The sun was just beginning to climb, golden rays spilling into the academy halls as the group gathered outside the medical bay.
The door slid open with a soft hiss.
Miranda stepped out slowly, her ribs still sore, but her face held the same fiery spark they all knew.
Alex was the first to approach.
"Miranda," he said, voice low, guilt laced in every word. "I'm sorry. I wasn't there to help you…"
She shook her head before he could continue.
"It's not your fault, Alex," she replied, her tone firm. "It's that damn Drevon. He sent those bastards after me."
Alex's jaw clenched.
Zane folded his arms. "That guy's more dangerous than we thought. Might be best if we kept our distance."
"Distance?" Kirito cut in, eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "Forget distance—did anyone actually see the monster that attacked Miranda?"
Everyone went quiet.
The academy had already tried to keep it under wrap but the rumors already among the student
Miranda hesitated, her brows furrowing. "I didn't… see anything clearly. I just remember red eyes, claws… shadows maybe? It all happened so fast."
Alex said nothing, but his fingers curled slightly.
Kirito's voice softened. "Then what if there was no beast? What if it was one of those guys Drevon sent, and they were just stronger than we expected?"
"Maybe," Miranda muttered. "But I could've sworn I heard…" She stopped herself, eyes flicking toward Alex for just a moment. "Never mind."
Silence fell again—tense, unspoken thoughts hanging in the air like a fog.
"Look," Zane finally said, breaking the silence. "Whether it was a beast, a psycho, or something else entirely… the point is, Miranda's alive. We move smarter from now on. Agreed?"
They all nodded.
Alex kept his gaze on Miranda for a beat longer, the weight of the night before still pressing on him.
But he said nothing more.
......
Kirito leaned against the wall with his arms folded, Zane kicked back lazily on Alex's bed, and Alex sat cross-legged on the floor, unusually quiet. Miranda, recently discharged and still recovering, stood in front of them with her arms at her sides — not as a fragile patient, but with the presence of a team. They all gathered because they received a message from Miranda
"Sooo,why did u called us here". Zane asked
"I know this might sound sudden," Miranda began, her voice firm, "but I think we need to form a proper team.
Kirito raised an eyebrow. "A team?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "We've been through enough already to know that going solo in this academy — or in real combat — is suicide. I've been thinking about it since the attack. We may not be the strongest, but we have each other. That's already something."
Zane yawned dramatically. "Look at you, sounding all serious. I guess almost dying gives people perspective, huh?"
Miranda ignored the jab. "I mean it. Alex, Kirito, Zane — we all have different strengths. But together, we actually have a chance to survive what's coming."
Zane sat up slightly, adjusting his position. "Interesting idea," he said. "But I gotta ask…"
Kirito asked cutting him off "Why are you even hanging out with us in the first place? You're a Tier A student, from a top-ranking family. What do you gain by sticking with us?"
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Even Miranda looked a little tense.
Zane's expression softened, surprisingly. "Because for once in my life, no one's trying to use me."
He looked around the room. "You guys don't care about my name or my ability. You don't fake smiles just to get close to me. You argue, insult, and treat me like I'm just another guy. It's... refreshing."
Kirito blinked, caught off guard.
Miranda nodded slowly, the tension easing.
But even as they spoke, Alex remained quiet.
He wasn't ignoring them — his eyes were slightly narrowed, focused on something no one else could see.
Inside his mind, a familiar mechanical voice echoed:
[Ghoul Gene Assimilation: 69% Complete.]
[System Notice: Evolution Quest Unlocked.]
[Objective: Reach Level 10.]
[Reward: Evolution Class Unlock – Choose Your Ghoul Path.]
Alex's heart skipped a beat. An evolution class?,and the last time I checked my ghoul gene assimilation hasn't increased that much but now it's at 69%,does that mean when it's fully assimilated am gonna become a full pledge ghoul?
"Alex?" Miranda's voice cut through the moment.
He didn't respond.
"Yo, " Zane added with a smirk. "You alive down there, or did your brain shut off again?"
Alex snapped out of his daze and looked up, startled. "Huh? Sorry, I was just… thinking."
Zane snorted. "Clearly. Must've been some deep thoughts, considering how spaced out you looked."
Miranda chuckled lightly, then turned back to the group. "So, are we all in agreement about the team?"
"Count me in," Kirito said with a small nod.
"Same here," Zane replied, stretching.
Miranda turned toward Alex, her gaze soft but firm. "Alex… what's wrong? You still worried about me?"
She hesitated, then added, "And you haven't said anything about what I proposed. Are you in?"
Alex slowly lifted his head, the storm of thoughts in his mind briefly pushed aside.
He looked at each of them — Miranda, Kirito, Zane — and nodded.
"Sure," he said. "I'm joining. We should work together… as a team."
Miranda smiled, clearly relieved. "Good. Then it's settled."
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Didn't think you'd agree so easily. Guess even gloomy boys need friends."
Kirito chuckled, and even Alex couldn't help a faint smirk.
Just as the atmosphere started to ease, Zane suddenly leaned forward, tapping the table lightly. "By the way, since we're officially a group now, let me drop some useful info."
They all turned to him.
"Remember what I said earlier about the rankings?" he continued. "Our actual world-ranking system is all about mana. Not just how much you have, but how you control it. There are people out there with Tier C combat ratings who are stronger than Tier A students just 'cause their mana control is insane."
Kirito raised a brow. "So the academy ranking we got was just a front?"
"Exactly," Zane said. "Just a way to group us based on how we performed. Not necessarily how powerful we truly are."
Miranda tilted her head. "Makes sense… but how long have you known all this?"
Zane smirked. "Like I said—noble blood comes with perks. We get access to certain information before others."
Miranda folded her arms, mock-glaring. "And you didn't think to share this earlier?"
"I did," Zane shrugged. "Now seemed like a good time."
Then, with a sly grin, he looked at her. "Also, Miranda, remember our sparring session in Elemental Combat? Ever wondered how you were able to go toe-to-toe with me, even though you were rated Tier B and I was Tier A?"
Miranda blinked, caught off guard. "Now that you mention it…"
Kirito jumped in, nodding slowly. "That actually makes sense. And now it explains why Alex could beat that Earth user guy so easily. It wasn't just brute strength — it was something else."
But Alex was lost in thought,"Can I maintain my relationship with this guys without revealing my secret? And how long until they find out that am a flesh-eating monster