The cavernous architecture of the Dominion Academy’s Grand Nexus was designed specifically to remind the weak of their place. Below, the stone floor plummeted into a massive, sunken arena that served as the primary assembly ground for the raw, blood-stained participants who had actually survived the harrowing trial

Down on the obsidian stage, the Head Instructor slammed the butt of his heavy, rune-carved staff against the stone.

’BOOM.’

The shockwave rippled through the air, forcing the chaotic murmurs of the thousands of battered students below to freeze instantly.

"The filtering is complete," the instructor’s voice echoed, amplified by heavy gravity mana. "We will now announce the institutional distribution. Listen for your names and your designated tiers, Class D, Class C, Class B, Class A, Class S... and the supreme tier, the Elite Class."

The crowd below held its collective breath. The instructor waved his hand, and the glowing red holographic ledger began to spin out names at an aggressive pace.

The standard rabble were quickly shuffled into the lower alphabetic echelons, their faces falling or brightened by their relative placements. But the atmosphere shifted entirely when the ledger began to flash in deep, violet-black hues, the color of the highest-rated cores.

"The pinnacle of this year’s exam," the instructor announced, his cold eyes sweeping over the front lines. "The top five individual combatants of the trial are explicitly assigned to the Elite Class."

"Lilith Semjaza!" the instructor called out.

From the shadows of the arena floor, a striking girl with dark hairs and red eyes with a predatory posture stepped forward.

She took her place at the front, her lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.

"Rufus Semjaza! Lilith Semjaza, Hades Thorne, Jade Garfield! You all represent the top five" The instructor shifted his gaze directly toward the blue-haired figure standing perfectly still. "Luke Ramiel!"

As Luke stepped out, his pristine uniform completely devoid of any sign of struggle, the Head Instructor actually paused, lowering his staff slightly to address the boy directly. The entire assembly hall went dead quiet, hanging on every word.

"Luke Ramiel," the instructor spoke, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic weight. "Being the absolute winner of this year’s entrance exam, the ancient bylaws of the Dominion grant you a unique, sovereign privilege. As of this moment, you are formally authorized to create your own independent student council."

Up on the high seats, Nyx’s grey eyes through the blind fold instantly narrowed into sharp slits. Her fingers tightened against the velvet armrest of her seat, the fabric groaning under her sudden, intense grip. She frowned deeply, a low, dangerous growl vibrating in her throat.

The instructor continued, "Give your council a name, boy. Establish your banners. And as the semester unfolds, the faculty will watch with great interest to see between your newly formed ttt and the present one... which one should remain standing. In this academy, there is only room for one absolute students authority."

Luke offered a slow, incredibly elegant bow, his translucent blue eyes gleaming with an eerie, calculated satisfaction. "The administrative mercy is appreciated," Luke replied, his voice smooth and entirely composed.

The instructor nodded curtly, then turned his attention back to the massive holographic ledger. The crimson runes shifted one last time, displaying a single, anomalous file that had been transferred directly from the high-tier evaluation matrices.

"And finally for the remaining students," the instructor started calling out different names till he got to his name. "Lucien Vilor! Class A!"

Lucien’s red and greenish-blue pupils contracted slightly. He let out a low, irritated hiss under his breath, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Shit," Lucien muttered, and then he sighed. ’Class A. It’s the exact same class tier in the Holy Academy. Is the universe seriously mocking me right now? This is really my destiny class.’

Down below, the instructor slammed his staff one final time, the sound signaling the end of the ceremony. "Classes for the freshmen start tomorrow morning. The assembly is concluded. Disperse!"

The massive sea of students began to shift, moving toward the grand arched exits of the subterranean hall like a retreating tide.

Up on the council box, Nyx rose to her full height, her long dark gown flowing behind her like liquid shadows. She turned her gaze toward the crowd below, spotting a familiar figure trying to blend into the exiting lines.

"Meghan," Nyx called out, her voice cutting through the ambient noise with absolute imperial authority.

Meghan froze in her tracks, her hand instantly tightening over her chest as she looked up to meet the gaze of the Student Council President. Her expression was a complex mask of guarded anxiety and lingering pain from her earlier encounter with Lucien.

"Why don’t we continue our conversation?" Nyx suggested, her tone leaving absolutely zero room for refusal.

Meghan swallowed hard, offering a stiff, compliant nod. "Sure."

Nyx turned on her heel, leading the way toward the central executive tower. Dahlia and Riley followed immediately at her flanks, their eyes scanning the corridors for any signs of dissent.

Lucien stepped into stride right behind them, his long white hair swaying freely over his shoulders.

Before he could take a third step, Nadia slipped directly to his side, her fingers sliding down his forearm until her hands were completely, tightly clinging to his. She didn’t care who was watching, her alignment was set.

Luke Ramiel stood perfectly in the center of the corridor, his arms crossed over his chest, his deep blue hair framing a face that was entirely cold.

His translucent blue eyes dropped instantly to their hands, staring gravely at the tight collision of Nadia’s fingers wrapped around Lucien’s palm.

The air between them turned status-cold in an instant. Instead of flinching, removing her hands, or showing even a shred of hesitation under his predatory gaze, Nadia’s jaw set.

She deliberately tightened her grip around Lucien, pulling herself even closer against his side, her shoulder brushing his arm.

"What is the meaning of this, Nadia?" Luke asked, his voice low, measured, and dripping with an underlying, toxic possessiveness.

Nadia looked him dead in the eye, her voice entirely even. "A lot has happened since you were sealed away, Luke. The world didn’t stop spinning just because you were in the dark. It’s good seeing you again."

Beside her, Lucien looked down at the blue-haired champion. A slow, arrogant, and entirely wicked smirk spread across his handsome face. He didn’t say a single word, but his red and blue eyes flashed with a dangerous, mocking amusement that spoke volumes.