Rafael stumbled for a moment; his throat went dry.
'What the hell am I supposed to say to that? If I admit anything, I'm finished. If I deny it, will he see through me?'
The mist on his palm trembled again, desperate to spill out. He dug his nails into his skin until it hurt, forcing it back.
"I—" His voice cracked. "I don't know what you mean, sir."
A ripple of whispers passed through the class.
The old man's eyes narrowed, as if he could peel the lies straight out of Rafael's skull. "Interesting," the instructor finally said, his voice flat, carrying no warmth. "Very… interesting." He didn't press further. Instead, he turned back to the murals, raising his staff again. The runes lit in a steady rhythm, casting jagged streaks of light across the walls. "Let us continue."
Rafael tried to calm himself. But his concentration was cut off from the world. He tried to communicate with that shadow entity, closing his eyes.
'What are you doing now? You were silent before the classes, so why react now? Damn it. If you keep acting on your own, I'm screwed. Stay down. Just—stay the hell down.'
But once again, no answer came. He didn't even dare to call the system here.
The instructor continued in a hoarse voice, "At the beginning, the mutated beasts were too powerful, that one could not fight them. They ravaged through the world, destroying everything they saw. Some even held powers like the Evolved."
'So that's what the legendary beasts did. No wonder, mutated beasts are feared that much.'
"They continued their rampage until the Evolved arose to contain them. Decades passed, but even then, society was fractured. Cities lay in ruins, and nations struggled to rebuild."
Rafael's throat went dry. 'All this power… It's not just about fighting beasts. It's about surviving a world already broken.'
The picture on the large screen changed, now showing a map that Rafael didn't know. "This was the map before the Asteroid fell. There were hundreds of small nations all around the world. Few continents. It would be wrong to say that they lived peacefully, as according to the few records that remained of the ancient world. They were constantly in wars and conflict."
Rafael looked at the map with curiosity. It was nothing like the maps of the old world. The current map consisted of only six great nations—Novarion Federation, Eryndor Federation, Sylphora Federation, Drakemire Federation, Valtherra Federation, and Zephyrian Federation.
The instructor's lecture continued, "But do you know why there are only six great nations now?"
Few students raised their hands. He pointed to a girl among them to answer.
The girl said in a soft voice, "Because after the asteroid fell, everything was already devastated, but the mutated beasts did it worse. To face them, people formed great nations, and faced them collectively?"
The old man studied the girl, then gave a slow nod. "Correct… in part." His staff cracked against the floor, echoing through the hall. "Unity was born not just of necessity, but of desperation. Bloodlines vanished, kingdoms burned, and survival demanded consolidation. Those who refused…" his gaze swept the room like a blade, "…were devoured—by beasts, or by men."
The classroom was silent. Some students moved in their seats, while others leaned closer, listening carefully.
Rafael kept his head down. His palm still tingled, the mist pushing to escape. His heartbeat drowned out the instructor's voice.
The instructor's voice droned on, tracing the rise and fall of civilizations, the rampage of mutated beasts, and the desperate unification of nations. He spoke of the Evolved who contained the beasts, of ruined cities, and how only six great nations remained from hundreds of smaller ones. Rafael hunched over his Data-slate, fingers moving quickly as he scribbled notes, his palm tingling faintly as the mist shifted restlessly inside him.
Finally, the old man lowered his staff. "That is enough for today. Remember, history is not just stories—it is the path of survival. Reflect on it, or it will reflect on you."
Students started to leave the classroom. Rafael followed Fredric as usual.
"Hey, bud, it's break time," Fredric said with a grin. "Wanna hit the Cafeteria?"
"No, thanks. I think I will return to my dorm for now." Rafael replied.
"Come on. Don't be afraid. I am with you."
'Why the hell are you so persistent? I just don't wanna hear those curses.
"Sorry, I really don't wanna go."
"Aghh... man, just come with me." Fredric dragged him along, pulling his hand.
Rafael stumbled, trying to pull his hand free, but Fredric's grip was firm. "Let go, Fredric! I said no!" he hissed, his voice low, his palm still tingling with the restless mist.
Fredric laughed, ignoring his protests. "Relax, man. It's just a short walk. You'll survive, I promise."
Rafael shot him a glare, but didn't resist anymore, letting himself be dragged down the crowded hallway. Students passed by in small groups, chatting and laughing.
Fredric, oblivious to the growing storm inside Rafael, continued chattering. "You're way too tense, man. Look at everyone else—laughing, eating, having fun. You gotta learn to enjoy it a little."
Rafael's mind raced. 'Fun? How can I enjoy anything here when every glance, every whisper, reminds me of how weak I am?'
The cafeteria was at the far end of the academy's main wing, a sprawling glass-walled hall filled with chatter and the scent of warm food. The menu screen fixed on each table.
Upon seeing Rafael with his grey emblem, several whispers started. But this time he ignored the noise.
They reached a long counter lined with steaming trays of food, the smell of roasted meat and spiced vegetables filling the air. Rafael hesitated at the counter, his hand hovering over a tray, unsure what to take. The smell alone made his stomach twist, a mix of hunger and worry. He wasn't used to so much food. In the outskirts, every meal was measured, scavenged, or traded for scraps. Here, everything looked fresh, plentiful, almost mocking in its ease.
Rafael's hand shook slightly as he picked up a small piece of meat, adding it to the tray with some vegetables. He kept the portions small, almost timid, as if the food might disappear if he took too much.
Fredric piled food onto his tray like a starving beast. He glanced at Rafael's tray and frowned.
"That's it? You're kidding me."
Rafael shrugged. "I'm not that hungry."
Fredric snorted. "Bullshit. You look like you could eat the whole counter. Grab more."
"I said I'm fine," Rafael muttered, shifting his tray away.
They sat down at a corner table. Rafael picked at his vegetables while Fredric tore into bread like it owed him money.
Rafael focused on his eating. The food was really great. Rafael never had something like that before.
The chstters continued in the background, which Rafael refused to hear. But suddenly the noise stopped. It was like someone muted the whole cafeteria.
Sounds of the boot clicking with the floor came to Rafael's ear.
"Hey, don't worry, keep eating," Fredric said as he stuffed himself.
Rafael saw a tall figure coming towards him. His uniform was white with a purple emblem oh his chest. The figure was emanating an arrogant aura.
Fredric's jaw tightened. "That's… a senior," he muttered.
The boy's eyes swept the room, then fixed on Rafael. He walked straight toward their table.
Rafael froze. The air seemed to grow heavier with every step the senior took.
When he stopped, his shadow fell over Rafael's tray. His gaze didn't waver.
"So you're the Rank-0 everyone's whispering about," the senior said. His voice was quiet but carried easily.
Rafael's fingers clenched around his fork.
The boy leaned closer, studying him as if he were some strange creature. Then a thin smile appeared.
"Good," he said softly. "I've been waiting to meet you."
The room stayed silent.
Rafael's chest tightened. He didn't know if the next words would be a challenge, a warning, or something far worse.