The crack in reality did not close.
It widened—quietly, deliberately—like something had decided the world no longer needed to stay whole.
And then—
He stepped through.
Noctivar Khaos fully manifested.
Not partially.
Not conceptually.
But completely.
Above Aetherion Academy—
The sky darkened.
Not with clouds.
But with presence.
Behind Noctivar—
They appeared.
Hundreds.
Puppets.
Humanoid.
Wooden.
But not lifeless.
Their bodies were carved from a strange material—
Black-veined wood that pulsed faintly with something deeper.
Not mana.
Not qi.
Not spirit.
Void residue.
They hung in the sky like a swarm.
Still.
Silent.
Waiting.
Below—
Sir Philis Evongoth stepped forward.
His cane struck the ground once.
"Teachers—evacuate the students immediately."
No hesitation.
No argument.
The academy moved instantly.
Students were rushed away.
Barriers activated.
Emergency routes opened.
But not everyone left.
They stayed.
Arios.
Lysera.
Lex.
Borus.
Destiny.
Veldama.
Cecil.
Zefair.
Damrei.
Rei.
Alex.
And behind them—
Miss Bromet.
Instructor Jin.
Maelaric.
They stood together in the open field near the academy gate.
Facing the sky.
Noctivar looked down.
His eyes calm.
Predatory.
"…It seems there are many animals gathered here."
Silence fell.
Philis stepped forward.
Cane grounded.
Authority absolute.
"Leave this academy."
His voice didn't rise.
It didn't need to.
"…Now."
Noctivar tilted his head slightly.
"…Oh?"
A faint smile.
"I expected resistance."
A pause.
"…But that doesn't change the outcome."
His hand lifted slightly.
"Stand in my way—"
A breath.
"—and die."
The sky shifted.
The puppets moved.
Two hundred wooden bodies descended slowly—
landing in perfect formation a few meters ahead.
Not a single unnecessary motion.
Not a single wasted step.
Philis' eyes narrowed.
"…No visible strings."
A pause.
"…No energy link."
His grip tightened slightly on his cane.
"…Unseen Hands."
Noctivar smiled faintly.
"…You've lived long enough to recognize it."
Jin stepped forward slightly.
Eyes sharp.
"…Those puppets aren't normal."
He exhaled slowly.
"…They're durable."
But before anything else—
Arios moved.
He stepped forward.
Past everyone.
For the first time—
He wasn't smiling.
Not joking.
Not relaxed.
Still.
Focused.
He looked at the puppets.
Then—
At Noctivar.
"…State your purpose."
Silence.
Then Noctivar looked directly at him.
And smiled.
"…Since you asked so bravely…"
A pause.
"…I suppose I can answer."
"I came here for you."
Arios didn't react.
Noctivar continued.
"You did something… fascinating."
He raised his hand to his face.
Eyes gleaming.
"Everything has distance."
"Everything can be located."
A pause.
"But you…"
His smile widened.
"…used something that cannot be seen by space."
"…cannot be affected by distance."
A step forward in the air.
"And last night—"
"…when I tried to close that distance…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…you disappeared."
A flicker of obsession crossed his expression.
"You went beyond reach."
"…beyond registration."
He laughed softly.
"…Do you understand how interesting that is?"
Arios Moves
Arios said nothing.
He simply walked.
Forward.
Past Philis.
Lysera's voice followed immediately.
"Brother—don't be reckless."
Arios didn't turn.
"…I won't."
Lysera stared at him for a second.
Then sighed.
"…What's 200 plus 1?"
Arios answered without hesitation.
"…I won't."
Lysera shook her head slightly.
"…Hopeless."
Cecil smiled.
Stepping forward.
"If you look at him…"
"…he's the same as when we first met."
Borus stepped beside her.
Grinning.
"Damn right."
A pause.
"…That was before the White Flash, wasn't it?"
He blinked.
"…Huh."
"…That's weird."
One by one—
They moved forward.
Lex—with a grin.
Veldama—hands in pockets.
Zefair—cracking his neck slightly.
Damrei—hood up, small sparks forming.
Rei—lightning dancing through his hair.
Alex—
Silent.
As he walked—
A small insect drifted near him.
It dropped.
Dead.
No reaction.
No movement.
Instructor's Perspective
Behind them—
Jin exhaled.
Rubbing his head.
"…What am I supposed to do with these kids…"
A pause.
"…It's like they refuse to let the elders handle anything."
Lysera stepped beside him.
Calm.
"…Don't worry, Instructor."
Jin glanced at her.
Lysera continued.
"Nothing dangerous will happen."
A pause.
"You see—"
Her eyes turned toward Noctivar.
Cold.
"My brother is angry."
A subtle shift in the air.
"…Because that disgusting man…"
"…is using the Void for something this petty."
Jin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Void?"
Lysera nodded.
"The Unseen Hands…"
"…are a downgraded version of Void Hands."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"But it's still the Void."
Her gaze hardened.
"And those puppets…"
"…are made from Void Wood."
Silence.
"…Which means…"
She exhaled slowly.
"This isn't just an attack."
Her voice sharpened.
"It's disrespect."
A pause.
"…To the Void."
Her eyes glowed faintly.
"…And that means—"
A flicker of something deeper passed through her.
"—it's a disrespect to our father."
Miss Bromet smiled.
For the first time.
"…I like your spirit."
Lysera turned slightly.
Smiling.
"Thank you, Miss Bromet."
Her system activated instantly.
Ding.
Recognition gained from The Silent Witch — Level 2 Star
Ding.
Protection of the Silent Witch acquired
Lysera's smile widened slightly.
"…Thank you again."
Miss Bromet said nothing.
But her gaze softened.
Jin sighed.
"…So that's how it is."
He looked toward Arios.
"…If that's your resolve…"
A pause.
"…then I won't interfere."
Philis turned his back.
Walking past the students.
"…I'll be watching."
A pause.
"…Don't slip."
He moved toward the shade.
"…Consider this training."
Arios didn't turn.
But he smiled slightly.
"…Yes, Principal."
The others echoed:
"Yes, Principal."
Under the shade—
Philis sat.
Miss Bromet beside him.
Jin standing.
Maelaric silent.
Tea was poured.
Above—
Noctivar watched.
Below—
The students stood.
Between them—
200 void puppets.
And at the front—
Arios Dreamveil.
Sword in hand.
Eyes steady.
"…You're done talking, right?"
Noctivar smiled.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…Now let me see—"
The puppets all moved at once.
"—how unreachable you really are."
And the battlefield finally began.