The arena remained silent after the instructor’s words.
“Shadow Ascension Variable.”
The title echoed in Kael’s mind long after the system notification faded.
Lyra looked between Kael and the instructor.
“…What exactly is the apocalypse?”
The instructor’s expression hardened imdiately.
“…That information is restricted.”
Lyra frowned.
“You already dragged him into this.”
The instructor replied coldly.
“…No.”
A pause.
“…He was born into it.”
Silence.
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…aning?”
The instructor looked at him carefully.
For the first ti since they t, she seed uncertain about how much to say.
Then—
“…Your existence intersects with a prophecy older than the empire.”
The system flickered instantly.
====================
Hidden Historical Trigger Detected
Information Lock Present
Access Requirent: Increase Integration Phase
====================
Kael exhaled slowly.
“…So even the system is blocked.”
The instructor’s eyes shifted sharply.
“…What did you say?”
Kael replied calmly.
“…Nothing important.”
But internally—
he understood sothing dangerous.
The system itself did not have complete access.
aning soone—or sothing—had deliberately sealed information away.
Before the instructor could continue—
BOOM.
A loud bell echoed across the academy.
Ergency signal.
Every rune light inside the arena flashed red instantly.
The instructor’s expression changed.
“…No.”
Lyra looked up sharply.
“What happened?”
Another projection appeared in the air.
ERGENCY NOTICE
Outer Forest Barrier Disturbance Detected
Beast Tide Probability: 37%
All Combat Instructors Prepare For Deploynt
Students across the academy erupted into chaos.
“A beast tide?!”
“That’s impossible this close to the academy!”
The instructor imdiately turned away.
“…This timing…”
Kael noticed it.
“…You expected sothing.”
She looked back at him briefly.
“…No.”
A pause.
“…I feared it.”
Then she disappeared instantly in a burst of mana.
Lyra stared after her.
“…Sothing’s wrong.”
Kael looked toward the academy walls in the distance.
The system flickered violently.
====================
New Main Quest Issued
Quest: Investigate the Outer Forest Disturbance
Danger Level: HIGH
Reward: Shadow Points 50 Unknown Artifact Clue
Failure: Death Probability Increased
====================
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
“…Finally.”
Lyra blinked.
“…Finally?”
Kael looked at the quest screen only he could see.
“…The system gave a real objective.”
Lyra frowned.
“You’re smiling.”
Kael touched the corner of his mouth slightly.
He was.
“…Interesting.”
As they left the arena, Lyra walked beside him quickly.
“…You’re not actually planning to go near the outer forest, right?”
Kael replied calmly.
“I am.”
Lyra stopped walking.
“…Kael, beast tides kill experienced hunters.”
Kael continued forward.
“…Then I’ll survive carefully.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
Kael glanced at her slightly.
“…The system only gives quests tied to survival progression.”
Lyra frowned.
“You keep talking about this ‘system’ like it’s alive.”
Kael was silent for a mont.
Then quietly:
“…I think it is.”
Combat instructors ard themselves.
Upper-year students were being assigned defensive positions.
Rune Masters activated barrier formations around the academy walls.
Blacksmith-class students distributed mana weapons.
Even beast tars prepared contracted creatures for deploynt.
Lyra whispered.
“…This is bigger than normal.”
Kael observed everything.
Patterns.
Movent.
Fear.
The system flickered.
====================
Academy Defensive Structure Analyzed
Outer Barrier Stability: Decreasing
Potential Opportunity Detected: Chaos Environnt Advantage
====================
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…The system wants there before the barrier falls.”
Lyra looked at him sharply.
“What?”
Kael shook his head.
“…Nothing.”
But internally—
he understood.
The system wasn’t reacting to danger.
It was guiding him toward it.
They arrived near the outer wall.
Students were being blocked from leaving.
Only official combat units were allowed through.
Massive gates remained sealed.
Beyond them—
the forest shook.
Distant roars echoed through the night.
Lyra’s face paled slightly.
“…That’s not normal magical beast movent…”
Kael stared into the darkness beyond the wall.
Then—
the system flickered again.
====================
Quest Update
Objective Change: Enter Outer Forest Before Barrier Deploynt
Ti Limit: 12 Minutes
Reward Increased: Shadow Points 100
Failure Penalty: Quest Chain Disruption
====================
Kael’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“…Twelve minutes.”
Lyra noticed his expression.
“…Kael?”
He looked at the sealed gates.
Then at the barrier towers.
Then at the movent of guards.
Calculating.
The system whispered again.
====================
Alternative Entry Route Detected
Western Supply Tunnel
====================
Kael exhaled slowly.
“…There’s another way.”
Lyra’s eyes widened.
“…No.”
Kael turned toward the western section.
“Yes.”
She grabbed his arm.
“…You could die.”
Kael looked at her calmly.
“…I know.”
A pause.
Then softly:
“…But if the system is sending there now…”
“…then sothing important is waiting.”
Lyra stared at him for several seconds.
Then cursed quietly under her breath.
“…You’re insane.”
Kael began walking toward the western tunnel.
“…Probably.”
The distant roar of magical beasts echoed again through the night.
And sowhere deep within the forest—
sothing had already sensed him coming.
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