The sound of footsteps echoed in the classroom.

The class was quiet; even Instructor Orwen paused mid-sentence.

A gentle knock came at the door before it opened.

Everyone looked up.

Professor Sylvia stepped in.

"Hello everyone!" Sylvia greeted, clasping her hands together.

"How are you all doing today?"

A few students responded politely, though most were still weary from their morning drills.

"Good morning, Professor Sylvia!" several said in unison.

Even Orwen nodded slightly, stepping aside to let her take the front of the room.

Sylvia smiled and looked around the classroom, her eyes softening as she saw familiar faces — Kael, Elysia, Edwin, and others among them.

"It’s been a while since I last came to your class," she said lightly.

"You’ve all grown strong. But I didn’t come just for a visit today."

"Well, we have some news from the Council of the Clan," Sylvia continued, holding a few papers in her hand.

"From your last dungeon clearing, everyone performed exceptionally well. I’m proud of each of you."

A few students smiled proudly. Some even whispered happily to each other.

"But however..." Sylvia took a slow breath, her smile fading.

"There is something serious I must tell you."

Sylvia’s eyes lowered for a moment.

"Three heroes from the second-year division were killed during another academy’s demon-clearing operation."

The silence cracked instantly. Gasps filled the air.

"What?!"

"Three second-years?"

"Are you serious?"

Students began to murmur anxiously, their faces pale with disbelief.

Some looked at each other, others turned toward the windows as if expecting an explanation to fall from the sky.

Jin’s hand clenched into a fist under his desk.

Elysia’s eyes widened slightly, but she stayed silent.

Edwin frowned, his jaw tightening.

Kael simply lowered his gaze — he had already read about this event in the original novel, but seeing it happen in real life felt something.

Sylvia raised her hand gently to calm them.

"I know this is frightening to hear," she said softly.

"But you must understand — the path of a hero is never safe. These dungeons are unpredictable."

The murmurs quieted a little.

"Your next dungeon clearing is scheduled in three days," Sylvia continued. "That’s why I came today — to advise you all. This time, it won’t be a practice run. The dangers will be real."

A student from the front row raised her hand timidly. "Professor Sylvia... will the next clearing be connected to the same incident where those three were killed?"

Sylvia looked at her and nodded slightly.

"Yes, it is a nearby sector of the same region."

The students exchanged nervous glances.

"That’s why," she said, "I strongly recommend that you join forces or form small teams. No one should fight alone. If the demons are strong, you might face life-threatening challenges."

A hand went up again, this time from a girl with short brown hair.

"Umm, madam," she asked cautiously, "those three who were killed... were they really killed by demons? Or was it something else?"

Sylvia sighed softly, placing the papers on the table.

"From what I heard from the Council’s representative, it was indeed the demons. They were far stronger than expected — five of them, to be exact."

Her words struck the class like a thunderclap.

"Five demons?" someone repeated in disbelief.

"What kind of demons are those?" another asked.

Even Orwen looked slightly unsettled.

"How strong are they, Professor?" a boy from the back row asked.

Sylvia folded her arms, thinking carefully. "From the information we have... they’re believed to be equal to Rank A."

Gasps rippled again through the class.

"Rank A!?"

"That’s impossible!"

"Even third-years struggle against A-ranks!"

Elysia’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing.

Rank A demons... that means they’re on par with upper-division heroes.

Kael’s hand tightened on his desk. Inside his mind, a familiar chill crawled up his spine.

(The Five Deadly Demons...) he thought grimly.

He remembered that part of the novel, a turning point.

In the story, these five demons were not ordinary monsters; they were remnants of the old demon generals, sealed centuries ago.

Their reappearance always marked tragedy and loss.

(If they’ve appeared this early... then the story’s changing faster than I thought.)

He looked up at Sylvia again, wondering if she knew more than she was revealing.

Sylvia continued.

"You don’t need to panic. You won’t be facing those five directly. But if they appear near your zone, you must retreat immediately and signal the emergency talisman. Do not act alone."

Her gaze swept across the room. "Do you all understand?"

"Yes, Professor," the class answered, though the tension in their voices was clear.

Sylvia smiled faintly, trying to ease the mood.

"Good. Remember, fear is natural — but recklessness is not courage. Heroes must learn to fight smart."

Still, the whispers didn’t stop.

"Five A-rank demons... even the instructors would struggle."

"Why are they appearing now? I thought that region was sealed."

"Do you think it’s a prelude to something bigger?"

Elysia stared down at her desk. If even second-years died... then what about us?

Jin glanced sideways at her.

For a moment, he thought about saying something, but he couldn’t find the right words.

Edwin, on the other hand, raised his hand. "Professor Sylvia, is there any information about what kind of demons they were? Like... their abilities or types?"

Sylvia nodded. "The council is classified unconfirmed."

The class fell silent again.

Kael swallowed quietly.

In the original story, the five demons appeared after the second dungeon test.

But now... it’s happening already. The timeline’s collapsing.

Sylvia took a deep breath. "That’s all the official report we received. I know this news is unsettling, but let it also remind you — preparation is your greatest weapon."

Her tone softened as she looked at her students one by one. "You all have potential. Some of you even possess strength that surprises me. But raw strength alone can’t save lives. Teamwork, strategy, and trust will."

Her gaze lingered briefly on Kael, then Elysia, and finally Jin.

"Do not let fear control you," she added.

"Train harder, prepare together, and believe in your team. You may be young, but you carry the future of this world."

"You all are the future hero of our nation"

"Professor Sylvia," Orwen finally spoke, bowing slightly, "thank you for informing us. We’ll ensure the students prepare properly."

Sylvia nodded.

Then she looked back at the class one last time.

"Three days. Use every moment wisely. Train your mana control, strengthen your defense, and plan your formations. You never know what awaits beyond the clearing."

As she turned to leave, a faint unease settled in Kael’s chest.

Elysia watched Sylvia leave with a serious expression.

For some reason, her heart pounded faster — not out of fear, but out of a strange, rising determination.

"I won’t run," she whispered to herself.

Edwin heard her faint words and looked over. "Elysia?"

She looked up, meeting his eyes.

Kael overheard her, his eyes narrowing.

(whaa...) he thought. You have no idea what’s coming.