The crowd fell silent, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads as they secretly watched the faces of the other four leaders fume in rage.

The first was Samael. A talent this world has yet to see. Someone who could reach insane heights and bring victory It was already bad that he rejected them and humiliated them, but now Lilith, another prodigy with strong backing from the likes of their families, if not more, chose the Nightwalkers too.

They have heard rumors of their relationship, but to think it was true sent fury in their veins. Her talent was wasted in such a place, and so was her status as a noble!

Rudy rose up, his face flushed red as he opened his mouth, when a cold chill sent shivers down his spine. Slowly casting a glance beside him, he saw the icy gaze of the headmaster staring at his soul.

Zipping his lips shut, he sat down. Seeing this, Samael smirked. Even lions can be tamed with fear. This is why power is the only true currency.

Meanwhile, Lilith made her way towards the Nightwalkers, where she stood beside Samael.

As the students continued, she secretly extended her finger, touching his warm skin; her cheeks stained a shade of pink as she turned her face away, as though nothing was happening.

Samael's lips curled as he brushed her hand with his before taking them in his grasp, enveloping her in his warmth.

Lilith's face was painted with a rosy hue as she squeezed tighter. However, she remained looking away, her embarrassment chewing through her.

She was just playing around, but Samael took it without a second thought. This man!

This did not go unnoticed by others, even Michael, who could only smile and shake his head. It seems he had some things to make clear.

As the choosing came to an end, the headmaster went forward to deliver the final speeches.

"Once again, congratulations, my dear students!" He screamed as the kids erupted in a mighty round of applause.

"There may have been some who were not chosen, but that is okay. That does not define you. Fear not, for the professors will try their best to make sure you do not get left behind."

Looking at the kids beside their families's, he resumed.

"As for those who have been chosen and have chosen, I know of the hardships you endured, and your determination has led you to this very moment. With that, you have my praise."

"But remember! Do not let your arrogance consume you. You may have won today, but that does not make you any better than the rest. From here on, it is another race to the top."

"Once again, congratulations! Be proud! Celebrate! Classes will begin in two days. Till then, explore and make yourselves at home." The headmaster gave the students a nod before his figure vanished.

For a moment, there was silence. Then loud cheers thundered in the garden as the students cheered and threw their fists in the air. They've made it, and that's what mattered.

After that, they all went on their own ways and groups. Some decided to explore while others went to eat. However, those with their own familias had other things to tend to before they can go.

When the students were finally gone, the leaders stood up as they rounded up their students. However, their hostile gazes and occasional jabs did not go unnoticed by Samael.

"Pay them no mind. They've always been like that; you'll learn to ignore them eventually," Michael said.

"I thought this place was equal. Turns out you can't get rid of prejudice and hatred," Samael said.

"Sad, but I have to agree," Michael said before turning to his new Nightwalkers.

"Nightwalkers!" He roared, prompting the students to line up and subconsciously straighten their backs.

"I know there are many things on your mind—questions you wish to ask and expectations you are looking forward to. I'll try my best to answer all of them. Now, I haven't done this in a long time, so we'll have to break some backs and make things work." Michael paced around. "Now, to reintroduce myself, I am Michael. Just Michael. I'm no noble, and some think that's laughable. But that's more reason to prove them wrong."

Slamming his fist over the sigil on his cloak, he resumed. "I am the leader of the Nightwalkers. But what does being a nightwalker mean? It means we don't back away from a fight! Unlike the rest, who specialize in certain aspects of being an echo, such as Elemental control or body enhancement, my familia specializes in one thing."

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Michael halted his steps as he stared at each and every one of his students.

"Survival."

"I will teach you ways on how to survive. I will make you strong enough to fend off both humans and beasts alike. Whether it be wilderness training or general combat, I'll help you. That's because I believe true power is a culmination of all those things," he said.

Raegan raised his hand, prompting Michael to look at him.

"Go on," Michael said.

Raegan nodded. "But why are we dubbed Nightwalkers?"

A smile made its way to Michael's face. "That's because we walk in the dark so others can stay in the light. We handle the dangers the night offers without flinching all so that people can sleep comfortably without the threat of death looming in the shadows. That's because of us."

"Now, shall we go to our humble abode?"

***

Unlike most of the familias, the Nightwalkers base was located in the wilderness outside of Tera. It is connected through a portal in the school, allowing the students to go back and forth as needed.

Now, this might come across as rather hazardous, and it is. However, the base is hidden, and only the headmaster knows its location. Not to mention, the base is equipped with enough defensive countermeasures to take down beasts of great caliber.

As the light of the teleporter faded, the students fell on their knees as they hungered for air. Some ran fast as they emptied the contents of their stomachs. Lilith herself had to take a second, as she felt extremely nauseous.

Samael swiftly held her hair back, keeping it behind in case she threw up, as he constantly massaged her back.

"Are you okay?" Samael asked.

Lilith forced a smile as she took one deep breath. "I'll be fine. Thank you."

"Don't force yourself. It happens to everyone." Samael swiped away the strand of hair near Lilith's lips, his finger brushing against her as her face flushed crimson.

However, a voice soon broke them out of their stupor.

"Aren't you two enjoying this too much?" Michael asked.

Samael stepped back, allowing the girl to straighten her back as she tidied herself.

"Now, I know you too are in a relationship. Frankly, we all do. But please keep such things private... AND! avoid any form of sexual intercourse!" Michael followed.

Lilith's entire face fumed red. "H-how vulgar! W-we won't do such things... yet," she said, her voice slowly turning to a whisper.

Samael couldn't help but chuckle. "He's teasing you."

Lilith's face beamed brighter as she tried to look unfazed.

"Alright, that's enough jokes. Follow me, students," Michael said as he went ahead.

The path forward was quite special. They passed by an old stone path that led to a giant stronghold. There were also a couple barriers set in place, but Samael could feel the presence of monsters outside.

As they arrived, the Nightwalkers couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the majestic stronghold.

It almost looked like a castle, but it had a specific aura. Something only a home can have.

"Welcome to Hallstone, our base of operations," Michael said as he went in.

The place inside was large. It kind of resembled the old medieval castles you see in books—the kind people used before the arrival of the abominations.

There is also a large stairway leading to the areas above, where most of the rooms were located. Michael gave them permission to roam around and choose their rooms. As such, Samael went ahead to pick one.

Taking the opportunity, Lilith looked around before quietly trailing him.

Sensing her presence, Samael chuckled as he turned around a corner. Seeing this, Lilith hastily followed, only to bump into him standing before her.

"Caught you," Samael whispered.

Lilith's cheeks were tainted in a beautiful shade of pink as her heart violently thumped in her chest.

"How did you know I was following you?" She asked.

"You're not exactly the stealth type," Samael answered.

"T-That's cheating!" Lilith blurted out as she evaded his gaze.

"Oh? How so?" Samael asked. He was enjoying every moment of it. Her troubled expression and the way she tried to find reasons were irresistibly cute.

Left with nowhere to go, Lilith broke free of Samael's grasp as she turned around. "That's a secret!"

Taking a glance over her shoulders, Lilith spoke. Her eyes held a mischievous glint. "Or maybe I let you catch me!"

Samael chuckled as he shook his head. "I suppose so."

"Well then! I'll go now," she said before dashing away.

As she reached the other side, she hugged the wall as she held her face, trying to calm her racing heart as a giggle escaped her lips.

Smiling to himself, Samael went on to explore the long corridor. Eventually, he arrived at a room of his liking.

Opening it, he went in. Inside was a simple bed with a wardrobe beside it. There was also a wooden desk ahead and a chair accompanying it.

The room was a little dusty, but that was all there was to it.

Sitting down, he sighed. It has been a good day. However, before he could even rest, a bell rang throughout the base, prompting him to go into the lobby, where the others awaited.

"What's going on, sir?" Desmond asked.

"Well, I gathered all of you here for one simple reason," Michael said.

"What would that be?" Raegan asked.

"To test you," Michael said as the students were ejected outside without warning

.

Looking ahead, a large abomination crawled from the darkness, sending them in a state of panic and fear.

"The test is simple. Kill it," Michael said as he sat down.

"Oh yeah, don't kill it by yourself, Samael," he followed.

Samael gave a nod as he stared at the creature. By his standards, it was pretty weak. However, for these students, who have yet to face such a beast, it was surely a frightening experience.

"Now! Don't freeze up! Do you want to get mauled to death?" Michael asked.

The students swallowed hard as they unsheathed their weapons.

"Remember, this is a team fight. You don't have to do everything on your own," Michael said.

With one mighty roar, the beast billowed forward, its steps shaking the earth.

As it approached, Raegan clenched his jaw as he dashed forward with one mighty war cry.

As his fist connected, a loud bang thundered in the field. But his eyes widened as the beast simply swiped at him. Fortunately, Samael dragged him back in time.

"Lilith! Push it back!" Samael screamed.

Lilith nodded as she channeled chaos energy forward, knocking the beast a few steps back. But this made the abomination focus on her as it charged relentlessly.

Unable to react on time, Lilith braced. Michael swiftly went up when Samael's figure vanished.

Before the eyes of the students, the formidable opponent they were facing blew up into smaller pieces; it's blood staining the earth.

Michael sighed as he went to assist the kids.

"That right there was an abomination," he said, luring the attention of the frightened kids.

"Out there, there are thousands, if not millions, of them. They destroy everything and kill anything that moves. They listen to no reason and only answer to one thing: death," Michael resumed.

"Now, I ask you this: Are you still willing to fight?"

The students gritted their teeth as they stood up one by one.

"Good. For now, we rest. Tomorrow, we train."