The Great War Coming...

A Sudden Shift

Felix was about to call the next student when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

"I'll be right back," he said, his usual bright tone unwavering.

But the moment he read the message, his eyes widened. His smile faltered. A dark, almost horrifying expression flickered across his face before he quickly masked it.

"What's with him?" Zion thought, watching the shift in his demeanor.

Felix inhaled sharply and turned back to the students. His voice, now cold and distant, cut through the room.

"I have an emergency. The nurses will guide you to your dorms." Without another word, he walked off.

A nurse stepped forward to take over, but before she could speak, Callix raised his hand.

"Sir, what about the test?" he asked, curiosity laced in his voice.

Felix didn't even turn around. "It's cancelled. You all pass."

Some students cheered at the unexpected news, but a few exchanged uneasy glances.

Shin leaned closer to Zero, his voice low. "Master, don't you think that was strange?"

Zero's eyes narrowed. "It is."

Callix stroked his chin, deep in thought. Could it be…? His expression suddenly tensed, his mind racing toward a troubling realization.

The Dormitory

A few minutes later, the students arrived at their dorm a massive house designed to accommodate all fifteen of them. The living room was spacious, the kitchen fully equipped, and the dorm had two large restrooms one for the boys, one for the girls.

Each student had their own room, complete with a private bathroom.

The moment they stepped inside, murmurs of conversation filled the air.

"Damn, this place is huge."

"Nah, it's just decent, I think..."

"The nurse said our stuff will be here soon."

"Only two restrooms?!"

"Relax, each room has its own bathroom."

"I guess we can decorate however we want. We'll be here for two years, after all."

"Yeah, sounds good."

Minutes later, their belongings arrived. Zion grabbed two massive bags, effortlessly slinging them over his shoulders as he made his way to his room.

After nearly two hours of unpacking, he finally stepped back, admiring his work.

His room was simple yet personal—a few hero posters adorned the walls, a calendar hung by the desk, and a clock ticked softly above. His laptop rested neatly on the table, while his clothes were folded with precision.

Zion exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

"Finally... it's done," he muttered before breaking into a satisfied grin.

The students were busy settling in. Some were still cleaning their rooms, others decorating. A few had already started cooking, while some quietly called their families, their voices filled with excitement and homesickness.

Felix's POV

Felix stood among a gathering of Germany's finest heroes, his expression unreadable.

On stage, an elderly man stepped forward. His bald head gleamed under the lights, his black uniform crisp, a sharp contrast to the deep wrinkles lining his stern face. His piercing gaze swept across the room before he spoke.

"As you all know, three years ago, the SSS-ranked hero, Lockerum, died." His tone was cold, matter-of-fact. "Multiple witnesses confirmed that he did not fall in battle against his enemy, Sycholar better known now as the leader of the Children of Nyx."

The room fell into a tense silence.

Then, with a sudden movement, the man slammed his fist onto the table, the loud bang echoing through the hall.

"If one of you is responsible for killing your own senior, tell me what will the next generation think of us?" His voice grew harsher. "Yes, we all know Lockerum was a bastard, but..." He chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "We already have a prime suspect."

Then, his laughter twisted into something almost deranged.

All at once, his sharp gaze locked onto Raizel, who stood still amidst the growing tension.

"So, Raizel..." A smirk crept onto the old man's face. "Tell me where are your other four 'friends'?"

The words sent an icy chill down Raizel's spine.

The man stepped back, his smirk unwavering. "That's all. Goodbye, heroes."

He turned on his heel and left the stage.

Raizel's hands clenched into fists. His breathing became uneven.

"No... No, no, no. How did they find out? That's impossible!" His thoughts raced, but outwardly, he remained calm.

Just then, another man strode onto the stage. Unlike the first, this one had long, silver hair that shimmered under the lights. He adjusted his black tie, his calm but grim expression making the room even heavier.

"The Children of Nyx have begun to move," he stated plainly, removing his glasses with a slow, deliberate motion. "Prepare for war."

Silence.

His gaze swept across the audience before he continued.

"As for the five S-Class heroes who were suspected of killing Lockerum... even if they are guilty, they will not face punishment."

Murmurs spread among the heroes.

"Arresting a hero especially one of their caliber is simply not an option. It would cost us too much," he admitted. "And Germany's reputation with the world is already in ruins. We cannot afford another scandal."

A sigh escaped his lips. "That is all." With those final words, he walked off the stage.

Raizel exhaled slowly, his panic giving way to something else.

A wicked smirk curled on his lips.

"Tch. Is that all?"

"Beating those Nyx bastards? Easy. We killed Lockerum back then so what's the problem now?"

His excitement surged, his heart pounding in anticipation.

A storm was coming.

And he was ready.

Back at the Dorms

Inside his room, Zion sat cross-legged, eyes closed, deep in meditation. The air around him trembled as his energy intensified, growing denser with each passing second.

Then

Ding!

A translucent screen flickered before him.

[Soul System]

[5 years' worth of Aetheris has been transferred.]

Zion's eyes snapped open.

A radiant glow emanated from them brighter, fiercer, almost inhuman.

His entire being felt different, as if something inside him had awakened.

"I can feel it...?"

For the first time, he felt like he had transcended like he was no longer just human.

A new breed had been born.