The air in the dean's office was crisp. Silent. Heavy.
Class Zero stood in formation, not out of protocol—just instinct. Something about this room always brought a weight with it. Maybe it was the way the windows stayed shut. Maybe it was Garos himself, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, watching them like a man looking through time.
Athena leaned on the desk beside him, arms folded. She didn't say much. Just watched.
Lucian stood near the back, behind Evelyn and Silas. Reia was to his right, silent as always. Vyn hadn't spoken since they walked in.
"Seventy-two hours," Garos said finally. "That's how long it's been since you all submitted your joint request."
No one responded.
"To be clear," he continued, "you're requesting early graduation from Ashvale Academy. Effective immediately after completing a live raid in an S-Rank Gate."
His tone didn't change, but the weight behind it sank a little deeper into the room.
"Yes, sir," Evelyn answered, voice clear.
