Evan did not look away.
Chris's eyes were sharp, burning with restrained hostility, but Evan met that gaze calmly, without flinching or retreat. There was no need for words. Whatever grudges existed between them had already crossed a point where conversation could resolve them. The academy would decide everything from here on.
Before either of them could move or speak, a sudden pressure descended.
It was subtle at first—like the air growing heavier, thicker—but within a breath, it became unmistakable. Conversations died mid-sentence. Nervous laughter froze. Even the most restless students instinctively straightened.
Someone had arrived.
A figure stepped out of the airship's open hatch and descended slowly, boots touching the ground with deliberate ease. He stood tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in the standard instructor's uniform of the Broken Sword Academy—dark fabric reinforced with faintly glowing runic threads. His hair was streaked with gray, yet his face showed no trace of weakness. If anything, it carried the calm confidence of someone who had long stopped proving himself.
The murmuring students fell silent.
The man swept his gaze across the crowd, his eyes cold and sharp, as if measuring every soul present. Evan felt a strange pressure settle on his chest, not painful, but commanding—an invisible weight that demanded attention.
Then the man released his aura.
It was not explosive. There was no violent surge or dramatic shockwave. Instead, it spread outward like a tide, smooth and inexorable. Evan's breath caught as the pressure deepened, his instincts screaming at him to lower his head. Around him, students gasped, some stumbling back, others freezing completely as fear took hold.
This was not hostility.
This was authority.
The aura receded just as smoothly as it had appeared, leaving behind a stunned silence.
The man spoke.
"I am Justin," he said evenly. "Instructor of the Broken Sword Academy."
His voice carried effortlessly, reaching every corner of the gathering without strain.
"I am responsible for escorting you safely to the academy. Until we arrive, every one of you falls under my jurisdiction."
His eyes hardened.
"Let me make one thing clear before we depart. The Broken Sword Academy does not tolerate disorder. If you cause trouble—inside the academy or outside it—you will be punished."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in.
"Expulsion," he continued calmly, "will be the least of your worries."
A chill ran through the group.
"Anyone expelled from the Broken Sword Academy will find every other academy's door closed to them. Permanently. Choose your actions wisely."
No one doubted him.
The warning was not shouted, not exaggerated. It was stated as a fact.
Satisfied, Justin turned back toward the airship. "Board in an orderly manner."
The students obeyed immediately.
Inside the airship, Evan found himself momentarily distracted by its sheer scale. The interior was vast, designed to accommodate dozens of passengers comfortably, with reinforced walls lined by glowing runes that hummed softly. Transparent shielding curved along the sides, allowing a clear view of the sky beyond.
As Evan took a seat, a voice immediately struck up beside him.
"Wow, wow, did you feel that aura just now? Gave me goosebumps!"
Evan turned to see a chubby boy with a round face and bright, curious eyes. He grinned widely, completely at ease.
"I'm Fred," the boy said cheerfully. "From Eastbrook City."
"Evan," he replied.
Fred leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "First time on an academy airship, huh?"
Evan nodded.
Fred chuckled. "You get used to it. Kind of."
As more students boarded, conversations slowly resumed. Fred, apparently incapable of silence, quickly pulled Evan and the nearby students into discussion. Names were exchanged, cities mentioned, backgrounds hinted at but rarely fully revealed.
Naturally, the topic drifted toward the academy.
"I heard they make you fight for resources," one student said nervously.
"That's nothing," another replied. "They say the ranking exams break people."
Fred listened, nodding along, then spoke up. "Well, I can't say too much, but you're all right about one thing—it's not going to be easy."
Someone looked at him skeptically. "How would you know?"
Fred scratched his head sheepishly. "Uh… because Instructor Justin is my uncle."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?"
"No way."
"You're joking!"
Fred raised his hands defensively. "I swear! I didn't even know he'd be escorting this batch until today."
Questions flew at him instantly.
"What's the academy really like?"
"How do merits work?"
"Is it true they expel people every year?"
Fred shook his head. "I can't tell you details. They drill that into you early—information is something you earn there. But one thing I can say is this: don't waste your merits. Ever. You'll regret it."
Before anyone could press further, the airship shuddered.
A deep boom echoed through the cabin, rattling seats and drawing startled cries from several students. Evan's head snapped toward the transparent shield just in time to see something massive slam against it before being deflected away.
Alarm rippled through the ship.
A staff member's voice rang out calmly. "Remain seated. No danger. Just a flock of flying monsters."
Evan frowned.
Flying monsters…?
The answer appeared moments later.
A dozen massive creatures circled into view—Diamond Eagles. Their wings shimmered like polished crystal, feathers reflecting light with razor-sharp brilliance. Each beat of their wings distorted the air, talons gleaming as they dove again toward the ship.
"Tier 3 monsters…" someone whispered in disbelief.
Fear spread instantly.
Then a figure stepped forward.
Justin.
He exited the airship through the forward platform, stepping into open air as if it were solid ground. The students watched in stunned silence as he stood suspended before the ship, arms relaxed at his sides.
Evan's heart raced.
Stepping on air.
Tier 4.
Justin's gaze swept across the incoming eagles, utterly unbothered. He raised one hand and spoke a single phrase.
"Rock Rhythm."
The air vibrated.
Invisible pulses spread outward, and in the space before him, chunks of stone formed out of condensed earth-aspected aether. They did not remain static. Instead, they began moving in precise, rhythmic patterns—zigzagging, spinning, accelerating.
The first eagle screeched as a stone spear pierced straight through its chest, shattering its crystalline feathers. Another was crushed mid-flight as rotating slabs slammed together around it like a vice.
The rhythm changed.
The stones altered their paths seamlessly, adapting to every movement of the remaining eagles. Some were impaled, others smashed apart, their bodies exploding into shards that scattered harmlessly into the distance.
The entire engagement lasted less than a minute.
When the final eagle fell, Justin lowered his hand. The rocks disintegrated into dust, dispersing into the wind as if nothing had happened.
He turned and stepped back onto the airship.
Inside, the students were frozen.
"That…" Fred muttered in awe, "…wasn't even an appetizer."
Justin glanced over the stunned group. "Resume your seats."
Only after he walked away did the tension break.
Whispers erupted.
"That was Tier 4…"
"He killed Tier 3 monsters like nothing."
Evan stared out the window, his thoughts turbulent.
Strength like that.
This was the world he was stepping into.
Fred leaned over, eyes shining. "Told you my uncle's strong."
Evan nodded slowly, fists clenched.
The academy was no longer an idea.
It was real.