The forest felt different now.
Quieter.
But not peaceful.
---
It was the kind of silence that came after something dangerous had passed—
Leaving behind a warning.
---
Zephyr lay on the ground, staring at the dark sky through the cracks in the trees.
His body ached.
Every muscle burned.
---
"…That thing…"
He muttered.
"…wasn't normal."
---
Elara stood beside him, her breathing finally steady again.
"…No."
She said quietly.
"…It wasn't something we were supposed to fight."
---
Rex groaned from a few meters away.
"…Next time…"
He coughed.
"…Let's run first."
---
Zephyr let out a faint chuckle.
"…Agreed."
---
For a moment—
Everything was calm.
---
Then—
The system appeared again.
---
[Quest Updated]
Discover the truth of your bloodline
Progress: 3%
---
Zephyr frowned.
"…Only three percent?"
---
Elara noticed his expression.
"…What is it?"
---
Zephyr hesitated.
Then—
"…Nothing."
---
He wasn't ready to explain everything.
Not yet.
---
"Let's head back," Elara said.
"…We've done enough."
---
Rex stood up slowly, stretching.
"…Yeah… before something else shows up."
---
Zephyr nodded.
But deep inside—
He knew something.
---
That "watcher" wasn't gone.
---
It was waiting.
---
---
The academy gates came into view as the sun began to rise.
---
Students and instructors rushed toward them the moment they arrived.
---
"They're back!"
"They survived?!"
"Where are the others?!"
---
Questions flooded the air.
---
A group of instructors quickly stepped forward.
"…Report."
---
Elara spoke calmly.
"…Two mutated beasts eliminated."
"…One elite-class entity confirmed."
"…Unknown higher entity encountered."
---
The instructor froze.
"…Unknown…?"
---
Zephyr stepped past them.
Ignoring the crowd.
---
But whispers followed him.
---
"That's him…"
"The dragon guy…"
"He fought something else too…"
---
Rex smirked.
"…You're famous now."
---
Zephyr sighed.
"…Not the kind I want."
---
---
Inside the academy—
The atmosphere had changed.
---
Security was tighter.
Guards everywhere.
Magic barriers active.
---
Something big was coming.
Everyone could feel it.
---
"Zephyr."
---
He turned.
---
Headmaster Aldric stood at the end of the hall.
Still injured.
But his presence unchanged.
---
"…Come with me."
---
Elara stepped forward.
"…We're coming too."
---
Aldric nodded.
"…All of you."
---
---
Back in the Headmaster's chamber—
The room had been repaired.
But the tension remained.
---
Aldric stood in front of them.
His expression serious.
---
"…Tell me everything."
---
This time—
Zephyr didn't hold back.
---
He explained:
- The watcher
- The failed system analysis
- The overwhelming pressure
- The failed override… and then success
---
Silence filled the room when he finished.
---
Aldric closed his eyes.
Thinking deeply.
---
"…As I feared…"
---
Elara's gaze sharpened.
"…You know something."
---
Aldric opened his eyes.
---
"…There are beings in this world…"
"…that exist outside the system."
---
Zephyr's expression hardened.
"…Like that thing."
---
Aldric nodded slowly.
---
"They are not bound by levels…"
"…nor by rules."
---
Rex frowned.
"…So basically… we're screwed?"
---
Aldric ignored him.
---
"…They are watchers."
"…Observers of balance."
"…Servants of something greater."
---
The room grew cold.
---
"…Gods."
---
Silence.
---
Zephyr's fists clenched.
---
"…So they're already watching me."
---
"…Yes."
Aldric replied.
---
"…Because your existence…"
He looked directly at Zephyr.
---
"…is a threat to them."
---
The words hit hard.
---
Elara spoke quietly.
"…Because of his bloodline?"
---
"…Because of what he can become."
Aldric corrected.
---
Zephyr looked down at his hand.
---
"…And what is that?"
---
Aldric didn't hesitate.
---
"…A being capable of killing gods."
---
Silence.
---
Rex blinked.
"…Okay… that's insane."
---
Elara didn't react outwardly.
But her eyes—
Showed something new.
---
Understanding.
---
Zephyr let out a slow breath.
---
"…Then I don't have a choice."
---
Aldric frowned.
"…What do you mean?"
---
Zephyr looked up.
His eyes calm.
But determined.
---
"…If they're going to come after me anyway…"
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"…Then I'll just get strong enough first."
---
Rex grinned.
"…Now that's what I like to hear."
---
Elara crossed her arms.
But didn't disagree.
---
Aldric watched him carefully.
---
"…Then your training starts now."
---
Zephyr blinked.
"…Training?"
---
Aldric walked toward a hidden panel.
Pressing his hand against it.
---
The wall opened slowly.
---
Revealing a hidden chamber.
---
Dark.
Ancient.
Filled with strange glowing symbols.
---
"…This academy…"
Aldric said quietly.
---
"…is not just a school."
---
He turned back toward them.
---
"…It's a gate."
---
Zephyr's eyes narrowed.
---
"…A gate to what?"
---
Aldric's voice dropped.
---
"…Other realms."
---
The air shifted instantly.
---
"…God realm…"
"…Demon realm…"
"…Spirit realm…"
---
Rex's grin faded.
"…You're serious…?"
---
Aldric nodded.
---
"…And soon…"
---
His gaze locked onto Zephyr.
---
"…You'll step into them."
---
Silence filled the room.
---
Zephyr stared into the darkness of the chamber.
---
Feeling something pull him forward.
---
Something calling him.
---
For power.
For answers.
For truth.
---
He stepped forward.
---
"…Then open the gate."
---
Because now—
There was no turning back.
---
The path ahead—
---
Led beyond humans.
---
Beyond monsters.
---
Beyond even gods.