The sky was gray.
Smoke floated over the academy.
People were quiet.
The monster raid was over—but the fear stayed.
Many students were injured.
A few teachers were in the hospital.
Some buildings were broken.
---
Eiden walked slowly in the hallway.
His sword was hidden under his coat.
His face was calm.
But his eyes were sharp.
He listened to everything.
---
"Did you see that monster?"
"It looked like a boss!"
"Someone killed it... but who?"
"I heard it was a teacher!"
"No way. They were too slow!"
---
Eiden passed by Sera and Elara.
They stood with other students near the main hall.
Sera waved.
"Elara said someone helped her last night," she smiled.
Elara looked at Eiden.
She didn't smile.
She spoke in a cold voice.
"Yes. Someone strong. Too fast to see."
Eiden said nothing.
He walked away.
---
Later, at the teachers' meeting—
The headmaster stood in front of everyone.
His robe was burned, but his face was serious.
"The attack was planned," he said.
"These monsters did not come from a normal dungeon."
Gasps filled the room.
One teacher raised his hand.
"Was it a gate break?"
"No," the headmaster said. "Something worse."
---
Meanwhile, in the shadows of a nearby tree—
The man in the black coat stood again.
He held a crystal.
Inside it, a small red light flickered.
"A spell sword… with a hidden core."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Eiden Valtz. Who are you?"
---
At the dorm, Kai sat on his bed.
His arm was wrapped in cloth.
He frowned.
"That guy… Eiden… he's not normal."
He looked at his sword.
"It's like… he knew everything I'd do."
Kai punched his pillow.
"I'll find out your secret."
---
That night, Eiden meditated in silence.
He sat on the floor, legs crossed.
A small light floated around him.
It was pure mana.
He smiled.
"Still too weak… but improving."
He opened one eye.
Then whispered:
"They're watching now."
---
Suddenly, a letter flew through his window.
He caught it in the air.
The paper was black.
No name.
Only one line:
"We saw your blade."
---
Eiden burned the letter with a flick of his finger.
He stood up and looked at the moon.
"The game begins," he said softly.
"But I've played it before."