The control chamber of Aetherion Academy pulsed with soft blue light, filled with flickering screens showing slowed replays of the recent Kaiju trial. Data scrolled across holograms—damage reports, student stats, civilian rescue analytics.
Behind the main console stood Professor Kael Durnas, arms crossed, silent.
A faint click echoed from the far door. Every instructor in the room turned at once.
Through the sliding doors walked a tall figure cloaked in elegant black and crimson robes, his silver hair tied into a long topknot, and his eyes a sharp, unreadable shade of violet.
A heavy silence fell.
Shogun Kurenai—the Headmaster of Aetherion Academy—had arrived.
Even Kael inclined his head. "Headmaster."
Kurenai stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the screens, taking in every scene without blinking.
"I saw everything," he said, voice deep and unnaturally calm. "They did better than expected."
Kael raised a brow. "You sound surprised.
"I rarely am," Kurenai replied. "But five S-Rank potentials in the same trial… and a handful of others who could join them soon."
Kael's gaze narrowed. "You're counting Renji among them now?"
"She's earned it. Her combat sense, leadership instincts, and reflexes are far beyond her peers. I had doubts… but no longer."
The Headmaster's voice dropped lower, thoughtful.
"Kai. Airi. Renji. And the others… Sera Volen and Kaito Shiranui both show exceptional promise. But there's still one more—hidden among them."
Kael exhaled slowly. "Derrick."
Kurenai nodded. "The sixth S-Rank. Half-human, half-Kaiju. His awakening is unstable… but inevitable."
Kael looked away, as if remembering the slashed Kaiju in the trial's final moments—the mysterious blur that intervened after Leo was injured, saving him from what would've been a fatal blow.
"He doesn't know what he is yet," Kael muttered.
Kurenai turned, his violet eyes glinting with quiet authority. "He will soon. And when he does, we must be ready—because the others will sense it too."
Simulation Room Exit – 20 Minutes Later
The simulation chamber doors hissed open as Teams One and Three stepped out into the bright light of the hall. Their uniforms were torn, stained with soot and sweat, but their expressions were sharp—each of them changed by what they'd just survived.
Other students had entered the simulation after them in later waves, but none had matched the same level of coordination, efficiency, or courage.
Professor Kael stood at the end of the corridor with his arms behind his back. His sharp golden eyes scanned each student as they filed in, some limping, some carrying others.
When Kai, Renji, and Mina Arlow arrived first, he nodded once.
"Well done," Kael said, his voice like gravel. "Team One—high civilian survival, clean Kaiju kills, no internal conflict. You followed chain of command without question. That's rare."
Kai's expression remained calm, though his eyes flickered with quiet focus. "Thank you, sir."
Renji gave a slight smirk. "Told you we'd win."
Mina just offered a tired thumbs-up. "I didn't even scream once. Progress."
Behind them, Kaito, Sera Volen, and Troy Denzil arrived. Kaito was still wiping soot from his gloves. Sera's blades had faded, but her knuckles were scuffed. Troy's jacket was torn, but he stood tall.
Kael turned to them. "Team Three. Efficient. Tactical. No wasted movement. Troy, your barriers held even under collapsing architecture. Sera, your blade strikes were clean and well-timed. Kaito—your weapon shifts were seamless."
Kaito gave a slow nod, silent but proud.
Sera stretched her arms behind her back. "Did we beat Team One though?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Not quite."
Troy chuckled softly. "Close enough."
Just behind them came the other teams—those sent in after the initial wave. Their faces showed fatigue. Some limped, some were bandaged. A few had clearly lost civilian lives in the simulation.
Kael turned his gaze to them now. He didn't raise his voice, but it cut through the crowd.
"You were given real conditions. Not a training exercise. The Kaiju would not hesitate to kill you—or those you protect. This trial wasn't just about strength. It was about your ability to adapt. To think under pressure. To function as a unit."
A silence followed.
Then Kael stepped forward, pausing in front of a bruised third-year student from Team Five. "You hesitated. You questioned your leader mid-scenario. That cost two civilian lives."
The student looked down, fists clenched.
Kael walked past him.
"But some of you learned. Some of you failed. Both are part of becoming Elite."
He turned to all of them now, hands behind his back.
"Kai Draven. Renji Takahara. Kaito Shiranui. Sera Volen. Mina Arlow. Troy Denzil. Your teams showed the highest level of performance today."
Gasps and murmurs followed.
"You've been recorded. The Headmaster is watching."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly. The air shifted—he felt it. Somewhere beyond the walls, someone powerful had taken notice.
Kael nodded once more.
"Dismissed. Recover. Results will be posted tomorrow. And prepare yourselves—this was only the beginning."