The dim glow of the evening sun filtered through the grand windows of the office, casting long, golden streaks across the polished mahogany desk. The air was still, heavy with unspoken thoughts, the quiet ticking of an ornate clock the only sound breaking the silence.

  Headmistress Maeve's fingers tightened slightly around the edges of the document. Her eyes flickered across the words, her expression unreadable. Finally, she set the paper down with a quiet thud against the polished wood of her desk.

  "You can't be serious, Gordon."

  Across from her, the man sighed. Dressed in a dark uniform adorned with the insignia of the Federation, Gordon looked as composed as ever, but there was a weariness in his gaze. He reached for the teacup beside him, taking a slow sip before responding.

  "I'm not," he admitted. "But the higher-ups are. I'm just here to deliver the message."

  Maeve's lips pressed into a thin line. "This isn't going to get them the results they're hoping for."

  Gordon exhaled, resting the cup back on its saucer with a faint clink. "They don't see it that way."

  A silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

  Finally, Maeve leaned back in her chair, her gaze flickering to the window where the sprawling academy grounds y beyond. Her voice was calm, measured—but there was a sharpness beneath it.

  "There's a reason we don't open the Garden to first-years," she said. "Because it's dangerous."

  Gordon didn't argue.

  Because they both knew she was right.

  * * *

  "Alright, let's not be idiots this time."

  Zeke's voice was firm as he tapped away at his tablet, setting up the next match. His expression was calm, calcuting. A stark contrast to the absolute chaos that had unfolded in their st game.

  Jaris flopped onto the bed next to Nero, snatching a chip from the bag beside him. "We technically won that st one."

  Nero shot him a ft look. "Jaris. We lost in under two minutes."

  "Yeah, but we made them panic first," Jaris countered, grinning. "You saw them scrambling. That means we won the psychological battle."

  "That's not a thing," Zeke muttered.

  "It should be," Jaris said, stuffing another chip into his mouth.

  Nero stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, what's the pn, Commander Zeke? Since apparently my ideas are 'too reckless.'"

  Zeke ignored the jab, adjusting his gsses. "We're going banced this time. No ridiculous all-in pys, no gimmicks. We'll start with a solid front line, keep our mages in the back, and use—"

  "OR," Jaris interrupted, suddenly sitting up. "What if we just bum-rushed them with an all-barbarian strategy?"

  Zeke stared at him. "That is the exact opposite of what I just said."

  "But think about it," Jaris said, eyes gleaming. "No one expects pure offense. If we just hit them hard enough, fast enough, they'll panic."

  "Jaris," Nero deadpanned. "That's the same logic that got us deleted st match."

  "Okay, but—"

  "No," Zeke cut in. "We're sticking to the pn."

  Jaris groaned, flopping dramatically onto the bed. "Fine, kill my creativity, why don't you?"

  Zeke ignored him. "Nero, you're handling the main unit. No stupid risks. I'll coordinate movement. Jaris—just… don't throw the game."

  Jaris gasped, clutching his chest. "The disrespect!"

  "You literally left our base unguarded because you 'felt lucky,'" Nero reminded him.

  Jaris waved him off. "That was st game. New match, new me."

  Zeke sighed and started the match. "If we lose again, I'm deleting this game."

  Jaris gasped again, horrified. "You monster."

  The match started.

  The team moved according to pn—at first. Nero held the frontline, Zeke directed movements, and Jaris… well, he was trying to follow orders. But the enemy team was relentless. Their coordination was perfect, their timing impeccable.

  And then, it happened.

  Jaris got ideas.

  "Wait, wait—trust me on this," Jaris said, suddenly pulling his units away from their position.

  "Jaris—no—" Zeke's voice was already exhausted.

  "Just trust me!"

  A second ter, their base was under attack.

  A second after that, defeat fshed across their screens.

  Silence.

  The three of them just sat there, staring at the screen, the glowing red YOU LOSE feeling particurly mocking.

  Jaris coughed. "…So. That was technically not my fault."

  Zeke rubbed his face with both hands. Nero tossed his tablet onto the bed, arms crossed. No one spoke for a moment.

  Then, Nero groaned, throwing his head back. "Iris is out training, and we're here… wasting our lives."

  Zeke sighed. "Yeah."

  More silence.

  Jaris finally shrugged. "Well. To be fair, we're learning valuable strategic insights."

  Zeke and Nero gave him a look.

  Jaris grinned sheepishly. "Okay, maybe not valuable ones."

  Since they didn't have css today, Nero had suggested this game. It wasn't just for fun—at least, that's what he told himself. There was some strategy involved. Positioning, quick decision-making, adapting to the enemy. It was practically training… just with a lot more explosions.

  Zeke deadpanned. "We just lost five games in a row."

  Nero shrugged. "That means there's room to improve."

  Jaris cpped him on the back. "Now that is the mindset of a true loser."

  "Gee, thanks."

  A sudden beep interrupted their discussion.

  All three of their IDs lit up at the same time, a notification fshing across the screen.

  All first-years are to report for a briefing.

  Nero frowned. "Huh?"

  Jaris squinted at the message. "Huh. You think this is about that girl who blew up the b st week?"

  Nero grinned. "Man, who knew self-explosion could be a skill?"

  Jaris let out a dramatic sigh. "Her whole body was covered in soot. She looked like she just crawled out of a coal cavern."

  Nero nodded eagerly. "And the best part? She just stood there for a second—like she hadn't processed what happened—then colpsed like a burnt-out candle."

  Jaris cackled. "The medics were panicking, and some guy in the back just went, 'Uh… natural talent?'"

  Zeke, who had been silently listening, finally let out a small chuckle. He stood up, stretching. "You two are hopeless. Let's go."

  As the three of them stepped out of the dorm building, they immediately spotted Iris waiting near the entrance. Her hair was slightly damp with sweat, and she was adjusting the wraps on her wrists, she had clearly just come from training.

  "You guys take your sweet time," she commented, eyeing them.

  Jaris stretched with an exaggerated groan. "It is Sunday, Iris. You know, the holy day of rest?"

  She raised an eyebrow. "You mean the holy day of scking?"

  Nero waved a hand dismissively. "Hey, I trained for three hours this morning. I earned my break."

  Jaris nodded sagely. "And we were actually working on battle strategy, in a way."

  Iris gave him a ft look. "You guys were pying a video game."

  Jaris pced a hand over his chest. "Excuse you. We were refining our tactical awareness through digital warfare simutions."

  She rolled her eyes but didn't press further as they made their way toward Assembly Hall.

  By the time they arrived, the massive hall was already packed with students. Rows upon rows of seats filled the space, and more were still coming in through the grand double doors. The murmurs of curious voices created a low hum that filled the air.

  "Looks like we're not the only ones wondering what this is about," Nero muttered, scanning the crowd.

  Fortunately, they managed to find four open seats near the middle section and sat down. The wait wasn't long. Five, maybe ten minutes at most before the noise gradually quieted.

  Then, the hall doors opened.

  Headmistress Maeve entered.

  Her very presence commanded attention. Regal and composed, she walked with the kind of effortless authority that made people sit straighter without thinking. She stopped at the podium, standing in silence for a moment as the st traces of idle whispers faded away.

  Then, she spoke.

  "Good evening, students."

  Her voice was calm, yet it carried easily through the vast space, demanding attention without needing to be raised.

  "I will keep this brief," she continued. "I am here to announce a change—one that has never been implemented in the history of Skyreach Academy."

  A ripple of murmurs spread across the room. Students exchanged gnces, some whispering theories under their breath.

  Maeve didn't wait for the noise to settle.

  "Starting now, select first-year students—those deemed capable—will be allowed to challenge the trials of Garden Zero."

  The hall erupted.

  "What?! First-years?"

  "But I thought the Garden only opened in our second year!"

  "Wait, isn't that pce dangerous? I heard three people died there st year."

  Nero gnced at his friends. Iris frowned in confusion. Jaris looked intrigued. Zeke wasn't surprised. His expression darkened slightly, his arms crossing over his chest.

  Nero caught the change. "You know what this is?"

  Before Zeke could answer, Maeve continued speaking.

  "For those of you who are unaware," she said, her tone leaving no room for interruptions, "Garden Zero is an enclosed training environment specifically designed to cultivate real combat instincts."

  The murmuring died down slightly as students focused on her words.

  "The Garden has ten floors," Maeve expined. "Each one more difficult than the st. It is not merely a test of strength, but of survival, adaptability, and endurance. It has been an integral part of Skyreach's advanced training regimen for decades."

  She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.

  "And make no mistake," she said, her voice carrying a serious edge now. "It is dangerous."

  The tension in the room thickened.

  "I am fully aware that most of you have barely started on your journey," Maeve continued. "And I do not make this decision lightly. The Garden has always been restricted to second-years because, by then, students have developed the fundamental skills necessary to endure its trials."

  A hush fell over the crowd.

  "The reality is this: the world beyond these walls does not wait for you to be ready. It does not care for your comfort or your fears. If you wish to ascend to Faltheris, you must learn to stand now."

  A weight settled in Nero's chest.

  This was more than just a training opportunity. This was a shift in how things were being done.

  Maeve's gaze swept over the gathered students, her expression unreadable.

  "The Garden is optional," she finally said. "No one will force you to enter. However, those who wish to grow stronger will take this chance. And those deemed incapable will not be allowed in at all."

  More murmurs, though quieter now.

  "Your applications will be reviewed carefully," she concluded. "If you are selected, you will be informed in due time. That is all."

  With that, she turned and walked away.

  The hall remained silent for several moments after she left. Then—

  A flood of whispers, muttering, excmations.

  Nero barely registered them. His mind was spinning.

  An opportunity. A dangerous one.

  He gnced at his friends. Jaris and Iris looked equally shaken by the sudden announcement. But Zeke…

  Zeke's frown hadn't left his face.