Chapter 30: What took you so long ?

Zero didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, the massive doors of Empire University slowly opened.

At the entrance, the guards stood at attention and saluted the man who appeared on the threshold. It was the headmaster himself, the man who held the highest authority in the university. With a smile on his face, he silently stepped aside, allowing Zero to step forward. It was a silent invitation.

Zero headed after the headmaster without further ado. Although they didn't exchange a single line, Zero knew he was being led to a place where they could talk without prying eyes. He walked through the corridors of the university, scrutinizing his surroundings.

The buildings were amazing not only for their architecture, but also for their technological advances. Zero noticed phantoms patrolling the grounds, state-of-the-art training halls with automated simulators, perfectly organized laboratories with the latest science, and even a few areas to participate in Phantomathia

- For humans to create something like this is quite an achievement, - Zero thought, smiling faintly.

Outside, a few students were watching with interest, their attention caught by the fact that the headmaster himself was accompanied by a stranger who looked like a newcomer. He had neither an official uniform nor a nano bracelet.

Having the Headmaster around, however, made them keep their cool - no one dared to even whisper, though questions were swarming in their heads. Zero sensed several teachers standing off to the side, watching him intently. Their gazes were piercing - it was as if they were analyzing his gait, his posture, even his slightest movements. When they reached the principal's office, he slid his nano-bracelet open the door and gestured for Zero to sit down. The office was spacious and decorated in an austere style that matched the status of the institution. The Director took his seat behind a massive semi-circular desk and looked at Zero with a slight smile as he crossed his fingers over his hands.

- I'm listening, - he said his first words since meeting him.

Zero leaned back in the couch, sitting sideways to the headmaster, looking out one of the panoramic windows, and calmly replied:

- I need to finish all of your training in three days.

The principal, although he had steely self-control, couldn't hide his surprise. His eyebrows barely raised, and a slight glint of interest appeared in his eyes.

- It is ... almost impossible, - he finally said after a pause.

Zero nodded, as if he had expected such a reaction, and added:

- I know, but I'm more confident in myself than anything else.

That confidence in Zero's words made the Director think. He had already seen many talented phantoms in his life, but this young man's confidence was something else. It wasn't bravado, but the absolute confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was capable of.

The Director silently studied Zero, the young man who sat in front of him with absolute confidence. There was something unusual about him - a strength the Director had never seen before. But even more striking was the absence of the bracelet. It was almost impossible to live without this device in the modern world. The bracelet not only confirmed the phantom's status, but also gave access to the basic capabilities of life: payments, identification, security.

- Who is he ?! - that question, like an arrow, ran through the Director's mind over and over again. He couldn't understand how Zero even existed without the bracelet, and even with such power. The rules of 'Empire' University were strict, they could not be broken by anyone, not even himself.

And then, as if in response to his musings, Zero spoke up:

- What if you have no choice ?

The words sounded quiet, but their meaning was so decisive that it caused the Director to instinctively release his aura. The space of the office was instantly filled with an invisible pressure. The walls seemed to start trembling. It was a signal, 'I take your words as a threat.'

But Zero's reaction stunned him even more. The young man didn't even flinch. Instead, he calmly continued to stare out the panoramic office window, enjoying the view of the city. Only after a moment did he finally turn his head and look directly into the principal's eyes. The principal noticed it immediately.

Zero's eyes were unusual. They radiated a power that was impossible to describe. It wasn't just the look of a person who knew what he wanted, but something more. Something that made even him, the Director of the Empire, feel a slight fear.

- Those eyes ... Incredible power, - he thought.

Zero was the first to speak. His voice was calm and even:

- Don't think anything of the sort. I just want to become a phantom that will protect humanity. That's why I'm asking to be allowed to pass all the exams at once. I am willing to prove that I don't need training.

The expression on the principal's face remained serious.

- I see. That's commendable, - he replied, - But even I can't change such rules. Only the SON bodies can make such decisions.

The Director hid his aura, recognizing that this game could be dangerous. It became clear to him that the young man was toying with him.

Zero smiled faintly. He sat back in his chair, tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

- Okay, okay. SON will be here in five minutes. We'll wait.

Those words stunned the director even more. Zero spoke as if he had already foreseen this development and had absolute control over the situation.

- What's going on here ? - thought the director. - Why is such a strong phantom not registered ? Who is it ?

There was silence in the room. The director realized that he was not just dealing with an unusual young man. In front of him sat someone who could change the rules for the entire university and perhaps even the entire phantom world.

The SON Rapid Response Team, had been dispatched to the Empire University. It was led by a Monarch, which was the name given to the S+-ranked Phantoms who worked for SON and carried out the most secret and dangerous operations.

At SON headquarters, the leaders kept an eye on the situation. Normally, an alert of this level could only mean one thing - a threat of the highest caliber. But when it became known that the director of the 'Empire' had canceled the alert, everyone calmed down somewhat. It was an unwritten rule: if the principal canceled the alarm, the situation was under his control. In addition, no faculty or other university employee had signaled any danger.

AVI's artificial intelligence, connected to the university's surveillance cameras through a special protocol, quickly identified Zero and deduced information about him.

- Zero ? 18 years old ? - echoed one of the commanders at headquarters, his voice full of surprise.

- AVI, are you sure it's him?

- I checked everything, the resemblance to the neon is 99%, - AVI replied.

Tension reigned in the room.

- Contact Ark. It's his citizen.

- What about his mother? - A senior officer asked, analyzing the data on Zero's family, -I suggest we find her and take her into custody. We need to ensure he doesn't disappear and have some leverage.

- Are you out of your mind ?! - objected another officer - If this guy is connected to the 'Megalodon' project, we can't be reckless !

The tension in the headquarters was only rising.

- Monarch, can you hear us ?

- Yes, - he replied laconically. - I'm going into the university. I'll keep you informed.

Meanwhile, the area around the 'Empire' was cordoned off by a rapid response team. A 'silent' alert was initiated, a protocol that does not cause panic among the population, but allows for the evacuation of people from the danger zone. Citizens were informed that this was only a test evacuation.

Monarch entered the campus, using SON clearance. He cautiously analyzed the space, studying the aura around him. Everything seemed calm, but his instincts, honed by years of fighting, screamed danger. He felt that from this moment on, his life no longer depended on himself. On the campus, the students again noticed unusual activity. They saluted the monarch, whom they recognized from their special uniforms.

- First the principal, now the monarch. Who's next ? - the students whispered among themselves.

The dean of the university, who was called 'king' in the hierarchy, personally met the monarch at the entrance. They exchanged a few words, after which they were instantly transported to the main administrative building, where the office of the director was located.

- Come in, - the director's voice was heard as the voice assistant system announced the arrival of the dignitary. There was no limit to his surprise.

The director glanced at his watch, five minutes exactly.

- Can he see the future ? - now he was shocked.

The monarch entered the office and immediately noticed the unfamiliar young man. Zero was sitting on a chair with his head tilted back and looking up at the ceiling. His figure radiated absolute calmness, but that only made him more anxious.

- What took so long ? - Zero said, turning his head and looking directly into the monarch's eyes.

His gaze was so piercing and full of power that the monarch almost lost his balance. He felt something he had never felt before: fear. This was no ordinary phantom, not even an SSS rank. It was something more, something absolute.

- Who are you ? - The monarch finally asked, releasing his own aura to keep himself off balance.

Zero smiled.

- I am Zero.

The Director, who had been observing the situation, realized that the talking time was moving to a new level.

- Sit down, it looks like we need to discuss this further," he said, gesturing for the monarch to take a seat.

The Monarch, with another glance at Zero, sent a short message to SON headquarters:

- Cancel the operation, it's the only way out...