Chapter 48: Zenith Week Got it. Here’s the continuation with the arrival at Zenith Week, capturing the anticipation, the atmosphere, and the reactions toward Class Zero — all in an anime-style, grounded and cinematic tone, just how you like it:
The sky over the Zenith Dome was dull gray, like the calm before something that wasn’t gonna stay calm for long.
Storm glass walls curved high into the air, layered with flickering holograms and names floating like legends carved into mist. Crowds filled the outer walkways, buzzing with chatter, cameras, and energy that tasted electric. Everything about it screamed event.
Lucian stood near the landing zone, coat brushing lightly against his legs in the breeze. Beside him, Evelyn stretched her arms behind her head, already scanning the scene like a predator trying to blend in. Reia was quiet as always, dark eyes flicking from corner to corner like she was memorizing exit points. Silas looked like he hadn’t slept. Vyn... didn’t even blink. Just kept walking like none of it mattered.
The shuttle door behind them closed with a hiss.
Class Zero had arrived.
And the crowd didn’t care.
They walked past groups of older students in matching uniforms—some from other branches of the Academy, some from rival schools like Obsidian Star or Moonveil Hall. Most were fourth years, battle-tested, tall, and confident. Some wore scars like fashion statements. Others had weapons on display, eyes sharp with arrogance.
The moment they saw the Class Zero crest, a few chuckles followed. One girl tilted her sunglasses down and whispered something to her group. A boy with platinum hair made an exaggerated stretch, then clapped slowly.
"Ah... the infants are here," he muttered. "How cute."
Lucian didn’t stop walking. Neither did Reia.
Evelyn gave him a small wave.
Silas tried to return a smirk but looked away fast.
Vyn didn’t even register the noise.
Inside the venue, the scale of the event hit harder.
Multiple levels coiled around a center stage like a coliseum from a future that never forgot its bloodstained roots. Massive screens hovered in the air, cycling through event schedules, participant names, faction sponsors, and promotional images of past winners.
There were press booths with glowing sigils, hunters in slick suits doing interviews, and security drones flying lazy circles overhead.
Then the screens changed again—
ZENITH WEEK – OFFICIAL START
Participants: 300+
Format: Survival, Duel, Team, Wildcard
Ranked Observation: ON
Live Feed Enabled
"Big stage," Evelyn muttered. "Wonder if the food stalls take credit."
"No stalling," Reia said.
"Let me dream, damn."
Lucian’s eyes flicked up to one of the screens.
There were names he didn’t recognize. But faces started to stand out. The big ones.
Arden Frost – the Sword Ghost of Everhart.
Klara Deneva – Storm Fang, last year’s highest-ranked duelist.
Mikael Taen – blunt trauma incarnate, ranked 3rd in the national hunter league under 25.
All fourth years. All deadly.
And all looking straight past them.
At the sponsor balcony, the real game players stood.
Echelon Industries. NovaCorp. Twin Helix. Old world names with new world weight.
Behind them were the Huntresses—each one known across multiple districts. Eliana Blaze, the Iron Tempest, stood in deep violet armor, her silver hair tied back like a blade about to be drawn. Near her was Myu Koji, one of the youngest to ever solo a Tier 8 gate. Her presence alone made heads turn.
Lucian’s eyes caught them just once, then looked away.
"We’re nothing to them right now," Reia said quietly beside him.
Lucian nodded. "Yet."
Behind them, Athena walked calmly into view, heels clicking against the polished stone, eyes forward, her coat swaying lightly with each step. She ignored the cameras. Ignored the chatter.
The announcer system echoed across the dome.
"Participants, make your way to the lower hold. Your badges and housing keys will be issued there. Welcome to Zenith Week."
Down in the lower hold, the atmosphere changed.
No crowd. No sponsors. Just participants and cold lights.
They lined up to get tagged. A drone floated by each one, scanned their vitals, stats, and abilities, then printed a dark band that locked around the wrist.
Lucian’s read:
Lucian Black – Rank D – Class Zero
Ability Tier: N/A
Unique Type: Confirmed
Observation Rating: 100%