The classroom was quiet except for the scratching of pens and the occasional turning of paper. Zazm's hand moved steadily across his exam sheet, his face expressionless as always. On his shoulder, Zephyra leaned lazily, eyes half-shut.
"Can you get off?" Zazm muttered without looking up.
Zephyra groaned. "No. I'm sleepy."
"You could've stayed in the dorms."
"It's boring there," she said, pouting. "Even Elziora is out to another kingdom."
Zazm's pen paused for a moment. "When will she return?"
"Two weeks… maybe longer," Zephyra murmured, closing her eyes again.
Zazm resumed writing, flipping through his notebook for a reference. The silence between them lingered until Zephyra suddenly sat upright and stretched. "You realize this year flew by, right? Just like… gone."
Zazm glanced out the window, his face calm as ever.
"This is the last exam," Zephyra said, peeking at his paper.
Zazm gave a small nod. "What's the answer to this one?"
Zephyra leaned closer, scanning the question before casually pulling out a book from under her desk. Flipping quickly through the pages, she pointed at the correct answer. Zazm wrote it down without hesitation.
Zephyra smirked. "Cheating by research. That's a smart way to pass."
"It's the easy way," Zazm replied flatly.
"Or you could just freeze the entire hall in time and solve at your leisure," she teased, smirking wider.
Zazm ignored her, continuing to write.
"Wait—you wrote number two wrong," she said suddenly.
"I just want to pass."
Zephyra chuckled. "Now that's actually smart. You've been living under the shadows all year."
Her eyes drifted forward. "Not like everyone else. Ai and Nova basically made a name for themselves already."
Zazm gave another slight nod. "They've been competing all year. Nova always wins. Ai second."
"Even the upperclassmen know them now," Zephyra said, shrugging. "And then you have Jennie—always with her group. Miwa and Minos being friendly with everyone. Kiyomasa? Everyone likes him too. Meanwhile…" She leaned back on her chair, smirking. "Meanwhile, you've been a ghost."
Zazm stood suddenly. "I'm done."
Zephyra quickly floated after him as he handed in his exam sheet. Together they exited the hall.
"You're going out for lunch, right?" Zephyra asked.
Zazm gave a short nod. "Everyone planned it. Exams are over."
Zephyra smiled. "Perfect."
Back at his dorm, Zazm changed quickly—black pants, a white shirt, a black cardigan. He tied his hair back neatly. Zephyra floated silently behind him, watching as he adjusted his sleeves before leaving the room.
When he stepped out of EIAA's gates, a familiar figure stood waiting. Jennie.
Her bag rested in front of her legs, hands clasped tightly around the straps. She turned as she heard his footsteps. Her eyes widened slightly. "Zazm… you're early too?"
He nodded, standing beside her.
"Figures," she said with a small smile. "Ai and Nova are probably scribbling till the last minute." She gave a small shrug. "Not sure about the others though."
"They'll come," Zazm replied, leaning back against the wall casually.
Jennie's smile softened. For a moment, silence stretched. Then she spoke. "You know… this year was fun."
Zazm glanced at her.
"I was scared when I first came here," she admitted, her voice gentle. "But in the end… it worked out. I made friends. I laughed. I enjoyed myself."
Zazm's voice was calm. "Then you have another four years ahead."
Jennie chuckled faintly. "Yeah. And I hope they'll be fun too." Her expression dimmed slightly. "But… sometimes I miss those times."
Zazm tilted his head. "What times?"
"When we all used to sit together, every day. Talking, laughing. It felt like… we were the only people in the world," Jennie said softly, laughing under her breath.
Zazm stayed quiet, his gaze lifting toward the sky.
Jennie exhaled, trying to laugh again. "Somewhere along the way, time just… slipped. Everything's moving so fast." She paused, then looked at him directly. "Zazm… do you ever think about the future? What will happen to all of us?"
Zazm's expression didn't shift. "Is there something?"
Jennie chuckled nervously, shaking her head. "You always see right through me." She leaned back against the wall beside him. "It's just… sometimes I wonder. Will we still be able to sit together like this? Laugh? Smile? Or will time take us apart?"
Her hands clenched at her bag straps, her gaze dropping. "I don't think I'm ready for that."
Zazm looked at her quietly. Finally, he spoke: "That's most likely what will happen. We'll separate. See each other less. But…"
He took a slow breath, his tone steady but deeper. "It doesn't matter if we go different ways. What matters is that we'll remember each other. Deep inside. We'll always carry each other's respect… and love."
Jennie looked up at him, her eyes wide in surprise. A small tear slid down before she quickly wiped it with a smile. "That… felt like the first time we talked. Mr. Mysterio."
The nickname caught Zazm off guard, but his face remained stoic, his gaze forward.
Jennie's smile grew. "It's fine. No matter where we go, we'll always be with each other."
Zazm gave her a short nod.
At that moment, voices carried down the path. Nova, Ai, Minos, and Kiyomasa approached, chatting animatedly. Jennie's eyes lit up as she waved, running toward them with renewed energy.
Zazm remained where he stood, Zephyra floating silently beside him. But her smile had vanished.
"What's wrong?" Zazm asked, noticing her expression.
Zephyra folded her arms behind her back, looking away. "Nothing. Don't worry about it."
They began walking toward the others. Nova clapped Zazm on the shoulder. "So—how were exams, Zazm?"
"I'll pass."
Miwa chimed in, "Same. Somehow."
Kiyomasa laughed. "I trust Ai. She taught me everything—I'll pass for sure."
Minos smirked confidently. "I aced it."
Ai and Nova exchanged their usual competitive glares.
"This time," Ai said, "I'll be first."
Nova smirked. "We'll see."
They laughed together, the air light.
As the group made their way through the streets, Nova walked up beside Zazm. "It's been too long since we all went out like this."
Zazm gave a short nod.
"We should treat Neo and Asher too," Nova added.
Zazm replied calmly, "They've helped us a lot this year."
"And they'll keep helping," Nova said with a grin. "We're free for a whole month. We'll invite them next week."
The group finally reached an old-style restaurant at the corner of the street, the doors inviting them in.
The group walked into the old wooden restaurant, its walls lined with shelves of pottery, dried herbs hanging from the beams, and the faint smell of roasted meat filling the air.
An elderly man with a warm smile welcomed them, bowing slightly before leading them to a long wooden table by the window. They all sat down, the atmosphere light yet brimming with curiosity after their exams.
Just as Minos plopped into his chair, an elf waitress approached their table, her long silver hair tied neatly, her ears peeking out gracefully. Minos blinked twice before breaking into laughter.
"Haha—I still can't get used to this," he said, waving a hand. "Different species everywhere. Feels like I walked into a storybook."
Nova smirked, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.
"You just don't know how to talk to people. Honestly, it's fun—learning from different species, trying to understand their culture. Makes the world feel bigger."
Minos gave him a sideways grin, shaking his head.
"Keep enjoying that, you psycho. I'll stick to humans."
The others laughed lightly, the tension fading. Miwa slid into the seat beside Zazm, while Kiyomasa sat on his other side, staring wide-eyed at the decor.
"This world…" Kiyomasa muttered, "it's full of surprises."
Ai nodded firmly.
"Yeah, true. But you know what's been bothering me all this time?"
Nova tilted his head, eyes curious.
"Go on."
Ai folded her arms, her brows knitting together.
"It's the king's death. It just doesn't add up."
Jennie looked up from adjusting her bag and tilted her head.
"He was defeated by humans, right? That's what we've always been taught."
Ai leaned forward, her eyes sharp.
"Yes, that's what it says. But think about it. The King was said to be the strongest being in history—the one who conquered several universes. The first and only 'Singularity.' How exactly did humanity, who even now can't always handle Omega-level threats, manage to bring him down?"
The table grew quiet. Nova's smirk faded into a thoughtful expression. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"That's true… it doesn't make sense. The King practically built history himself. Strongest of remnants and humanity combined. And yet… suddenly defeated? Just like that?"
Ai nodded. "Exactly. Even with the best strategists, humanity shouldn't have had a chance."
Minos scratched the back of his head before leaning in.
"Maybe… he just died of old age?"
Ai shook her head sharply.
"No. Not someone like him."
Miwa, always the calmer one, joined in.
"But why not? Remnants aren't immortal, are they? Their bodies age differently, sure, but eventually they do die. From what I've read, remnants live about 200–300 years, right? Still, they eventually reach their limit."
Nova nodded.
"Right. They stay young until around a hundred, then start aging fast. After two hundred, their decline is obvious."
Miwa gestured with her hands.
"So what if the King wasn't just a remnant, but, say… a mix? Like an elf remnant. Elves can live a thousand years—combine that with remnant physiology, maybe he pushed the limit. 1,300… maybe 1,400 years. That's still long enough to rule like he did."
Ai's head shook again, her voice sharper.
"No. Even then, it doesn't fit. The King ruled for eight thousand years. And some books don't just say 'eight'—they write it as 'several thousand.' Eight, nine… maybe even more."
The words hit the table like a weight. Everyone turned silent.
Zazm, who had been staring out the window in silence, finally spoke, his voice low and emotionless.
"So what you're saying… is the King's death doesn't add up at all."
Ai nodded, her voice quiet but certain.
"Yes. If he died, how did he die? Who was strong enough to kill him? And what happened to that person? There's not a single record. I've searched almost every archive I could find."
A sudden voice behind them cut through the quiet like steel.
"No need to think so much."
Everyone turned in shock to see Rhyes standing just behind them, his presence calm yet overwhelming. Nova nearly jumped.
"Wha—where did you come from?!"
Rhyes pressed a finger to his lips.
"Quiet."
He slid into a seat at the edge of the table, posture straight, eyes sharp as always.
"I was looking for you all anyway."
Jennie leaned forward politely. "You must be busy, Sir Rhyes."
Kiyomasa nodded quickly, his tone respectful.
"Thank you for always looking after us."
Rhyes shook his head, his voice steady.
"I'm not looking after you. I'm looking after humanity. Don't forget that."
Minos raised a brow, muttering under his breath. "…Cold as always."
Rhyes's gaze moved to Ai.
"You were talking about the King's death."
Ai's eyes widened slightly.
"You… heard that?"
Rhyes nodded. "Of course I did. Good observation. All the books tell you the King was defeated, but none of them explain how. That's intentional. Hidden on purpose."
Nova leaned forward, his sharp tone serious now.
"So you mean…?"
Rhyes gave a small nod. "Yes. The King was defeated. Humanity did bring him down. But it wasn't done in a normal way."
Ai's curiosity burned as she leaned closer.
"What way?"
Rhyes glanced around the room, his sharp eyes scanning before lowering slightly.
"…That is not something to discuss here. Another time, when the place is secure."
Nova leaned back with a sigh, smirking faintly.
"Fair enough. Then let's hear the real reason you came."
Rhyes adjusted his gloves, speaking with his commanding calm.
"First of all—congratulations. You've finished your first year."
Jennie smiled softly.
"Thank you, Sir."
Rhyes nodded before continuing.
"I want your opinions. How do you view everything you've experienced? The war. The academy. Humanity's place."
Nova leaned back, tapping his finger on the table. "…Complicated. Honestly, way too complicated."
Ai nodded. "We understand the system, how things work, but the war… it feels unnatural. The more we learn, the stranger it gets."
Rhyes leaned back slightly, his voice heavy. "The war grows worse every day."
Jennie tilted her head, frowning.
"Why?"
Rhyes's tone grew darker.
"Because we are constantly losing people… to those damn remnants."
Nova frowned. "Is it really that bad?"
Rhyes looked him dead in the eye.
"Worse. You learned about the crystal organ, correct?"
Everyone nodded.
Rhyes continued.
"Then you know. It's the core inside remnants that produces and converts vana into power. Most remnants store excess vana there… and when pressed to the brink, they force it to rupture."
Ai's eyes widened, her voice trembling. "Wait—you mean… they blow themselves up?"
Rhyes gave a firm nod.
"Yes. A self-detonation. The blast only spreads five to ten meters, but in that radius—it kills. Soldiers. Civilians. Whoever is near."
The table went silent, all faces darkening.
Nova clenched his fist. "That's… insane."
Rhyes's voice cut sharp.
"It's war. To tear yourself apart just to take the enemy down—it's something only remnants would do."
Just then, steaming dishes of meat and bread arrived, the elf waitress quietly setting them down. The group barely noticed, still lost in thought.
Nova forced a small smile, trying to break the tension. "Sir Rhyes, join us?"
Rhyes stood, straightening his coat.
"Thanks for the offer but, I can't."
He turned toward the door, pausing just before leaving.
"Enjoy your peace while you can. It won't last."
With that, he disappeared into the bustling streets.
The group stared at their food in silence, their minds heavy with the truth he left behind.
Finally, Minos broke the silence, picking up his fork with a grin.
"…Well, nothing kills an appetite like the word 'explosion.'"
Miwa chuckled softly, the others following suit with faint smiles, tension easing slightly as they finally began to eat—still carrying Rhyes's words at the back of their minds.
Zazm leaned back on his seat, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. His vision blurred—and when he blinked, the plain wood shifted to the familiar roof of his dorm room.
He slowly sat up, glanced at the clock, and muttered to himself, "So… the second year begins, huh."
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he began fixing his uniform. Behind him, Zephyra groaned, rolling over in her bed. Her messy hair covered half her face as she squinted with sleepy eyes.
"you're leaving…" she murmured.
Zazm only gave a small nod, tightening his collar.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" she complained.
He didn't bother replying, continuing to straighten his clothes.
Zephyra puffed her cheeks, slid out of bed in her pajamas, and grabbed her brush. Sitting lazily by the mirror, she muttered while dragging the comb through her tangled hair. "Ugh… waking up every day for school is the worst."
"No one asked you to join," Zazm sighed, adjusting his sleeves.
Zephyra gave a slight smirk. "You're forgetting… I know what you want, even if you don't say it."
She quickly changed into a gray embroidered outfit and spun once in front of the mirror.
Zazm frowned. "...Who goes to school dressed like that?"
"I've been taking inspiration from Elziora. You wouldn't understand fashion." She stuck out her tongue playfully.
They walked together through the dorm corridors, the hum of early chatter filling the halls.
"Another year…" Zephyra yawned. "Here we go again."
They reached the classroom door. Zazm stepped in first, scanning the faces.
"All the same faces," he muttered.
"Looks like you're alone for another year," Zephyra teased.
Zazm made his way to the back bench, his usual spot, and dropped his bag down with practiced ease. "What's another year at this point?"
Zephyra smacked the back of his head as she slid into the seat beside him. "You're forgetting—I've always been here."
Zazm glanced at her, deadpan, before muttering, "Thanks."
She froze for a second, caught off guard. Her lips twitched into a grin as she leaned closer. "Oh? Look at you. What happened to that cold attitude, huh?"
The bell rang, and the classes of the second year officially began.
---
Meanwhile, at the girls' corner of the classroom, Lisa leaned back on her desk, twirling her pen lazily. "Next year we choose our path, right?"
Nirin nodded. "Yeah. What are you guys planning to choose?"
"I'll join Obsidian Fang," Jennie answered brightly.
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Really now? I'm leaning toward Sable Veil."
"Me too," Nirin chimed in. "I'll go with Sable Veil."
Jennie tilted her head, puzzled. "Why do you two wanna join medics so bad?"
Lisa leaned forward, her playful tone fading. Her eyes carried a quiet sadness. "...I want to become the best medic out there."
Jennie frowned. "Why though?"
Lisa's fingers tightened into fists. She lowered her gaze. "My entire family died because the medics couldn't save them. It wasn't that they didn't try… they just couldn't. I want to be someone like Supreme Commander Miss Aina. Someone who saves everyone… so no one has to go through what I did."
The air around the desk grew heavy. Jennie and Nirin both went quiet, the weight of Lisa's words sinking in. Lisa noticed their silence and quickly forced a smile. "What about you, Nirin? Why do you want to join?"
Nirin hesitated before replying with a faint smile of her own. "...My mom is part of Sable Veil. I just want to follow in her footsteps."
The two girls turned to Jennie. "Your turn."
Jennie blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? What?"
"Why do you want to join Obsidian Fang?" Lisa pressed.
Jennie scratched her cheek nervously. "...I don't really know."
Both Lisa and Nirin froze. "...WHAT?!"
Jennie chuckled awkwardly. "I'm more of a do-first, think-after type of person."
Lisa groaned, smacking her forehead. "That's not a personality trait—that's just being irresponsible!"
The three of them burst out laughing, the tension finally easing.
---
"HELP MEEEEE!!!"
Kiyomasa's scream echoed across the training field as he shot skyward like a rocket. For a single, glorious second he looked majestic—arms spread wide, the wind rushing past him. Then gravity reminded him who was in charge. He plummeted straight back down, his limbs flailing like an overturned insect.
He hit the dirt with a loud thud, rolled twice, and groaned. Before anyone could ask if he was alive, the boots gave another spurt of energy and hurled him into the air again.
"WAIT, I DIDN'T MEAN TO—!!!" His voice grew fainter as he disappeared into the treeline, only to crash back down a moment later with even less grace than before.
On the sidelines, Miwa stood with her arms crossed, her expression somewhere between concern and disbelief. "This is too dangerous. Nope. I'm not doing this. No way."
Her words were punctuated by a loud rustling sound overhead. Everyone turned to see Minos wedged between the branches of a tall tree, legs dangling uselessly as he flailed around like a cat that had climbed too high.
"I'm safe up here, guys! …Right?" he called down, his tone only slightly panicked. The branch creaked under his weight in direct contradiction.
Ai crouched carefully, studying the boots strapped to her feet. She adjusted her stance, inhaled, and pushed off. For a moment it felt controlled—until a sudden boom sent her skyrocketing past the treetops.
Her voice trailed faintly from above, "My shoes aren't workiiiiiing—!!"
Everyone craned their necks upward, watching her shrink into the clouds.
"…Looks like they worked," Nova muttered, unimpressed.
He didn't have long to enjoy his comment. His boots suddenly fired without warning, launching him forward at the wrong angle. With a startled yelp, he slammed face-first into the nearest wall. The impact rattled the field.
"Uh-oh," Miwa whispered looking at Nova.
Dazed, Nova slid down the wall like a limp pancake. Before he could recover, the boots pulsed again. This time they shot him straight downward. His skull met the packed dirt with a CRUNCH.
A muffled voice rose from the ground. "How… did we end up here?"
The chaos refused to stop. Kiyomasa came bouncing past them again, dragging a trail of dust behind him. Minos finally broke the tree branch and came tumbling down in a heap, screaming all the way. Ai still hadn't returned from the clouds. And Nova… well, Nova was buried headfirst in the dirt, his legs twitching.
Miwa pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yep. This is going perfectly."
It wasn't just them the other students had similar or worse conditions, some just couldn't jump and some like Ai couldn't come down after jumping.
---
[Twenty Minutes Earlier]
The instructor's booming voice echoed across the training field.
"Today, you'll all be learning how to use your first combat gear!"
The students sat up straighter at once, eyes glued to the podium. The instructor marched along the front row, hands clasped firmly behind his back.
"Whether you have an AMI mark or not, these combat gadgets will become your greatest asset. Watch closely."
He motioned toward the podium, where a sleek pair of futuristic boots rested.
"These are called Gust walkers. An essential part of combat gear. They allow you to leap several feet into the air with incredible force."
A curious girl raised her hand. "How does it work, instructor?"
The man nodded, clearly pleased by the question. "They gather air from the environment as you walk, compress it, and amplify it into an energy blow. That energy releases beneath your feet, launching you upward."
Ai raised her hand next. "So we can't jump infinitely?"
"Correct," the instructor confirmed. "Each boost takes five to ten seconds to recharge, depending on your mastery and how you use the environment."
Nova raised his hand after. "If it's that simple, why are we using them against remnants? Shouldn't we have something more… futuristic? Like teleporters or something?"
The instructor chuckled. "Good question. The simpler the tool, the more reliable it is. We don't use flashy equipment in combat. We use things like these boots, or energy shields, for two main reasons."
He held up two fingers.
"One—the more complex the gear, the more maintenance and energy input it requires. Two—tools like teleporters demand constant calculation and precise thought. And in the chaos of the battlefield… that's a luxury no soldier has."
The instructor walked back to the podium, the heels of his boots striking the ground with sharp precision. He gestured to the Flying Shoes still resting there, then reached beneath the stand. When he straightened again, he held up something that looked like a complex harness of straps and metallic clasps.
"With these shoes," he declared, "we use this."
The students leaned forward curiously, whispering among themselves.
"These are called Pant-Stabilizers—more commonly referred to as Kraken Straps."
He snapped one of the straps with a flick, the sharp sound silencing the chatter instantly.
"Named after the great creature with countless limbs, the Kraken Straps symbolize stabilization and resistance against chaotic movement. And believe me, when you're flying through the air with nothing but the ground to welcome you back… landing becomes your worst enemy."
He knelt and began strapping the harness around the boots, showing them how the reinforced bands connected snugly from the ankles up to the thighs.
"They connect your boots to your thighs with energy-dampening stabilizers. Every time you launch yourself into the sky, there is recoil. That recoil doesn't just vanish—it slams right into your legs. The Kraken Straps take that shock, absorb it, and redirect it through your frame so you can brace properly upon landing."
He stood, tightening the last strap, then slammed his heel into the ground. A deep thud reverberated through the field, the straps visibly vibrating before settling again.
"Without these," he continued, his voice dropping lower, "your own muscles would pay the price. Torn ligaments. Shattered knees. And if you're unlucky, your legs folding in ways they were never meant to bend."
Several students winced, their expressions turning pale.
The instructor allowed a small smirk. "That's why these exist. They keep you standing after high-altitude jumps, help you land cleanly, and make sure you don't spend the rest of your career crawling."
He let the silence hang for a moment, then added grimly, "If your Kraken Straps fail… your legs wouldn't be nice enough to you."
The students swallowed hard. Suddenly, the Flying Shoes didn't look quite as exciting anymore.
The instructor's voice boomed across the training grounds.
"You will all wear these, and you will start practicing."
A hand shot up almost immediately from the front row. A boy with nervous eyes blurted out, "But, sir—isn't this dangerous? If we fall from too high… wouldn't we be unable to walk for the rest of our lives or something?"
The instructor didn't even hesitate. He nodded. "Correct. You would."
A ripple of alarm spread through the students. Several of them whispered nervously, glancing at their boots as if they were suddenly death traps.
The instructor, however, continued calmly. "That is precisely why Instructor Bella is here today."
At that cue, a woman walked in from the sidelines. Her long brown coat trailed lightly behind her, and her steps carried an easy grace. She gave the class a warm smile and raised her hand in greeting.
"Hello, everyone."
The instructor gestured toward her with respect. "This is Instructor Bella. She's a combat medic, and her AMI mark grants her a unique ability that will keep this training from turning into a funeral."
Whispers spread quickly among the students. A medic? With an AMI mark? That was rare.
Bella clasped her hands together, smiling gently as she explained. "Basically, my AMI mark covers a specific area around me. Any injuries you sustain within that range—whether it's broken bones, torn ligaments, or even heavy bleeding—will be automatically healed within a few seconds, no matter how bad."
For a moment, silence. Then excitement exploded.
"Wait—does that mean we can't die during practice?!"
"Woah, so we're basically invincible right now?"
"That's amazing!"
Everyone's faces lit up, shoulders easing with newfound confidence. A few even grinned mischievously at the thought of being reckless without consequences.
But the instructor crushed their enthusiasm with a single sentence.
"You'll still feel every shred of pain."
The lively atmosphere froze instantly. Jaws dropped. Eyes widened. The same students who had been grinning seconds ago now looked like they wanted to crawl under a rock.
Bella gave a small, sympathetic shrug. "Sorry, it's true. The healing is instant, but the nerves still scream before the damage closes."
The instructor nodded firmly, satisfied that the lesson had sunk in. "Good. Now, pick up your Kraken Straps and Gust Walkers from the equipment room." He pointed toward a door at the side of the training hall.
The students shuffled into the room like a herd of sheep. Inside, rows of neatly arranged black boots—Gust Walkers—and coiled sets of reinforced straps awaited them. Each student grabbed a pair, the metal clasps clinking as they carried them back out.
Once everyone returned, the instructor clapped his hands. "Now, pay attention. This is how you wear them."
He knelt down, sliding his legs into the Gust Walkers with practiced ease. The black boots hissed faintly, adjusting to the shape of his calves. Then he picked up the Kraken Straps—four stabilizers connected with reinforced bands—and tightened them from his ankles to his thighs.
"They connect to your thighs like this. The dampeners align here, here, and here," he tapped three silver nodes along the strap, "to absorb the recoil when you land. If you wear them wrong, they won't stabilize. Which means the moment you hit the ground…" He gave a short pause, letting his silence say the rest. Several students winced at the implication.
He stood, dusted his hands, and straightened. "Watch carefully."
With a single step, the boots hissed. The next moment, he launched himself high into the air. The students gasped as he soared above the treeline, his coat flapping like wings. He twisted midair, landed with a controlled thud, then immediately triggered another boost—this time chaining into a double jump that hurled him even higher.
"Did he just—jump twice?!" Miwa's eyes sparkled.
He came down hard, bracing with the Kraken Straps. Instead of crumpling, his legs absorbed the impact cleanly, the ground cracking slightly beneath his boots. He didn't even flinch.
But he wasn't done. The instructor dashed forward, launched himself at the nearest tree, and kicked off its trunk with perfect timing.
The Gust Walkers released another burst, propelling him into a spinning leap before he landed on a higher branch. From there, he casually hopped back down, landing so smoothly it looked almost effortless.
The students were speechless.
"That… was… insane." Kiyomasa's jaw nearly hit the ground.
"Is that even humanly possible?" Minos whispered, his eyes sparkling with both fear and admiration.
Ai muttered under her breath, "Okay, so mine are definitely not going to work like that…"
The instructor clasped his hands behind his back. "That is the proper use of Gust Walkers combined with Kraken Straps. Simple, reliable, effective. Now—your turn."
The students exchanged nervous glances. Then, one by one, they strapped in.
Kiyomasa was the first to try. He crouched down, muttered a prayer under his breath, and jumped. For an instant, it worked—he launched into the air, a huge grin plastered across his face.
"I DID IT—!!"
Then the boots recharged mid-flight, blasting again without warning. He spun helplessly, arms flapping like broken wings.
"WaitwaitwaitWAIT—!!"
He landed headfirst in the dirt with a sickening whump. Bella sighed, waved her hand lazily, and his skull popped back into perfect shape in seconds. His muffled voice rose from the ground. "I… hate… this…"
Miwa tried once but fell brutally and on the next try she collided with another girl and she gave up
Minos tried next before getting thrown into air and landing face flat into a tree and hence that's how they landed in the earlier situation.
_________________________