The sound of Ezekiel’s footsteps echoed lightly in the wide, marble-floored hallway of Arkphis Institute. The light streaming in from tall, arched windows painted shifting patterns on the polished walls as the day waned. He walked with his usual slouched posture, hands shoved into his pockets, his sharp, square-framed glasses catching glints of sunlight with every few steps.

The quiet was nice, though he could still sense it. The subtle, almost imperceptible noise of someone’s soft footsteps trailing behind him. He let it go for a while, allowing the follower to think they were being stealthy, but after turning down the third corridor, he sighed heavily, finally breaking the silence.

“When are you going to stop following me?”

There was a beat of stillness, then the faint sound of a suppressed laugh.

“Caught me, huh?” came a playful voice.

Ezekiel stopped and turned around, his tired expression already verging on annoyed. Standing just a few steps behind him was Zee, leaning casually against the wall with her trademark cocky grin. She was sipping from a can of something fizzy, dressed in her usual effortlessly cool style—white shirt, denim shorts, and that unruly cloud of white hair that seemed to defy gravity.

“Don’t look so grumpy, Zeke,” Zee said with a wink, twirling the can lazily in her gloved hand. “I’m just curious where you’re sneaking off to. Don’t tell me you’re trying to avoid me—again.”

Ezekiel adjusted his glasses, glaring at her from over the rims. “I’m not sneaking anywhere,” he muttered, his voice as flat and unimpressed as ever. “And yes, I’m trying to avoid you. What gave it away?”

Zee gasped theatrically, clutching her chest like he’d shot her. “Wow, Zeke. Way to hurt a girl’s feelings. And here I thought we were bonding.”

He didn’t reply, turning on his heel and continuing down the hallway. Zee, undeterred, fell into step beside him, sipping her drink noisily as if to annoy him further.

“So… where are we going?” she asked, tilting her head, her golden eyes glinting with amusement.

“I’m going somewhere. You’re not invited,” Ezekiel said bluntly, not even glancing at her.

“Oooh, mysterious,” Zee teased, bumping his arm lightly with her elbow. “Are you meeting someone? Running an errand? Maybe reporting me to the teachers for being a bad influence?”

He didn’t respond, his silence clearly deliberate this time.

Zee let out a dramatic sigh. “C’mon, Zeke. Don’t leave me hanging! It’s boring without a little conversation.”

Her constant chatter followed him all the way to the end of the corridor, where he stopped in front of a heavy wooden door with the words Teacher’s Lounge engraved on a brass plate.

Zee raised an eyebrow. “Oh-ho, the Teacher’s Lounge? Fancy. Are you, like, gonna complain about your grades or something?”

Before Ezekiel could respond, Zee reached up and knocked on the door twice, her grin widening as she stepped aside to let him go in first.

Ezekiel didn’t even pause. Ignoring the knock, he reached for the handle, pushed the door open, and walked in without hesitation.

The Teacher’s Lounge had an air of quiet authority, its warm lighting and well-stocked bookshelves giving it a sense of sophistication. Papers were scattered haphazardly across Garth’s corner of the table, a small avalanche of assignments, reports, and lesson plans threatening to spill onto the floor. Garth himself was hunched over the mess, scratching his scruffy hair as he tried to make sense of the chaos.

Miki, seated to his left, wore her signature Kitsune mask, its serene expression a sharp contrast to the focused movements of her pen as she worked on her lesson plans. Everything about her workspace was neat and orderly, an oasis of calm amidst Garth’s clutter.

At the far end of the table, Fil leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers while flipping through The Nine-Step System of Strategic Combat. His expression was casual, but there was a sharpness in his posture, as though he could spring into action at any moment.

When Ezekiel and Zee entered, the teachers looked up, their attention briefly shifting from their tasks to the unexpected visitors.

“Is there something you need?” Miki asked, her voice polite and professional as always.

Zee grinned, leaning casually against the doorframe and sipping her drink. “Oh, nothing serious. I’m just following this guy around,” she said, jabbing a thumb toward Ezekiel.

Ezekiel ignored her, stepping further into the room. His eyes scanned the teachers briefly before landing on Fil. His tone was sharp and to the point. “Where’s the cat?”

Miki tilted her head slightly, her pen pausing mid-stroke. “I assume you mean Professor Lucius,” she corrected gently, her voice tinged with mild reproach.

Ezekiel didn’t bother responding to her correction. “He took something that belongs to me,” he said, his voice cool and unwavering.

Fil closed his book with a soft thud and leaned forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Ezekiel. “The card never belonged to you,” he said casually, though there was an edge to his words.

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed. “It was in my possession. That makes it mine.”

Fil smirked, the corners of his mouth curling upward. “Possession doesn’t equal ownership, kid. You don’t even know what that thing is or what it could do.”

Garth leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Relax, Ezekiel. You’re blowing this way out of proportion. Just let it go.”

But Ezekiel held his ground, crossing his arms. “I’m not letting it go. That card’s mine, and I’m taking it back.”

Fil let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Why am I not surprised? You’re as stubborn as your father.”

At the mention of his father, Ezekiel’s fists tightened at his sides, but he said nothing.

Fil tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. “By the way, why aren’t you out there getting a part-time job like the other first-years? Too lazy? Or are you just hoping someone else will cover your expenses?”

Ezekiel shot him a cold glare. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Fil laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “Figures. That’s exactly the kind of answer I’d expect from someone who’s all talk and no action. Keep it up, and you’ll end up just like your old man—dead and disgraced.”

Ezekiel’s glasses cracked, a visible fracture spreading across one lens as he clenched his fists tighter. With a flash of light, two pistols materialized in his hands, their sleek barrels aimed directly at Fil.

“Whoa!” Zee exclaimed, stepping back, her grin vanishing. “Zeke, chill out!”

Before anyone else could react, Fil moved.

In the blink of an eye, he was behind Ezekiel, his pen pressed lightly against the younger man’s neck. The sudden shift in position was so fast it looked almost like teleportation.

“Too slow,” Fil said, his tone calm and smug.

Ezekiel froze, his breathing heavy as he stood rigidly still.

Fil stepped back, twirling the pen once before tucking it neatly into his pocket. “You’re far too green to challenge someone like me,” he said, his smirk returning. “Here’s some advice: don’t pull a weapon unless you’re ready to face the consequences. Right now, you’re not.”

Ezekiel turned slowly, his fiery glare unwavering.

Fil’s expression darkened slightly as he continued. “Do yourself a favor and give up on the card. And while you’re at it, get lost. If you leave now, I’ll pretend this little outburst never happened, and you won’t get in trouble for pointing a weapon at a teacher. Deal?”

Ezekiel’s jaw tightened, his hands trembling slightly before the pistols disappeared in a flash of light. Without another word, he turned sharply and headed for the door, his frustration palpable.

Zee lingered for a moment, her gaze darting between Fil and Ezekiel. “Well, that was... dramatic,” she said, her tone light but slightly uneasy. “Catch you all later!”

With that, she followed Ezekiel out, the door clicking shut behind them.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Miki sighed softly, setting her pen down. “You could have handled that with more tact, Fil,” she said, her tone even but firm.

Fil shrugged, reopening his book. “These brats need to learn their limits one way or another.”

Garth frowned, his messy pile of papers shifting as he leaned forward. “You didn’t have to push him so hard. His dad is clearly a touchy subject.”

Fil didn’t respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the page he was reading. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. “Sometimes, pushing is the only way to teach.”

With that, he flipped to the next page of his book, signaling the end of the conversation.

Ezekiel stomped through the halls of Arkphis Institute, his heavy footsteps echoing off the stone walls. His jaw was clenched so tightly it felt like his teeth might crack, and his fists were stuffed deep into his pockets. Zee trailed behind him, her usual confident smirk replaced by a look of cautious concern.

“Hey, Zeke,” she said, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. “You need to chill. I get it—you’re mad, but stomping around like this is just gonna make your legs tired.”

Ezekiel didn’t respond. His fiery gaze stayed fixed ahead, but his clenched fists trembled slightly in his pockets.

Zee quickened her pace, falling into step beside him. She tilted her head, eyeing him carefully. She wanted to ask the question gnawing at the edge of her mind, but she knew it was risky. Bringing up him now could turn Ezekiel’s simmering anger into a full-blown explosion.

She hesitated, biting her lip before deciding to let the silence linger.

But Ezekiel wasn’t in the halls of Arkphis anymore.

In his mind, he was a little boy again, tears streaming down his face as he clung to his mother.

***

The house was dark, the curtains drawn tight, but the muffled shouts outside pierced through the walls like blades. The pounding on the doors and windows was relentless, each bang making young Ezekiel flinch harder. His small body trembled as he buried his face in his mother’s chest, his sobs shaking him to the core.

His mother held him tightly, her thin arms wrapping around him as though she could shield him from the world. Her voice was soft but firm, whispering reassurances he was too young to fully understand.

“It’s going to be okay, Zeke,” she murmured, though her own voice quivered with fear. “We’ll be okay. Just stay with me.”

The voices outside grew louder, angrier.

“Come out, you cowards!”

“You’ll pay for what he did!”

“Your husband’s a traitor, and you’ll get what’s coming to you!”

Ezekiel pressed his hands over his ears, trying to drown out the hateful words. “Why are they so mad at us, Mama?” he asked, his voice breaking between sobs.

His mother didn’t answer. She just held him closer, her lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze darted toward the barricaded door.

***

The memory fractured, skipping forward.

Ezekiel was still a child, but the room around him had changed. The sterile white walls and faint chemical smell of the hospital replaced the suffocating shadows of their house. He sat by the bedside of his mother, who lay pale and frail beneath crisp white sheets.

Her breathing was shallow, her chest rising and falling weakly. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and her once-warm smile was now faint and strained.

Ezekiel held her hand tightly, his small fingers gripping hers as though letting go would make her disappear. His eyes burned with fresh tears that spilled down his cheeks, dripping onto the thin blanket covering her.

“I’m sorry, Zeke,” his mother said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t give you a better life.”

“No, Mama,” Ezekiel choked out, his voice thick with emotion. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”

She gave him a faint smile, her fingers twitching slightly in his grip. “You’re such a good boy,” she murmured. “But I hate that you’ve had to grow up so fast. You’ve been so strong for me, Zeke. Stronger than I deserve.”

Ezekiel’s tears flowed harder, his sobs shaking his small frame. “I’m not strong,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’m too weak to help you. I’m so sorry, Mama. I’m so sorry...”

His mother’s smile wavered, and her tired eyes filled with sorrow.

Ezekiel clenched her hand tighter, his young face hardening with a determination that seemed far too intense for a child his age. “I’ll get stronger,” he vowed, his voice trembling but firm. “I’ll get so strong that no one will ever hurt you again. You won’t have to worry about anything anymore—I promise.”

His mother’s lips moved, forming words he couldn’t hear, and her hand went still in his.

***

The memory shattered, pulling Ezekiel back to the present.

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He stood motionless in the middle of the hallway, his hands still clenched in his pockets. His breathing was heavy, his fiery hazel eyes staring ahead but unfocused.

“Zeke?” Zee’s voice broke through his daze.

He blinked, finally noticing her standing in front of him, her head tilted curiously.

“You good?” she asked, her voice casual but tinged with genuine concern. “You’ve been standing there for a solid minute like you’re about to murder the air or something.”

Ezekiel didn’t answer, his jaw tightening as he took a deep breath to steady himself.

Zee’s curiosity finally got the better of her. She crossed her arms and leaned slightly closer, her sharp eyes studying him. “Hey, uh... random question,” she began, her tone lighter than her intent. “Do you... hate your dad?”

She quickly added, “You don’t have to answer. I’m just, y’know, wondering.”

Ezekiel turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the hallway was silent except for the faint hum of distant footsteps and chatter.

Then he spoke, his voice low and steady.

“My dad,” Ezekiel said, “is the greatest general to ever walk the planet.” He stared at her like she’d just asked the dumbest question imaginable. “And I won’t let anyone talk bad about him.”

Zee blinked, surprised by his sudden declaration. But before she could respond, Ezekiel turned and continued walking down the hall, his steps as determined as ever.

Zee stood in the hallway for a moment, blinking as Ezekiel’s words replayed in her mind. Greatest general to ever walk the planet? His sudden declaration had caught her completely off guard. But the look in his eyes—sharp, unwavering—told her he meant every word.

She shook herself out of her daze and jogged to catch up to him, her boots clacking softly against the floor. “Hey, wait up, Zeke!” she called, falling into step beside him.

Ezekiel didn’t acknowledge her, his fiery gaze locked straight ahead.

“Alright, fine,” Zee said, crossing her arms behind her head casually. “If you don’t wanna talk about your dad, let’s change the subject. What’s up with that card you were yelling about back there?”

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed, but he kept walking. “I don’t have to answer that.”

“C’mooon,” Zee pressed, leaning slightly toward him with an exaggerated pout. “You dragged me into the teachers’ lounge and caused a whole scene. I think I deserve at least a little explanation.”

Ezekiel’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.

Zee smirked, nudging his arm lightly. “You know, this whole brooding ‘man of mystery’ thing is gonna get real old, real fast.”

Ezekiel’s stomach growled loudly.

He froze mid-step, his face immediately flushing a deep red.

Zee blinked, then burst out laughing, clutching her sides as she stumbled a step back. “Oh, my Gods! Was that your stomach?!”

Ezekiel glared at her, his face still bright red. “Shut up.”

Zee wiped a tear from her eye, her laughter bubbling over. “You’re supposed to be all scary and serious, and then your stomach goes and betrays you like that. Incredible. Absolutely incredible.”

Ezekiel turned away, crossing his arms tightly over his chest.

Zee finally calmed down, though a grin still lingered on her face. “Tell you what, Zeke,” she said, throwing an arm over his shoulder. “I’ll buy you something from the cafeteria. But—” She wagged her finger in his face. “You have to tell me what you’re up to. Deal?”

Ezekiel hesitated, his glare softening ever so slightly as he mulled it over. Finally, he muttered under his breath, “...Fine.”

“What was that?” Zee asked, cupping a hand to her ear with mock theatrics. “I didn’t quite catch that. Speak up, Zeke.”

Ezekiel clenched his fists, his face growing redder by the second. “I said fine!” he snapped, his voice rising. “I’ll do it, damn puffball!”

Zee’s laughter exploded again, and this time, it echoed through the hallway. “Puffball? Oh, I like that one!” She skipped ahead, spinning around to grin at him as she walked backward. “Alright, let’s get you fed, O' broody one. Follow me to the land of culinary wonders!”

Ezekiel groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose as he reluctantly followed.

The cafeteria was located in a separate building on campus, and Ezekiel’s brow furrowed slightly as they approached. The sleek, modern exterior looked less like a school cafeteria and more like an upscale restaurant. Tall glass windows gleamed in the sunlight, giving a glimpse of the spacious interior.

“Fancy,” Ezekiel muttered under his breath as they stepped inside.

The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. The room was vast, with polished wooden floors, high ceilings, and walls adorned with subtle gold accents. Rows of tables and chairs filled the space, each table topped with a small electronic menu tablet. A faint, pleasant scent of food wafted through the air, though there wasn’t a buffet or counter in sight.

Ezekiel’s eyes scanned the room skeptically. “Where do we order food? I don’t see a line.”

Zee smirked, gesturing to one of the empty tables near the center of the room. “You just order at the table. It’s fancy like that. What, do they not have this where you’re from?”

Ezekiel didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, he followed her to the table she had chosen.

As Zee moved to sit down, Ezekiel pulled out the chair for her.

Zee froze mid-step, her eyes widening in surprise. “Oh my,” she said, immediately putting on an exaggerated accent. “What a gentleman you are, pulling out a chair for little ol’ me. Such chivalry!” She even added a dramatic swoon for good measure.

Ezekiel’s eye twitched. “Just sit down, puffball,” he muttered, his tone exasperated.

Zee plopped into the chair with a laugh, her grin as bright as ever. “Thanks, Zeke. You’re such a softie under all that scowling, aren’t you?”

Ezekiel ignored her, taking the seat across from her and grabbing the menu tablet.

Ezekiel tapped the menu tablet with his finger, scowling as it remained unresponsive. His eyes narrowed in frustration. “What’s wrong with this thing?” he muttered, poking it harder, as if sheer force would magically make it work.

Zee leaned on the table, grinning as she watched his struggle. “You’ve gotta use your Divinity, genius.”

Ezekiel turned his glare toward her. “My what?”

Zee pointed to the tablet. “Channel your Divinity into your finger. It’s how these things work. The school’s all about making you use your Gift as much as possible. Kinda genius, really.”

“Tch,” Ezekiel clicked his tongue, leaning back in his chair. “Of course. They’d make even ordering food part of the training. Sparing no expense, huh?”

Zee chuckled. “You do know this is a top-tier Gift academy, right? This place is supposed to be fancy. Anyway, what are you ordering?”

Ezekiel didn’t respond, his focus locked on the tablet as he grumbled under his breath. He held up his hand, faint traces of his Divinity sparking to life in his palm before he poked the screen again. This time, the tablet lit up with a soft glow, responding instantly.

“Ha. Finally,” Ezekiel muttered.

Zee rested her cheek on her hand, looking amused. “Guess I’ll go first. I’ll take the walnut crumble special.”

Ezekiel froze, his finger hovering over the tablet. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. “Walnuts?”

Zee shrugged with a playful smirk. “Yeah, walnuts. They’ve always been my thing. I like the reward of cracking through the hard shell to get to the good stuff inside.”

Ezekiel stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned back to the tablet and resumed scrolling through the menu.

As soon as he placed his order, Zee poked him in the arm, her grin returning. “Alright, spill it. What’s up with that card? You’ve been all broody about it since the teachers’ lounge.”

Ezekiel sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Fine. I got the card during the exam,” he said. “I beat someone—Aisha. She said she was part of The Cult and was after Ajal.”

Zee blinked, her grin fading into curiosity. “Like The Cult? or like one of their branches?”

“No idea,” Ezekiel replied. “But she had that card, and when I defeated her, it was just… there. Lucius took it from me without explaining anything, and I’m not just gonna let it go. Something’s up.”

Zee propped her chin in her hand, her brows furrowing as she considered his words. “Yeah, that is weird. How does a cult member even get into the entrance exam? You’d think the school would have tighter security for something like that.”

Before Ezekiel could respond, their food arrived. The server set their plates down with a polite smile before walking off. Zee’s plate had a neatly arranged dish of walnut crumble, while Ezekiel’s was a simple, hearty meal of grilled chicken and vegetables.

As Ezekiel picked up his fork, he froze mid-motion, his fiery gaze shifting to the other side of the table. Sitting there, out of nowhere, was Riku.

Riku’s white and black panda face was lit with a wide, goofy grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he stared at their food. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. “That looks so good! Can I have some?”

Zee nearly dropped her fork. “Riku?! When did you get here?!”

Riku tilted his head, his fluffy white ears twitching. “I’ve been here the whole time,” he said innocently.

Ezekiel narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying.”

“Nah, not lying,” Riku replied, leaning back casually. “I was locking my Divinity. Training, y’know? Makes it so my presence is basically invisible. Pretty cool, huh?”

Ezekiel frowned. “Divinity locking? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’ll cover it in class eventually,” Riku said with a shrug, sneaking his hand toward Zee’s plate as he spoke.

Zee immediately smacked his hand away. “Nice try, fuzzball,” she said, shooting him a glare.

“Damn,” Riku muttered, shaking his stinging hand before perking up again. “Anyway, what’re you two doing here at this time? Cafeteria’s usually empty around now.”

Ezekiel sighed, his annoyance growing. “Do you need something, or are you just here to mooch?”

“Mooch?” Riku gasped, placing a hand over his heart as if deeply offended. “No way! I just saw some friendly faces and figured I’d join in. It’s rare to find company at this hour, you know.”

Zee raised an eyebrow, her suspicion evident. “You sure that’s all?”

Riku’s expression shifted, his usual playful demeanor melting into something more serious. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “Look,” he said, his voice low. “Cult business isn’t something you just get involved in over a ‘hunch.’ You don’t mess with them unless you’re ready for the consequences.”

Both Ezekiel and Zee exchanged glances, Riku’s sudden shift in tone catching them off guard.

“What do you know about them?” Ezekiel asked, his voice cautious.

Riku gave a faint, knowing smile. “Probably not much more than you do. But I've fought them from time to time. They are not people you want to get tangled up with.”

Ezekiel leaned forward, his fiery gaze narrowing as he stared at Riku. “What else do you know? Spill it.”

Riku’s playful demeanor instantly returned, his grin widening as he leaned back in his chair. “Nope. No can do. Classified info.” He wagged his finger dramatically, his red panda-like ears twitching.

Ezekiel rolled his eyes before stabbing a piece of grilled chicken with his fork, placing it on a smaller plate and sliding it across the table toward Riku.

The shift in Riku was immediate. His mouth began to water, and he practically vibrated with excitement. “Oh, now you’re speaking my language!” he exclaimed, his hand darting toward the plate.

Just as he was about to grab the piece of chicken, Ezekiel slid the plate back, his smirk turning sharp and cocky. “Not so fast.”

Riku froze, staring at the food longingly. He narrowed his glowing red eyes at Ezekiel, weighing his options. After a moment, he sighed dramatically, throwing up his hands. “Fine, fine. From what I’ve been told, The Cult aren’t the ones running the show here.”

Ezekiel and Zee exchanged worried glances.

“What do you mean?” Zee asked cautiously.

Riku, now happily munching on his “reward,” shrugged. “Beats me. That’s all I know.”

Zee frowned and slid her plate of walnut crumble toward Riku. “You’re in the Top Three. Someone like you has to know more than that.”

Riku froze mid-chew, his gaze darting between her and the plate of food. After a long moment of internal struggle, he groaned. “You guys are relentless, you know that?” He took a deep breath and leaned forward.

“Fine. Aisha—y’know, the person you mentioned earlier—she was being interrogated after the exam. But before they could get much out of her, she was... killed.”

Ezekiel’s jaw tightened. “Killed? By who?”

“That’s the thing. No one knows,” Riku said, grabbing another piece of walnut crumble. “Her last words were that The Cult was just a cover. The real group pulling the strings is someone else entirely.”

Ezekiel slumped back in his chair, his mind racing as he processed the information. Zee’s usually bubbly demeanor darkened, her expression heavy with concern.

But Riku wasn’t finished. “Oh, and one more thing.”

Both Ezekiel and Zee snapped their heads toward him, waiting for his next words.

“She mentioned there was another member of her group who actually passed the exam and is now enrolled here at Arkphis.”

“What?!” Zee nearly shouted, her eyes widening in shock.

Ezekiel bolted upright, his voice rising in panic. “Who is it? Do you know who it is?”

Riku opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, both Riku and Zee froze, their expressions shifting from panic to something closer to dread.

Ezekiel glanced between them, confused. “What’s wrong with you two?”

And then he felt it.

A presence.

The air around them grew cold, heavy, and suffocating. Slowly, Ezekiel turned his head, his heart pounding in his chest.

Standing behind him was a tall figure with an unsettling aura that seemed to radiate darkness. Nagi.

His face was unreadable, his pale skin nearly glowing under the soft cafeteria lights. His jet-black hair fell in perfectly straight strands around his face, framing his sharp, otherworldly features. His piercing red eyes felt like they could see straight through a person’s soul.

Ezekiel stiffened, his hands gripping the edge of the table as fear rooted him in place.

Nagi sighed softly, his tone almost bored. “Riku,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “You need to learn when to keep your mouth shut.”

Riku immediately jumped to his feet, bowing deeply. “I-I’m sorry, Nagi! It won’t happen again! Promise!”

Nagi waved a hand dismissively, his crimson eyes drifting over to Ezekiel and Zee, who still sat frozen in their chairs. “No need to grovel. What’s done is done.”

He turned to Ezekiel and Zee, giving them a slow, deliberate bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nagi, leader of the Spectral Choir.” He straightened, his movements precise and deliberate, before gesturing to the empty seat at their table. “May I join you?”

Ezekiel and Zee didn’t respond, still too stunned to speak. Nagi took their silence as permission and gracefully sat down, folding his hands on the table.

“I trust you’ll keep the information you’ve just heard to yourselves,” Nagi said, his tone polite but laced with an unspoken threat.

Both Ezekiel and Zee nodded quickly, their fear preventing them from saying anything.

Riku, on the other hand, had already returned to his usual self. He flopped back into his chair, grinning lazily. “Relax, you two. Yeah, Nagi looks scary, smells scary, and is scary, but he’s actually pretty chill once you get to know him.”

Ezekiel snapped out of his fear for just a moment, glaring at Riku. “You were just as terrified as we were a second ago!”

Riku shrugged, popping another piece of walnut crumble into his mouth. “Hey, I never said I wasn’t.”

Nagi leaned back slightly in his chair, his unsettling violet eyes scanning Ezekiel and Zee. His presence was still suffocating, but his tone was calm and deliberate. “Well, since Riku has so recklessly shared classified information with you,” he began, glancing at the panda Especia with a faint sigh, “you’re now going to have to be let into the overall plan.”

Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. “Oh, how generous of you,” he muttered, crossing his arms.

Nagi ignored the sarcasm and continued. “Principal Culpa has reason to believe that whoever orchestrated this is still in Campus City. She suspects they have something planned, though the details remain unclear.”

Zee leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. “So, what does that mean for us? Are we just bait or something?”

Nagi’s expression didn’t change as he shook his head. “No. The only students currently aware of the situation are the other Top Three members: Ophelia and Bellona.”

“Wait,” Ezekiel interrupted, his fiery orange eyes narrowing. “Why the hell are we even believing Aisha’s words? She was a cult member, wasn’t she? Could’ve been lying through her teeth.”

Nagi’s piercing gaze shifted to Ezekiel, and for a moment, it felt like the air grew even heavier. “The principal believes her. And that is enough for me.”

Ezekiel scoffed but didn’t say anything further.

Nagi leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. “If you had been there, Ezekiel, you would’ve believed her too.”

Ezekiel clenched his fists under the table, his jaw tightening as he tried not to react.

Zee, sensing the tension, quickly asked, “So… what’s our role in all of this? Are we just supposed to sit around and wait for something to happen?”

Nagi shook his head. “No. You two have a very specific task. Your class has the most new students, which means the person who passed the exam and infiltrated Arkphis is likely in your class. Your job is simple: find them.”

Zee blinked, then let out a playful laugh. “Oh, perfect! This is right up Zeke’s alley. He excels at not trusting anyone.”

Ezekiel made a sharp “tch” sound and looked away, “Whatever.”

Riku burst into laughter, nearly falling out of his chair. “She’s not wrong, though!” he said, wiping away a tear. “Man, this is gonna be fun to watch. We should give this operation a name or something!”

Nagi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We don’t need a name—”

“Operation Panda’s Thunder!” Riku declared, thrusting his fist into the air dramatically.

Both Zee and Ezekiel stared at him, dumbfounded. “What…?” Ezekiel muttered, his expression caught between disbelief and annoyance.

Zee giggled. “Riku, that’s the dumbest name I’ve ever heard.”

Nagi, however, stood and dusted off his coat with a faint nod. “Good enough. Operation Panda’s Thunder it is.”

“Wait, seriously?” Ezekiel asked, his voice dripping with exasperation.

Riku grinned triumphantly. “See? I knew it’d stick!”

Nagi turned toward the door, his long strides already carrying him away. Before leaving, he glanced back over his shoulder, his expression once again unreadable. “One more thing—this entire plan is confidential. Tell no one, and I mean no one. Am I clear?”

Ezekiel and Zee nodded wordlessly, both still processing everything they’d just heard.

With a final nod, Nagi stepped out of the cafeteria, his presence lingering like a shadow even after he was gone.

Riku, back to his usual self, leaned back in his chair and stretched. “Whew! That guy always knows how to make an exit, huh?”

Ezekiel glared at him. “You’re way too casual about this.”

Riku grinned. “Relax, Zeke. Everything will be fine. Probably.”

Zee, still chuckling softly, leaned toward Ezekiel. “So, Operation Panda’s Thunder, huh? You ready for this, Zeke?”

Ezekiel sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “This is gonna be a nightmare.”