At night, all students gathered at the main hall of the academy.
The hall itself was enormous, far larger than it appeared from the outside. Brilliant lights illuminated the ceiling, casting a warm glow over polished floors and tall pillars carved with ancient patterns. The atmosphere was lively and elegant at the same time. Several long food tables were placed throughout the hall, each filled with a wide variety of dishes. There were roasted meats, neatly arranged fruits, desserts shaped like mythical beasts, and plates that released gentle steam carrying rich aromas.
Laughter, chatter, and excited voices echoed everywhere.
Newcomers, senior students, and professors all mingled together inside the hall. Every one of them wore academy uniforms that had been prepared and distributed beforehand. The uniform design was consistent, yet dignified. The color scheme blended black and white, clean and sharp. On the chest area, a yellow shield emblem represented the authority and pride of the Awakener Academy.
For boys, the uniform consisted of tailored trousers and long-sleeved shirts. For girls, the design was similar, though a skirt was seamlessly integrated into the trousers, allowing flexibility without sacrificing elegance.
Many newcomers stood in small groups, turning around, adjusting collars, smoothing sleeves, and admiring themselves and each other.
"I didn't expect the uniform to be this comfortable."
"It looks simple, but it feels high quality."
"The shield emblem looks cool."
Excited whispers filled the air as students examined the details.
Among the crowd were four familiar figures who had participated in the earlier duels, including Draven. Unlike most students, their uniforms were custom-made according to their own designs.
Among them, Draven stood out immediately.
He wore tailored trousers and a long robe that flowed naturally with his movements. On the back of the robe was a large dragon emblem designed in red and yellow, its form fierce and majestic. Two blades and his wand rested neatly at his waist, secured in custom holsters that matched the robe's design.
The moment he entered the hall, attention shifted.
"Wow…"
"He looks amazing."
Girls nearby slowed their steps, eyes drawn toward him. Some whispered among themselves, others simply stared. Despite their admiration, none dared to approach. The presence of other S-rankers around him formed an invisible barrier.
Unlike Draven, Dessa wore the standard academy uniform. Yet somehow, the simplicity only emphasized her charm. The black-and-white design revealed her features more clearly than the dark clothes she used to wear.
Roswayn stepped closer and placed a hand on Dessa's shoulder, grinning.
"Aww, our Dessa looks cute in the new uniform. Those black outfits made you look gloomy all the time."
Hearing that, light laughter broke out.
Rowan smirked and nodded. "She's right. You were isolating yourself from society this whole time."
Dessa frowned slightly but could not fully hide her embarrassment.
"Tch… you all talk too much."
Draven glanced around the hall, scanning the crowd.
"Hey, where's Morven?"
Dessa shook her head. "I don't know. He said he would come quickly."
Near the main entrance, there was another smaller door tucked into the corner of the hall. Draven's gaze shifted there as students continued entering.
"The main door is already closed," he said. "If the party is about to start, he should come from there."
Rowan, standing behind him, glanced at the dragon symbol on Draven's robe.
"Man, I wish I could design my own uniform too," Rowan said with mock jealousy. "Girls won't stop staring at you. And those costume designers… how did they even finish this in under a few hours?"
Roswayn crossed her arms and shot sharp glares at the girls who were clearly admiring Draven.
"Hmph. Shameless."
Suddenly, Magnar raised his hand slightly and pointed toward a corner of the hall.
"Hey, look over there. Those are the notorious professors of this academy."
Everyone followed his gaze.
At the far side of the hall, several professors were gathered together, engaged in quiet conversation. Their presence alone carried weight. From time to time, their eyes swept over the students, observing them calmly.
"There's Aren, Emila, Curvin, and Sisiliya," Magnar continued. "They're considered the four strongest among the professors."
Rowan tilted his head. "Both Curvin and Sisiliya are S-rankers like us, right?"
Magnar nodded.
"Yes. They're S-rankers from the previous generation. The others are A-rank. They were members of the legendary team 'Freedom fighters', the group that protected the world and our future. After the team disbanded, they chose to stay here and raise the next generation."
Roswayn stared at Aren, who leaned casually against a pillar, looking half-asleep.
"I don't get it," she muttered. "Why do people call him the mad assassin? He just looks like a lazy bum to me."
Magnar's eyes widened.
"Hey, Roswayn. Are you trying to get yourself in trouble? What if someone hears you?"
Roswayn laughed lightly. "You're worried about me? That makes my heart race. But even if he hears, what can he do?"
Magnar rubbed his temples.
"Think rationally. No matter how strong we are, they're teachers and we're students. A student doesn't live well after making enemies among professors."
He glanced back at Aren.
"He may look lazy, but in battle, he's terrifying. During dungeon raids, he was known for betting his life against powerful enemies. People say he calculates every move perfectly and chooses the most brutal way to kill his opponent instead of the safest one."
Roswayn blinked, visibly impressed.
"…Now I understand that nickname. Now, he sounds like a great duel partner."
At that moment, Dessa felt a familiar presence and turned her head toward the small door.
Among the incoming students was Morven. He wore the standard uniform, his scarf still wrapped around his neck as usual.
"Ah, there he is," Dessa said.
Roswayn looked at Morven, then frowned slightly as she noticed two figures behind him, weaving through the crowd.
"What the hell? Who are they?"
Draven followed her gaze.
His eyes widened.
Among the incoming crowd were Ashan and Narasha.
Ashan's appearance drew attention the moment he stepped forward. A light gray haori-style cloak with wide sleeves draped over his frame, its edges and hem traced with intricate black tomoe patterns. Beneath it, he wore a fitted, sleeveless black top, the high collar framing his neck neatly. A decorative white cord fastened the outfit at his waist.
Loose, hakama-like gray trousers hung comfortably, secured with a dark navy sash that allowed unrestricted movement. Simple black slip-on shoes completed the ensemble.
At his waist rested Kusanagi.
The entire outfit carried an air of refined elegance laced with danger, calm on the surface yet unmistakably lethal.
It was the same attire Satoru Gojo once wore when he went to Shinjuku to face Sukuna. More striking still were the black tomoes embedded into the fabric, mirroring the appearance of the Ten-Tails' jinchuriki, identical to Madara's.
The moment people noticed him, heads turned one by one.
"What kind of outfit is that?"
Draven stared openly at Ashan.
Without realizing it, many students shared the same thought.
Ashan and his outfit matched perfectly.
Dessa's face flushed instantly.
'He's the B-rank fighter… Now that I see him properly, he really is more handsome than before. That strange outfit makes him look mysterious.
Roswayn, however, noticed Narasha.
Her breath caught.
"Who is that…?"
Narasha walked calmly beside Ashan. Her beauty was overwhelming, natural and refined. The yellow line marking her rank was clearly visible.
"I've never seen someone like her before," Roswayn whispered. "Where did she come from?"
Attention shifted instantly.
Students who were previously watching Draven and Morven now turned completely toward Ashan and Narasha.
"Is she an angel?"
"She's a B-ranker? Look at her rank color."
"She's stunning."
"That guy walking with her… he's the one who won the B-rank duel."
"Those trousers look loose, but it somehow works."
Whispers spread rapidly.
Ashan sighed quietly.
"They're making a big fuss," he thought. "I expected some attention, but not this much."
He glanced around and noticed several men staring at Narasha with obvious intent.
Their intentions were painfully clear.
'Before, she had a mask on. Now it's off, and everyone's staring at her like she's the hottest thing around.'
'I need to draw a line.'
Without hesitation, Ashan gently took Narasha's hand.
The reaction was immediate.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"So they're together."
"He just grabbed her hand like it's nothing."
"What a pity."
"They look good together. I'm jealous."
Magnar smirked.
"What an interesting guy. He made things clear from the start. Anyone interested in her probably feels like they got slapped."
Rowan glanced at Narasha, then shook his head with a grin.
"Damn… she has a killer figure. If Eirena wasn't already in my head, I might've seriously considered her."