The peaceful atmosphere of Reikosha Academy continued as if nothing in the world had changed.
Students trained across the massive courtyards while instructors observed from the sidelines. Wooden swords clashed, spiritual energy flared, and laughter echoed through the academy.
Reji lazily twirled his weapon on one shoulder.
"So... how long do you think Captain Shougo's squad will stay on that mission?"
Seiyan shrugged.
"Knowing Captain Shougo? Probably until they completely wipe out whatever they're hunting."
Tyouro laughed loudly.
"They'll be back before you know it."
Kimimaru remained beneath the shade of the ancient tree, calmly polishing his blade.
Yura silently watched the clouds.
Everything felt...
Normal.
Until—
RUMBLE...
The ground trembled beneath everyone's feet.
The wooden practice swords fell over.
Several first-year students immediately lost their balance.
"...An earthquake?"
One student muttered.
Before anyone could react—
BOOOOOOM...
A second tremor struck.
This one was far stronger.
The academy walls vibrated.
Windows rattled violently.
The enormous trees surrounding Reikosha swayed despite the complete absence of wind.
Leaves rained onto the courtyards.
The laughter disappeared.
Every student looked around in confusion.
Teacher Tine Marles frowned.
"...That's no ordinary earthquake."
Ishika looked toward the northern horizon.
"The spiritual flow..."
"...It's unstable."
Far away...
The sky itself seemed distorted.
Massive rings of clouds slowly expanded outward.
Even from this distance...
They could see mountain-sized dust clouds rising into the heavens.
One student swallowed nervously.
"...How far away is that?"
Another answered quietly.
"...Very far."
"And we can still feel it..."
Griffin slowly stood.
His sharp eyes narrowed.
"...Someone's fighting."
Lady Judas folded her arms.
"Not just someone."
"...Monsters."
Another violent tremor erupted beneath the academy.
KRRRRAAAAAA!!
Cracks spread across several training fields.
The lake near the eastern gardens rippled violently.
Spirit birds abandoned the academy's forests all at once.
Hundreds of them filled the sky.
The students instinctively stepped closer together.
Fear slowly spread through the crowd.
Reji forced a grin.
"...Okay."
"I officially don't like this."
Even Tyouro had stopped smiling.
"...Whatever is causing this..."
"...It's unbelievably far away."
Kimimaru finally spoke.
"...Yet we can still feel every collision."
Silence followed.
No one wanted to imagine how powerful a battle had to be...
To shake the nation from so far away.
Yura quietly closed her eyes.
She listened.
She couldn't hear the battle.
But...
She could feel its rhythm.
"...Someone..."
"...is still holding on."
Before anyone could ask what she meant—
A guard's voice suddenly echoed from the front gate.
"INTRUDER!"
The academy froze.
Every teacher turned toward the entrance.
Griffin immediately disappeared from his position.
Judas followed without hesitation.
Shougo calmly walked forward.
Behind them, instructors and senior students rushed toward the enormous gates.
Thousands of eyes gathered in one direction.
Standing beyond the entrance...
Was one man.
He stood completely still.
A long black coat reached his knees.
His silver hair gently moved despite the air remaining perfectly calm.
His expression showed neither anger...
Nor hatred.
Only indifference.
He slowly lifted his eyes.
Looking past every student.
Past every teacher.
As though searching for someone.
No spiritual pressure escaped him.
No killing intent.
Nothing.
Yet...
Every instinct inside the academy screamed.
Danger.
Several first-year students unconsciously stepped backward.
One dropped his weapon.
Another couldn't stop trembling.
Even some instructors felt cold sweat running down their backs.
Griffin stopped several meters in front of the stranger.
"...Identify yourself."
No answer.
The man simply looked at him.
Judas quietly placed one hand on her weapon.
"...He's not normal."
Shougo's gaze hardened.
"...Who are you?"
Several seconds passed.
Finally...
The stranger spoke.
His voice was calm.
Almost emotionless.
"...Kronos."
Silence consumed the academy.
He slowly looked beyond Griffin...
Toward the countless students standing behind him.
"...Move."
"...Or remain."
"...Time will decide for you."
The wind vanished.
The trees stopped moving.
Even the trembling earth...
Became unnaturally still.
For reasons none of them could explain...
Every person present felt the same chilling thought.
The real disaster... had just arrived.