The Ruin Zone no longer screamed.
What once felt like a living wound carved into the land now lay subdued beneath layers of glowing seals, ancient scripts pressed into shattered stone like cauterized flesh.
The corrupted mist thinned, retreating into cracks that no longer bled power.
And at the center of it all—
Senior cultivators stood calmly.
They had arrived when chaos peaked. When emergency talismans had torn groups A through H out of the Ruin Zone like frightened prey.
When first-years had learned, painfully, that strength without control meant nothing.
Now, only silence remained.
Cain Mercer stepped forward, shadow folding neatly behind him like a loyal cloak. His eyes swept the ruins with practiced disinterest.
"Residual corruption reduced to twelve percent," he said. "No further Rank III fluctuations."
A few meters away, Iris Vale lowered her rifle-like ether construct, the barrel dissolving into blue particles. She adjusted her gloves, expression unreadable.
"Seals are holding," she replied. "But the pressure beneath the ruins hasn't vanished. It's only… sleeping."
Rook planted his shield into the ground with a dull thud. The impact alone cracked stone.
"Then it's not finished," he rumbled. "It never is."
Nearby, other seniors moved with equal ease—deploying arrays, stabilizing terrain, severing lingering corrupted tendrils as if trimming weeds.
Their movements were efficient.
Economical. Unemotional.
This was the difference.
This was what experience looked like.
Starcrest Cultivators Academy shimmered as emergency teleportation circles ignited one after another.
Liora Ashwyn steadied herself beside him, eyes closed, breathing controlled.
"We were finished," she said quietly.
"Whether you admit it or not."
Rayden scoffed. "That thing was barely—"
"It was a Rank IV guardian," Liora interrupted.
"And we survived because of an emergency talisman. Not skill."
Rayden clenched his jaw.
Kayden said nothing.
His expression was calm. Too calm.
And from somewhere deep within him—
[SYSTEM: OBSERVATION COMPLETE.]
[TRAINING ARC DETECTED.]
[USER COMPLIANCE: OPTIMAL.]
The system pulsed faintly.
Waiting.
Instructor Halden Voss Speaks
The academy bells rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The sound cut through murmurs, silencing the courtyard as Instructor Halden Voss stepped onto the elevated platform overlooking the students.
He did not shout.
He did not need to.
"You failed," he said simply.
The word struck harder than any blade.
A ripple passed through the groups. Some students bristled. Others lowered their heads.
"Every group," Halden continued, eyes sweeping over A through H, "activated their emergency talismans."
He paused.
"That means every group lost."
Rayden clenched his fists.
Marek Thorne, standing with Group D, stared at the ground, jaw tight.
Halden folded his hands behind his back.
"This trial was not designed for victory. It was designed to reveal weakness."
His gaze sharpened.
"And it succeeded."
"You lack discipline," Halden said. "You rely on raw power instead of coordination. You panic under pressure. You overextend."
He turned slightly.
"Some of you possess exceptional talent," he admitted. "Others… potential."
His eyes lingered—just a second longer—on Kayden.
"But talent without guidance breeds disaster."
A hush fell.
"So," Halden said, "your curriculum changes."
Whispers erupted instantly.
"What?"
"Changes?"
"Already?"
Halden raised a hand. Silence returned.
"From today onward," he declared, "each group will be assigned a senior cultivator as mentor."
A beat.
"Not instructors. Not lecturers."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Survivors."
The Fifteen senior cultivators
The air shifted.
Fifteen figures stepped forward from the academy's inner gates.
Their presence alone altered the atmosphere.
Cain Mercer.
Iris Vale.
Rook.
Others followed.
Nyx Calder, her movements silent as falling ash.
Selene Arkwright, eyes glowing faintly with layered illusions.
Dorian Flux, energy cycling visibly beneath his skin.
Bran Halvor—already grinning, muscles bulging like coiled steel.
And then—
One man yawned.
"Man," he muttered, hands in his pockets.
"This is earlier than I like."
Several students blinked.
He looked… normal.
Messy silver-gray hair. Half-lidded eyes. A loose academy jacket worn open, sleeves rolled up like he'd forgotten why uniforms mattered.
Halden cleared his throat.
"Primyte."
The man raised a hand lazily. "Yeah, yeah. Present."
Kayden's eyes narrowed.
Something about him felt… wrong.
Not weak.
Not strong.
Unreadable.
"Only eight seniors will train you directly," Halden announced. "The rest remain on Ruin Zone duty."
He gestured.
"Group A."
Cain Mercer stepped forward.
Eren Vale swallowed hard.
Cain's shadow stretched.
"Leadership," Cain said. "Formation. Survival."
Group A straightened instantly.
"Group B."
Iris Vale nodded once, eyes sharp.
"Precision," she said. "Control. Thought before action."
Lena Moore exhaled slowly.
"Group C."
Selene smiled faintly. "Your minds will break before your bodies," she said pleasantly.
Nora Vess shuddered.
"Group D."
Bran Halvor cracked his knuckles loudly.
"BODY FORGERS!" he roared. "WE'RE GONNA BLEED!"
Marek winced.
"Group E."
Rook stepped forward.
"You will learn how to endure," he said.
"Group G."
Nyx Calder vanished—
—and reappeared behind them.
"Try to keep up."
Hugo yelped.
"Group H."
Dorian Flux tilted his head. "Energy efficiency," he said. "Or burnout."
Then—
"Group F."
The courtyard stilled.
Primyte scratched his cheek.
"Ah," he said. "The interesting one."
Rayden stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Primyte's gaze slid—not to Rayden.
But to Kayden.
And for just a moment—
Kayden felt like he was being seen.
Not measured.
Seen.
Primyte Speaks
"Lightning boy's unstable," Primyte said casually. "Mind-girl's overextended."
Rayden bristled. "Hey—!"
Primyte continued. "And the sealed one…"
He paused.
"…doesn't listen."
Kayden blinked.
Liora frowned. "Listen to what?"
Primyte shrugged. "Exactly."
Rayden scoffed. "This guy's our mentor?"
Primyte smiled lazily.
"You can ask for a refund," he said. "But I don't think you'll like the alternative."
Halden's voice cut in.
"Training begins tomorrow."
A beat.
"Survive it."
As students dispersed, murmuring anxiously—
Kayden walked away.
Primyte watched him go.
"Interesting restraint," he muttered.
Behind Kayden's ribs—
The system pulsed.
Not urging.
Not commanding.
Waiting.
Far beneath the academy—
Something sealed shifted.
And somewhere in the Ruin Zone—
A presence listened.