The academy changed after the Bureau's visit.
Not openly.
Most students still attended classes, trained in combat halls, and competed in routine exercises as before. To ordinary eyes, life continued normally.
But beneath the surface, preparations had begun.
Security around the academy doubled.
Several previously restricted areas were reopened for advanced training.
Instructors held frequent private meetings with government representatives.
And every few days, new reports arrived describing unusual spiritual incidents across the country.
The world was accelerating toward transformation.
Three days after the Bureau delegation departed, Headmaster Rudra summoned Krishak and his companions to the council chamber.
Dev entered first, carrying his spear over one shoulder.
"If this is another secret meeting," he muttered, "I'm starting to feel important."
" "You are important," Ananya replied with a small smile.
"That sounds dangerous," Dev answered immediately.
Raghav laughed quietly while Ishita rolled her eyes.
Krishak entered last with Lunafang walking calmly beside him.
Inside the chamber, Rudra stood before a large holographic display.
Director Rao from the Bureau was present as well.
The moment everyone arrived, the projection activated.
A mountainous region appeared.
Dense forests surrounded a small abandoned mining settlement near the border of several remote districts.
Red warning markers flashed repeatedly over the map.
Rao spoke first.
"Two days ago, contact was lost with a Bureau reconnaissance team in this region."
The projection zoomed in.
"Satellite imaging detected abnormal spiritual fluctuations shortly before communication ended."
Dev's playful expression vanished.
"A ruin?"
"Possibly," Rao answered. "But unlike previous incidents, this location appears unstable."
Images appeared beside the map.
Forests twisted by strange energy.
Massive claw marks carved into stone.
Aerial footage showing distorted light surrounding the valley.
Ananya frowned.
"That energy looks chaotic."
Krishak studied the footage carefully.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
The spiritual currents were fluctuating irregularly.
This was not a naturally stabilized ruin like the Starlit Ruins.
It was either damaged
Or something inside was awakening forcefully.
Rudra folded his arms.
"The Bureau requested assistance from the academy."
Dev blinked.
"You mean us?"
Rao nodded directly.
*Your team has more direct experience with ancient ruins than almost anyone your age."
Ishita looked thoughtful.
"And you want us to investigate."
"Yes," Rao said.
The room became quiet.
This was different from a controlled academy expedition.
This was a real operation.
Potentially dangerous.
Potentially deadly.
Rudra stepped forward.
"You are not being ordered."
His gaze moved across each student.
"You may refuse."
Dev crossed his arms.
"When do we leave?"
Raghav laughed.
"You didn't even hesitate."
Dev shrugged.
"If dangerous ruins are appearing
everywhere anyway, avoiding them won't solve anything."
Ananya nodded slowly.
"He's right."
Ishita adjusted her glasses.
"And if the Bureau lacks formation specialists, they'll need support."
Raghav sighed dramatically.
"Well, I guess we're doing this."
Skyrend chirped in agreement from his shoulder.
Finally, everyone looked toward Krishak.
Rao watched him carefully.
Krishak already understood the significance of this mission.
The age of isolated discoveries was ending.
From now on, awakened zones and ancient ruins would become active conflict points.
Humanity needed people capable of handling them.
"We'll go," Krishak said calmly.
Rudra nodded once.
"Then preparation begins immediately."
The next twenty-four hours passed rapidly.
The Bureau provided specialized communication devices, survival equipment, and updated reconnaissance reports.
Krishak spent most of the preparation time reviewing the mission data.
The valley showed several unusual signs.
First, spiritual density was increasing continuously.
Second, nearby wildlife had either fled or mutated.
Third, electronic systems malfunctioned near the center of the region.
All signs pointed toward an active spiritual core.
Possibly a sealed formation.
Possibly an awakening artifact.
Or possibly something worse.
Meanwhile, the team prepared seriously.
Dev trained relentlessly with his new
spear.
Ananya refined healing pills using guidance from the ancient alchemy records.
Ishita studied stabilizing formations late into the night.
Raghav practiced coordinated scouting techniques with Skyrend.
Krishak strengthened several portable formations for defense and concealment.
Even Lunafang sensed the seriousness of the mission.
The silver wolf remained unusually alert, often staring toward the distant mountains visible beyond the academy walls.
The following morning, the team departed alongside a small Bureau escort unit.
Unlike their journey to the Starlit Ruins, this expedition carried no excitement.
Only focus.
The convoy moved through increasingly isolated terrain until paved roads disappeared entirely.
By evening, towering mountains surrounded them on all sides.
Cold mist drifted through the forests.
The spiritual energy in the air gradually became heavier.
Dev glanced around uneasily.
"Tell me I'm not the only one feeling that."
"You're not," Raghav replied quietly.
Even Skyrend seemed restless.
As night fell, the convoy reached a temporary Bureau outpost established several kilometers from the target valley.
Soldiers moved quickly between fortified structures and sensor equipment.
The atmosphere was tense.
Director Rao met them personally.
"We lost contact with our second drone squad this morning, he said immediately.
The holographic monitor beside him displayed distorted footage.
For a split second, the image showed enormous glowing eyes within the forest before the signal died completely.
Ananya shivered slightly.
"That wasn't a normal beast."
Krishak agreed silently.
The energy signature was too concentrated.
Too intelligent.
Rao lowered his voice.
"There's one more thing."
He enlarged the map.
"At the center of the valley. there's a structure."
A blurry image appeared.
Ancient stone gates partially buried beneath the mountainside.
Silver symbols faintly glowing across their surface.
Krishak's eyes narrowed.
He recognized the architectural style instantly.
It belonged to the same ancient civilization as the Starlit Ruins.
But unlike the observatory and inheritance hall...
This place radiated hostility.
And somewhere deep within the dark valley, something had already awakened.