After a while of waiting, the class professor, Cassian, still hadn’t arrived. Nyx could only feel disappointment at how lazy the man was. After all, even in the game, he had never been late for this specific meeting.
It might have been an anomaly. But Nyx was far too used to such things by now. This was just another day to her.
This class was supposed to introduce an important mechanic to the players—one that unveiled an entirely new piece of content.
They waited long enough that Erica returned to the room first, and it hadn’t been a short while either. What puzzled Nyx, however, was that both Erica and Vel came back at almost the exact same time. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. At least, that’s what Nyx told herself.
After all, she couldn’t have possibly known that Erica, the ever-righteous and justice-driven girl, had just antagonized the very person who offered her a handkerchief to cry on. Regardless, when Erica returned, there was no sign of anything unusual—no trace of evidence that something had happened. So, it was impossible to say.
“Miss Nyx... has Professor Cassian still not arrived?” Erica asked, offering a small, gentle smile.
“No, not yet,” Nyx replied.
She glanced around the room. There weren’t many S-rank students to begin with, but it seemed only Sapharion and Vireon had already left, probably having better things to do. Those who remained were chatting quietly among themselves.
Weirdly enough, Prince Orion was still seated where he’d been since the start, calm and composed. His presence alone made it clear that this class wouldn’t simply end without the professor showing up—at least, that’s what Nyx speculated.
Nyx could only sigh at the sight of it all. Though, surprisingly, Faye had managed to integrate herself into Lirien and Tressa's group.
“I see. Thank you for answering, Miss Nyx,” Erica said softly.
She took her seat, her emotions now calm. As she glanced to her side, her gaze fell on Cael and Nyx. Though a faint pang of bitterness still lingered within her, that wasn’t her focus.
Still, the sight reminded her of what had happened earlier—the meeting with Vel, and even the past. Erica wasn’t foolish. She wasn’t a stranger to emotions or their origins. The source of her bitterness—she knew it all too well. Every time she looked at Nyx and Cael, it surfaced again. It wasn’t pure at all.
'...I’m such a hypocrite,' Erica thought.
Her attention rested on Nyx—the girl she had unfairly judged, even now, and countless times before. That was why…
“Miss Nyx,” Erica began, her voice steady, “there’s something I would like to say.”
But she was cut off. The girl in front of her suddenly looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed for some inexplicable reason.
“You don’t need to call me ‘Miss’...” Nyx muttered. After a short pause, she added, “You called me by my name earlier, so... please feel free to call me by it. Without honorifics.”
Erica froze, words caught in her throat. It wasn’t common for a commoner to call a noble by their first name without any honorifics, but that wasn’t what stopped her. What held her back was what she had wanted to say. '...I can’t do it,' she thought.
She found herself staring at Nyx, perhaps longer than she should have, as the girl began to fidget under her gaze.
Eventually, Erica spoke, her voice stiff and mechanical, as if she were forcing the words out.
“I understand... then please, call me Erica, without honorifics as well.”
"Alright...” Nyx replied.
A rush of embarrassment—and, more importantly, deep awkwardness—washed over her. 'This is a good investment,' she told herself. After all, being called “Miss” was painfully annoying. Not only did it feel alien, but it constantly reminded her of what gender she was now. It had been fine at first, but everyone around her was literally “Miss” this and “Miss” that.
So, it brought her nothing but relief. Shame was temporary—this was eternal.
Nyx looked back at Erica. “So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?” she asked. A moment later, she paled, as if recalling something dreadful. “J-just don’t make it too difficult... I beg you.”
Erica’s gaze softened. Her eyes glistened faintly. She had planned to apologize to Nyx properly—perhaps by inviting her to an expensive dinner—but the thought now felt cowardly.
So instead, she reached out, gently took Nyx’s hand, and placed it against her own forehead.
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, “Nyx, I swear to protect you if any harm comes your way from this day forward.”
It was quiet—barely audible—but enough to make Cael’s eyes widen.
After all, that was an oath.
Nyx’s eyes widened, startled by the sudden gesture. She had no idea what was happening, yet she recognized it immediately—it was an oath. After all, it was the kind of thing the protagonist would do after finally winning over a heroine's heart.
“W-wait, what was that—” she stuttered, but Erica interrupted.
“No need to worry, M—Nyx,” Erica said quickly, catching herself mid-word. The lack of honorifics made her speech stumble, but she recovered with a small cough. “I understand that it might be a burden, so it isn’t binding.”
She looked at Nyx with quiet resolve, her smile so soft it seemed as fragile as glass—something delicate and precious. “But rest assured, it’s no lesser than one that is.”
Nyx swallowed hard, her heartbeat quickening as she averted her gaze. When Erica finally released her hand, the warmth lingered. Yet, Nyx couldn’t stop herself from asking, her voice trembling slightly, “But... why do it?”
“That’s…” She hesitated, then her smile bloomed brighter. “A secret.”
Nyx was left even more puzzled—yet, at the same time, strangely captivated by the act. She didn’t have much time to think about it, though, as the door they had been waiting on all this time finally opened. It swung inward with smooth precision; after all, it would’ve been odd for a door of such quality to creak.
Nyx glanced at Erica, who acted as if nothing had happened. Her expression was calm and composed, as though she had returned to her usual self.
She could only let out a quiet sigh before burying her face into the notebook on her desk. After all, there wasn’t even a textbook provided for this particular class.
“Good morning, everyone,” Cassian greeted, his voice drained of its usual energy.
A few students responded, though one stood out.
“Good morning to you too, Professor, fufu,” Alicia chimed, her tone playful. “How’ve you been, Professor?”
Normally, that kind of attitude toward a teacher would be considered disrespectful—Ronan’s startled expression made that clear—but Alicia wasn’t the sort you’d expect to cross that line.
More importantly, dark circles sat heavy under Cassian’s eyes, hinting that he hadn’t slept in days. Even so, he composed himself, setting his things on the podium before leaning against it with quiet resignation.
His gaze swept over the room as he sighed. “I’m fine, student Alicia. Just… busy, lately. Some unforeseen circumstances came up, which is why I’m quite late today.” He rubbed the back of his neck, then straightened a little. “Anyway, since we don’t have much time left, I’ll just give a brief overview of what this subject is about.”
He paused for a moment, the lightness in his voice fading.
“Keep in mind, this subject is important—perhaps the most important one this academy offers.” His tone grew heavier, as he added. “So… listen carefully. Let’s begin the lesson.”
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The Hollow.
A place that devoured a portion of the world—a land where everything was nothing but a fog of emptiness. Miles and miles of void, stretching endlessly. Yet, within that emptiness, creatures of harrowing origin exist. In the eerie silence, their very presence seemed to whisper and wail.
Humans. Demons. Elves. Monsters. Dragons.
Nothing was safe from it.
Beneath the surface of the land lies the darkness of the Blackened Sun. The deeper one goes, the dimmer the light becomes, as if the influence of the world above fades bit by bit until nothing remains.
Only the dark trees remain, their roots seeping with black liquid, bearing creatures born of nightmares within.
The Hollow.
No one knows its origin, nor what lies at its center. No army has ever reached that place—not even the greatest Magus or the most powerful Aura Master.
But one thing is certain: the moment you are consumed by its influence, your mind begins to corrode, twisting you into a creature born of that very darkness.
Even dragons—beings of pure instinct, creatures that live to roar at the sky—are silenced.
Empty.
Everything is corroded.
“To sum it up—that’s the Hollows,” Cassian said.
“This class will introduce you to it. I’ll be giving lessons about it, and more importantly…” His voice grew colder. “I’ll help you survive through it.”
But the weight of his words hinted at something more, and someone couldn’t help but speak up.
“U-um! Professor… what if I just don’t go?” Faye asked timidly, shrinking in her seat. “I-I don’t think it’s a good idea to go there…”
Cassian turned his gaze toward the voice. It came from the very front row, where Lirien and Tressa sat—a small girl looking up at him nervously.
He sighed. “Well… I understand where you’re coming from. But that’s not how it works.” His tone grew sharper, a hint of exasperation seeping in. “If that’s the case, then why should any of us?”
His eyes swept across the room. “Now as to that part... Anyone have an idea?” he asked, then added with a dry chuckle, “Especially those of noble birth."
No one replied.
The silence lingered.
Even Erica, who was usually the first to answer such things, went silent. Her face hardened.
Though Nyx had some idea, it wasn’t a pleasant one. She could only sigh. 'Why make it so dramatic?' she thought, pressing her face against the notebook she held. It was pointless anyway, since she already knew most of what this first class would cover.
But someone beside her—Cael, who had been as still and quiet as stone—spoke in a serious tone.
"Nyx. Listen carefully to this part."
Nyx flinched, not just from the sudden name drop but from the weight in his voice. He wasn’t saying it casually; it was clear this part mattered. She slowly nodded, though she still had her face pressed against the notebook, she replied, "Got it."
"...No one, huh?" Cassian said, then turned his gaze back to Faye, who looked clearly puzzled. "Student Faye, the thing about the corruption of the Black Sun is this..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice heavy.
"It expands. Every year."
The words struck like a weight. Most of the students reacted—some vividly, others with clear unease.
Nyx, who had been laid-back just moments ago, now wore a serious expression.
Cassian continued, "Of course, this isn’t information shared with the public. Especially not with common people."
After all, that fact alone confirmed one thing for Nyx.
The Sun’s expansion wasn’t part of any normal game mode—it only appeared in one.
It was the sign that the game had truly entered Hell Mode.
A countdown had already begun.
And just as things began with a countdown, so too began the start of a new chapter.
That was why—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Cassian turned toward the sound, his brows furrowing. It came from his side. Which was strange—anyone entering should’ve come from the back door, not the front.
With visible annoyance, he gestured slightly, summoning a breeze. The door smoothly opened under his command.
His frown deepened. Standing there were three students. Despite being from the senior year and all of them S-rank, they were still just that—students.
“What kind of disrespectful behavior is this?” Cassian said coldly. He might’ve been newly assigned to this academy, but his authority was not something to be taken lightly.
The three immediately bowed. One of them, a young man with sharp, handsome features, stepped forward and spoke.
“Good morning, Professor Cassian. My name is Ted, a third-year S-rank student from the Combatant Department. I have no family name.”
Cassian’s expression shifted slightly at the introduction. His irritation eased a little, but not enough to let it slide.
“So, Student Ted,” he said, his tone still frosty, “why are you here? As you can see, I’m in the middle of a lecture.”
Ted remained bowed but didn’t falter. “Your lecture has been over for 10 minutes already, Professor.”
Cassian blinked and turned his gaze to the clock at the center of the room.
It seemed he had truly arrived far too late. Perhaps he had spent too much time explaining the characteristics of the Hollows. He couldn’t help it either.
“…Oh. I see.” He muttered under his breath, “Why in the world is that thing placed all the way over there?”
He turned back to them, tone neutral but firm. “Anyway. What’s your business here?”
Ted straightened his posture, his voice steady and serious. “Professor, I’m here to promote a policy that will restore order to this academy.”
Then, with a confident smile, he added, “And I would be honored if the professor himself supported it.”
Cassian frowned. “Professors don’t have a say in such matters, kid. What’s the name of this policy, anyway?”
Ted stepped forward, pride gleaming in his eyes as he declared—
“The Academy Restoration Act.”
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|Chapter 46 - The Beginning of the End