But… this wouldn’t be the end.

To Empty City, Michelle was merely an Apostle driven by revenge, intent on killing him. Yet her presence here meant Mira—the so-called ace of Hero Headquarters—had already fallen. He didn’t know Mira’s true strength, but as the ace… how could she be defeated by *this* Apostle? Someone else had to be involved. And they couldn’t have come alone.

There had to be others beyond those clones.

So… why were they here?

For *him*?

That was the only possibility.

Wiping blood from his hands, he figured the cloned heroes had already been taken down by Maxdell—stealthily, without a trace.

Maxdell had done it purely for a deal.

A deal compelling enough to move an S Rank Hero.

Back on the rooftop, facing those eyes hungry for truth, Empty City had said:

“After lunch, they’ll likely head to the cafeteria to monitor certain students. If anything feels off… could you eliminate them?”

Absurd. Unfathomable. Yet those simple words carried an unshakable weight of trust.

“Why?”

“They’re Apostles. Sent to kill me. Believe it or not—you’ll see soon. Just keep watch. If they move… take them out. Don’t worry. They’re hollow shells. For an S Rank Hero like you? Easy.”

Empty City clapped Maxdell’s shoulder.

“I know you’ll doubt me. So just watch. The rest is your call. But if you do it… I’ll share a secret. *My* secret.”

A confident, devil-may-care smile. Obsidian-like eyes locking onto him—commanding submission, demanding belief.

*Charisma?*

Maxdell never believed in such intangible things.

But trapped in that gaze… he *believed*.

Frozen. Blood boiling. Hair standing on end. Face pale. Eyes wide with primal terror.

In one heartbeat, he’d tasted hell.

“You… who *are* you?”

He looked away, voice trembling.

“The secret… *that’s* the secret I’ll tell you.”

Empty City smiled slightly, turned, and walked away.

Later, Maxdell wondered: *If he knew they were Apostles… why trust me—the one who arrived with them?*

Empty City wouldn’t answer.

One ability he hated using: a Meta Ability akin to mind-reading. To protect Night Zero and the others, he *had* to verify trustworthiness. The outcome? Favorable.

And just as Empty City predicted—the Apostles moved in the cafeteria. In that instant, Maxdell chose to believe. Took out his “colleagues” effortlessly. They *were* hollow shells. Real heroes wouldn’t fall so easily.

*Empty City…*

A teacher hidden in this school. Power that crushed him like dust. *Who is he?* Maxdell already had a guess. Just needed proof.

Then—

***BOOM!***

Thunder ripped the sky.

Dark thunderclouds surged forth, vast and sudden as the cosmos.

Black ice flowers drifted down—unthinkable.

Touch them? Incinerated instantly. Then… they’d twist into monsters.

No warning. One second: clear blue sky. Next: roaring thunder, endless gloom.

“Snow…?”

“It’s *summer*! How?!”

Students looked up—the sight of falling “snow” silenced every doubt.

Flakes drifted gently…

“But—!! They’re *black*!!”

“Black?! That means… Apostles?!”

“No way! Why here?! AAAAAHHHHH—!!”

Black ice flowers plummeted. One struck a boy. Lava-hot heat swallowed him whole—ashes in a breath.

“…Monsters! MONSTERS!!!”

His friend screamed like he’d seen a ghost. Another ice flower landed on *his* shoulder. Before thought could form—*poof*. Ash.

“STUDENTS! STAY CALM!! The Apostles’ burn targets *only* living beings! Get inside buildings NOW! Teachers will handle the Apostles! MOVE!!”

Panic erupted. The loudspeaker’s voice echoed across campus.

…

**Location: Cafeteria**

Night Zero stared through the window—black ice flowers falling, Apostles emerging, students crushed, lives snuffed out.

*No. This can’t continue.*

Even the weakest teacher here was a C Rank Hero. Protecting students was their duty.

She exchanged a glance with her closest friend. Determination burned in both eyes.

Just as they turned to leave—

Silence.

The entire cafeteria stilled. Teachers present. Most students still inside.

Maxdell, the guest, stood among them…

Then—

*Someone* appeared.

An aura of absolute authority. Unignorable. Unquestionable.

The Academy Director.

Former S Rank Hero.

**Celestial Wolf.**