It was the next day on Earth, and the first-year students were more than excited for the Portal outing scheduled for Tuesday.
They were originally meant to visit the Green Portal Planet on Sunday, but the arrival of Truedream had postponed the trip by two days.
That morning, all students were instructed to stand in their respective groups inside the assembly hall. Attendance was being counted, and the final list of participants was being confirmed.
Sergeant Leo and Sergeant Faye stepped onto the podium, holding a transparent digital display screen.
"Students, prepare for attendance," Faye shouted.
"Batch A. Step forward as your names are called."
"Danny, Elisha, Zach, Cia and Raclo."
One by one, the students stepped forward as Faye marked them on the screen.
She continued calling out names, group after group.
"Finally Group F," she announced.
"Fex, Layla, Peter, Vorden and Newt. Step forward."
Fex and Layla stepped out, puzzled expressions on their faces.
This was not the group list they had submitted for the outing. Being paired with unfamiliar students felt… off.
Sergeant Faye narrowed her eyes, clearly noticing the absence.
"Where is Vorden?" she demanded. "Why isn't he here?"
The entire hall turned their heads, scanning the crowd. Vorden was nowhere to be seen.
"You three," Faye said sharply, "where is Vorden?"
No one answered at first. Then Layla spoke, her voice restrained.
"We don't know, ma'am."
At that moment, another sergeant approached from the sidelines and whispered something into Faye's ear.
"Oh," Faye said after a pause. "Very well."
"Harry will be Vorden's substitute. It appears he has left the academy."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"Now, everyone, return to their respective dorms," Faye continued.
"No lessons for today. Prepare yourselves for tomorrow's portal outing."
After the students all left, Leo still stood motionless, his expression unusually grave.
"What's wrong, Sergeant Leo?" Faye asked quietly.
"There should be eight more students," Leo replied. "Why are they neither present nor listed?"
Faye frowned. "Let me recheck."
She scrolled through the display, then stopped.
"Oh. I see. All eight and including Vorden—have been ordered to leave the academy. They were detained for misconduct and for their links with the People of Pure."
Leo's jaw tightened.
"Send me the list of those students," he said. "I'd like to know more."
"It'll take a minute," Faye replied. "Don't worry—I'll send it shortly."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Leo remained standing.
He had kept a mental record of every student he had encountered, because of his unique ability . So when he didn't see Quinn or the the others students he quickly knew something might've happened.
"Quinn Talen, Where did you go?"
That was when Leo sensed.
Two students were hiding behind one of the halls. It was impossible to miss became of his ability and the giveaway of the faint purple aura.
"You two," Leo called out calmly. "Stop hiding and come out."
Layla and Fex froze. Realizing they had been spotted, they stepped forward. Layla's face was tight with worry.
"What do you know?" Leo asked.
"What do you mean?" Layla replied quickly. "We were just walking together. You caught us and assumed we were spying."
"hah," Fex added casually. "I'm not the type to spy on a blind guy."
"I can see better than most," Leo replied flatly.
As he turned his head to Fex.
A shiver ran through Fex's body as Leo's energy brushed against him, instinctively triggering a reaction.
"You both were in the same group as Quinn," Leo said. "You must know something for his absence."
Layla hesitated, then spoke softly.
"Can we talk somewhere private?"
Leo paused, sensing the weight behind her words.
"Follow me," he said.
Layla shot Fex a sharp glare before stepping forward. As they followed Leo, both were quietly amazed by how effortlessly he navigated the halls—blind, yet unerring.
Layla's worry deepened. Could they trust Leo with what they were about to say?
From the events at the assembly, it was clear: the missing students had been erased from their groups and replaced without hesitation. Even the number of groups had been reduced—from H to F.
Leo stopped before a metallic door.
He placed his hand on the sensor with practiced precision. Soft clicks echoed as the door unlocked.
"Come in."
Inside, the room felt less like living quarters and more like a personal dojo.
Weapons lined the walls—each one mounted like a treasured relic.
Fex felt an immediate pull toward them and stepped closer—
"Don't touch them," Leo warned.
Fex froze.
"They belonged to my fallen comrades," Leo continued. "Those weapons are cursed. They house the souls of their wielders—wills sharper than death itself. They can drive a sane mind into madness."
Fex quickly stepped back.
"Oh. Yeah. Wasn't planning to," he said, forcing a laugh.
Leo gestured toward the couches along the wall. He himself pulled up a stool and sat down.
"This place is secure enough," Leo said.
"Now tell me what you know."
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