Noel stood before the whirlpool, mesmerized by the way it twisted and shimmered like a living entity.
Unlike natural whirlpools, it wasn't violent or chaotic.
Instead, the spiraling water moved in calm, deliberate motions—almost as if it were breathing.
Even in its unnatural stillness, its depth was undeniable—stretching beyond the limits of his understanding.
This was the Sitri Clan's dimensional gate.
He had only recently been accepted into Sona Sitri's peerage, receiving a Rook piece—a mark of his new status under her command.
Even now, the reality of it all hadn't fully settled in.
His thoughts wandered, replaying the moment he stood before Sona, her calculating gaze sizing him up before she welcomed him into her ranks.
"A Rook, huh?" Noel thought to himself, flexing his fingers.
He wasn't sure what to make of his new role yet.
His contemplation was interrupted by a voice—calm, respectful, and precise.
"The gate is ready," a Sitri servant announced, bowing slightly.
Sona, standing at the front of the group, nodded.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward, leading her assembled peerage toward the swirling vortex.
Noel followed suit, stepping through the liquid threshold—and then, suddenly, the world changed.
The sensation of stepping through the portal was unlike anything Noel had expected.
It wasn't like being submerged in water.
For a brief moment, he felt weightless, his body enveloped by a cool yet soothing energy.
Then, in an instant, his feet found solid ground once more.
He blinked.
The room he found himself in was spacious yet private, a stark contrast to the mystical nature of the whirlpool gate.
The walls were immaculately clean, painted in soft hues that gave the space a warm, professional feel.
Elegant wooden furniture adorned the area—bookshelves lined with neatly arranged tomes, a polished desk sitting against the wall, and a few couches arranged for discussions or casual gatherings.
Despite being what should be a restricted area, it didn't feel eerie or abandoned.
On the contrary, everything was well-maintained and tended to, like a secure yet comfortable living space for those who belonged here.
Turning around, Noel saw the whirlpool gate still swirling behind him, positioned against the far wall.
It was identical to the one he had stepped into just moments ago—a constant, unwavering connection between this place and the Underworld.
"Curious?" a voice said beside him.
He turned to see Tsubaki Shinra, Sona's Queen and second-in-command.
Her piercing yet composed gaze met his, a hint of amusement flickering in her otherwise professional expression.
"Where are we?" Noel asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"This is the restricted wing of Kuoh Academy," Tsubaki explained.
"It is hidden from normal students and serves as our living quarters."
Noel raised an eyebrow. "So… we actually live at the school?"
Tsubaki gave a small nod.
"Yes. The dimensional gate is positioned within the academy, allowing us to move between here and the Underworld without drawing attention."
She motioned toward the room.
"This is where you'll be staying, along with the other older members of Sona-kaichou's peerage."
Noel took a moment to process the information.
Living in a restricted wing of Kuoh Academy, using a magical whirlpool gate to travel between worlds… it was a lot to take in.
But something about it felt right.
He would have to get used to it—soon.
He was no longer just Noel.
He was a Rook of Sona Sitri's peerage.
A group of brilliant, disciplined minds—basically a gathering of honor students with supernatural powers.
And somehow, this was his new home.
——————✗—————
Deciding to procrastinate like a mature member of society, he started playing with his threads.
A silent command, and dark filaments emerged from his fingertips, writhing in the air.
With a flick, he extended them toward the book on the table, watching as they coiled around it and lifted it slightly.
Yet, something was wrong.
This isn't how it felt the first time.
To confirm his suspicions, he extended a thread to a nearby pen.
He recalled the memory of waking up in the lab, restrained, desperate to break free.
That same desire—he channeled it into his will, commanding the threads with a singular thought:
Cease.
The pen crumbled, severed into multiple fragments.
Noel exhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing as he examined the pieces.
He had felt it—the weakness of the pen, its imperfections, as if his energy instinctively identified the most fragile points and exploited them.
But what determines a weak point?
A normal person against a meteorite?
Infinite vulnerabilities.
A person against another person?
It wasn't as clear.
An idea formed.
He channeled more Death Energy into the threads, focusing for several minutes.
The strands became wilder, almost alive.
Chaotic energy surged through them, flickering like shadows in the dimly lit room.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he labored to maintain control.
Breathing heavily, he opened his eyes and focused on the broken pen.
He willed it to cease once more.
This time, it was reduced to dust.
Noel clenched his fists, a mix of satisfaction and concern filling him.
The ability was potent, terrifyingly so.
But the more he used it, the more he realized its biggest drawback—
Energy consumption.
If he had to fight multiple opponents, if he had to wield this power repeatedly, would he have enough to sustain himself?
Or would he collapse from exhaustion before the real battle even began?
He leaned back against the headboard of his bed, closing his eyes briefly.
I might've gotten too excited…
A faint dizziness crept into his mind, his body sluggish from the overuse of his ability.
He regretted not taking precautions.
Just sleep... I'll be fine tomorrow—
A sudden knock at the door pulled him from his drowsy state.
Suppressing a groan, Noel sat up, shaking off the lingering exhaustion.
He stood and opened the door—only to be met with Momo Hanakai, who, for some reason, was looking everywhere except at him.
Her usual calm demeanor seemed slightly off, a faint pink dusting her cheeks as she shifted awkwardly.
"...Dinner's ready," she said, her tone steady, though a beat slower than usual.
Noel raised a brow. What's with that reaction?
Then, glancing back into his room, he noticed the dim lighting, the sweat still clinging to his skin, and—most damningly—the way he had been lying on his bed, breathing heavily just moments ago.
Oh.
Realization struck, and a mix of horror and exasperation filled him.
Momo cleared her throat, straightening as if to dismiss whatever conclusion she had drawn.
"We have guests joining us tonight," she added quickly, as if trying to move past the situation.
Noel closed his eyes for a moment, fighting the urge to groan aloud.
This is going to be a long night.