In the gilded chambers of the Zhuo Clan, a storm brewed.
"How could Zhuo Lin lose to commoners?!" roared Patriarch Zhuo, slamming his fist against the jade table. Servants flinched, and the room grew tense.
Madam Zhuo, elegant and poised, spoke coldly. "That Class D is being trained by someone dangerous. This… Han Li. Find out everything about him."
At the same time, within the towering walls of the Mo Clan, Mo Xue's uncle, Mo Tian, studied her battle replay.
"Her movements are refined. Deadly. Someone's taught her killing arts—secret ones," he murmured.
"She's only a girl. How far could she go?" a cousin scoffed.
Mo Tian turned sharply. "Fools. With proper backing, she could become a clan heir. Retrieve her. Now."
But not all noble families plotted with greed.
At the Lin Clan estate, Lin Yan's mother knelt quietly before her husband.
"He's changed," she whispered. "No longer timid. There's a sharpness in his gaze. Like steel beneath silk."
The clan head stroked his beard. "Han Li is forging swords from scrap. Perhaps… it is time we recognized our son."
Back at Twilight Academy, Han Li stood alone atop the old bell tower.
He stared at the moon as wind stirred his robes. Behind him, Headmaster Wei appeared silently.
"You've stirred the nobles. They're sending emissaries."
"I expected it," Han Li said.
"And the beast?"
Han Li's eyes narrowed. "It's still asleep—but not for long. The Sky-Eater responds to chaos… and the deeper villain behind all this just made his first move."
Wei sighed. "Then the academy must be prepared."
Han Li's voice was low. "No. My students must be prepared."