Catacombs is opened...

Dara chuckled at the display—but the small laugh quickly grew into something else. Joy bubbled up, spilling into a full, bright laugh.

She ran at Sion and leapt into his arms, wrapping herself around him in a tight embrace. He caught her without effort, and she buried his face against her chest, holding him there like she never wanted to let go.

Her laughter softened into a quiet hum. Fingers brushing through his hair, she gently tilted his head back. Her eyes were shimmering.

"I love you," she whispered.

Then she kissed him.

Meanwhile.

In the Main Core.

The lights in Maki's office buzzed overhead.

She sat at her desk, flipping through a digital stack of reports and disciplinary files. Her foot tapped impatiently. Her brow stayed locked in a permanent scowl.

It was barely midmorning, and the headache was already here.

She was knee-deep in third-year dossiers.

"Whose genius idea was it to ban fourth-years from student council?" she muttered.

The current council—led by Smilingdeath—dissolved next week. Which meant the third years were about to go to war.

Last year's scramble had been bad. But at least Smilingdeath had been dominant enough to steamroll the competition. This year? Not so simple.

Rank one was leagues above the others—but too obsessed with surpassing Smilingdeath to care about politics.

That left ranks two through five and their factions to tear each other apart.

And she'd have to deal with it.

She sighed.

Then her mind wandered—unfortunately—to the First Years.

"They start lectures soon…"

Her headache flared.

This batch was chaos incarnate. Oversaturated with prodigies, nobles, and royals. Not to mention the sheer volume—boosted by a certain superhero's interference.

They were absurdly powerful.

And completely out of hand.

And they hadn't even seen how lectures worked yet.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a screen blinked to life in front of her.

Surveillance: Catacombs Gate. Outer Edge.

"Huh?" Maki leaned in. "That's the superhero kid. And… the foreign princess?"

She squinted.

The guardians activated. Turned them away.

"I should probably just recall them—"

And then she watched.

The golden energy claw tore through the guardians and the sealed gate like it was paper.

"…What the fuck."

The screen stayed active. She had to watch them flirt. Kiss.

She slammed her palm on the desk.

"I hate this batch."

She opened the badge broadcast channel for the First Years. No ceremony. No warning. Just typed:

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

Message sent.

She exhaled.

Then narrowed her eyes.

"…Hmm."

Her gaze drifted to the Second Year badge channel.

"What if I shake things up a bit?"

---

Back at the catacombs entrance.

Sion and Dara were finally finished with their bonding.

Now, they walked forward, passing the destroyed remnants of the guardians and entering into the catacombs.

As soon as they stepped into the passageway, it lit up. The walls had an ethereal glow to it as blazing fire torches appeared on them. 

"So, what is it you'd transform to if you ever go full on?" Dara asked as her eyes caught sight of Sion's hair retracting to its normal length.

"Hmm, I never told you? It is a werelion, I guess." Sion answered without much thought. 

"Cool" Dara smiled. Just as she was about to say something else, a buzz rang out from her comm.

"Oh!" She beamed as she discovered that their comms finally had signals. 

A flood of messages and notifications popped up on her screen. A few were from Aina, while most, were apparently from Daniel, who seems to be worried sick about her whereabout and wellbeing.

She scrolled through his messages with a scowl, "what the fuck is his problem?"

"Who?" Sion looked from his Comm.

"Daniel." She replied.

"Who?" Sion tilted his head.

"The big guy." Dara put her hands out to gesture big. 

"Oh." Sion nodded. "He is troubling you." 

"Kinda." Dara placed her hand on her mouth. "Anyway, you've seen this?"

She pointed to her screen. 

[ 1 / 7 Ancient Relics Found ]

[ The Catacomb Will Open Soon ]

"Apparently, we seem to have caused quite the commotion." She continued.

"That was all your doing." Sion denied participation.

"Oh, so you putting all on me now." Dara rolled her eyes. 

Just then.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

Two pings sounded as both their badges received a new message.

"Huh? Seems like we have caused quite a commotion for real." Sion muttered. 

----

Destroyers Abode.

Kale was sited on his bed, his mind wandering. Each of the known prodigy in the Destroyers Abode flashed through his mind.

He was calculating. Planning. 

In terms of overall strength, the Infernal Home was on top. This was due to it being saturated with a high population of Nobles and Royals. 

But, this was a double edged sword, as it was near impossible for Edward to take full control over the hostel. Especially, since he was not even the strongest there.

Daniel was definitely way stronger. 

The Beast King house on the other hand was relatively weak compared to the others. It was filled with weaker students, with a glaring absence of nobles and Royals. In general, it was more of a hostel for prodigies without backgrounds.

So, as things are presently, this hostel is number one.

As his mind was going through the details, a buzz rang out.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

"What?" He sat up. 

Just as he was about to leave his room, a golden beam shot down, teleporting him away.

----

John and Cyn were sited opposite each other.

They were brainstorming on how to better manage the hostel, since John was now in charge.

"Where the hell is that fanged dude anyway?" Cyn suddenly asked.

"Still on his date, I guess." John answered absentmindedly.

Just then, two buzz resounded from their badges.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

And they were teleported away.

---

Daniel stared at his Comm as he sent out a message.

This was the twentieth message he had sent to her. 

He was starting to get really worried.

Where is she?

He stood up and started pacing around the room. 

Then.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

"What?" He was soon teleported away.

---

Ryder was enjoying his meal when.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

He was suddenly teleported away.

---

Anessa grumbled as she brushed Grandy's fur.

"You so dirty, you big goof." 

Grandy grunted in disapproval.

"Don't argue with me." 

Just then.

[ The Catacombs have been forcefully opened. ]

[ Prepare to be transported. ]

The message popped in. 

"Transported? I refuse." She stumped her leg in disapproval. She hate working, she was lazy, and was not ready to participate in any school event anytime soon.

A golden beam shot down—

Stop.

—and stopped mid way.

Anessa waved her hands.

"Disappear."

And the beam vanished.