Silas stand quietly beside Elias.
The hall behind them slowly emptied. Everyone returned to their divisions, their whispers fading as they walked away. Silas could still feel their eyes on him, even when they were gone.
Elias turned and looked down a side corridor.
Come out, he said.
Footsteps echoed.
A boy stepped into the light.
He looked a little older than Silas. His uniform was worn, not damaged just used. His expression was calm, almost bored, but his eyes were sharp.
This is Seo Jin, Elias said.
He's a second-year.
Seo Jin glanced at Silas.
So you are the new one, he said.
Null again, huh.
Silas blinked.
Again? What you mean by again?
Seo Jin smirked slightly.
Don't worry, he said.
They always look disappointed.
Elias ignored the comment.
Show him the dorms, Elias said.
And the academy.
Seo Jin nodded.
Yes, sir.
Elias looked at Silas.
I'll be nearby, he said.
Pay attention.
Then Elias turned and walked away.
Silas hesitated, then followed Seo Jin.
They walked through narrower paths, away from the main buildings. The lights became dimmer. The structures looked older, simpler.
This side of the academy, Seo Jin said,
is the Null territory.
Silas looked around.
It looks… empty.
That's because it is, Seo Jin replied.
The Null doesn't have many students.
They stopped in front of a long, low building.
This is the Null dorm, Seo Jin said.
Nothing fancy. No rankings on the doors. No special rooms.
Silas stared.
So this is it?
Seo Jin nodded.
Rank four life, he said.
You'll get used to it.
Silas looked back toward the brighter side of the academy.
Do the others divisions look down on us? he asked.
Seo Jin didn't answer immediately.
Yes, he said finally.
And sometimes… they are right.
Silas frowned.
But, Seo Jin continued,
they don't know what Null really is.
Silas looked at him.
And what is it?
Seo Jin smiled faintly.
This is a place where people survive,
he said.
After everyone else fails to survive but not us.
Silas felt something settle in his chest.
This wasn't the strongest place.
But it was where he belonged.
Seo Jin didn't take Silas directly to the dorm.Instead, he led him back toward the center of the academy.
Before you settle in dorm, Seo Jin said,
you need to attend basic classes.
Already? Silas asked.
Everyone does, Seo Jin replied.
But only for First-year students.
With all divisions.
They entered a large hall filled with rows of seats. Students were already there. Arcana in clean uniforms, Ferus standing apart, Vanguard sitting loudly, and a few Null students scattered near the back.
Silas hesitated.
This is a common class, Seo Jin said.
No ranks here. At least, not officially.
Silas nodded and walked inside.
He took a seat near the back.
That's when he saw him.
Silas froze.
A boy sit a few rows ahead, seating on his chair, staring at the front with an empty expression. His hair was shorter than Silas remembered, his posture sharper but there was no mistaking him.
…Caleb? Silas whispered.
The name slipped out before he could stop it. The boy stiffened.
Slowly, he turned around.
Their eyes met.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then the boy frowned slightly.
…Silas?
Silas stand up without thinking.
You disappeared, Silas said.
You just vanished from school.
Whispers spread across the room.
Caleb looked away.
That's not important here, he said quietly.
And you shouldn't say my name so loudly.
Silas's chest tightened.
You're alive, Silas said.
Where were you all this time?
Caleb's jaw clenched.
In a place like this, he said.
Learning how to survive.
Before Silas could ask more, a voice echoed through the hall.
Sit down.
Everyone obeyed.
An instructor stood at the front, expression cold.
This is your first year, the instructor said.
Before divisions matter, you will need to learn the some basics.
His gaze swept across the room.
Control, he continued.
Mental endurance.
And obedience.
Silas slowly sat back down. Caleb didn't look at him again. But Silas could feel it.
His old friend wasn't just here. He had been here longer. And whatever happened to Caleb… It had changed him.
The instructor stand at the front of the hall.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with short silver hair and sharp eyes that scanned the room without emotion. The moment he stepped forward, the air felt heavier.
My name is Instructor Varik, he said.
I will teach first-year basic classes.
No one spoke.
Varik folded his arms.
This class exists for only one reason,
he continued.
To see who deserves to stay.
A few students shifted in their seats.
You all are from different different divisions, Varik said.
Arcana. Ferus. Vanguard. Null.
His eyes paused briefly on Silas.
Rank means nothing here, Varik said.
Survival does.
He turned his gaze toward the students.
Stand, he ordered.
Everyone obeyed.
Varik pointed toward Caleb.
You, he said.
Step forward.
Caleb stand up slowly and walked to the center.
State your division, Varik said.
Caleb hesitated for a second. Then
Ferus Division, he replied.
House Lycanth.
A low murmur spread across the room.
Silas's eyes widened.
Lycanth.
Werewolves.
Varik nodded.
Remove the restraint, he said.
Caleb clenched his jaw.
Slowly, his eyes changed. The calm expression vanished. His pupils sharpened, glowing faintly gold. His nails extended slightly, scraping against his palm.
Silas felt his heart pound.
Caleb noticed him staring. For a moment, something like regret crossed his face.
Varik raised a hand.
That's enough, he said.
Caleb stepped back and returning to normal.
You see, Varik said to the class,
power reveals truth faster than words.
Just then, the hall doors opened.
Heavy footsteps echoed. Three students entered together.
Their uniforms were different clean, darker, marked with glowing crests. The way they walked showed confidence, not fear.
Nobles.
Students from high-ranking families of the parallel world.
Everyone felt it.
Pressure.
Respect.
Fear.
One of them glanced around the room and smirked.
So these are the new ones? he said.
Especially Null?
His eyes landed on Silas.
Varik didn't stop them.
He only watched.
Silas understood then. This academy wasn't just about learning.
It was about where you stand.
And who could crush you if you stood wrong.
—
END OF CHAPTER 3
———————————————————
~ ANNOUNCEMENT
Change in Characters names
• Han jihoon → Silas Noctis
• Kang → Elias Noctis
• Minjae → Caleb
• Kael → Varik