"So, this lesson is about how to handle Apostles, right?"

Empty City slumped at his desk, staring at the timetable. His earlier plan to have everyone introduce themselves had vanished—not because he didn’t want to meet them, but because his mind was utterly blank. Night Zero’s gaze, her hurried retreat—they were seared into his thoughts, refusing to fade.

"Uh… yeah… basically that."

Students shot disdainful glares at the visibly annoyed teacher up front.

"What’s with this lazy teacher? I actually liked him a little last class!"

The girl who spoke had sharp, determined eyes. Her most striking features were the silver hair cascading down her back like spun moonlight and vivid emerald irises. Her porcelain skin and finely sculpted, stubborn face matched her personality: Cheng Zhihui took everything seriously. She’d been deeply unhappy—even gloomy—when she learned a new homeroom teacher would replace the old one.

And now, Empty City’s performance had sunk to unforgivable lows.

No proper self-introduction. No real interaction. He’d lectured mechanically, brushing off student questions as if nothing mattered.

*If you don’t want to teach, just stay away!* That was her thought.

But…

"He’s not usually like this…" Estia murmured, uncertainty flickering in her voice. She’d kept her promise to attend his second class, only to find a broken teacher—nothing like the Empty City who’d fought desperately to help her last lesson.

"Did he brainwash you in the infirmary?" Cheng Zhihui couldn’t muster an ounce of goodwill after his half-hearted lecture.

"No! Of course not!" Estia flushed crimson, shaking her head—and her ample chest—vigorously. *Seriously… terrifying bust.* Cheng Zhihui tore her gaze away, worry creeping in. "By the way, Teacher Night Zero came looking for you last class. Did you know?"

"Eh? Teacher Night Zero visited the infirmary?"

"Yeah. Mid-lesson, apparently. Came for this *weirdo*." She stressed the last word deliberately, as if goading Empty City to hear.

The moment "Night Zero" was spoken, Empty City froze mid-sentence. His eyes, his ears—all locked onto the two girls.

Just then—

"U-um… Teacher? I have a question." A petite girl raised her hand, trembling with effort.

"Ah… yes? What is it?"

"Do Apostles have ranks like Hero Headquarters? And if so… how do we identify them?"

Empty City glanced at the girl, then at Cheng Zhihui—who’d just called him a weirdo. He made his choice.

"Apologies. I’ll answer that next class."

The girl blinked, stunned.

Cheng Zhihui shot to her feet, finger jabbing toward Empty City, eyes blazing with contempt. "Hey! You’re being completely irresponsible as a teacher!"

Empty City ignored her.

"Class dismissed. We’ll continue next time."

It was undeniably unprofessional—a career-risking move. But if he didn’t act *now*, if he didn’t explain immediately… some things might slip away forever.

He bolted from the classroom, sprinting to the second-year Class A room on the same floor. Night Zero wasn’t there. Confused students exchanged glances as Empty City charged upstairs to the staff office. Still no Night Zero.

"Hey! No running during class hours!" Hamlet’s voice barked with disapproval.

This time, Empty City didn’t ignore him.

He spun around and seized Hamlet by the collar.

"Whoa! This is a school—don’t get reckless!" The former B Rank Hero forgot his status, his strength, dangling like a chick in Empty City’s grip.

"Where. Is. Night Zero?"

The question carried an edge of raw desperation.

The voice—Hamlet hoped never to hear its chilling threat again.

*What’s my ability again?* Hamlet’s mind went blank. "I-I don’t know… but she seemed off earlier. Probably headed back to the dorms."

*Thud.*

Hamlet hit the floor.

"Next time I come here," Empty City hissed, "if you waste my time with nonsense again… I’ll carve scars you can’t erase."

He vanished.

Not vanished—*moved*. To Hamlet’s eyes, only a streak of starlight remained. A speed that left no human trace.

Empty City leapt from the window, racing straight for the faculty dormitory.