Chapter 55 – A New Era
Raven rests his head on Seraphine's shoulder. His breathing is steady but slow. Seraphine gently brushes her fingers through his white hair.
"I am exhausted. The healing ability saved me, but it drained everything I had left. The damage from Sophia's Fist Magic wasn't minor — it crushed my insides. Now, in the warmth of Seraphine's arms, I can finally allows myself to rest" , Raven thought.
Seraphine holds him tightly, her golden eyes soft. She doesn't say anything. Just stays there, letting him recover.
Moments pass.
The quiet is broken by a voice coming from the hallway. A loudspeaker echoes through the entire campus.
"All students, the class rankings have been finalized. You may view the results displayed at designated screens across the Academy."
Seraphine shifts. "Should we go?"
Raven slowly sits up. "Yeah. Let's see where we ended up."
They leave the infirmary together, walking through the now busy corridors. Screens have been set up in every hallway and corner, displaying the results. The crowd is thick. Students murmur, point, and celebrate.
Lyra joins them, her expression excited. "There you are! Come on, I already saw our names. We made it. All three of us — Class A."
Raven smiles. "Good. I expected nothing less."
The Class A section is separated from the others. A massive double-door opens as the students selected for Class A are guided through. The hall behind the door is grand. Clean walls, high ceilings, and floors polished to a mirror-like shine.
Marble pillars line the room. Seats arranged in tiered rows. Built-in screens and equipment fill the front. Some tech here looks advanced — like it doesn't belong in their country. Students glance around, awed.
"This doesn't look like anything from our side of the world," one student whispers.
Lyra whistles. "Looks like the Academy had a huge upgrade in just three days."
Seraphine nods. "They've been preparing something big."
Fifty students fill the room. Every single one of them exudes presence — from famous families, skilled fighters, or contracted with power from the other world. Each seat is labeled with a name already.
Raven finds his seat near the front. Lyra and Seraphine sit beside him. A few rows away, Lucas Storm and Sophia Storm take their seats too.
The atmosphere shifts when the door closes.
A man walks in from the side door. Mid-twenties. Neatly dressed. Tall and lean with sharp black eyes and short brown hair.
"Good morning," he says. "I'm Professor Jacob. Twenty-five years old. Former physics teacher here at Royal Academy."
He smiles lightly.
"Some of you may already know me. I was one of the summoned rankers. I didn't clear dungeons like others — I focused on study. I joined a guild, forged a contract with a Queen, and used everything I learned to grow stronger."
His aura flares slightly, commanding attention. It's powerful, but not overwhelming. A sign that he's just a few steps ahead.
"First of all, congratulations. All fifty of you made it into Class A. You're the top 1% of the new generation — strong, smart, and most importantly, adaptable."
The class listens quietly.
"But let me tell you something upfront. We don't have much to teach you. The world has changed too fast. No one here truly understands the full potential of your powers. We are learning just like you are."
Whispers ripple through the crowd.
Jacob continues. "This class isn't just for your benefit. You are part of a new system. Starting today, you are no longer just students. You are also guides, leaders, and future defenders of this country."
A beat of silence.
"You will be provided with training grounds, resources, and access to knowledge gathered from the other world. But in return, you will help us build a system. You will mentor lower classes. Maintain discipline. Learn fast. Share faster."
Lyra raises an eyebrow. "So we're teachers now?"
Jacob nods. "In a way, yes."
He steps forward.
"Three days have passed since we returned, and already the crime rate has jumped 20%. People with powers but no guidance are dangerous. This Academy — you — are our first line of defense."
Seraphine looks around. Some students frown. Others nod with understanding.
Jacob lifts his gaze. "We lost too many during the summoning. We can't afford to lose more. You fifty are our chance to build a foundation that lasts. The next generation will have it easier because of what we learn from you."
Raven thinks quietly. So we're test subjects… not in tubes, but still.
He clenches his fist. "If there are no rules, this world will burn."
Jacob looks at the class again. "We will start today with a discussion session. You'll share what you experienced — the techniques you learned, how your ability works, and anything you can teach others."
He pauses.
"Remember — if someone offers you power, it's because they want something in return. The kings and queens of the other world don't help for free. Learn what you can… and always question everything."
Lucas shifts in his seat. Sophia rests her hand on her chin. Seraphine leans back slightly. Lyra stays focused, her black eyes gleaming.
Raven exhales.
"A new era… huh," he mutters.
Class A sits in silence, the weight of the future pressing down on their shoulders.
The instructor steps forward again, his voice steady and composed.
"Alright, now that you've seen where you stand," he says, scanning the faces in the room, "it's time you all get to know each other."
He lifts a folder in his hand.
"Starting today, you'll be receiving missions—real ones. But to build proper teams, we need to know your strengths. So we're going to start with something simple."
He gestures to the assistant standing nearby. "You'll each be given a form. Fill it out honestly. We're not asking personal questions—just what you've learned, what you can teach, and what you're good at."
The assistant, a young man in a black uniform with a silver badge, walks through the aisle and begins handing the forms out.
The students take them one by one. The room rustles with movement and murmurs as papers are passed around.
Raven glances down at the paper in his hand.
___
Form Fields:
Name:
What you learned:
What you can teach:
What you are good at:
___
He exhales, tapping the edge of the paper against the desk. "So this is how it starts," he mutters under his breath.
Around him, pens begin scratching against paper. Some students are already filling in their answers quickly, while others hesitate, deep in thought.
The instructor's voice rings again. "This information will help us shape the future. What you write today may help train the next generation. You are the first. Your experience matters."
The weight of that statement settles over the room.
Lyra leans back in her seat, arms folded. "Hmph. So now we're being turned into teachers?" she whispers to Seraphine beside her.
Seraphine doesn't look up from her form. "Not teachers. Leaders."
Lyra smirks. "Same thing."
Raven's eyes stay fixed on the form. What did I learn? he thinks. Too much to explain in words… but maybe just enough to guide someone.
He fills it out slowly, thinking through every word. Around him, the others are doing the same—some writing with pride, others with silent tension.
The instructor walks the front of the room again. "You're not just students anymore. You're the foundation of a new era. We're building this academy around your knowledge. Don't waste this chance."
He pauses, letting his words settle.
"Also… make use of today. Meet your classmates. Talk. Share. From tomorrow onward, you'll be assigned teams. You'll be responsible for them. Their growth, their performance, and how they survive."
That gets some heads turning.
Raven watches the reactions—some students look confident, others uncertain.
He smiles faintly. So this is the new role. Not just growing stronger… but helping others rise too.
Across the room, Lucas Storm leans back in his chair, arms behind his head. "Interesting," he murmurs. "So we're the role models now."
Sophia sits beside him, calmly filling her form. "Guess we'll see who lives up to the role."
Raven hears their voices faintly. He glances back, just for a moment. His eyes meet Lucas's. They don't speak—but a silent understanding passes between them.
___