Three weeks had passed since Arin first stepped into Astrahelm.
The academy, once unfamiliar and overwhelming, had slowly shaped itself into something almost rhythmic. Not peaceful—but structured. Predictable in its own strange way.
The mornings began with the cold ring of the academy bell, echoing through marble halls. Students rushed, half-awake, shoving books into bags as they sprinted through corridors lit with pale rune lamps. Even now, Arin could still remember how his legs burned during the first week—running from building to building, barely understanding where each class was located. Mira had laughed at him then, showing him the shortcuts between towers while Rav complained behind them about how "only monsters run this much."
Nilo, always out of breath, usually trailed behind… clutching his notebooks like they were treasure.
In these three weeks they had all grown used to each other.
But familiarity didn't erase the constant pressure hanging in the academy air. Everyone trained like the next moment might decide their entire future. Arin had watched many students collapse in meditation classes, choking under Astra overuse. In weapon lessons, steel clashed so often the sound almost became a heartbeat.
Time moved, but it never moved softly.
Today was no different.
Arin walked across the training grounds as students murmured excitedly. The sky above Astrahelm was a washed-out silver, clouds drifting lazily like brushstrokes. The instructors had called everyone early—never a good sign.
The academy only gathered like this when something important was coming.
Arin stopped beside Mira, who was tying her hair. She glanced at him, her normal steady tone softened by early-morning drowsiness.
"You look more serious than usual," she said.
"I woke up like this," Arin replied.
"That's not something to boast about."
Rav appeared behind them, dramatic as ever. "Bro, you two walk too fast for humans. My legs can't—wait for me! Also, Mira, don't forget you promised to teach me the shortcut route—"
"I lied," she said calmly.
Rav's expression collapsed.
Nilo arrived last, panting heavily as he tried to adjust his glasses. "I—I made it… I didn't die… I think."
"You're improving," Arin said.
"That's the nicest insult I've ever heard."
Before anyone could say more, Instructor Theon stepped forward. A large man with a scar across his jaw, his presence alone quieted the field. His voice boomed through the grounds.
"In three days, each class will complete its first outside assignment. A low-tier field mission."
A wave of excitement rippled through the students. Some cheered, others exchanged uneasy glances. Real combat was something different entirely.
Arin didn't cheer.
He felt something unfamiliar stir inside him—a faint tightness in his chest. It wasn't fear. It felt more like… warning.
Theon continued, "You will face G-tier beasts. Weak monsters—dangerous only to the untrained. The purpose is to test your coordination, teamwork, and combat ability under real conditions."
Rav pumped his fist. "Yes! Finally, some action!"
Mira elbowed him. "Don't act overconfident. Even G-tier beasts can kill if you act stupid."
Nilo trembled silently beside Arin, muttering, "Why… why am I here again…?"
"To suffer," Rav answered.
Nilo nearly cried.
Theon raised his hand for silence.
"You will form groups of four. Choose your teammates wisely. Your performance will be graded."
The field exploded into noise. Dozens of boys immediately rushed toward Mira.
"Join our group, Mira!"
"We need your skills!"
"You'll be safer with us!"
Mira stared at them with the calmest deadpan expression Arin had ever seen.
"No."
The crowd froze.
"No."
Another one tried.
"No."
Rav whispered to Nilo, "This is why she's scary."
Then Mira turned and walked directly toward Arin—ignoring the stunned crowd behind her.
"I'm with Arin," she said simply. "Rav, Nilo too."
The boys looked like their world had shattered.
Rav blinked. "Wait… I didn't even ask yet!"
"You didn't need to." Mira crossed her arms. "You're part of our group, even if you act like an idiot sometimes."
Rav's eyes sparkled with joy. "Mira… I think I'm going t—"
"Don't."
"I wasn't crying!" he shouted, crying.
Arin sighed, but a tiny smile pulled at his mouth.
Their group was formed naturally—almost too naturally.
But that uneasy feeling in his chest deepened.
Teacher Theon approached them, inspecting the four carefully.
"Arin," he said, "you will be the squad lead."
Arin stiffened. "Why me?"
Theon raised an eyebrow. "Because Mira refused to take the role, Rav can't lead anything but a disaster, and Nilo would die of stress."
"That's… accurate," Nilo whispered.
Rav nodded proudly. "I accept my flaws."
Mira smirked.
"But listen carefully," Theon continued. His tone sharpened. "G-tier beasts are weak, but real missions are unpredictable. Even small mistakes can cause injuries. Or worse."
Arin nodded, but that uneasy feeling grew stronger—pressing quietly at the edges of his mind.
Something felt wrong.
He couldn't explain why.
Later, after the announcement ended and students dispersed, Mira pulled Arin aside under the shade of the academy courtyard. The noon sun filtered through the leaves above them, casting shifting patterns of light.
"You've been quiet," she said.
"I'm always quiet."
"Not like this."
Arin didn't answer immediately. He watched a bird settle on a distant branch… then fly away the next second. Something about it felt symbolic.
"I don't know," Arin said slowly. "I feel… strange. Like something's going to happen."
Mira's expression softened. She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.
"Instinct?"
"Maybe."
Mira thought for a moment. "Instinct is good. It didn't get you killed in the fight with Johan."
"That's not—"
"Arin," she said gently, "it's normal to be uneasy. This is your first real mission. Everyone is nervous, even if they pretend they aren't."
Arin looked down at his hands. The faint scars. The memory of losing control. The weight of what that meant.
"It's not fear," he whispered. "It just feels… wrong."
Mira stared at him.
Then she reached out and tapped his forehead lightly.
"Then we'll be careful," she said. "Simple."
"Just like that?"
"Yes. You're acting like the world is ending tomorrow."
"It might."
"Then I'll end it first."
Arin blinked. "…That doesn't even make sense."
"It doesn't have to," she said. "You're overthinking."
Rav suddenly appeared, carrying Nilo like a sack of potatoes.
"Guys! Nilo fainted from imagining the mission!"
"I did not faint!" Nilo shrieked, dangling helplessly. "Rav tripped and fell on me!"
Rav nodded solemnly. "Which caused you to faint."
"No it didn't!"
Arin breathed out slowly.
Somehow, this ridiculous group eased that strange heaviness in his chest.
Even if just a little.
As the day ended and the sky darkened to a gentle violet, Arin lay in his dorm bed, staring at the ceiling. Rav snored softly beside him, dreaming about who-knows-what. Nilo mumbled in his sleep in the next bed.
Tomorrow, they would leave the academy walls for the first time.
Tomorrow, danger wouldn't be theoretical.
Tomorrow… something might change.
Arin shut his eyes.
His fingers tightened around the bedsheet.
"Something is coming," he whispered to himself.
He didn't know it yet, but he was right.
The quiet before dawn was never just quiet.
It was a warning.