As Kayden entered his room after lectures, a gentle, soothing voice greeted him.
"You finally met him."
"Yes—and I told you not to enter my room without permission," he replied flatly, walking toward the wardrobe. "Your surprises scare me."
"There's no trace of sacredness on your face," she said with a smile.
"Well, Helena, for your information, I am."
He grabbed a towel and headed into the bathroom.
"I thought you weren't that brave?" she teased, rising from the chair. The light caught her long blonde hair, making it shimmer.
"I always was…" his voice echoed from the bathroom—until the door creaked open.
"I thought you'd never enter," he said, pausing mid-motion, shampoo still in his hair.
"Then I have," she replied, standing in the doorway, watching him.
"What are you waiting for?"
He reached for her, pulling her inside and closer. In one swift motion, her clothes were cast aside, the air between them igniting with heat.
"Hey—slow down," she protested softly.
"Why?" he murmured teasingly, his hands settling at her waist. "Don't like it?"
Her cheeks flushed, a quiet sound escaping her lips at his touch.
"Um… it's just that—mmmh!"
Her words dissolved as he claimed her lips in a deep kiss.
"No need for words," he whispered when they parted. "Just flow with it."
He kissed her again, more intensely this time, the moment pulling them both deeper into each other.
Meanwhile, in an office across campus, a tall, handsome man sat behind a desk, skimming through paperwork. His blue, curly hair framed his face, accentuating his sharp features. A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
He looked up to see Jayden entering.
"I thought you had something to do?" he said, returning to his work.
"I'm done," Jayden replied, lounging comfortably on the sofa.
"That fast?"
"I heard you and Helena fought," Jayden added with a smirk.
"It was just a minor verbal disagreement," the man replied, unfazed.
"Suuuure…"
Silence settled between them.
"Do you know what he did after hearing the news?" Jayden finally asked.
The man paused, interest piqued. "I'm intrigued. What did he do?"
"He acted indifferent, as if he already knew". He scoffed.
"Well, I expected nothing more from someone who heads the academy," he said coldly.
"And he wants to meet you, First 'KING'."
Harry Jones stood up. "Where is he?"
"Where he usually is."
Without another word, Harry left.
Harry stood before the headmaster's door, his hand raised to knock—then he paused.
[He's in his dimensional space again.]
He stretched slightly and opened his palm. The door responded instantly, its surface shifting from deep black to pure white. When he grasped the handle, the transformation completed. Turning the knob, he stepped through.
A serene, emerald world welcomed him. The breeze was gentle, the air calm. The sun shone brightly—despite it being night.
An old man stood in the distance, casually playing golf. He wore black sneakers, khaki pants, a deep brown vest, and a grey golf cap.
"You and Jayden never cease to amaze me," the old man said, striking the ball. It shot straight toward Harry.
"Jayden told me you were calling for me," Harry said, tilting his head just enough for the ball to fly past.
"You entered my dimension by force, creating your own dimensional door," the old man continued, ignoring Harry's words.
"Jayden simply cut through space itself."
Harry remained silent.
"That's how monstrous he is." The old man took another swing.
"So, sir… what is the reason for calling me?"
"A secret realm has appeared."
"And?" Harry adjusted his glasses.
"A scout team was dispatched. None returned. Every one of them was at least at the Present Level—the best we have. This means the realm may be above the Past Level."
"So you want me to go?" Harry asked.
"No. Send the best from each year. Jayden will act as backup."
Harry nodded. "I'll see to it immediately."
He turned to leave, then stopped. "Why Jayden?"
"To test him," the old man replied sharply.
Just then, a gentle feminine voice echoed from beyond the dimension.
"Mr. Idun, the Headmistress from Holy Truth has arrived."
"Then there's no need to trouble you further," Harry said.
A white door materialized behind him. He opened it, stepping straight into his office. As the door closed, it slowly faded out of existence.
The next day arrived beneath a bright, open sky. On a vast plain of green grass stood a colossal gate, towering nearly twenty meters high, its presence alone enough to weigh heavily on the air around it.
Kayden stood before it alongside two others: Ceal, a third-year student, and a first-year named Reynolds. Unseen to the rest, Jayden had also arrived, concealed entirely by a stealth item bestowed upon him by the First KING.
"Good morning, seniors!" Reynolds greeted cheerfully. He was a lively boy—energetic to a fault—though listening was clearly not one of his strengths.
"Oh my, look what we've got here," Ceal chimed in, her feminine voice light and amused. She wore simple iron armor, its edges traced with elegant golden linings that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
Reynolds spoke up again. "I'm Stephens Reynolds."
"Ceal Cosmas Gonzaives," she added smoothly.
Kayden ignored them both, yet his silence only succeeded in drawing their attention.
"What is it?" he asked harshly.
"Nothing much," Reynolds replied quickly.
"Come on, just give us your name," Ceal pressed, stepping closer.
"Be a gentleman, huh?" she added teasingly, gripping his hand tightly.
"Argh… you're so annoying," Kayden snapped, irritation seeping into his voice.
"How hard can it be?" Reynolds laughed.
"…Kayden. Bunir." He finally gave in, freeing his hand and turning his gaze back to the towering gate ahead.
"Feeling anxious?" Ceal asked, studying his expression.
"No!" Kayden replied sharply.
"I feel like I'm being crushed by the sheer DECI being produced," Reynolds muttered, glancing uneasily at the gate.
In the headmaster's office…
"Your people still haven't arrived," Mr. Idun remarked as he stared at the screen displaying the scene unfolding around Kayden.
"Mr. Idun, why the rush?" asked the woman seated beside him.
"Mrs. Rodericks, you already know I'm the impatient type," he replied, lifting his teacup and taking a calm sip.
A moment later, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh… they've arrived.