Shut Up

The grand hall fell into a hushed silence as the Lord extended his hand, offering the ornate, rune-engraved tool to the Director. The device pulsed with strange energy, its weight shifting from one authority to another.

Director accepted it with a calm smile, her gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd—a mix of wary survivors, locals, and uncertain students.

She lifted the device, her voice smooth yet commanding as it echoed through the chamber.

"Good morning, everyone, my name is Evelyn. And I'm the director of the well-known high school of our Nightfall City - the Nightfall Academy."

Many nodded, some already recognizing her while some realizing her identity after her introduction.

"First and foremost, let me express my gratitude. To the Lord and his people, for their generosity and guidance. To those from Earth, for enduring the first trial and reaching this moment."

A murmur rippled through the hall, heavy with unspoken doubts. Then, a voice cracked the stillness—a man, disheveled and shaking, pushing forward.

"Gratitude?" His voice was raw, edged with something close to hysteria. "We barely survived! Do you even know what's out there? The monsters, the horrors—why were some of us thrown into that nightmare while others were safe here?"

The unrest spread like wildfire—faces contorted in agreement, whispers rising, questions pressing at the edges of order.

Evelyn did not flinch. She only tilted her head slightly, a serene, almost unreadable expression settling into place. This was within her expectations after all.

"The End is merciless," she said, her voice threading through the chaos like steel wrapped in silk.

"As the Lord himself stated, fate was not equal to all. Some were fortunate. Others were tested in ways unimaginable. But tell me—" her gaze locked onto the man's, pinning him in place, "—are you dead?"

Silence.

A beat passed.

Then another.

"H-Hick."

His breath hitched.

"No," she answered for him. "You stand here, breathing. Your pain is valid. Your fears justified. But you have something those who perished do not."

A pause. A slow shift of weight, the room drawn into the cadence of her words. "A choice. To waste this second chance lamenting the past… or to steel yourself for what is to come."

The murmurs quieted. The fire of protest dimmed, reduced to glowing embers of contemplation.

"Luckily, we weren't left to wander aimlessly upon arrival. We talked with our otherworldly friends and learned necessary knowledge regarding the current situation." Evelyn continued, turning her attention to the whole assembly. "And here's the most important news - a month remains before Stage 0 ends. Therefore, with the help of our friends, a Special Training Program will be conducted—to prepare every single one of us for the true End."

A shift in the air. Interest, this time. Uncertainty laced with something sharper.

"W-What kind of training?" A young man's voice rose above the crowd. He seemed to be a student.

Evelyn's lips curved, subtle and sharp. "That will be revealed soon."

"Ah, right, I almost forgot."

"Every student of our academy will participate in the program. It's mandatory." Her mischievous yet serious gaze cut through them like a blade. "The Student Council and Class Representatives will be your guides. Orders will be given. Discipline will be expected."

"G-Gulp." Students gulped, shivers running down their spine. 

They knew it was best to comply with their school's director.

"Isn't she using her authority?"

"Yeah, don't they/we have free will?"

A few students shifted uneasily, whispers curling through the air like smoke—doubt laced in every breath. Something about being forceful or free will.

Evelyn let it fester, let it breathe—then struck the final blow.

"Those who refuse to prepare," she said, voice soft as a whisper, "will have only themselves to blame when the next Stage arrives. And make no mistake—it will."

A hush fell, heavier than before.

Then, with a graceful nod, she concluded, "That is all for today. Rest while you can."

As she stepped back, the hall erupted—not in protests, but in hurried, hushed conversations. Groups formed, familiar faces gravitating toward one another, survivors reuniting. 

On the other side, the black-haired girl strode forward, her presence cutting through the noise without effort. It was obviously the President of the Student Council. At her side, the Vice President and other council members stood like shadows, their unspoken authority weaving through the tension.

"Students of Nightfall Academy," her voice rang clear, slicing through the crowd. "Follow us to the Training Hall."

The students exchanged glances, some hesitant, some resigned. But they moved. Following after the council members like a flock of sheep.

The movement of the students toward the Training Hall was steady, yet within the sea of shifting figures, the Vice President suddenly came to a halt. Her brow furrowed as something tugged at her memory—a certain boy.

She turned around, her eyes sweeping over the gathered tables, scanning each face with quiet precision. And then, they landed on a particular one. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she strode forward with purpose, halting beside that specific table.

"Harry," she said, her voice loud enough to cut through the noise. "Don't even think of secretly backing out."

"..."

"...Tsk."

Harry clicked his tongue in disappointment.

He had been sitting quietly, blending in among the locals, his posture relaxed, his demeanor nonchalant. His new outfit, same as the native residents, should have helped him disappear into the background.

Should have.

Unfortunately, his 'disguise' had one fatal flaw.

"Same goes for you too, Max."

Right, it was Max.

Sitting right next to him, the oblivious protagonist was leaning forward, arms crossed, scanning the retreating students as if debating whether or not to follow.

And in doing so, he had effectively drawn all attention straight to their table.

Harry sighed, rubbing his temple before breaking into an easy grin.

"What are you talking about?" he chuckled, pushing back his chair. "I was just getting up, you know."

The Vice President remained unimpressed, arms crossed as she tilted her head slightly. "Oh? Then you won't mind joining us immediately, will you?"

Harry stood up with exaggerated ease, stretching as if he had planned to leave all along. "Of course not. Just taking a moment to rest my legs. Didn't you hear about how heroically I acted, how cool I - "

"Shut up."

"Urgh."

A few students snickered at his blatant act, while others exchanged amused glances. The Vice President then turned away, not dignifying his excuse with any more response.

Her gaze then lingered on Max.

"I thought you weren't a rulebreaker," she added, her tone a bit annoyed. "You aren't, are you?"

Max blinked, slowly turning his head to meet her eyes. For a moment, his expression remained unreadable, but then he exhaled through his nose and stood up without a word. His silence carried weight, an acceptance of something inevitable.

'Did I really make the right choice?'

"..."

Harry slung an arm over Max's shoulder as they followed after Vice Prez. "Well, buddy, looks like we're in this together."

Max merely gave him a side glance before shrugging his arm off.

"H-Huh? Are you betraying me?"