The walk across the academy grounds was quieter than before. Most of the first years had finally begun to feel the weight of what had happened during the exam. The excitement from seeing the rankings had faded, leaving only exhaustion and tension.

Clarence walked at the front of the group with steady steps. No one spoke. Even Lillie and Ryukai couldn’t find a way to break the tension.

Yudo glanced around as they followed the stone path deeper into the academy grounds. They had already passed the main school building and were now approaching the student dorm section.

Students and instructors moved throughout the academy grounds, preparing for the orientation scheduled for tomorrow. Some were setting up rows of chairs in the central plaza while others organized equipment along the perimeter.

Compared to the courtyard earlier… this part of the academy felt alive.

Students laughed as they carried supplies between buildings. Others sparred casually in small training areas nearby. The sounds of clashing weapons and friendly banter drifted across the campus, mixing with the rustling of leaves overhead.

But beneath the cheerful atmosphere, Yudo could feel something else.

Strength.

The students here were relaxed, but incredibly powerful. Their Traits felt refined and controlled, like people who had been training and learning for years.

Three dorm buildings stood roughly a hundred and fifty meters apart from one another.

Clarence stopped in front of the first building. “This,” he said calmly, “is Dorm One.”

Several students looked up at the structure. It was a three-story building with windows seemingly placed for each room.

Ryukai blinked. “…Okay. This place is actually pretty nice.”

Clarence folded his arms behind his back. “Forty-eight first years have been divided into three dormitories.” His gaze returned to the group. “Your exam rankings determined which class you would be placed in.”

No one needed further explanation. Clarence opened the door and stepped inside. The students followed him into a large common area.

Ceiling lights filled the room. Comfortable couches surrounded a low table while bookshelves lined one wall. A large fireplace sat unused near the far end of the room.

“This will be your living space,” Clarence said. “Feel free to talk, relax, or study here.” 

He gestured toward the staircase on the left. “That side leads to the boys’ rooms.” Then he turned to the opposite side. “The girls’ rooms are on the right.” 

His finger moved upward. “The two floors above contain your sleeping quarters,” he continued. “There are four rooms on the second floor and four on the third. Two students per room.”

Lillie raised her hand.

Clarence looked at her. “Yes?”

She smiled politely. “What are the room assignments?”

Clarence answered immediately. “Figure it out yourselves.”

A few students blinked. He paused for a moment before continuing.

“I understand that all of you are still young, but you will soon be expected to make important decisions, not only for yourselves, but for the people fighting beside you.” His gaze swept across the room. “Take this time to get used to one another. You will be living and training together for the next three years.”

He paused. “Assuming you all can handle it.”

Everyone started heading toward the stairs.

“Hold on.”

Everyone stopped.

“Once you figure out who you’re staying with and where, you can spend the rest of the weekend moving everything into your rooms.”

Excited murmurs spread across the group. Each group walked up their respective stairs.

Ryukai slowly turned toward Yudo and gave him a look.

Yudo sighed. “You wanna share?”

Ryukai grinned. “Hell yeah.”

They opened the door to one of the rooms. The interior was surprisingly spacious. A small sitting area connected to a compact kitchen space. A bathroom sat in the back corner equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink. A doorway led to the bedroom itself. Two beds sat against opposite walls with desks beneath the windows.

Ryukai laughed. “They’ve got us sleeping in the same room.”

Yudo smirked. “I’m just glad we got nice beds.”

Ryukai snorted. “What do you mean?”

Yudo froze. “Is that common?”

Ryukai just laughed. “For the most part.”

Ryukai threw his body on the bed by the window. “Dibs.”

Yudo tilted his head. “Are you sure you want that one?”

Ryukai froze. “Excuse me?”

“You’re excused,” Yudo replied casually.

Ryukai crossed his arms. “Do you want my spot?”

Yudo shrugged.

“Not really, I just wanted to see your reaction.”

Ryukai narrowed his eyes.

“…HEY.”

Yudo burst out laughing.

“You were messing with me!”

“It was way too easy.”

Ryukai collapsed onto the bed with a groan. “I’m not falling for that again.”

Yudo smirked. “We’ll see.”

A knock sounded at the door. Renki stood in the hallway. Next to him was a tall boy carrying a long bow across his back. His short green hair and his clothing from the entrance exam had a few stains on them.

Renki nodded toward the room. “We’ll be next door.” He gestured to the boy beside him. “This is Archer.”

The boy offered a polite smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you two.”

Ryukai grinned. “Nice to meet you too.”

Renki glanced at Ryukai and chuckled quietly. “Looks like someone fell for the bait.”

Ryukai pointed accusingly. “He’s too sarcastic sometimes. It’s impossible to tell when he’s serious.”

Renki shrugged. “Womp womp.”

Ryukai groaned. “I’m surrounded by traitors.”

Footsteps echoed through the hallway as the other students finished choosing their rooms.

Yudo walked over to the window.

From here he could see a wide stretch of the academy grounds and the towering academy buildings in the distance.

This place is huge.

***

Laughter echoed from downstairs. Doors opened and closed throughout the dorm.

Eventually someone shouted from the staircase. “Everyone’s gathering downstairs!”

Ryukai stood up. “…Does my nose deceive me, or is that food?”

The faint scent of cooked meat drifted through the dorm.

Yudo nodded. “I don’t know but it smells really good.”

The two headed downstairs.

By the time they reached the common area, most of the others had already gathered.

Several students sat around the large table while others relaxed on the couches.

The atmosphere felt far lighter than it had during the entrance exam.

Elaina sat with her arms crossed, talking quietly with Lillie.

Near the window, Virsen stood alone, staring outside as if something was on his mind. His gold hair shifted slightly as a breeze drifted through the open window.

Food was being prepared in the kitchen while the mood slowly relaxed. The smell of cooking filled the dorm, drawing more students toward the common area.

Then a loud knock echoed through the dorm. Before anyone else could move, one of the students opened the door.

A tall student stood outside with several others behind him. “So this is the famous top sixteen.”

Lillie scoffed. “Yes, it is. Do you have a problem with that?”

Ryukai whistled softly. 

For a moment, no one spoke. The tension was subtle, but unmistakable.

The tall student stepped forward slightly. “Rankings don’t mean anything.”

His eyes shifted toward Virsen. “Right?”

Virsen didn’t react. He simply stared at the student without the slightest hint of interest. Renki stood up from the couch. 

But before he could speak, someone coughed from behind. 

Clarence stepped into the dorm. The entire room immediately fell silent.

He glanced around the room. “I figured something like this would happen.” He sighed. “You all settled in?”

No one dared answer.

“Good.” He motioned toward the other students at the door. “Leave.”

They didn’t argue. The moment they stepped outside, the tension disappeared with them. Once the door closed again, Clarence turned back toward the group.

“I was planning to say this later,” he said, “but since I had to stop this nonsense…”

He crossed his arms. “Your training begins next week after orientation.”

Ryukai blinked. “…Orientation?”

Clarence nodded. “It begins at eight on Monday. Today is Friday, so you have the weekend to get moved into the dorm."

He walked toward the door. “Be ready and leave together.”

He paused before stepping out.

“Oh.”

Clarence turned back. “Word travels very quickly here.”

His gaze swept across the room.

“And I’m not just referring to the academy.”

“The entire city hears about what happens within these walls.”

Yudo’s expression sharpened slightly.

Clarence continued. “Many people are already talking about what happened during the entrance exam.”

Murmurs spread through the room.

“The Corrupted Alpha.”

He raised a hand. “Do not concern yourselves with that matter. It is the Guardians’ responsibility to handle that situation.”

He stepped toward the exit again.

“But if you hear rumors…” Clarence glanced back one last time. “…ignore them.”

Then he left. Silence filled the dorm.

Lillie exhaled slowly. “Let’s not let that ruin the mood.” She clapped her hands lightly. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

Several students nodded. The tension slowly faded as conversations resumed.

Yudo remained quiet. He crossed his arms and stared toward the floor. Something about this entire situation didn’t sit right with him.

The Corrupted Alpha.

The academy acting like nothing unusual had happened.

And the way Clarence told them to ignore the rumors.

Yudo frowned slightly. Was this what the laboratory started working on after us?

Something was very wrong.

And sooner or later…

Everyone at Aegis Academy was going to find out.