Recently, the academy had seen some significant changes.

Cecilia Xuelian, the young lady of the unranked Cecilia Family, challenged Student Council President Elucia in the ranking tournament, ending in a draw.

Zhiminghan, a second-year student, had risen from a B-rank mage at the start of term to an A-rank. During the ranking battles, she defeated Black Falcon—a third-year A-rank mage ranked 47th—despite starting from position 376. She then challenged Student Council Secretary Aisha, the "Queen of Explosive Flames," and shockingly won, securing her place as the academy’s new No. 10.

Now, the training field hosting the ranking battles buzzed with chatter about Zhiminghan, a girl who’d been utterly unknown until now.

"Whitey! Sooo slow! Hurry up, dummy!"

A white-haired girl sitting under a tree’s shade at a café table outside the shop yelled petulantly.

*(Ugh… If I’d known this would happen, I’d have stayed in bed.)*

Sharkai Bai, whose body had just healed but whose mind found no rest, deeply regretted leaving his dorm simply because he was hungry.

After lingering near the field for mere minutes, he’d been spotted by Xia Feina—her sharp gaze locking onto him from the spectator stands.

As Sharkai Bai tried to pretend he hadn’t seen her and turned to leave, Xia Feina—the academy’s former No. 2, wielding Godfiend power—fixed him with a murderous stare.

Cecilia Xuelian, who had just finished her match and returned to the stands, noticed the scene too.

Things began spiraling downward.

"Darling~ I’m suuuper tired! Bring me my Earl Grey in 30 seconds, pleaase!"

"Don’t forget my donut, big brother."

*(Tch. What a pain.)*

Sharkai Bai swiftly grabbed the items inside the shop and set them on the girls’ table.

But he’d underestimated them. The demanding girls kept complaining.

"Bottled? I wanted canned, you idiot White!"

"Why’s it hot? Go swap it now!"

"Actually, I usually pick the donut frosted with cream."

"Hey! That’s enough! If you’re so picky, go choose them yourselves!"

Sharkai Bai’s arms were piled with the returned items.

Finally, the trial ended.

Cecilia Xuelian and Xia Feina left with Hesna to handle Hesna’s temporary enrollment with the dean.

Relief washed over Sharkai Bai as they departed.

*(What a bunch of troublemakers.)*

Alone and listless, he walked down the academy’s wide path. A cool breeze made his slender frame shiver slightly beneath his uniform—this season was always the hardest for him.

Just like the troublesome girls back in his dorm.

"Ahhh…"

Sharkai Bai looked utterly exhausted.

*BOOM!*

The ground exploded beneath his next step.

"Sharkai Bai. Just as rumored—you don’t know a shred of magic."

"...*cough cough*"

Smoke choked him. His violet-glowing eyes reflected a youth in a modified A-rank uniform—tight like athletic wear, white gloves on his hands.

"Oh? Dodged within 0.1 seconds of the blast?"

"Stop looking for trouble."

"Good day, Lord Sharkai. I’m Jiuluo Chenna, president of the Tea Ceremony Club."

"Your reason for attacking me… is it my ranking?"

"Hmph. Even if you’re the world’s weakest, I’d still challenge you."

Something glinted between Jiuluo Chenna’s ten fingers.

Sensing danger, Sharkai Bai vanished instantly.

"Chord Formula: Thunderburst."

The spot where he’d stood exploded again as he disappeared.

A silver flash flickered between Jiuluo Chenna’s fingers.

"...Troublesome guy."

Sharkai Bai’s voice echoed beside Jiuluo Chenna’s ear.

Glancing sideways at the figure now behind him, Jiuluo Chenna didn’t flinch. His right index finger flicked upward.

*BOOM!*

Another explosion forced Sharkai Bai back over ten meters.

"By the way, I’m ranked No. 4 in this academy."

"Oh? How terrifying."

"Consider this my introduction. Farewell, Lord Sharkai."

Jiuluo Chenna dispelled his barrier, pocketed his gloves, and brushed past Sharkai Bai.

"No. 4? ...Whatever. Time to head back."

Ruffling his messy white hair, Sharkai Bai turned toward the dorms.

He sat on a bench outside his dorm building, coffee in hand as usual.

Leaves rustled in the wind. He frowned. Nothing seemed amiss—the familiar academy grounds, a few apprentices heading toward the field.

Yet an uneasy feeling lingered. Sharkai Bai’s gaze sharpened. His fists slowly clenched.

*(Xia Yuan? Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium?)*

He scanned his surroundings. No sign of the First Attendant’s mad sorcerer. No Qiulongwu Consortium assassin Akayama Chika with her giant blade.

Footsteps finally approached from ahead.

*(Berserk Mode...)*

Sharkai Bai braced to activate it.

"Long time no see, Bai."

Instead, a black-haired girl appeared, lugging an overstuffed plastic bag—fresh from shopping.

"Oh. It’s you, Zhiminghan."

***

Western Sea, Donghuang Island.

Snow fell heavily over this desolate, shadowy isle.

A young man in a black coat leaned against an unremarkable tree, an eyepatch covering one eye, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Checking his watch, he stubbed out the cigarette, pulled up his hood, and strode toward the island’s heart.

Deeper in, a castle-like structure emerged.

"Halt."

Two middle-aged mages intercepted him at the gate.

"Unauthorized entry is forbidden."

One mage issued the warning.

"...Here. My card."

The eyepatched man’s voice was low and raspy. He pulled a gold card from his coat.

"I said—no entry! Are you deaf?"

The mage glanced at the card and tossed it into the snow.

"Negotiation failed."

A golden short blade materialized in the eyepatched man’s hand. His body blurred into a streak of gold, slicing past both mages’ necks.

"I’m no butcher."

As his words landed, he stood at the entrance, adjusting his collar. Annoyed, he lit another cigarette and walked deeper into the castle.

"Tch. Digging your own grave."

After he vanished inside, the two mages collapsed—their heads and limbs separating from their bodies. Crimson blossoms bloomed across the pristine white landscape where their blood sprayed.

Shadows flickered through the castle halls.

*(No sign anywhere. Did Shimizu’s intel fail again?)*

This was the fifth room he’d searched. His target remained missing.

"Thief from the Dark Raven Organization. My home doesn’t welcome intruders."

A blond youth in a white suit stepped from the dark corridor.

Kami Miraishi—Pope of the New Wing Divine Church.

Hands in his pockets, he smiled calmly at the intruder.

No matter the situation, he always wore that unshakable smirk.

"..."

The golden blade appeared in the eyepatched man’s grip. His nerves snapped taut.

Behind Kami Miraishi, a dragon forged from roaring flames illuminated the corridor, lunging to devour the enemy.

"Hope you stop stealing in hell. Bye~"