The announcement spread through the academy faster than the rain outside.
By midday, nearly every upper-sector corridor carried some version of the same discussion:
- noble delegations,
- inter-division evaluations,
- instructor reviews,
- special combat selections.
Even students who normally ignored academy politics had begun paying attention now.
Because noble observers changed everything.
Kael noticed it immediately while walking through the upper transit district later that afternoon. The atmosphere around the academy had subtly shifted overnight, conversations quieter, students more focused, instructors moving with sharper intent than usual.
Preparation.
The academy was preparing to display its strongest talents.
And everyone knew it.
Aren walked beside him with both hands behind his head while staring upward toward one of the floating announcement projections overhead.
"…I hate events like this already."
Lyra glanced toward him. "You don't even know what your role is yet."
"That's exactly why I hate it."
Draven remained silent nearby, though his eyes continued scanning the surrounding upper-sector pathways carefully.
Kael noticed something else instead.
More noble insignias.
Several upper-year students now wore formal crests attached near their academy uniforms:
- silver lions,
- black serpents,
- winged suns,
- crimson trees.
Symbols representing major families.
Normally, academy uniforms minimized noble distinction.
But with delegations arriving—
Students had begun displaying affiliations openly again.
As the group crossed one of the elevated bridges connecting the upper integration halls to the central academy sectors, several unfamiliar figures approached from the opposite side.
Not students.
Servants.
Or attendants perhaps.
They wore formal black uniforms lined with silver thread while carrying sealed cases marked with aristocratic symbols.
Aren immediately lowered his voice.
"…See? Rich people are invading."
Lyra sighed softly. "That's not an invasion."
"It emotionally feels like one."
One of the attendants glanced briefly toward their group before continuing onward without stopping.
But farther behind them—
Another figure approached slowly.
Tall.
Elegant.
Long silver hair tied loosely behind his back.
An elf.
But unlike the academy students Kael had seen before, this one carried himself differently.
Not like a student.
Like nobility.
Several nearby upper-year students subtly stepped aside as he passed.
Not fear.
Respect.
The elf's pale silver eyes moved briefly across the bridge before stopping momentarily on Kael's group.
Then specifically—
On Kael.
Only for a second.
Then he continued walking without speaking.
Aren exhaled quietly after he passed. "…Okay. That guy definitely came from money."
Lyra's expression had sharpened slightly. "…Not just money."
"What does that mean?"
"That crest."
She looked back toward the disappearing elf.
"…House Aerenthal."
Even Draven's gaze shifted slightly now.
Aren blinked. "…Should I know what that means?"
"One of the oldest elven noble houses on the eastern continent," Lyra answered quietly.
"…Right. Of course. Totally knew that."
Kael looked back briefly toward the elf's disappearing figure.
The pressure surrounding him had felt controlled.
Dangerously controlled.
Not unlike Seraphine.
Before the conversation could continue further, another academy projection activated overhead.
[Upper Evaluation Preliminary Groups Released]
Immediately, students across the bridge began stopping to check the listings.
Aren groaned loudly. "…Here we go."
The projection expanded across the air above the transit sector, displaying layered group assignments for the upcoming evaluation event.
Combat divisions.
Magic divisions.
Integrated team structures.
And eventually—
Their names appeared.
[Temporary Upper Integration Group Seven]
- Kael
- Lyra Valen
- Draven Korr
- Aren Vale
- Maerin Sol
- Cyrion Vale
Silence followed.
Then Aren looked upward blankly.
"…Why are upper-year monsters on our team?"
Maerin's voice answered from nearby.
"Because the academy wants mixed adaptation groups."
The group turned.
Maerin approached carrying her spear across one shoulder casually while Cyrion walked beside her, silver eyes calm as always.
Aren pointed accusingly toward the projection. "…You people are terrifying."
"That sounds personal," Maerin replied.
"It is."
Cyrion's gaze shifted toward Kael briefly.
"…Interesting assignment."
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
Because it was.
The academy intentionally grouped:
- first-years,
- upper students,
- different combat styles,
- different specialties.
Not random.
Calculated.
Lyra studied the projection carefully. "…Integrated combat assessment."
Draven crossed his arms slightly. "…Meaning unpredictability."
"Exactly," Maerin said.
Aren looked deeply exhausted already. "…I miss normal exams."
"You complained about normal exams too," Lyra reminded him.
"That's because suffering evolves."
More names continued appearing overhead while students discussed assignments across the surrounding academy bridges and transit sectors.
Then suddenly—
A heavier silence spread nearby.
Not academy-wide.
Localized.
Kael turned slightly.
Several students stepped aside instinctively near the far side of the bridge as another group approached.
This time—
True nobility.
Even before seeing them directly, the atmosphere changed.
Three figures crossed the elevated bridge surrounded by academy attendants and formal guards:
- a beast-human woman wearing crimson ceremonial armor,
- a dark-haired human noble carrying a silver cane,
- and behind them—
A young woman with long golden hair dressed in white-and-gold formal attire lined with royal insignias.
Not academy uniform.
Political authority.
Aren stared openly. "…Okay. That one definitely matters."
Even Maerin's expression tightened slightly now.
Lyra lowered her voice.
"…That's not a normal delegation."
The golden-haired noblewoman's gaze moved calmly across the bridge while attendants followed behind her carrying sealed documents and ceremonial banners.
Then briefly—
Her eyes landed on Kael.
Not casually.
Directly.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then the delegation continued forward without interruption.
Silence lingered after they disappeared into the upper academy sectors.
Aren slowly looked toward Lyra. "…Who was that?"
Lyra answered quietly.
"…The third princess of Valerion."
Even Aren stopped joking after hearing that.
Because suddenly—
The scale of the academy event became much larger than anyone expected.
This wasn't simply an internal evaluation anymore.
The major powers themselves were watching now.
And somewhere beneath the rain-covered academy towers—
The pressure surrounding the upcoming event began growing heavier by the hour.