[Supreme Soul Academy – Grand Hall]
The murmurs faded as a serene yet commanding voice filled the air:
"Welcome to the Supreme Soul Academy, new students.
I doubt I need to introduce myself, but for those unfamiliar with me… I am Elizabeth, the fourth headmistress of this academy."
A wave of gasps swept through the hall.
"That's her?!"
"The strongest… the most beautiful… one of the Grand Flai… Elizabeth herself?!"
Almost every student was awestruck by her presence—everyone except Arian.
He blinked around with a blank, almost foolish look before muttering under his breath:
"Who? How? Where…?"
Lost in his haze, he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"Judging by your face," a calm voice said, "you must be one of those clueless ones the headmistress mentioned."
Turning, Arian met the speaker's eyes: a boy with striking black hair, dark eyes that seemed bottomless, and a frame balanced between elegance and strength.
"Who is this guy? And why do I suddenly feel like the idiot here…?"
The boy smiled warmly.
"My name is Cloud. What about you?"
Arian stammered:
"A… Arian."
Cloud chuckled.
"I noticed you from across the hall. When the headmistress introduced herself, your expression was priceless."
Arian, flustered:
"Was I really that dumb-looking?"
Feigning thought, Cloud smirked slyly:
"Hmmm… let's just say you weren't exactly subtle about it."
"Just spit it out already!" Arian demanded.
In a flash, Cloud pinched Arian's cheeks and shouted for all to hear:
"EVERYONE saw it, you fool!"
The hall fell silent. Dozens of eyes bore into them, sharp enough to cut through.
Then came the gravelly voice of a teacher, dripping with annoyance:
"Idiots. Stuff a rock in your mouths and listen."
But Elizabeth intervened, her words calm yet absolute:
"Let them speak. At first, you carried assumptions about this place. But step by step, they will change. Now, students—listen carefully."
Silence fell, and all eyes turned to her.
Elizabeth's gaze swept across the hall like a blade.
"I welcome you once more. This academy has raised heroes who carved new history for our kingdom after humanity's rebirth. Here, your bloodline, your current strength, your social rank—none of these matter.
What matters is whether you can rise to aid others and serve your kingdom. Knight, mage, alchemist, spirit wielder, summoner, seer—whatever path you walk, your true value is defined only by one thing: the impact you leave behind.
Now, proceed to the Healing Wing for your examinations. Afterwards, you will be informed of the next steps. Go."
"Cloud… where are we supposed to go?" Arian asked nervously.
Cloud grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"Do you not see this horde? If we don't hurry, we'll fossilize before our turn comes!"
[Healing Wing – Supreme Soul Academy]
Panting, Cloud finally stopped.
"We made it… barely. What's with that look on your face?"
Arian's eyes darted nervously.
"That sound… do you hear it?"
Cloud tilted his head.
"I hear something, but… where is it coming from?"
Arian's voice wavered.
"Cloud…"
Still breathless, he replied:
"What now?"
Arian swallowed hard.
"It's coming from inside. This doesn't feel like a Healing Wing… more like a torture chamber. I—I'm scared."
The words had barely left his lips when a student stumbled out of the room, broken and trembling.
Both Arian and Cloud exclaimed together:
"What happened in there?
!"
The student grimaced in pain, his voice a hushed curse:
"Inside… lies hell itself…"
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