Arthur Gravestone stood on the stage, facing all the first-year squads who had made it through the second trial.
"All of you, the brave hunters who remain after the second trial. As you know, the third trial has been postponed because of the missing squads from the first and second trials. We are doing everything we can to locate them. We are searching for all the missing students," Arthur announced, his voice steady but carrying a sense of urgency.
Leon stood with squad 35. The members of his squad were all older-looking with a mature aura about them. One was a man with glasses and a scar across his forehead. Another had long blonde hair and striking golden eyes. The third had red hair and a red beard. Despite their appearance, they all had an experienced and adult-like vibe.
Students were whispering among themselves, anxious and confused about the missing students.
"Missing?!"
"I thought we were safe in school, but now this?"
"I'm starting to wonder what's going to happen to us in the last trial…"
Arthur raised his hand to calm everyone down. "Everyone don't be afraid. We're all here to protect you. If anything bad happens, an—"
Before he could finish, someone suddenly fell from above and landed right on him.
"Wha—?!" Arthur gasped, stumbling back.
The man who had fallen stood up casually, brushed off his clothes and snatched the mic.
"Headmaster, how was my entry? Cool, na?" he said with a grin.
"It was shit," Arthur muttered as he stood up and adjusted his clothes.
"Why the hell are you here? You should be in the hospital!" Arthur said, pointing at him.
"Why is everyone obsessed with me staying in the hospital? I need freedom too, and…" the guy looked down.
"And?" Arthur asked, now more curious and a bit worried.
"There are no sexy nurses there," the man said with a thumbs down.
"YOU PERVERT!" Arthur yelled.
Their bizarre interaction left the students buzzing with curiosity. Who was this guy who could talk to the headmaster so casually?
Meanwhile, the staff looked at him with a mix of respect and concern. Leon's squad on the other hand had gone pale—each of them shaking slightly, recognizing that guy.
"Th-this guy…"
"It's him…"
"W-why is he here…?"
Leon's squad members were visibly trembling. Confused Leon looked closely at the man who'd fallen on Arthur. Bandages wrapped around his mouth, scars marked his face and he wore a kimono…
Wait. Wearing a kimono?!
Leon's eyes narrowed. The pieces clicked into place. He turned to his squad and asked, "Why are you all scared of that guy?"
"He's not someone normal… he's…" the crimson-haired guy muttered, voice shaky.
"What is he?" Leon asked.
"He's one of the strongest hunters in the multiverse," said the golden-haired guy. "You saw the injuries on his body? Those aren't just wounds—they're proof of his power level."
"He once defeated a multiversal PL WEOS in his prime," the glasses guy added. "In EHHS, there's no official commander for any house but he's known as the Commander of House A."
"And…" the crimson-haired guy's voice dropped even lower, "he has 47 trillion hunter points. He's Commander Akash."
"47 trillion?!" Leon's eyes widened. He was completely dumbfounded. That number was beyond imagination. He couldn't even begin to grasp the kind of power someone like that held.
Somehow, word spread like wildfire—every student suddenly knew that the guy standing on stage with the headmaster was none other than Commander Akash. The air buzzed with excitement and awe. For many, it was their first time seeing the legendary figure in person. Until now, they'd only heard tales.
"He's the Commander?!"
"He looks so fine!"
"I'm gonna die from his handsomeness…"
But Leon being Leon, didn't share the same starstruck reaction. Instead, he shouted across the field
"Hey! Kimono guy! Remember me?!"
He waved his hand in the air even jumped a little to get Akash's attention.
Instantly, every student turned to glare at Leon with eyes full of hate.
He's so cocky already… now he's crossing the line?!
Then to their utter shock—
"Oh, Leon!" Akash's eyes lit up and in a blink he teleported beside Leon, casually throwing an arm over his shoulder. "You're here too!"
Leon smiled nervously. "You still haven't dropped your habit of running away hospital."
"You guys never let me run in peace," Akash chuckled. "Anyway, I heard someone named Leon became acting president. So it was you, huh?"
"Yeah, because of some circumstances," Leon replied casually.
"Circumstances, huh? Anyway…" Akash tilted his head, "Are you taking part in these Trials?"
"Yeah, I'm in Squad 35. These are my comrades," Leon said, pointing to his squad—who were still visibly shaking in fear.
Akash glanced at them briefly then smiled and turned back to Leon. "Then I'll accompany you in the Trial."
But before Leon could respond, a hand yanked Akash away from him. It was Alexia, her expression clearly annoyed.
"You're not accompanying anyone," she said flatly.
Akash looked at her with wide, pleading eyes and pouted. "Pleawess..."
Alexia stared at him in silence for a second before letting out a long sigh. "Fine. But you're not stepping onto the battlefield. You're only allowed to observe from headquarters."
"Thank you Alexia. Then Leon, I'm going" Akash leaves with Alexia.