After everything that happened during the entrance ceremony, Sylas became the most hated person in the school. They ignored him. Wouldn't even look at him.
He didn't mind. He couldn't care less.
He went on with his day—going to class and training. Both he and Elizabeth were placed in the top-tier class. Just like that, the first week passed.
The second week was more annoying.
He was called to the headmaster's office countless times. They were investigating the monster outbreak. He kept talking, describing the monsters. The more he talked, the more serious they became. Eventually, they told Sylas to leave the room. But he knew something wasn't right.
Their faces said everything.
That same week, the mood of the school shifted. It no longer felt like an academy—it felt like a military base.
The only focus was training. Sword fighting. Martial arts. Survival drills. The instructors became harsher. The students were split into divisions: offensive, long-range, close-range, tanks, supports, healers, controllers, and summoners.
They trained for hours. Every day. With barely any sleep.
One week into the new routine, Professor Leo—the same massive man from the entrance exam—stood before them and began to explain something new.
"The Veil."
He said the world wasn't as simple as they thought. Like Earth, there are layers—hidden realms stacked deep beneath the surface. No one knows how far it goes, but the deeper you travel, the worse the monsters become.
"There are two types of monsters," he said. "Surface creatures… and the ones buried deep in the Earth's layers."
He explained how the door between these realms is unstable—and how the academy was built on top of it.
Then he told them the story of the legendary heroes. The legend of how great warriors from each nation once entered and sealed the Veil. Afterward, they built this school—not to train nobles, but to prepare the next line of defenders.
"If the Veil ever becomes unstable," he said, "students will be the first to enter."
And it did.
Twenty-five years later, the monsters escaped.
A student raised their hand. "Why would anyone go down there?"
"They're not ordinary monsters," Leo answered. "They carry rare items—artifacts so powerful, they can change your fate." He unsheathed a massive sword. It gleamed under the light.
"But the item can only be used by the one who kills the monster… or if that person gives it to you willingly. Otherwise, it's nothing more than cheap metal."
The class went silent.
The lesson ended.
The next day, the academy grounds were filled. Kings, queens, nobles—everyone had gathered. The schoolyard exploded with the presence of soldiers.
And then he arrived.
A tall figure stepped forward. His eyes were lifeless. Hollow. Cold. His long hair moved with the wind as he walked. He didn't look at anyone—like no one deserved to be looked at.
Everyone fell to their knees.
He radiated a presence so powerful, no one could speak unless spoken to.
He stopped in front of them.
"Rise," he commanded.
Instantly, they stood.
Two men beside him began calling out names.
"Ray. David. Wei. Liz. Ryan. Darian. Else. Elizabeth. Kein. Luis."
When Luis's name was called, Sylas noticed his mother's face. Her expression changed instantly—eyes wide, face pale.
She looked afraid.
That made Sylas feel uneasy.
The two men looked at the selected students.
"You will be the ones to enter the Veil."
Gasps spread through the crowd. Some parents broke down. Others hugged their children like it would be the last time.
Sylas raised his voice.
"How dangerous is that place?"
One of the men smiled.
"It's normal… just don't go past Layer Two."
Something about that smile didn't sit right with him. It was too casual. Too knowing.
But Sylas understood.
This was his chance to gather souls—to rank up Excalibur.
"I'd like to go," he said, turning to David. "I'll take his place."
Whispers erupted. People looked at him like he was insane.
The two men turned to David.
"Do you agree with that change?"
David struggled to speak. But Sylas saw it—the relief on his face.
"…Yes," he murmured.
"You leave in two weeks," they announced.
Sylas felt uneasy.
They were hiding something. That much was clear. No one told them what was really waiting beyond the gate.
Training became brutal. But Sylas didn't care.
He did his own training.
None of the instructors here could teach him anything.
He spent his days working on his body, building endurance, sharpening focus. He watched Elizabeth from the side. The instructors were holding her back—too slow, too soft.
He stepped in.
He trained her himself. Quietly. Seriously. Making sure she could survive what was coming.
Luis never showed up.
Everyone else trained. But not him.
Sylas didn't ask.
He had other things to focus on.
The day before departure, Elaine visited.
She brought a set of clothes for him and Elizabeth—specially made for the journey.
Sylas noticed her right away.
She didn't smile the way she usually did.
Her face looked tired. Her eyes were red—like she hadn't slept in days.
"Sister… how dangerous is that place?"
She looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Yeah, I thought so," he muttered. "That's why Luis isn't going."
She didn't say anything.
She just hugged him. Tight. He could feel her tears falling on his shoulder.
"You worry too much, sister. I'll be okay."
But deep down, he wasn't worried about himself.
He was worried about the others.
"…Sister. Who was that man who came here?"
She looked at him.
"He is the Emperor."
That was all she said before walking out.
He laid back on his bed, lost in thought.
The day came.
They gathered in a room.
Then they were led deep underground—into the basement of the academy.
The parents of the chosen students began crying… like they were saying their final goodbyes.
Sylas turned and saw Elizabeth speaking with her family.
He stood alone. His father was nowhere to be seen. He stood in the middle of the room—alone.
Until her mother walked toward him.
She wrapped her arms around him and whispered softly into his ear:
"Please… protect her."