The arena remained silent after the instructor’s words.
“Shadow Ascension Variable.”
The title echoed in Kael’s mind long after the system notification faded.
Lyra looked between Kael and the instructor.
“…What exactly is the apocalypse?”
The instructor’s expression hardened immediately.
“…That information is restricted.”
Lyra frowned.
“You already dragged him into this.”
The instructor replied coldly.
“…No.”
A pause.
“…He was born into it.”
Silence.
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…Meaning?”
The instructor looked at him carefully.
For the first time since they met, she seemed uncertain about how much to say.
Then—
“…Your existence intersects with a prophecy older than the empire.”
The system flickered instantly.
====================
Hidden Historical Trigger Detected
Information Lock Present
Access Requirement: Increase Integration Phase
====================
Kael exhaled slowly.
“…So even the system is blocked.”
The instructor’s eyes shifted sharply.
“…What did you say?”
Kael replied calmly.
“…Nothing important.”
But internally—
he understood something dangerous.
The system itself did not have complete access.
Meaning someone—or something—had deliberately sealed information away.
Before the instructor could continue—
BOOM.
A loud bell echoed across the academy.
Emergency signal.
Every rune light inside the arena flashed red instantly.
The instructor’s expression changed.
“…No.”
Lyra looked up sharply.
“What happened?”
Another projection appeared in the air.
EMERGENCY NOTICE
Outer Forest Barrier Disturbance Detected
Beast Tide Probability: 37%
All Combat Instructors Prepare For Deployment
Students across the academy erupted into chaos.
“A beast tide?!”
“That’s impossible this close to the academy!”
The instructor immediately turned away.
“…This timing…”
Kael noticed it.
“…You expected something.”
She looked back at him briefly.
“…No.”
A pause.
“…I feared it.”
Then she disappeared instantly in a burst of mana.
Lyra stared after her.
“…Something’s wrong.”
Kael looked toward the academy walls in the distance.
The system flickered violently.
====================
New Main Quest Issued
Quest: Investigate the Outer Forest Disturbance
Danger Level: HIGH
Reward: Shadow Points +50 Unknown Artifact Clue
Failure: Death Probability Increased
====================
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
“…Finally.”
Lyra blinked.
“…Finally?”
Kael looked at the quest screen only he could see.
“…The system gave me a real objective.”
Lyra frowned.
“You’re smiling.”
Kael touched the corner of his mouth slightly.
He was.
“…Interesting.”
As they left the arena, Lyra walked beside him quickly.
“…You’re not actually planning to go near the outer forest, right?”
Kael replied calmly.
“I am.”
Lyra stopped walking.
“…Kael, beast tides kill experienced hunters.”
Kael continued forward.
“…Then I’ll survive carefully.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
Kael glanced at her slightly.
“…The system only gives quests tied to survival progression.”
Lyra frowned.
“You keep talking about this ‘system’ like it’s alive.”
Kael was silent for a moment.
Then quietly:
“…I think it is.”
Combat instructors armed themselves.
Upper-year students were being assigned defensive positions.
Rune Masters activated barrier formations around the academy walls.
Blacksmith-class students distributed mana weapons.
Even beast tamers prepared contracted creatures for deployment.
Lyra whispered.
“…This is bigger than normal.”
Kael observed everything.
Patterns.
Movement.
Fear.
The system flickered.
====================
Academy Defensive Structure Analyzed
Outer Barrier Stability: Decreasing
Potential Opportunity Detected: Chaos Environment Advantage
====================
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…The system wants me there before the barrier falls.”
Lyra looked at him sharply.
“What?”
Kael shook his head.
“…Nothing.”
But internally—
he understood.
The system wasn’t reacting to danger.
It was guiding him toward it.
They arrived near the outer wall.
Students were being blocked from leaving.
Only official combat units were allowed through.
Massive gates remained sealed.
Beyond them—
the forest shook.
Distant roars echoed through the night.
Lyra’s face paled slightly.
“…That’s not normal magical beast movement…”
Kael stared into the darkness beyond the wall.
Then—
the system flickered again.
====================
Quest Update
Objective Change: Enter Outer Forest Before Barrier Deployment
Time Limit: 12 Minutes
Reward Increased: Shadow Points +100
Failure Penalty: Quest Chain Disruption
====================
Kael’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“…Twelve minutes.”
Lyra noticed his expression.
“…Kael?”
He looked at the sealed gates.
Then at the barrier towers.
Then at the movement of guards.
Calculating.
The system whispered again.
====================
Alternative Entry Route Detected
Western Supply Tunnel
====================
Kael exhaled slowly.
“…There’s another way.”
Lyra’s eyes widened.
“…No.”
Kael turned toward the western section.
“Yes.”
She grabbed his arm.
“…You could die.”
Kael looked at her calmly.
“…I know.”
A pause.
Then softly:
“…But if the system is sending me there now…”
“…then something important is waiting.”
Lyra stared at him for several seconds.
Then cursed quietly under her breath.
“…You’re insane.”
Kael began walking toward the western tunnel.
“…Probably.”
The distant roar of magical beasts echoed again through the night.
And somewhere deep within the forest—
something had already sensed him coming.