Still seated inside the enormous assembly hall, Dylan let out a slow, exhausted breath.
His legs remained comfortably crossed as he leaned back into his chair.
One earbud rested beneath his silver academy blazer, hidden well enough that nobody on stage seemed to notice.
A mellow alternative rock song played quietly through it, just loud enough to drown out the endless stream of orientation announcements without completely blocking the outside world.
“…This speech is never going to end,” He rubbed his forehead.
“How can someone talk for this long…” His emerald eyes wandered across the sea of freshmen surrounding him.
Nearly fifteen hundred students filled the auditorium.
Most had stopped pretending to pay attention.
One boy near the front was fighting a losing battle against sleep, his head dipping lower every few seconds before jerking upright again.
Several students quietly scrolled through their phones beneath the desks.
Others whispered to their neighbours whenever Professor Diana turned toward the opposite side of the hall.
One particularly ambitious freshman had somehow produced a deck of cards.
“…Impressive,” Dylan blinked.
“He’s actually playing Solitaire during orientation.” His gaze drifted toward another corner.
Two students appeared deeply invested in comparing weapon catalogues.
Another was doodling dragons across the academy handbook.
“…Yeah, that’s not something i expected.” Dylan muttered, then he shifted his gaze back to the stage.
Where professor Diana is still completely composed is giving her speech.
“…Lastly.” Her calm voice echoed throughout the hall.
“Nexus Academy exists for one purpose. To cultivate the next generation of humanity’s defenders. Our standards are intentionally severe.” She snapped her fingers.
A large holographic screen appeared behind her.
Average Graduation Rate: 9.7%
A wave of murmurs spread through the auditorium.
“…Only nine percent?”
“…You’re joking.”
“…That’s lower than I expected.”
Professor Diana let the whispers run their course before continuing.
“Many students enter Nexus Academy. Few complete its curriculum. Some withdraw voluntarily. Others discover that this path simply isn’t for them.” Her sapphire eyes swept across the room.
“And some are expelled.”
The hall went noticeably quieter.
“Nexus Academy does not tolerate repeated misconduct, academic dishonesty, abuse of authority, or actions that endanger fellow students.” She paused, letting the words settle.
“Let me be clear, all of you, your family name means nothing within these walls. Your fortune buys you nothing here. Your reputation, whatever it was outside that door, ends the moment you cross this threshold. This institution has stripped titles far greater than yours, and it will not hesitate to strip you as well, should the need arise.”
Dylan bit back a laugh.
She can say all that, he thought, leaning back further, but everyone knows the truth.
Kids with influential parents always find a way out.
…At least for a while.
Eventually, even those connections stopped working.
After all this was Nexus Academy.
If someone repeatedly caused trouble, even the Bureau stopped making excuses.
Professor Diana folded her hands neatly before continuing.
“Another matter students will be evaluated according to merit, nothing more or nothing less,” She glanced across the hall.
“Some of you come from famous Hunter families.”
A few students instinctively straightened.
“Some of you possess extraordinary talents.”
Others exchanged proud smiles.
“And some of you believe your strength alone guarantees success.”
Her voice remained calm.
“It does not,” She looked directly toward the front rows.
“Power without discipline is dangerous and talent without effort is meaningless.”
Silence filled the enormous auditorium.
“Your grades. Your missions. Your practical examinations. Your promotions. Every privilege you earn within this academy will be determined by your own actions. No exceptions.”
Dylan quietly nodded.
That part, at least, was actually true.
The professors genuinely didn’t care who your parents were.
If you performed well you were rewarded.
If you didn’t you fell behind.
“It was that simple.” Dylan said, as Professor Diana activated another holographic display.
It listed page after page of academy regulations.
“Curfew begins at eleven o’clock each evening.”
“No unauthorised combat within residential districts.”
“Dungeon access requires official approval.”
“Possession of prohibited substances will result in immediate disciplinary review.”
“Damage to academy property must be compensated.”
“Attendance is mandatory unless excused.”
“Students are forbidden from entering Restricted Zones.”
She continued listing rules.
Then more rules.
Then…
Somehow…
Even more rules.
“…Half of these get broken every semester.” Dylan said resting his cheek against his hand.
He quietly counted on his fingers.
“Unauthorised duels?”
“Happens weekly.”
“Curfew?”
“Basically optional.”
“Restricted Zones?”
“The main cast practically treats them like tourist attractions.”
“Dungeon restrictions?”
“…Give him three months and he’ll definitely end up somewhere he’s absolutely not supposed to be.” Dylan muttered glancing towards Ethan.
A tiny smile appeared on his face.
The academy handbook looked terrifying but reality was considerably more entertaining.
Professor Diana finally closed the holographic screen.
“That concludes the regulations.”
A collective silence followed.
Then nearly fifteen hundred exhausted freshmen released the exact same sigh.
“Haaaa…”
The sound rolled across the auditorium like a wave.
Even several professors looked amused.
“…We survived.” Dylan chuckled.
At that exact moment the enormous entrance doors swung open.
Boooom.
Heavy footsteps echoed throughout the hall, and every head turned as one.
A broad-shouldered elderly man strode confidently down the central aisle, his silver hair neatly combed back and his ordinary grey coat fluttering gently behind him.
It was the same kind old man Dylan had met at the Teleportation Hub.
Marcus Marrow, Chairman of Nexus Academy, and one of humanity’s strongest Hunters.
Professor Diana stepped away from the podium with a helpless smile.
“…Chairman.”
Marcus scratched the back of his head.
“I know.”
“I’m late.”
A few professors sighed.
Apparently this wasn’t unusual.
Marcus casually climbed onto the stage before standing behind the podium.
He looked across the sea of freshmen.
Then smiled.
…
Silence.
He looked around again.
“…Still awake?”
Scattered laughter echoed through the hall.
Marcus nodded approvingly.
“Good, i’d feel bad if Diana scared all of you unconscious before classes even started.”
This time the laughter grew louder.
Even Professor Diana sighed with quiet resignation.
Marcus folded his arms.
“I won’t waste your time. You’ve already survived one speech today.”
Several students visibly perked up.
“I’ll keep mine short.”
A small round of applause immediately followed.
“…Smart crowd.” Marcus grinned.
“Welcome to Nexus Academy.”
“For some of you this place will become your greatest achievement.”
“For others It’ll become your worst nightmare.”
More laughter spread.
“And honestly? That’s perfectly normal.”
He rested both hands on the podium.
“You’re going to fail.”
“Repeatedly.”
“You’re going to embarrass yourselves.”
“Make stupid decisions.”
“Probably blow something up.” Several professors exchanged knowing looks.
Marcus noticed.
“…Again.”
The hall burst into laughter.
“But that’s part of learning.”
His expression softened.
“The important thing isn’t avoiding failure, it’s standing back up afterwards.” His voice carried effortlessly throughout the hall.
“Nexus Academy doesn’t exist to produce perfect Hunters, It exists to produce dependable ones. People humanity can trust when everything goes wrong.” He pointed toward the students.
“So train, study, protect each other.”
“And if one of your classmates falls…”
“Help them back onto their feet.”
For a brief moment the cheerful atmosphere became surprisingly quiet.
Then Marcus smiled again.
“And please don’t destroy my academy,” He looked directly toward the freshmen.
“I just finished paying for the last repairs.” The entire auditorium erupted into laughter.
Dylan couldn’t help smiling.
“…No wonder everyone loves him.”
Marcus wasn’t elegant.
He wasn’t particularly formal.
But somehow he made fifteen hundred nervous freshmen feel welcome within five minutes.
He stepped away from the podium.
“That’s all.”
“Enjoy your time here.”
“And try not to give your professors headaches.”
Thunderous applause filled the assembly hall.
Professor Diana returned to the microphone.
“Thank you, Chairman,” She waited until the applause settled.
“Orientation packages will now be distributed.”
The side doors opened.
Dozens of academy staff entered carrying neatly packed black folders.
One by one, every student received one.
Dylan accepted his package with quiet curiosity.
Embossed across the cover in silver lettering were the words
NEXUS ACADEMY: FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
“…Let’s see what’s inside.” He flipped it open with a faint grin even though he knew what’s inside the box.
The first thing he found was a sleek black identification sleeve, inside rested a metallic meal card.
[Nexus Academy Dining Pass: Unlimited Standard Meals]
“…Now that’s beautiful.” He held it up toward the light.
“Knowledge is temporary, free food is eternal.” Without hesitation, he slipped it safely into his wallet.
Next came a palm-sized silver device, it resembled a modern smartphone without any buttons.
The screen automatically illuminated.
[Nexus Campus Navigator]
“GPS…,” He nodded approvingly.
“…Very Necessary.” Considering the academy was practically its own city.
Getting lost wasn’t a possibility, it was a certainty.
The next item made his smile disappear.
Three thick books, each one looked heavy enough to qualify as a blunt weapon.
Academy Rules & Regulations
Student Conduct Manual (SCM)
Disciplinary Procedures & Safety Protocols (DP&SP)
“…”
“…Three?” Dylan muttered, slowly picking one up, it was almost six hundred pages.
He opened another five hundred and thirty-two.
The last one…
“…Seven hundred?” His eye twitched.
“I think they accidentally printed a legal system.” He immediately shoved all three books back into the folder.
“I’m never reading those.”
Then he slowly looked into each item.
Several digital pens.
A notebook.
Campus maps.
Emergency contact cards.
A small academy pin.
Coupons for nearby student stores.
A welcome letter.
And…
For some reason a tiny packet of flower seeds.
Dylan blinked.
“…Why?”
The packet simply read—
[Help Keep Nexus Green]
“…Sure.” He muttered, quietly returning it to the folder.
Nearly twenty minutes later the orientation officially concluded.
Professor Diana offered one final reminder.
“Classes begin tomorrow at eight o’clock sharp. Please use the remainder of today to familiarise yourselves with the campus.”
“Dismissed.”
Almost immediately the enormous auditorium exploded into conversation.
Thousands of chairs scraped against the floor.
Students excitedly gathered into groups.
Dylan looked around once.
“…Socialising.”
He imagined introducing himself.
Making small talk.
Remembering names.
Pretending to be energetic.
Then his thoughts drifted toward his dormitory.
Toward…
That bed.
His eyes slowly unfocused.
“…It’s probably still warm.”
“So soft…”
“So comfortable…”
“…I miss it already.”
He nodded decisively.
“My social battery is completely dead.”
“Sleep comes first.” He stood.
Then, before leaving, his eyes naturally wandered across the hall.
Clarice Ventrova…
Already sat alone near one of the windows, several students clearly wanted to approach her.
None possessed the courage.
The elegant elven princess remained as untouchable as ever.
“…Expected.”
A little farther away Ethan Walker had unknowingly become the centre of attention.
Several freshmen eagerly introduced themselves.
Some wanted to spar.
Others simply wanted to talk.
“Potagonist effect already working.” Dylan thought quietly.
Nearby Megha Roy politely answered questions from another group of students.
Her calm smile never faded.
Meanwhile, Leonard Caesar stood surrounded by several wealthy-looking freshmen.
More accurately…
Followers.
“…Of course,” Dylan sighed.
“He’s recruiting already.” His gaze shifted once more.
Then…
“…What the hell?”
Someone was literally bouncing through the crowd.
Red hair.
Bright smile.
Enough energy to power an entire city.
Kalen Barthalemou.
He greeted people faster than they could introduce themselves.
One handshake.
Another.
Another.
Someone laughed.
Kalen laughed louder.
“…Golden retriever.” Dylan muttered, closing his eyes with a yawn.
Before he could walk away—
Thud.
Kalen crashed directly into him.
“Whoa!”
Both of them stumbled.
“Oh!”
“Sorry!” The red-haired young man immediately caught his balance.
“I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“…It’s fine.” Dylan said, rubbing his shoulder.
Kalen flashed an apologetic grin before extending a hand.
“I’m Kalen.”
“Kalen Barthalemou.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Dylan looked at the offered hand for a second.
Then accepted it.
“Dylan.”
“Dylan Harrow.”
Their handshake lasted only a moment.
“Hope we’ll get along!” Kalen said cheerfully.
“…Sure.” Dylan replied.
He immediately began walking away.
Keep moving.
Keep moving.
Keep moving.
“…Why the fuck did I have to bump into that celebrity ass…”
He didn’t even dare look behind him, several girls nearby were already staring at him.
Not ordinary stares.
Judging stares.
Protective stares.
Probably Jealous stares.
“…They’re glaring at me because I wasn’t excited enough to meet their idol.” He shivered, “Terrifying.” As he walked toward the dormitory…
He couldn’t help thinking about Kalen son of Vincent Barthalemou, The legendary Thunder God.
An SS-Rank Hunter, cold, stoic, intimidating.
The kind of man who could silence a room simply by entering it.
Then somehow…
His son turned out like…
That.
“Kalen’s basically a golden retriever wearing a school uniform.”
Handsome.
Ridiculously talented.
A celebrity singer before even entering the academy.
Friendly enough to start conversations with complete strangers.
And in the original novel…
He eventually became Ethan Walker’s closest friend.
“…Honestly…” Dylan scratched his head, “Kalen’s mother deserves all the credit.”
Vincent who is one of the most busiest man in the world, never had the time to teach his son how to behave.
But thanks to his wife and Kalen’s mom Amber Barthalemou, Kalen turned out like this.
A Golden Retriever personified as a human.
Dylan then remembered Kalen’s innate ability [Echo]
Kalen possesses extraordinarily enhanced hearing, allowing him to perceive sounds across vast distances, distinguish individual voices within crowds, detect subtle changes in breathing or heartbeats, and accurately pinpoint the location of moving targets through sound alone.
Excessively loud noises can temporarily overwhelm the ability if not properly managed.
“Honestly, i should stay away from that guy.” Dylan thought.
A moment later…
He remembered the girls again.
His eye twitched.
“…I hate those unemployed fangirls.”
He disappeared down the academy road.
Back at the Assembly Hall Kalen watched Dylan’s retreating figure with a puzzled expression, “…Did he just called them girls unemployed?” He said scratching his cheek in confusion.