"Are you really from this world?"
"...?"
"We did a background check on you—nothing came up. No records, no trace of your parents. The only reason you got into the Knights Academy was through your ties to Sara and Rayan. They're top students, so no one questioned it... until now. After the recent incident, doubts about your identity have started to spread. So I'll ask again—are you really from this world?"
"....?"
Silence.
Should I tell him the truth?
"Don't worry," the man said gently. "You can tell us when you're ready." He paused. "Oh, and one more thing. Starting today, you're part of the First Squad."
"Huh...? What?! But I haven't even completed my training!"
"I know. But this comes from the higher-ups. We all have to follow orders. Understood?"
"...Yes."
"Good. It's getting late—I should head out. You'll be released in a few hours."
Velthorn's footsteps echoed as he walked down the corridor. Turning a corner, he spotted Zeth leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Zeth," Velthorn sighed, "eavesdropping isn't polite."
Zeth chuckled. "So, you're not going to execute him?"
Velthorn exhaled. "He's just a kid. One who barely understands this world. I don't see him as a threat." He looked at Zeth. "Besides, weren't you the one who wanted to save him?"
"So what excuse are you giving the higher-ups?"
Velthorn smiled wryly. "Last time I disobeyed for a kid, he became the strongest knight in the kingdom—Yonor, Captain of Squad One. I got suspended then. This time... they'll probably strip me of my title."
Zeth shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. Wherever you go, I'll follow."
"Thanks, but Zeth..." Velthorn muttered, "You don't have much time left to follow others."
With purposeful steps, Velthorn and Zeth walked off.
An hour later, Ito was released.
"Finally—fresh air!" he stretched, only to find four people waiting for him.
"HUH?! What are you all doing here?"
"You're so slow, Ito," Rayan said. "We've been waiting forever."
"We're just glad to see you again," Zayden added with a grin.
A girl with silver hair and bright emerald eyes stepped forward. "I'm Shion Vaelcrest—and I'm a huge fan!"
"Wha—?!"
"That night, you threw yourself at those beasts! Even knowing you might die. It was reckless, but honestly... cool!"
"Uh… thanks?"
Suddenly, a wave of bloodlust cut through the air.
Shion stiffened.
Sara stood behind her, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"O-Oh! Sorry, Sara! I got carried away! But don't worry—he's not my type!"
Ito lowered his head. "Sara… I broke our promise."
Her expression softened. "Welcome back."
A warm smile broke across Ito's face. "I'm home."
—
Weeks passed. Ito had officially joined the Supreme Knights—Squad One.
"Why are you lounging around, newbie? Your 10 km run isn't over!"
"Yeah, yeah... I got it, Vice-Captain Sylas Veyne," Ito muttered.
"This training is insane. But if I want to be strong—I can't give up."
Despite being the youngest, Ito trained just as hard as any veteran. Sylas couldn't help but respect his effort.
Later that day, as Ito cooled down, he muttered, "Still not used to this."
"Yo, Ito! You look wrecked."
"Captain...?"
"How's training?"
"You can see for yourself. I don't think I can keep this up."
"You will. Just give it time. Say, met the Third Squad Captain yet?"
"I've been there for check-ups, but I haven't met them."
"Let's change that. Afterward, we'll head out on your first mission."
Ito's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
They arrived at the medical station.
"Doesn't seem like she's here," Ito said.
"She is. Just call her name. Hey! Naeris Vexora! Come out, we're here!"
"Huh... She? So the Third Squad Captain is a woma—" A door materialized out of nowhere.
"You're too noisy, Zeth. Keep it down."
A stunning woman stepped out, her long brown hair cascading down her back, eyes mesmerizing. Her barely-buttoned lab coat teased a curvy silhouette.
"Yo, Naeris! He's the one who helped your squad that night."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ito."
"No need to be stiff. You helped my squad. I wasn't there, but thanks to your efforts, the job got done. So—thank you."
"I didn't do anything that great…"
Naeris leaned in, her smirk playful. She traced a finger along his jaw.
"You're adorable, you know that? Want me to teach you some grown-up things?"
Zeth stepped in, hand on Ito's shoulder. "Enough, Naeris. He's my student."
"Alright, alright. Just teasing. So, why'd you call me out?"
"Wanted to confirm something. Which Dark Zone is closest?"
"Let me check. Come in and sit."
Ito stepped inside, awed by glowing symbols, intricate machines, and a vast space that defied logic.
"Captain... what is this place?"
"Her Zone Technique," Zeth explained. "A four-dimensional space where she monitors Dark Zones undisturbed."
"Incredible..."
"Judging by your face, you don't understand it, huh?"
"Vice-Captain Sylas is teaching me, but... this is amazing."
"Good. But remember—power comes with responsibility."
"Yes."
"Naeris, done with that info?"
"Yeah. Closest one is twenty kilometers east."
"Can I ask... what are these Dark Zones? Where did they come from?"
Naeris sighed. "No one knows. One day, they just appeared. Within a month, one of the twenty-five kingdoms was wiped out. Swallowed whole. The best knights, the bravest warriors—they all fell."
She looked at him.
"And the worst part? They're still spreading."