joining EIAA. Why did you choose this institute?"
Zazm's voice was cold, even. "I want to join the soldiers on the front lines. This is the best place to start."
Another man nodded approvingly. "A noble goal. You wish to join Obsidian Fang, then?"
A soft nod.
A woman leaned forward. "It says you're from Earth, and that you lost your family. How did that happen?"
"They were killed in a Remnant attack," Zazm said, his tone unchanged. "Therefore, I intend to eradicate them."
A man frowned. "Why is your tone so cold?"
Before Zazm could answer, Seraphina spoke, her voice calm yet final. "Thank you for your time. We've heard enough. You may leave."
Zazm gave a small bow and exited the hall without another word.
One by one they all went inside and continued with their introductions.
"Easier than I expected."
"The pressure there...."
"Okay now we can go back...."
_____________________________