Chapter 6: The world itself... had begun to move.

A soft breeze fluttered the curtains.

The sun was dipping low outside, casting an orange glow across the infirmary.

Ryker slowly opened his eyes.

The ceiling above him was white, unfamiliar.

His body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

"...You're awake," a voice said.

Turning his head slightly, Ryker saw Sol sitting on a chair next to the bed, arms crossed, a small grin on his face.

"You were out for almost two hours," Sol said. "Gave the instructors a heart attack."

Tatsuya leaned against the wall, smirking. "You looked like a corpse. Very uncool, Ryker."

Izumi was sitting upside-down on a nearby sofa, tossing a candy up and down. "But you won," he said lazily.

"And you made history," Shin added from the window, arms folded as he gazed at the sunset. "No first-year has ever knocked King down like that."

Ryker blinked slowly.

His mouth felt dry, but he managed a small smirk.

"He was holding back."

A soft knock came at the door.

It was Aria-sensei.

She smiled warmly, relief in her eyes.

But there was something else too—pride.

"You," she said, stepping inside, "just shook the entire school."

Ryker turned his head slightly, closing his eyes again.

For a moment, he just let the silence fill the room.

Then he muttered under his breath:

"...Next time, I won't faint."

Everyone laughed.

Even Shin chuckled quietly.

For that brief moment—no tournaments, no pressure, no titles—

It was just them.

The future legends, sharing the beginning of their story.

Aria-sensei stepped out of the infirmary, closing the door softly behind her.

The hallway was quiet.

She paused, gazing at the sunset through the long windows.

In her mind, Ryker's battle replayed again—

the fire he summoned, the slicing wind, the crashing lightning...

That much, she could understand.

Elemental manipulation at his age was rare—but not impossible.

But time manipulation?

Her hand tightened slightly around the folder she held.

(That... is something even S-class heroes struggle to master.)

And yet, Ryker had slowed time itself.

It was incomplete, unstable—he almost collapsed immediately afterward—but still...

he had done it.

Aria narrowed her eyes.

(Who exactly is Ryker Tensai?)

His bloodline, his aura, his instincts—it all felt off, like a puzzle missing pieces.

She began walking down the corridor, boots tapping lightly.

"I think…" Aria whispered to herself, smiling slightly, "…I'll have to investigate you, Ryker."

The light behind her faded.

The future of the world had just begun to stir—and Ryker Tensai was at the center of it.

Far Above the School – Unknown Eyes Watching

Unseen from the ground, high above the Academy, a figure stood atop a distant tower.

A long black coat fluttered in the cold wind.

Golden eyes gleamed from the shadows, fixed directly on the school grounds—

on the infirmary where Ryker slept.

He had been watching since the tournament began.

"Time manipulation at that age..."

His voice was low, almost amused.

"But unstable... incomplete."

He turned, his figure dissolving into mist.

"The world will change soon.

And Ryker Tensai... whether you realize it or not—

you are the key."

The wind howled.

By the time Aria glanced up toward the tower—

there was no one there.

Only a faint shimmer in the sky.

The story of the world was beginning to move.

Far Away — Unknown Place

A vast hall stretched into darkness.

Black walls. Black floor.

Only a long stone table stood at the center.

Around it, a few figures sat — faces hidden behind identical black cloaks.

Their presence alone weighed heavily on the air.

The man with golden eyes appeared at the entrance.

He stepped forward silently, the black coat trailing behind him.

Nobody turned to look, but everyone felt his arrival.

He stopped before the table, bowing his head slightly.

"...Ryker Tensai," he said, his voice low, "is growing stronger."

A ripple of murmurs ran through the room — just a breath, but it shook the silence.

One of the figures leaned forward slightly.

His voice was calm, emotionless.

"Kai," he said, addressing the golden-eyed man, "you witnessed him during the Entrance Exam, didn't you?"

The golden-eyed man—kai nodded once.

"Yes," he said.

"He is powerful. Dangerous, even."

He paused.

"But not yet... capable."

The words hung in the air like a blade.

The figures said nothing — but in the darkness, silent decisions were being made.

Kai narrowed his eyes.

"If left alone... he will surpass all of us."

Another figure finally spoke, voice deep like thunder.

"Then we must decide"

"Guide him... or destroy him."

The torches on the walls flickered suddenly, as if the very world itself was reacting.

Somewhere far away, Ryker Tensai, still asleep in the infirmary, shifted slightly—

unaware that the eyes of the hidden world were already upon him.

Ryker sat up slowly, his body aching but his mind sharper than ever.

A tray of food had been left on the table next to him — nothing fancy, just rice, soup, and bread.

(They think I'm just a student.)

He reached for the cup of water, sipping slowly.

But he knew.

Something had changed.

It wasn't just the instructors or the students staring in awe yesterday—

it was something bigger.

Like an invisible string had been tied around his fate... and someone, somewhere, was starting to pull it.

Meanwhile — Across the Academy Grounds

Banners for the tournament fluttered high in the air.

Students packed the training fields, buzzing with rumors.

"Did you hear? Ryker beat King!" "Yeah, but he fainted right after!" "Still... King didn't even look mad. He looked proud."

At the heart of the academy, the instructors gathered in the Central Hall.

Aria stood before the Headmaster — a man with silver hair and a gaze that seemed to pierce through time itself.

"So," he said calmly, steepling his fingers, "the boy has awakened?"

Aria nodded. "Yes. But Headmaster…"

She hesitated.

The Headmaster's sharp gaze never wavered.

"What is it?"

Aria exhaled slowly.

"...I believe Ryker Tensai has the potential to break the system."

A long silence.

Then, very quietly, the Headmaster smiled — not with warmth, but with the cold satisfaction of a chess master seeing a bold move on the board.

"Then let us see if he can."

"Meanwhile, at the Academy..."

The door creaked open.

Sol, Izumi, Shin, Tatsuya, celica, Aisa, yumi, Akira walked in — casual as always, but their eyes were sharp.

"You good, sleeping beauty?" Izumi teased, tossing him an apple.

Ryker caught it easily with one hand.

Sol grinned.

"Next match is tomorrow. You in?"

Ryker smirked.

His energy was returning fast.

"I'll be there."

Tatsuya leaned closer, grinning wide.

"Good. Because rumor has it... the next opponent is not human."

Ryker raised an eyebrow.

"Explain."

Shin spoke up, his voice calm but serious:

"There's a secret division of the academy. A hidden curriculum.

They raise... hybrids."

Ryker frowned slightly.

"Hybrids?"

Sol nodded grimly.

"Humans enhanced with monster blood.

Failed experiments.

Caged weapons."

Izumi cracked his knuckles.

"They're letting one loose in the tournament. Guess they wanna test if anyone can survive it."

The room grew heavy.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Ryker leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.

A small, amused breath escaped him.

"Good," he muttered.

"Let them send monsters."

The others stared at him — startled for half a second — and then Sol laughed quietly, clapping him on the shoulder.

"That's the spirit."