A Quiet Morning
Three months.
That was how long Agilan Shaktivel had been suspended from college.
Three months since the Shadow Gate.
Three months since the world learned nothing — and everything.
Morning sunlight spilled across the college campus like nothing had ever happened.
Students laughed.
Phones buzzed.
Life moved on.
And then—
He walked in.
Agilan Returns
Agilan stepped through the college gate wearing the same black-and-gray hoodie, backpack slung over one shoulder.
But everything else was different.
His posture was calmer.
His gaze heavier.
His presence… dense.
The chatter around him faded without anyone realizing why.
One student whispered.
"Is that… Agilan?"
Another murmured.
"He looks different."
Not louder.
Not aggressive.
Just… changed.
Like someone who had seen the end of things and came back anyway.
Agilan ignored the stares and walked down the corridor.
Each step echoed.
The Bully Who Learned Fear
"K—Karthik?"
A student froze near the staircase.
Karthik stood there — once loud, once cruel.
Now?
His right arm was bandaged, hanging stiffly by his side.
His shoulders were hunched.
His eyes widened the instant he saw Agilan.
Fear.
Real fear.
Agilan stopped walking.
Their eyes met.
Karthik swallowed.
Not a word came out.
He remembered everything —
Vinod bleeding.
The warning.
The pressure.
Agilan didn't glare.
Didn't threaten.
He simply looked at him.
Karthik stepped back.
One step.
Then another.
And disappeared down the stairs without saying a word.
The corridor was silent.
Someone whispered:
"Did you see that…?"
Agilan exhaled slowly and kept walking.
Shalini's Quiet Heart
Shalini stood near the classroom door, clutching her notebook.
She had rehearsed words for three months.
None of them came out.
When Agilan looked at her, she smiled — small, nervous, familiar.
"You're… back."
"Yeah," he replied softly.
That was all.
But to her, it was enough.
The boy she loved hadn't vanished.
He had just grown… impossibly far away.
Classes End
The day passed like a dream.
Lectures.
Notes.
Whispers.
Agilan sat at his desk, listening — but his mind drifted.
Dungeon gates.
Shadow screams.
The scythe.
When the final bell rang, he stood and left quietly.
Vinod rushed to catch up.
"Bro— you scared half the college without doing anything!"
Agilan smirked faintly.
"That bad?"
Shalini laughed softly.
"Worse."
The Black Car
Outside the campus gate—
A black luxury sedan waited.
Two men in black suits stepped out instantly.
They bowed.
Not exaggerated.
Not theatrical.
Professional.
"Agilan Shaktivel," one said respectfully.
"Apex Hunter Association. Please."
Vinod's jaw dropped.
"BRO— WHAT—"
Shalini blinked.
"Is this… for real?"
Agilan sighed.
"…Get in."
The door opened for them like VIPs.
Students stared as the car pulled away.
A Call from the Blade
Inside the car, Agilan's phone vibrated.
Caller ID: Ananya
He answered.
Her voice came through — calm, sharp, familiar.
"You back at college?"
"For one day."
A pause.
Then—
"Good. Rest ends today."
Agilan closed his eyes.
"There's a dungeon forming," she continued.
"Unstable. Unknown depth."
Vinod leaned closer.
"Is she talking about another gate?"
Agilan looked out the window as the city blurred past.
"Yes."
Ananya finished quietly:
"After you reach Apex… get ready."
Agilan opened his eyes.
Purple flickered briefly in his pupil — unseen by anyone else.
"…I'm ready."
The car drove forward.
Toward fate.
Toward blood.
Toward Season 3.