Chapter 28: The Academy’s True Rulers Reveal Themselves – A Supreme Leader’s War Begins

The Grand Arena was silent.

Leon Valeheart stood victorious, his golden eyes surveying the battlefield, the aftermath of his fight etched into the scorched ground.

Velgrath, the once undefeated Tyrant, lay still on the stone, breathing heavily, a smirk on his face.

Leon was now Rank #1.

He had won.

But the battle wasn't over.

Not yet.

Because far above the Academy, hidden beyond the reach of students, they were watching.

And now, they would make their move.

The Shadowed Council – The True Rulers of the Academy

Deep within the inner sanctum of the Academy, a circular chamber lay hidden beneath layers of abyssal enchantments.

Twelve figures sat around a massive obsidian table, their faces shrouded in darkness.

Their voices were calm. Measured. Unfazed.

Despite Leon's victory, they felt nothing.

Because Rank #1 meant nothing to them.

"He's passed the first phase," a deep voice rumbled.

"Faster than expected," another murmured.

One of them—a woman with silver hair and piercing violet eyes—leaned forward.

"He has power," she admitted. "But power alone won't be enough."

A hooded figure chuckled. "Then perhaps… it's time to test him properly."

Silence.

Then—agreement.

The shadows moved.

And across the Academy, Leon felt the shift.

Leon's Awakening – A King Without a Throne

Leon exhaled.

The fight with Velgrath had pushed him beyond his limits.

His body ached, his muscles burned, and his mind was still processing everything.

But one thing was clear.

[Selene]: "Congratulations, Leon. You are now the Supreme Leader of the Academy."

Leon chuckled. "Took long enough."

The moment his name appeared at the top of the Ranking Pillar, the students in the arena had bowed.

Not in loyalty.

In fear.

Leon had changed the balance of power.

And now, everyone was waiting to see what he would do next.

But before he could decide—

A portal opened in front of him.

From within, a figure stepped out.

A woman.

Draped in dark robes, her silver hair falling in waves over her shoulders.

Her eyes—piercing, inhuman.

And when she spoke—the entire Academy trembled.

"Leon Valeheart," she said, her voice smooth, yet commanding.

"You are summoned before the High Council."

The real rulers of the Academy.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Took you long enough."

She smirked. "Then don't keep them waiting."

Meanwhile… Celeste's Confrontation in the Abyss

Far from the Academy, Celeste stood in the heart of the Abyss, her sword drawn.

The shadows around her twisted, forming into monstrous shapes.

But she wasn't afraid.

Because the real enemy had finally revealed itself.

The hooded figure from before stepped into the light.

Their face was hidden, but their aura was suffocating.

"You do not belong here," they said.

Celeste smirked. "Then come and make me leave."

She charged.

The Abyss screamed.

Leon's Audience with the High Council – The Game Changes

The Inner Sanctum was unlike anything Leon had ever seen.

The walls were made of pure voidstone, shifting and pulsing with unknown energy.

At the far end of the massive chamber, twelve figures sat.

The High Council.

The true rulers of the Academy.

The woman who had brought Leon here—Lady Seraphis—stood beside him, her arms crossed.

The leader of the council spoke first.

A man cloaked in abyssal energy, his voice low, yet carrying immeasurable weight.

"You have risen faster than we anticipated," he said.

Leon smirked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

A few chuckles echoed from the council members.

Lady Seraphis, however, did not laugh.

"It means you've disrupted the order," she said. "And the order does not like being disturbed."

Leon folded his arms. "Then maybe the order was meant to be broken."

The air tensed.

The council members leaned forward, intrigued.

The leader chuckled. "You are bold, Valeheart."

He waved a hand.

A golden seal appeared in the air.

[Mission Issued: The Final Trial]

Leon felt the weight of the challenge before he even heard the words.

"You want to be the true Supreme Leader?" the council leader asked.

"Then prove it."