The iron gates of the University of Torminas creaked open as Kira stepped through them, the sound dragging behind him like something that refused to let go.
The flames. The smokes. The blood. The helplessness.
Even here, inside the walls that were supposed to represent order, the air felt heavy—as if the truth had already arrived before him.
There were fewer students around compare to last time, but the whispers were still can be listen. Fear had spread faster than any messenger ever could.
"We are late.", The voice was calm and controlled.
Kira looked at his side.
Cassian Rovell or Cas—The student council president, was walking besides him. His posture straight, hands behind his back, as if the world itself had to stand properly in his presence. His gaze was sharp, almost dissecting.
"President Cas," Kira said quietly.
Cas glanced at him for once through his corner of an eye and then nod as if he agreed on listening the words from Kira.
"What do you think of the current situation in university and Rigour town?"
Cas gaze shifted at front and then with a sigh he spoke—
"If you were my therapist, then the thing you asked was indeed a great question but sadly you are not. Thus, I don't want to waste my energy to answer", Cas spoke as he stepped forward.
"...."
Kira shifted his eyes down as he was having a gut feeling that the question was unreasonable, but Cas answer made him look like a fool.
"But, if you ask me what led to this situation then my only answer would be fear", Cas spoke maintain his posture.
Kira looked at him once again and a word slipped through his mouth "Why"
"Fear makes fool of people", Cas spoke and adds "This is the sentence, I believe and was intersect in my minds when I was born and It will live in my head until I dies."
Kira looked at the words as he was unable to answer anything. He was rather speechless to say.
"Fear, you can say it is a sin committed by our ancestors. A Horrible Sin, I would like to say "
"A Sin that makes people cry. A Sin that makes people mad. A Sin that makes people kill their own kinds and proclaim it as a self-defence. A Sin that makes people die. A Sin that makes people devil. A Sin that makes people coward. A Horrible Sin that mankind had ever produced."
A silenced spread.
And then Cas continues.
"And on top of that, there are many types of Fear—", Cas spoke walking forward and closed one eye but soon he noticed that Kira had stopped as he tilted his head sideways looking towards him.
Kira depressed face was not amusing to show but he still looked at the eyes of Cas—Student council president and then spoke.
"Then, you think people who are a weak, crippled dies due to their fear.", Kira spoke.
Cas narrowed his eyes "I am not saying in that way but is true.".
Kira still locked his eyes and then holding his anger he spoke;
"People died."
"And they always do," Cas replied without hesitation. "The only question is whether their deaths carried meaning… or their deaths were just a result of their fear which lead towards their weakness."
Kira walked beside him, fists tightening slightly. "So you think they deserved it?"
"I think," Cas said evenly, "that a world governed by strength cannot be blamed for punishing those who lack it."
Silence followed.
Kira exhaled slowly.
Cas spoke not looking at him "Fear reveals truth. Those who collapse under it were never meant to stand."
"That's not—" Kira stopped himself, his voice cracking slightly. "That's not how it should be."
Cas stopped walking.
"For someone who doesn't saw the true face of this world." he said quietly, "You carry too much sentiment."
Kira met his eyes. "And you carry none."
For a brief moment, the space between them felt sharp.
Then Cas turned and continued walking.
"Regardless," he said, "There is little, I can do for the situation of both the town and university. Emotions do not rebuild anything."
Kira followed in silence.
"But the student council will act," Cas continued. "We will maintain order within the university… and extend support where it is necessary in the town."
Kira nodded faintly. "That's enough."
"Do not misunderstand," Cas added. "This is duty. Not compassion."
....
They entered hallway.
Lisa was sitting on a chair, lazily tossing an apple in the air. The moment she saw Kira, her face brightened.
"Finally! Took you long enough."
Kira walked over and handed her the bag. "Your apples."
Lisa peeked inside and grinned. "Perfect. You're useful sometimes, you know that?" She looked up at him. "Thanks."
Kira gave a small shrug. "…Yeah."
It was simple. Normal.
And somehow, that hurt more.
They moved ahead and soon passed Eren.
"Kira," Eren greeted.
"Sir, Eren"
Nothing more was needed.
Cas stopped. "I have matters to attend to in the council room."
Kira nodded. "Right."
Cas glanced at him one last time. "Do not let your emotions control you. It will destroy you."
Kira gave a faint, tired smile. "And if I don't have them?"
Cas turned away.
"Then you will survive."
And he left.
—————————
At the dorm
The dorm felt quieter than usual.
Kira opened the door—and froze.
"Elvin…"
Elvin stood there, smiling.
"Kira," he said gently.
Something felt wrong.
"You're okay?" Kira asked, stepping closer despite the heaviness in his chest.
Elvin nodded immediately. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Too quick.
Too perfect.
Kira searched his face—but found nothing. No cracks. No pain.
Just a smile.
"…Alright," Kira said softly, even though he didn't believe it.
He turned and walked out.
As the door closed—
Elvin didn't move.
Watched Kira as he closed door and then—
He smiles.
———————
Kira walked without direction until he saw her.
"Riya."
She turned and as she looked into her eyes she smiles and then that smile breaks.
"Hey, from now on call me Rika."
"…Rika?" he repeated. "But your name is—"
"Just call me that," she cut in, firm.
Kira stared at her. "Isn't Riya your real name?"
She looked away.
"…It's not."
The answer hit heavier than expected.
"You saw that, don't you", Kira asked.
"What", Rika answers.
"You saw those children's right... "
Her expression shifted slightly.
"I'll save them," Kira said, his voice shaking but determined. "No matter what happens… I will."
Rika looked at him for a long moment.
"Yes... we will save them"
But her eyes… didn't fully believe it.
———————
At the Roundtable.
Far away, in a dim chamber, figures gathered around a round table.[The elders]
and front of them were all the Arcanists as well a new person.
An elder placed a sealed letter on the table.
"It has come again."
"From the guards?", Lisa ask
A nod.
The seal broke.
Silence filled the room as they read.
Then—
"…So it begins."
A pause.
"This time," the elder said slowly, "the target is not Rigour Town."
The room stilled.
"The University of Torminas… will be attacked."
And at that moment—
without anyone outside realizing it—
the place Kira had just returned to…
was already doomed.