Chapter 12 — Beneath the Still Waters

The Academy's morning sun rose in solemn gold.

But today, the air was different.

The eastern winds, normally cool and sharp, carried a thickness—as if the world itself was holding its breath.

Across the five universes' districts, students moved like they were stepping into a warzone without even knowing it.

Everyone could feel it.

Something unseen was changing.

Someone unseen was growing.

---

Grand Courtyard — 9:12 AM

A large crowd had gathered.

Today's Event: the Emerging Talents Evaluation.

It was supposed to be a relatively quiet tradition—an optional test for promising new students. But this year, it drew nearly the entire Academy.

Because Sebastian Raizen's name was written as a participant.

And when Sebastian moved, the world followed.

Except…

he never showed up.

Instead, a simple message had been left, displayed in plain text across the event announcement:

> "Re-evaluation is meaningless.

I'll prove it when it matters."

A simple sentence.

But it sent ripples deep enough to reach the highest towers.

The instructors murmured among themselves, exchanging glances.

The Big 8 sat on their private platforms, watching.

All, except one.

---

Training Grounds — South Wing

Sebastian was here, of course.

He leaned lazily against a training post, a book open in one hand.

The book's title? Foundations of Temporal Combat Theory.

Unread. Uncared for.

He wasn't hiding.

He simply didn't see the need to dance for a crowd that wasn't ready.

The shadows curled lightly at his feet, and the faint pulse of energy around him was maddeningly subtle—so subtle it fooled even trained mages and warriors into thinking he was "just there."

But those who were truly strong…

They felt it.

The silence around Sebastian wasn't emptiness.

It was suppression.

A king restraining his crown from being seen.

---

Observation Tower: Private Box — Big 8 Viewing Room

Luna Blossomveil stood with her arms crossed, lips tight.

Beside her sat Renji Xuanlong, arms draped over the back of his chair, legs kicked up lazily.

"So," Renji drawled, tilting his head, "he's already treating the Academy like it's a stepping stone."

Luna didn't answer immediately.

Her violet eyes were fixed far beyond the physical world, reading movements that hadn't even begun.

Jovhan Raizen, seated on the opposite side, grinned softly.

"He's past us already," he said without arrogance, just quiet acknowledgment.

The others in the Big 8 exchanged glances—but none dared voice denial.

Even Kenjie Velstorne, the Sixth Seat—Battle Tactician—remained silent, his mind racing behind cold, calculating eyes.

Kenjie Velstorne.

Known for predicting battles 12 steps ahead.

Feared for never being caught off-guard.

And yet...

Even he felt it.

A current building so far beneath the surface that no strategy could touch it yet.

---

South Gate Entrance — Late Morning

Meanwhile, another tremor shook the Academy.

A small, unannounced duel erupted between a noble candidate and a commoner challenger.

Normally, no one would care.

But today... it mattered.

Because Garet Caelren was the commoner.

---

Clang!

Sparks flew as Garet's spear intercepted a flashing swordstrike mid-thrust.

His stance was rough but instinctively perfect—wide enough to anchor, light enough to dash.

The noble gritted his teeth, swinging a burst of wind magic to shove Garet off.

Garet didn't even move.

Instead, he took the magic head-on, letting the force slide past him like a stream breaking around a stone.

Then—

Snap!

The spear shattered the noble's defense with a brutal twist, sending him sprawling across the courtyard.

Garet exhaled once, sharp and short.

No flourish. No taunt.

Just quiet, brutal efficiency.

Around him, murmurs grew louder.

"He's… getting scarier," someone whispered.

"Didn't he just beat a top 15 noble…?"

"No way he's still twelfth after today."

Garet didn't hear them.

He only turned, face unreadable, and walked away—his spear dragging lightly across the stone floor.

---

Hidden Command Center — Academy Intelligence

Professor Enra leaned back in his seat, frowning.

The data streams scrolling past his screens weren't normal.

Sebastian Raizen's background signals…

Garet Caelren's spike in physical adaptation…

Too many variables were accelerating too fast.

"Report to the Board," Enra muttered to the assistant AI.

"Tell them the timetable for Emergent Entities has shifted."

The AI hesitated.

[Specify urgency level.]

Enra grimaced. "Highest. And mark Raizen as Unclassifiable."

[Confirmed.]

The lights dimmed as new protocols activated.

---

Later — In the Hidden Depths of Zone Zero

Sebastian stood in absolute silence.

Before him hovered a simulation module—spinning slowly, waiting for input.

His eyes, half-lidded, traced the strings of possibilities with inhuman calm.

The others are moving faster now, he mused.

Good.

He pressed a hand against the module.

A new opponent rendered into view—a figure clad in violet armor, its aura dense enough to crush steel just by existing.

[Opponent Designation: Prototype "Silent Monarch."]

[Threat Level: BLACK. Recommended Withdrawal.]

Sebastian smiled faintly.

Withdrawal?

No.

He stepped forward—and the entire chamber trembled under his will.

The Silent Monarch attacked with speed that bent air into screams.

Sebastian caught the strike barehanded.

Snap.

The air cracked as he twisted the blade-arm sideways, then broke it at the elbow in one effortless spiral of momentum.

His body moved with no wasted motion.

His aura—quiet until now—flared for the briefest second.

And in that instant, the entire space cracked like a mirror struck by a hammer.

[Warning: Instability Detected.]

Sebastian turned away before the simulation could collapse entirely.

The module glitched violently, stuttering.

He didn't need to finish it.

The moment he touched the Silent Monarch, the result was already determined.

Southern Wall — Sunset

Sebastian stood alone again, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded.

The Academy stretched out before him, still unaware of the storm it had birthed.

Above, the sky burned a deep, violent orange.

Below, the foundations of old rules were beginning to fracture.

He closed his eyes.

Soon.

The Academy would learn.

The five universes would learn.

And when they did…

They would realize Sebastian Raizen wasn't aiming to be the best in this world.

He was preparing to outgrow it entirely.