[Awakeners Academy - Assembly Hall]

The grand hall buzzed with students from every year, the atmosphere lively as everyone discussed the reason behind this sudden assembly.

The hall was often used throughout the year to host important announcements, competitions, award ceremonies, and similar events.

But there was nothing of that sort scheduled recently.

So why had they all been called here today?

"Do you think it’s because of the Branleaf incident?" Lirien asked, equally uncertain about the purpose of the assembly.

Coming from a family of considerable status, Lirien usually heard important news long before it became public. Yet aside from the Branleaf disaster, nothing significant had happened recently, making her doubt it was the reason for today’s assembly.

Selena, standing beside her, said nothing and simply waited calmly for the professors to arrive.

Seeing her friend ignore her, Lirien pouted.

"Girl, if you keep acting like this, you will never find you a boyfriend. Do you have any idea how many people are chasing after you? Hell, I’ve even seen a few girls trying to court you recently. You can’t stay an ice block forever."

She couldn’t help recalling several incidents that had occurred recently.

One particularly persistent admirer had tried forcing a response from Selena and ended up half frozen. Rumor had it even his family jewels hadn’t escaped unscathed.

She had laughed when she first heard about it. But she had also found herself quietly wondering what the future held for her dear friend if things continued at this rate.

"You know I’m not interested in those things. If they try to push things too far, I’ll simply eliminate them," Selena replied with the calm tone of someone discussing the removal of weeds from a garden.

Lirien could only sigh in defeat and drop the subject.

Several more minutes passed.

Just as the hall was becoming increasingly noisy, footsteps echoed from the stage.

Soon, several academy instructors appeared.

All of them were following a single person.

The man was tall, with long white hair and silver eyes. Though he appeared to be in his thirties, everyone knew he was far older than anyone present. His aura was calm yet cold, like a snowstorm waiting to descend.

This was Alexander Dravenmoon, Vice Principal of the Awakeners’ Academy

Son of Kael Dravenmoon, the head of the Dravenmoon Duchy, one of the three major duchies of the kingdom, and also an S-Rank Awakener.

Unlike most noble heirs, Alexander had chosen to join the Academy.

That decision had caused considerable dissatisfaction within his family and sparked countless rumors regarding why someone with such status and potential, someone who already had everything prepared for him, would choose to dedicate himself to an academy of Awakeners.

The Academy enjoyed tremendous prestige, and becoming its Vice Principal was undoubtedly a position of great status.

Even so, compared to being the heir of one of the kingdom’s three greatest duchies, it was still considered a lesser position.

Alexander walked to the center of the stage.

The moment his gaze swept across the crowd of students and instructors, silence descended upon the hall.

"I apologize for the short notice," he said, his voice carrying without effort. "But recent events have prompted the Academy to reassess several of its current policies. One of those changes concerns you directly."

A murmur of recognition moved through the crowd. Given everything that had happened over the past months, the tensions between kingdoms, the resurgence of abyss activity, the disasters at Lirath and BranLeaf, most had been expecting some kind of institutional response. The kingdom was moving, and everyone knew it.

"The kingdom is currently deliberating on a range of measures to safeguard the population, particularly in the event of additional rift formations, to ensure timely response capacity where it is needed. That, however, falls outside our jurisdiction."

He paused briefly, letting the distinction settle.

"The Academy’s purpose has always been to cultivate and prepare the next generation, to shape the individuals who will one day stand at the forefront of whatever threats lie beyond human territory. In light of recent developments, it has been determined that our current approach is no longer sufficient."

His expression grew more measured.

"Our existing programs were designed for a period of relative stability. They were built around the assumption that students would have time, years, in many cases, to grow at a careful and deliberate pace. That assumption no longer holds."

"After extensive discussions, a new training program has been approved, one designed to accelerate the growth of the Academy’s most talented students, regardless of their current year."

"The candidates for the program’s inaugural class have already been selected. The list is finalized."

As he spoke, several banners appeared in the air, displaying a list of names and classes.

Lirien and Selena immediately looked up.

Before long, they noticed a familiar name.

[Selena - Class 1A]

Neither of them was surprised to see Selena’s name on the list.

Soon, however, they noticed another.

And at the sight of it, many students frowned.

[Percival Langton - Class 1A]

Immediately, discussions erupted throughout the hall.

Some students were pleased.

Others were clearly dissatisfied.

Alexander, however, couldn’t have cared less and continued speaking.

"All fifty individuals on this list will soon be summoned and undergo one final evaluation before the class is officially formed."

"Unlike traditional training programs, this one focuses heavily on real battlefield experience."

"The first training location has already been selected."

"Prepare yourselves. You will be contacted shortly and receive further information."

"If you do not wish to participate, that is your right. No one will force you."

"As for those who were not selected..."

" if you believe the decision was wrong, you are welcome to challenge any of the fifty candidates for their place. The only conditions are that challengers must be in the same year as their target, or higher. Challenges from students in lower years will not be accepted."

"Furthermore, even a successful challenge does not guarantee entry. The final decision rests with the assigned instructors, whose role is to ensure that every student admitted to the program genuinely meets the potential threshold it was designed for. This is not a competition for competition’s sake."

"That is all."

With that, Alexander left the stage without the slightest concern for the commotion that immediately erupted afterward.

Challenge any of the fifty selected students?

Wasn’t that the same as painting a target on their backs?

Many of the chosen students couldn’t help but tremble after hearing those final words.

Quite a few wanted to curse Alexander.

Yet none dared do so aloud.

Selena, who could already feel countless gazes landing on her, didn’t even blink.

They wanted her position?

Then they could come and take it.

She would crush anyone foolish enough to try.

Standing beside her, Lirien sensed the battle intent radiating from her friend and couldn’t help shivering.

"Well," she murmured, her gaze drifting pointedly toward Percival, who was already loudly celebrating his placement to anyone nearby, "it looks like I wasn’t selected." A slow smile crossed her face. "I suppose I’ll have to borrow your punching bag for a while. Hope you don’t mind."

Percival, for his part, had no idea he had already become someone’s target.