The Quest Hall swallowed sound.
That was the first thing Zane noticed.
It was easily three times larger than any classroom they'd stepped into so far—arched ceilings threaded with glowing runes, wide stone floors worn smooth by countless boots, and long boards lining the walls, each covered in neatly arranged mission cards that pulsed faintly with mana. Students moved in clusters, some excited, some nervous, others pretending not to care while clearly caring a lot.
Zane strolled in like he owned the place.
The rumors followed him inside. Side-eyes. Whispers. A few students went quiet when he passed, like he might randomly punch gravity next.
They headed straight for the reception desk.
Behind it sat a woman with sharp eyes and silver-rimmed glasses, her fingers gliding over a crystal tablet as if she'd been doing this job for centuries. She didn't look up when they stopped in front of her.
"Which mission would you like to pick?" she asked flatly.
Zane blinked.
Then slowly turned his head to look at the others.
"…What are we doing?" he asked.
Asher didn't even hesitate. "Monster hunt."
The receptionist finally looked up. She sighed. Not loudly—just enough to say of course it is.
"Very well," she said. "What is the combined strength of your party?"
Zane leaned back slightly, hands in his pockets, eyes unfocusing as he actually thought about it.
Okay…
"I can handle any Initiate by myself," he muttered. "Mira too."
Mira didn't deny it.
"Asher's… annoying, but useful," Zane continued. "Defense, offense, space nonsense."
"Asher scoffed."
"Luna can distract, blind, poke things with light," Zane went on, glancing at the girl in question. She shrank slightly but nodded anyway.
He hummed, tapping his finger against his arm.
"…Hmm."
Then he looked back at the receptionist.
"Ummm," he said thoughtfully, "we've got the combined strength of a mid expert."
Asher stiffened.
Mira slowly turned her head toward Zane.
Luna's eyes widened.
Celeste just stared at him.
The receptionist studied Zane for a long moment, then reached under the counter and pulled out a mission card. It was dark metal, etched with runes and stamped with a glowing insignia.
She extended it toward him.
Just as Zane reached out—
She pulled it back.
"With which teacher's permission?" she asked.
The air shifted.
Asher went visibly pale. "Ah—"
Zane didn't even blink.
"Miss Livia," he said calmly.
The receptionist paused.
Her eyes flicked to his face. Then to the card. Then back to him.
People didn't throw that name around lightly.
After a brief silence, she slid the card into his hand.
"Do not die," she said flatly.
Zane smiled. "No promises."
They turned and walked out of the hall.
The moment they were far enough away—
"You are a bloody liar," Asher hissed.
Zane shrugged. "What was I supposed to do? Say 'we're mildly competent'?"
"What if she actually asks Miss Livia?" Mira asked, arms crossed.
Zane didn't miss a beat. "We'd have left by then."
That… did not help.
They made their way toward the academy gates, the massive stone doors looming ahead. A soldier stationed there held up a hand, stopping them after scanning the mission card.
"This location is too far to travel on foot," he said. "You'll be using a mana gate."
Zane's eyes flicked toward the structure beside the gates.
A tall, rune-covered arch hummed softly, space within it shimmering like distorted glass. It looked disturbingly similar to the one he and Mira had used when entering the academy.
The soldier gestured them forward. "Once you arrive, instructions will be provided."
Zane stared at the gate for a second longer than necessary.
Then he smirked.
"Well," he said, stepping closer, "nothing bad ever happens when you go through glowing portals."
Mira rolled her eyes.
Celeste shrugged.
Luna sighed.
Asher straightened his coat.
And just like that, the academy faded behind them.