The next few days passed in a strange silence.
No missions.
No large-scale training.
No sudden alarms.
But no one felt at ease.
Because everyone knew—
This calm wouldn't last.
---
Kael stood alone in the training field before sunrise.
The sky was still dark, faint light barely touching the horizon.
Cold wind brushed past him.
But he didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't blink.
---
"…Again."
He raised his hand slowly.
Focused.
Steady.
---
Nothing.
---
Kael exhaled sharply.
"…Come on…"
His fist clenched.
The faint blue glow appeared—
Then flickered.
Then vanished.
---
"…Damn it."
---
"You're still forcing it."
Kael turned.
Aurora stood a few steps away.
Her silver hair moved gently with the wind.
Her expression, as always—
Calm.
Unreadable.
---
"…Since when do you show up this early?" Kael asked.
Aurora walked closer.
"I don't."
She stopped beside him.
"You're just late in realizing it."
---
Kael scoffed slightly.
"…Thanks."
---
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
---
"You're trying to control something you don't understand," Aurora said.
Kael looked at his hand.
"…I don't have time to understand it."
"You do," she replied immediately.
"If you don't—"
Her eyes met his.
"It will control you instead."
---
Kael didn't respond.
Because he knew—
She was right.
---
"…When you used it," Aurora continued,
"It wasn't just power."
"It changed you."
Kael frowned.
"…Changed how?"
Aurora paused for a moment.
"…Your presence."
"Your eyes."
"You felt… distant."
---
Kael's grip tightened slightly.
"…I didn't notice."
Aurora looked away.
"That's the problem."
---
Before Kael could respond—
A sudden surge of energy spread across the academy.
---
Both of them felt it instantly.
---
"…What now?" Kael muttered.
---
A loud announcement followed:
"All high-rank students report immediately."
---
Aurora turned.
"…Looks like we're not done yet."
---
The main hall was filled with tension.
Students gathered quickly.
The Elite Squad stood at the front.
Even Orion was already there.
---
Something was wrong.
---
"Listen carefully," Orion said.
His voice was calm—
But heavy.
---
"A gate has opened."
---
Silence.
---
Rex frowned.
"…Another one?"
---
Orion shook his head.
"…Not like before."
---
He raised his hand.
A projection appeared.
---
A city.
Destroyed.
Burning.
Covered in dark energy.
---
Lyra's eyes widened.
"…That's—"
---
"Elyria Outskirts," Orion confirmed.
---
Kael's expression darkened.
"…What happened?"
---
Orion's gaze sharpened.
"A breach."
---
"The barrier between realms is collapsing faster than expected."
---
Aurora spoke quietly:
"…Which realm?"
---
Orion didn't hesitate.
"…Demon Realm."
---
The air turned cold.
---
Rex smirked slightly.
"…Finally, something new."
---
Lyra shot him a look.
"This isn't a game."
---
Kael stayed silent.
But inside—
Something reacted.
---
Dark energy.
---
The same kind he felt inside the gate.
---
"…When do we move?" he asked.
---
Orion looked at him.
"…Immediately."
---
Within minutes—
The teleportation gate was prepared.
Energy surged violently.
More unstable than usual.
---
"This is not a training mission," Orion said.
"Casualties are possible."
---
No one backed down.
---
"Teams will be assigned on site."
---
Kael stepped forward.
"I'm going."
---
Lyra moved beside him.
"So am I."
---
Rex cracked his knuckles.
"Obviously."
---
Aurora said nothing—
But stepped forward as well.
---
Orion nodded once.
"…Then be ready."
---
The gate activated.
---
Kael took a deep breath.
His heart was steady.
But his mind—
Focused.
---
"…This is different," Lyra whispered.
---
"…Yeah," Kael replied.
"…This is real."
---
They stepped into the gate.
---
The world shifted.
---
The moment they arrived—
The smell hit them first.
Smoke.
Blood.
Burning.
---
The city was destroyed.
Buildings collapsed.
Flames spread uncontrollably.
Dark energy covered everything.
---
"…Damn…" Rex muttered.
---
A scream echoed in the distance.
---
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…Move."
---
They ran.
---
The streets were filled with chaos.
Civilians trapped.
Creatures roaming.
---
Demonic creatures.
---
Twisted forms.
Sharp claws.
Glowing red eyes.
---
One of them lunged at a nearby civilian.
---
Kael moved instantly.
---
BOOM
---
His punch shattered it.
---
"…Stay behind me!" he shouted.
---
Lyra and Aurora moved to cover the civilians.
Rex charged ahead, lightning tearing through enemies.
---
The battle spread across the streets.
---
But something felt off.
---
"…Too many…" Lyra said.
---
Aurora's eyes narrowed.
"…This isn't just a breach."
---
Then—
The ground trembled.
---
A massive presence appeared.
---
Larger.
Darker.
Stronger.
---
A demon.
---
Not like the others.
---
This one—
Was intelligent.
---
"…Humans…" it spoke.
---
Kael stepped forward.
"…You're the one leading this."
---
The demon smiled.
"…And you…"
---
Its eyes glowed.
---
"…Are something interesting."
---
Kael's chest burned.
The glow appeared again.
---
"…Yeah…"
He clenched his fists.
---
"…I get that a lot."
---
The demon raised its hand.
Dark energy gathered.
---
"Let's see…"
"…how interesting you really are."
---
The air exploded.
---
Kael moved.
Faster than before.
---
Their clash shook the street.
---
Power against power.
---
Darkness against something deeper.
---
For a moment—
They were equal.
---
Then—
The demon pushed him back.
---
"…Not enough," it said.
---
Kael skidded across the ground.
Breathing heavier.
---
"…Then I'll push harder."
---
The glow intensified.
---
Aurora watched closely.
"…He's doing it again…"
---
Lyra clenched her fists.
"…Kael…"
---
Kael stepped forward.
Slowly.
---
"…Come out…"
---
The blade flickered.
---
Once.
Twice.
---
Then—
The chapter ended in a moment of tension—
---
As Kael reached for the power inside him—
And the demon smiled—
---
"…Yes…"
"…Show me."
---
The battlefield held its breath—
---
Because this time—
The outcome would change everything.