July 20, 2080, Monday.

Outside the [Labyrinth of the Nurturer].

Or to be more precise, inside [CLASS A-1]'s classroom...

"They're supposed to come out of the labyrinth today, right?"

"Yeah, from what I heard it seems like they already reached the end and even killed the boss monster."

Two girls could be heard chatting with each other. They were Trexiel and Joana, seated side by side while their classmates went about their own business.

The two of them were talking about Alec and the others who had entered the dungeon a week ago.

"Amazing..."

Joana mumbled as her eyes slightly widened.

"They cleared it in just a week. Even tertiaries can't achieve something like that so easily."

Her tone carried a mix of disbelief and admiration.

"It's all because he has Alec, Curtis, and Eve with him."

Trexiel replied without hesitation, speaking with complete confidence.

"Huh? I think it's more because of Blake, Adelle, and Aoi."

Joana voiced her own opinion firmly, unwilling to let Trexiel dismiss the others so easily.

"Awakeners like them are much more helpful in this kind of situation after all."

She added, nodding to herself as though confirming her point.

"Aren't you guys forgetting about Raven?"

That was when a boy who overheard their conversation decided to approach and suddenly cut in with that question.

Joana and Trexiel both frowned and turned to look at him with clear disapproval written on their faces.

And when the boy noticed the way they were looking at him...

"He's strong."

He spoke with a serious face, his voice steady as though trying to prove he wasn't joking.

Then...

"We know that."

"We're talking about who helped him the most in clearing the labyrinth."

Trexiel and Joana quickly retorted, brushing off his attempt to butt into the discussion.

"Eh?"

The boy blinked in confusion, taken aback at their casual dismissal.

"I bet Raven could clear the labyrinth by himself."

"I agree."

"He's the strongest after all."

"That's right."

Trexiel and Joana ignored the boy completely and instead continued their own talk, showering Raven with praise as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

In fact, both Trexiel and Joana were senior members of the [Black Feathers]!

(It's Raven's fan club, originally created by Jeanna Avyl.)

If you're wondering how they even knew Alec's group managed to clear the labyrinth— it's simple. The dungeon is owned by Lunar, and the Academy has its own ways of knowing whenever someone enters, clears, or exits from it.

Anyway, conversations about Raven's and the others' return weren't limited to [CLASS A-1].

Right now it was actually the hottest topic in the entire Lunar Academy!

The one who even spread the word was none other than the Headmaster himself, Leo Justo.

Why did he do it? His only reason was that he thought it would be entertaining. To him, there was no harm in letting the students know and watching how they reacted.

The result was exactly what he expected. Anticipation and excitement for the group's return spread like wildfire throughout the Academy, especially among the freshmen who looked up to Raven and the others.

Everyone was eager to see what achievements they had gained in just a single week.

*****

Later that same day, after classes ended...

A huge crowd gathered outside the entrance of the [Labyrinth of the Nurturer].

Most of the crowd consisted of students— freshmen, sophomores, even tertiaries. Professors and staff were present as well, drawn in by curiosity or interest.

Murmurs and whispers echoed everywhere, creating an atmosphere filled with tension and expectation.

Not everyone in the crowd was there out of support. Some had come out of pure curiosity. Others simply had nothing better to do. And, of course, there were a few who were openly displeased with Raven and carried some degree of dislike toward him.

Still, regardless of their feelings, every single person was waiting for the same thing—

The return of Raven and the others.

Among the crowd were several familiar faces.

Jeanna Avyl, the founder of [Black Feathers], stood near the front, eagerly waiting. Many of her fellow members had also shown up.

Branwen Asterope, Darci Haux, and Carey Ember were also there. They were the leaders of [Crimson Fala], a powerful student organization rivaling even the council.

And of course, Lana Dennise, Lillen Florence, Cooper Garyes, and Cenric Kelton from the [Student Council] were present as well.

(Raven and his group were members of the student council themselves.)

Even [CLASS A-1]'s homeroom professor, Kendy Nasah, was waiting for his students to return.

(The Headmaster had forced him to be there.)

...

A short distance away from the crowded entrance...

"There's really a lot of people here..."

"Yeah, this is way more than I expected."

Ruby and Keara stood side by side, their eyes wide in mild shock as they stared at the mass of students filling the area.

-I wonder what kind of face Raven will make when he sees this situation, hehe...

Levina spoke through a small laugh. She was in her spirit form, hiding inside Ruby's top.

"I bet he'll be annoyed."

"Yeah, he really doesn't like being in the center of things like this."

""Hahaha.""

Both Ruby and Keara chuckled, easily imagining Raven scowling at the sight of the waiting crowd.

But then, the mood shifted a little.

"I really miss him..."

"It was only a week, but for me it felt more like months."

Keara mumbled softly, her tone dipping into something more vulnerable.

"I kinda feel the same. It just feels wrong without him around."

-Yeah, food just tastes so much better when we're eating together with him...

Ruby and Levina added, voicing their own feelings.

Hearing their words made Keara glance downward.

'I'm happy to know they care about Raven in a way similar to how I do...'

She thought to herself, hiding a faint but genuine smile.

Just moments later, she turned back to Ruby.

"Are you sure it's okay for us to wait here instead of handling our duties?"

She asked with a hint of worry.

Ruby briefly looked at her, then shifted her gaze back to the dungeon's entrance.

"I wasn't there when he left..."

"So at the very least, I want to welcome him back properly."

Ruby admitted bashfully, her words quiet but filled with honesty. She tried to keep her face straight, but a faint blush gave her away.

Keara saw it and couldn't help but smile.

'Cute... She must've been lonely just like me.'

She thought warmly.

-Arghh, I want to taste Raven's cooking again!

Levina suddenly declared, breaking the atmosphere.

SWOOSH~

Then at that exact moment, the cave-like entrance of the [Labyrinth of the Nurturer] began glowing brightly!

"...?!"

"...!"

Everyone's attention instantly snapped toward it.

And not long after—

PSSH– ZIIIIIIISH—!

A portal appeared!

That meant someone inside had reached the end, used the exit portal that spawns after defeating the boss monster, and was now being teleported back to the surface entrance!

(Most dungeons work this way, though not all.)

As the portal flickered into existence, silence fell across the crowd.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Every gaze locked onto the glowing gateway, not a single person daring to look away.

Tap-

Tap-

Tap-

Footsteps echoed from beyond the light.

And just then...

"Those damn freshmen, making such a fuss over clearing a dungeon like this."

"I never liked them from the start. Especially that one who's too close with Professor Ruby."

"Same. He acts like he owns the world."

(Technically, he does.)

Students with resentment toward Raven muttered spitefully.

Most of them were sophomores and tertiaries. Their bitterness stemmed from jealousy over how much attention Raven and his group were receiving despite being younger.

Some even schemed to disrupt things, whispering among themselves.

"When they step out, I'll trip one of them with a spell."

"Good plan. Then I'll blind them so they won't know what happened."

Their smug plotting was interrupted—

TAP—

A single foot stepped out of the portal, the sound echoing like a drumbeat across the tense crowd.

Thump- Thump- Thump-

Hearts began to race uncontrollably when they heard that.

Swoosh~

"...?"

The atmosphere thickened. Sweat rolled down foreheads. The simple act of breathing became heavier.

Yet no one moved their gaze away.

Then—

TAP-

A figure finally stepped forward completely out of the portal.

"..."

A young man with black hair and a striking figure appeared, his head lowered.

But there was no doubt in anyone's mind about who he was.

It was Raven.

The crowd was seconds away from cheering loudly, ready to welcome him back.

The jealous few were moments away from launching their petty tricks.

But then—

Fwip–

Raven raised his head and looked straight ahead.

And the moment his eyes became visible...

SWOOOOOOHHH—!!!

A crushing, overwhelming aura burst out from Raven, slamming down over the entire area!

""KEUK?!""

""ARGH?!""

"KRGHHH..."

The nearest students clutched their chests, gasping desperately for air as invisible weight bore down on them!

Within seconds, they were forced to their knees, their foreheads pressed low to the ground as though bowing before him!

None dared to raise their eyes!

Those who had harbored malicious intentions toward Raven fared even worse. His dominating aura bore down harder on them, and many collapsed instantly, losing consciousness the moment their eyes met his.

The few who managed to stay awake found themselves completely frozen, unable to move a muscle.

It was clear now what had happened.

The skill that had been maxed outof Raven...

Was <Monarch's Presence>!

"What the... Why are there so many people here?"

Raven mumbled with a frown, his voice calm but carrying effortlessly across the silent courtyard.

He scanned the crowd briefly.

"What a strange way to welcome someone back."

Then he muttered, looking down at the rows of people kneeling before him.

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