Chapter 70: Clear an S-Rank Gate The ride back to the Academy was quiet.
Too quiet.
The hovercraft glided over the city, lights from the towering districts flashing against the windows, but inside—nothing. No chatter. No excitement. Just silence. That kind of silence that only came after something big. Something too real to put into words.
Class Zero sat together, all of them awake, all of them thinking. No one said it out loud, but they felt it. The shift. The world saw them now. And it wasn’t going to forget.
When the craft finally landed at the upper platform of the academy, the platform was already packed.
Instructors, admin staff, even a few students from other classes—all waiting. Most of them weren’t there to celebrate. They were there to see.
To see the ones who flipped the board.
The moment the doors opened, the welcome hit them like a wave.
Applause. Cameras flashing. Cheers. Some forced. Some genuine. Some a little too loud.
A couple students rushed up first—Class Three’s Lina and Jiho, tossing energy drinks at Silas and Evelyn.
"You guys killed it!" Jiho grinned.
"No lie, we thought you’d explode the arena," Lina added, laughing.
Silas chuckled, catching the drink. "Almost did."
Evelyn gave a small nod, smiling slightly.
Reia didn’t respond.
Lucian walked ahead of them, quiet as always, not reacting to any of it.
But not everyone clapped.
Garrick stood near the corner. Alone.
Not smiling. Not cheering.
Just watching.
His eyes didn’t move from Lucian.
They didn’t blink either.
Jealousy crawled behind them. Heavy. Loud.
He clenched his jaw as Class Zero passed. Didn’t even try to hide the scowl.
He was supposed to be the top. He was supposed to lead the Academy’s rise. Not them. Not him.
Lucian didn’t glance his way. None of them did.
But Garrick’s fists were already curling at his sides.
Inside the main hall, things moved fast.
No speeches. No delay.
Garos had already summoned them to the central office wing. Athena walked them through the hall silently, past portraits of the past headmasters, past ancient symbols glowing faintly on the walls. Her expression didn’t change.
Reia stayed close to Lucian. Evelyn, Silas, and Vyn followed behind.
Once they reached the door, it opened automatically.
Garos was already standing by the window.
"Come in."
The door shut behind them, sealing with a hum.
They stood in front of his desk. No one sat.
The Dean turned around slowly, arms crossed.
"You made a mess."
Silas rubbed his neck. "A cool one, though."
Garos raised a brow. "The council is still calculating the damage costs. That wasn’t a duel. That was a collapse."
Lucian didn’t flinch. "You watched it."
"I did."
"Then you know."
"I know you’re strong."
Garos stepped closer now, voice even.
"But I also know you’re not done. Not yet. So why," he narrowed his eyes slightly, "are you asking to leave?"
The room went still.
Lucian met his gaze.
"I’ve outgrown this place."
"No." Garos’ tone sharpened. "You’ve outpaced your peers. Not the Academy."