Echoes Of The Departed

As the exam raged on, the leaderboard constantly shifted. Each student pushed their limits, showcasing the full extent of their abilities. The arena was filled with the sounds of battle crashes, shouts, and the crackling of energy.

Finally, the timer rang.

[Exam Over.]

A heavy silence fell over the battlefield.

Zion exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders. His jumpsuit was completely shredded, barely hanging onto his frame. Sweat trickled down his temple, but his sharp blue eyes remained locked onto the leaderboard.

[Top 5 on the leaderboard.]

"Tsk." Zion clicked his tongue, unimpressed. "Guess there were some real monsters here."

His gaze drifted across the field, scanning the area. Something was off.

"I haven't seen a single spirit this entire time."

"It doesn't matter," Zero's voice echoed in his head. "We still racked up 30,000 Soul PP."

[Soul System]

[Vengeful Spirit]

Balance: 30,456 Soul PP

"See?" Zero added smugly.

Zion scoffed. "Tsk, whatever. Let's go."

For the past two years, the Soul System had allowed them to hunt wandering spirits. Some were vengeful, like Zero, their rage keeping them tethered to the world of the living. Others were protectors, unable to pass on due to unfinished duties. Normally, Zero couldn't see spirits on his own, but Zion's innate ability allowed him to perceive them first. Only then could Zero lock onto them.

Every time they defeated a spirit, its soul would be sent to either Heaven or Hell, where a judge decided its fate. In return, Zion and Zero earned Soul PP, a currency directly tied to their abilities.

As the surviving students limped toward the portal, medics rushed in, carrying those who had collapsed from exhaustion. Many were injured, their bodies battered, their uniforms torn. Some barely made it to the exit on their own.

Zion's eyes flickered toward a familiar face among the wounded.

"It's that girl from earlier."

She was being helped onto a stretcher, unconscious.

"A bit disappointing. She won't be my classmate… passing out that early? Not good enough."

The thought barely lingered before he pushed it aside. He had no time to worry about weaklings.

Stepping through the portal, he and the others were immediately gathered into formation just like at the academy's opening ceremony.

On stage, Raizel adjusted his clothes before addressing the crowd.

"Alright, listen up." His voice was smooth but held authority. "In my three years as principal, you guys are easily the best batch I've seen."

He cracked his knuckles.

"However…" His tone shifted slightly. "I've got bad news you're all being sent home for now."

A wave of murmurs spread through the students.

"What?!"

"That's outrageous!"

"What kind of management is this?"

"Tsk, this is so annoying."

Raizel simply raised his hand, silencing them instantly.

"But don't worry," he chuckled. "Tomorrow, you'll be assigned your dorms and sections. We're still finalizing the results."

His expression remained casual, but then, with a slight bow, he added, "So please be patient, and I deeply apologize for the inconvenience."

Then, without another word, he disappeared backstage.

The moment he was out of sight, his entire demeanor shifted.

"Tch. Can't believe I had to bow to them." A vein twitched on his forehead as he cracked his knuckles again this time, out of irritation.

Meanwhile, the injured were transported home, leaving the academy grounds almost eerily empty.

Outside the Academy Gates

Zion stood alone, his hands shoved into his pockets. The cool night air brushed against his skin.

"Tsk. I'm already bored."

Zero chuckled inside his mind. "Relax. I have an idea."

A smirk played on his lips.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up beside him. The door automatically swung open. Without hesitation, Zion stepped inside, the leather seats cool against his back.

The driver, Alfred, glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"Home, sir?"

Zion leaned back, exhaling. "No. The new place."

Alfred nodded. "Understood."

The car pulled away, gliding smoothly through the streets. For nearly forty minutes, they drove through the heart of the city before heading onto a more secluded road. The streetlights became fewer, the surroundings growing darker.

Zero, growing impatient, scoffed.

"Hey, kid, where the hell are we going?"

"Just wait," Zion replied, completely unfazed.

The two continued their back-and-forth, but Alfred watching through the mirror found himself uneasy.

From his perspective, Zion was completely alone in the backseat.

"Who the hell is he talking to?"

After a moment, he hesitated before asking, "Young master… may I ask who are you speaking with?"

His voice was calm, but cautious.

Zion barely reacted. Instead, he simply reached up and pulled an earphone from his right ear, showing it to Alfred.

"Just my earphone."

Alfred gave a small nod. "I see."

Zion then shifted the conversation. "Are we close, Mr. Alfred?"

"Yes, young master. About ten more minutes."

Arrival at a Secluded Location

The car finally rolled to a stop.

Thick trees surrounded the area, their gnarled branches casting long shadows under the dim glow of the headlights. The ground was uneven, cracked pavement leading toward abandoned structures.

The entire place felt forgotten by time.

Zion stepped out, stretching slightly. "Thanks, Alfred."

Alfred bowed politely. "I will wait here, young master."

Zion nodded and turned away, stepping further into the shadows.

Zero hovered beside him, eyes scanning the eerie surroundings. "What the hell is this place?"

Zion smirked. "Hey, you know America's No. 3 hero?"

"Hmm… Darkman?"

"Yeah." Zion's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I was a huge fan of his before he retired. He made a documentary about his daily life once."

Zero frowned. "And?"

Zion's smirk widened. "In that documentary, he revealed his hidden base—'Dark Cave.' It was legendary."

Zero raised an eyebrow. "Wait… don't tell me"

Before he could finish, Zion stepped toward a dense bush and reached inside. His fingers pressed against something cold and metallic.

Click.

A deep rumbling echoed beneath them.

The earth itself began to tremble, and then like something out of a movie the ground shifted.

With a heavy grinding sound, the soil split apart, revealing a hidden stone entrance leading into darkness.

A gust of cold air rushed out from below, carrying a faint metallic scent. Leaves scattered, and the sound of gears turning could be heard beneath their feet.

Zero stared, eyes widening.

"No. Freaking. Way."

Zion took a confident step forward, looking back at Zero with a smirk.

"Welcome to my own Dark Cave."

As they descended, Zion clapped his hands, and lights flickered to life, illuminating the vast underground chamber.

A faint humming noise filled the air as a floating platform detached from the far side of the room, gliding toward them with a soft whir.

"Let's go." Zion stepped onto it without hesitation.

Zero hovered beside him, eyes darting around the high-tech facility. Machinery lined the walls, glowing with neon-blue energy.

"Jesus… being rich must be nice," Zero muttered, grinning but with a hint of jealousy.

Zion smirked. "Heh."

The platform stopped in front of a reinforced door.

Zion stepped forward, placed his palm on a biometric scanner, and watched as the door hissed open.

Inside?

A massive monitor room, lined with screens—each one showing live feeds from across the country.

Zero's jaw nearly dropped. "What the hell is all this?"

Zion crossed his arms.

"This is my monitor room. Every city, every police alert, every security feed in Germany all connected here."

Zero grinned. "Perfect timing. This is exactly what I was planning for, too."