The first thing the students noticed was the familiar sound of a chair scraping against the floor.

Professor Velrick had returned.

The classroom, which had been unusually peaceful during his absence, suddenly felt smaller.

Velrick stepped through the doorway carrying a stack of books under one arm.

His silver-rimmed glasses reflected the sunlight pouring through the windows, while his dark academy coat swayed slightly behind him.

He stopped at the front of the room.

Looked around.

And frowned.

"Wow."

The students blinked.

Velrick placed his books on the desk.

"Not a single smile."

Silence.

He pointed dramatically at the class.

"I leave for a few days and nobody misses me?"

A student near the back raised a hand.

"Respectfully, Professor, no."

The entire classroom burst into laughter.

Even Roshan nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Velrick pressed a hand against his chest.

"That hurts."

Another student spoke.

"We survived somehow."

"Tragic."

The class laughed again.

Velrick shook his head dramatically before adjusting his glasses.

"You're all heartless."

The atmosphere lightened immediately.

Even students who normally remained quiet seemed more relaxed.

Finally, Velrick clapped his hands.

"Enough."

His expression became serious.

"Today's lesson is important."

The classroom quieted.

---

Velrick turned toward the board.

With several quick strokes, he wrote a large title.

HUNTER UNIT ASSIGNMENTS

Murmurs spread immediately.

This topic had interested students since their first day.

Velrick pointed at the words.

"Eventually all of you will be assigned to operational units."

A few students sat straighter.

Others exchanged curious looks.

Velrick continued.

"The academy does not randomly place students."

He reached into a drawer and removed a small crystal orb.

Many students recognized it instantly.

Roshan narrowed his eyes.

It looked almost identical to the crystal officials had shown him weeks ago.

Velrick lifted it.

"This is one of the tools used to evaluate mana flow."

He slowly rotated the orb in his hand.

"The flow, density, stability, and nature of your mana all influence your future placement."

A student raised her hand.

"Professor, what units exist?"

"Good question."

Velrick placed the orb down.

Then he began writing.

---

Police Unit

Attack Unit

Skills Unit

Backup Unit

Command Unit

---

The students immediately began whispering.

Velrick pointed toward the first one.

"The Police Unit assists with public safety, investigations, crowd control, and city protection."

Several students nodded.

"The Attack Unit is straightforward."

A grin appeared on his face.

"They hit things until those things stop moving."

The classroom erupted with laughter.

"Sounds simple."

"It basically is."

More laughter followed.

Velrick moved on.

"The Skills Unit consists of individuals possessing rare or specialized abilities."

Immediately dozens of students paid closer attention.

Rare abilities were famous throughout the kingdom.

"They often support operations that require unique talents."

Then he pointed toward the Backup Unit.

"Support specialists."

"Healers."

"Supply managers."

"Strategic coordinators."

"Communication experts."

Several students looked relieved.

Not everyone dreamed of fighting monsters head-on.

Finally, Velrick pointed toward the final title.

The Command Unit.

His expression became noticeably more serious.

"The highest operational rank."

The room became quiet.

"Commanders oversee entire operations."

"They coordinate multiple units."

"They make decisions that affect hundreds or even thousands of lives."

Nobody spoke.

Even the usually talkative students remained silent.

The responsibility sounded overwhelming.

Velrick folded his arms.

"Very few qualify."

The class understood immediately.

This wasn't something people simply volunteered for.

---

As the lesson continued, students eagerly asked questions.

"Can we choose our unit?"

"Partially."

"Can someone switch later?"

"Under specific circumstances."

"Can Command Unit members fight?"

Velrick smirked.

"The good ones can."

More notes were scribbled down.

Meanwhile, Roshan found himself staring at the crystal orb.

Dark red.

The memory returned.

The officials.

Their shocked expressions.

The strange smiles.

The unanswered questions.

Something about it still bothered him.

---

The morning classes eventually ended.

Lunch break arrived.

And instantly the academy transformed.

---

The cafeteria buzzed with activity.

Students filled tables while conversations echoed throughout the building.

Some laughed loudly.

Others debated training strategies.

A few argued over grades.

Daren sat with Miko while trying to balance three plates of food.

"How are you still hungry?"

Miko stared at him.

"I train."

"You train."

"You eat for three people."

Daren looked offended.

"That's different."

Nearby, several students burst out laughing.

Across the room, Roshan quietly ate his meal while listening to the endless noise around him.

For the first time in weeks, things felt almost normal.

Almost.

---

Outside the cafeteria, the academy grounds were equally busy.

Several trainees practiced swordsmanship beneath large oak trees.

Wooden training weapons clashed repeatedly.

Clack!

Clack!

Clack!

Sweat dripped down determined faces.

Elsewhere, groups of students ran laps around training fields.

Others studied beneath shaded areas while reviewing notes.

Near the library entrance, Lira sat cross-legged with several books stacked beside her.

Completely absorbed in studying.

As usual.

A nearby student pointed toward her.

"Does she ever stop reading?"

His friend shrugged.

"Maybe books are her food."

---

Not far away, fourth-year trainees prepared for their final examinations.

Unlike the younger students, they weren't laughing.

Most looked exhausted.

Some reviewed combat notes.

Others practiced mana control exercises.

Several sat silently staring into space.

One trainee groaned dramatically.

"I miss being a first-year."

Another laughed.

"No you don't."

"You're right."

"I was broke and terrified."

The group laughed.

Despite their exhaustion, excitement remained visible.

Graduation was close.

Very close.

---

Unfortunately for the first-years...

Their freedom didn't last long.

A loud bell echoed throughout the academy.

Immediately dozens of students groaned.

"No."

"Already?"

"You're kidding."

The bell rang again.

A message crystal activated nearby.

Professor Velrick's voice echoed through the grounds.

"First-year students."

A collective sigh followed.

"Return to your classrooms."

Even more groans erupted.

"This is cruel."

"My break just started."

"It was an hour."

"It wasn't enough."

Students reluctantly gathered their belongings.

Meanwhile, somewhere in his office, Velrick smiled.

---

Back inside the classroom, the students looked noticeably less enthusiastic.

Velrick ignored their suffering.

"Wonderful."

"We're all miserable together again."

Several students muttered complaints.

One particularly brave student raised his hand.

"Professor."

"Yes?"

The student hesitated.

Then asked the question everyone had been discussing.

"The rumbling."

Instantly the room became quiet.

Every student looked toward Velrick.

The professor adjusted his glasses.

"What about it?"

"People are worried."

The student swallowed.

"Do you know what's causing it?"

For a moment, Velrick simply stared.

Then he leaned against the desk.

"What do you expect during a war?"

The answer shocked everyone.

"A war?"

Murmurs immediately spread.

Velrick raised a hand.

"Conflicts happen."

"Military operations happen."

"Large-scale movements happen."

"Naturally there will be vibrations."

The explanation sounded reasonable.

Yet...

Something felt off.

Students exchanged uneasy glances.

Roshan noticed it too.

Velrick usually answered directly.

Today he seemed careful.

Almost too careful.

The room remained unsettled.

Eventually another student sighed dramatically.

"I still think extra classes are unfair."

The tension instantly broke.

Several students immediately agreed.

"Exactly."

"Everyone else is enjoying their free time."

"We suffer while seniors get field assignments."

Velrick pointed toward the door.

"You're welcome to leave."

Nobody moved.

The professor smiled.

"Thought so."

---

Far away from the classroom.

Inside a luxurious government residence.

Instructor Reese sat across from an older man.

Councilor Tharos.

Her uncle.

Unlike most politicians, Tharos possessed an intimidating presence.

Sharp eyes.

Gray hair.

A perfectly tailored uniform.

The kind of man who could make people nervous without speaking.

Reese crossed her arms.

"The Alliance is changing."

Tharos calmly sipped tea.

"Everything changes."

"Not like this."

Her frustration was obvious.

"If the Bureau hears about these developments, there'll be consequences."

The councilor waved a dismissive hand.

"The Bureau worries too much."

"They exist to worry."

"And they're very good at it."

His relaxed attitude only irritated her further.

"The Bureau won't ignore this forever."

"They don't have authority over everything."

"They have enough."

Tharos set down his cup.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Focus on your mission."

Reese remained silent.

"You are not a Bureau officer."

"No."

"You are not a Hunters Alliance director."

"No."

"Then stop worrying about their politics."

The room fell quiet.

After several moments, Tharos spoke again.

"I'll keep an eye on the boy."

Immediately Reese shook her head.

"No."

Tharos raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"You've already done enough."

Her voice lowered.

"You brought officials to the academy."

The councilor smiled faintly.

"Only to verify his potential."

"And now everyone is talking about it."

"That wasn't my intention."

"Intentions don't matter."

For the first time, Tharos looked mildly surprised.

Then amused.

"You've become stubborn."

"I learned from you."

That earned a genuine laugh.

For a moment the tension eased.

Then Reese's expression darkened again.

Because despite everything...

Something still didn't make sense.

The officials.

The sudden interest.

The strange shifts occurring within the Alliance.

Pieces were moving.

But she couldn't see the whole board.

Yet.

---

At that exact moment...

Deep within the Alliance Bureau headquarters...

An emergency meeting was underway.

A terrified analyst rushed into the chamber.

The doors slammed open.

Everyone looked up.

The young man was pale.

Breathing heavily.

Holding a crystal tablet.

"Director..."

The room fell silent.

The director frowned.

"What happened?"

The analyst swallowed.

Then slowly placed the tablet on the table.

Every face immediately drained of color.

Because the newest readings showed something impossible.

Something that should never happen.

The barrier's mana density hadn't decreased.

It had suddenly begun fluctuating.

Violently.

And at the center of the disturbance...

A location appeared.

A location directly beneath Rashenghart itself.

The director stared at the coordinates.

Then whispered four words.

"Something is under us."

To Be Continued...