The next afternoon…
Westbridge University appeared as lively as ever.
Students poured through the towering iron gates in large groups, their conversations filling the campus with laughter and excitement.
Some rushed toward their afternoon lectures.
Others gathered beneath the maple trees, discussing the upcoming Halloween Prom.
Near the administration building, a giant digital screen displayed the latest Saint Hunter rankings.
The name at the top remained unchanged.
Father Rubenstein SSS-Rank Saint Supreme Leader of the Saint Hunter Society
Below him were the names of dozens of famous Hunters from around the world.
Students stopped to admire the rankings.
“…One day I’m going to awaken.”
“I’d settle for D-Rank.”
“D-Rank? I’d take F-Rank if it meant getting rich.”
Laughter erupted.
To most students…
The world still had dreams worth chasing.
To Lucas…
It was another day he hoped to survive.
He adjusted his glasses as he walked through the front entrance.
Dark circles rested beneath his eyes.
He hadn’t slept.
Not really.
Every time he closed his eyes…
He heard the whisper.
“Wake up…”
He shook his head.
“…Forget it.”
As he entered the main courtyard, something immediately caught his attention.
Several armored vehicles belonging to the Saint Hunter Society were parked near the administration building.
Hunters dressed in black combat uniforms stood watch around the campus.
Some carried enchanted rifles.
Others wore swords at their waists.
Lucas slowed his pace.
“…That’s unusual.”
Saint Hunters rarely visited universities unless something serious had happened.
Students whispered among themselves.
“Why are Hunters here?”
“I heard the FBI came yesterday.”
“My cousin says another student disappeared.”
“No way…”
“I swear it’s true.”
Lucas quietly continued walking.
Rumors had become common over the past five years.
Most turned out to be false.
Still…
Something about today’s atmosphere felt different.
Inside Classroom 3-B…
Most of the students had already arrived.
Derek immediately waved.
“Lucas!”
Lucas walked over.
“I was beginning to think you’d skip today.”
Lucas placed his bag beside his desk.
“I almost did.”
Derek laughed.
“I would’ve skipped too if Professor Helene hadn’t threatened us with extra assignments.”
Lucas smiled faintly.
The classroom slowly filled.
Near the windows…
Billy leaned toward Alex with his usual mysterious expression.
“I told you…”
“The school’s under surveillance.”
Alex rolled his eyes.
“Here we go again.”
Billy folded his arms proudly.
“I’m serious.”
“My dad told me.”
“The Saint Hunter Society has been investigating Westbridge for weeks.”
Alex sighed.
“Your dad also told you Bigfoot was an S-Rank monster.”
“That was different.”
Several nearby students laughed.
Billy frowned.
“I’m telling the truth this time.”
He lowered his voice dramatically.
“They’re searching for students who’ve disappeared.”
The laughter slowly faded.
“…Disappeared?”
Billy nodded.
“Final-year students.”
“No one knows where they went.”
A girl sitting nearby spoke up.
“My sister said Jackson Newman wasn’t in school today.”
Another student blinked.
“Now that you mention it…”
“I haven’t seen Brook Huston either.”
Lucas looked toward the empty desks.
It was true.
The arrogant upperclassman who had shoved him yesterday…
Was nowhere to be seen.
Just then…
The classroom door slid open.
Professor Liu Fang entered carrying a stack of textbooks.
The room instantly became quiet.
He placed the books on his desk before adjusting his glasses.
“Good afternoon.”
“I’m pleased to see most of you survived yesterday’s assignments.”
A few students laughed nervously.
Professor Liu smiled.
“Today we’ll continue our introduction to microbiology.”
As he did…
Billy quietly whispered,
“I still think something’s going on.”
Alex sighed.
“You always think something’s going on.”
Billy leaned closer.
“My dad says the Saint Hunter Society never deploys this many Hunters unless—”
Professor Liu suddenly stopped writing.
Without turning around, he spoke calmly.
“Mr. Billy.”
Billy froze.
“Y-Yes, sir?”
Professor Liu slowly turned to face the class.
“I assume your conversation is more fascinating than today’s lesson.”
The classroom erupted into laughter.
Billy scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“…No, sir.”
“Excellent.”
Professor Liu smiled.
“Then perhaps you can solve the first question.”
The laughter became even louder.
Billy’s face immediately turned pale.
“…Why me?”
“Because,” Professor Liu replied with a faint smile, “you appear to have the most confidence.”
More laughter echoed through the classroom.
Grumbling quietly to himself, Billy walked toward the whiteboard.
Lucas couldn’t help smiling.
For the first time since yesterday…
Everything actually felt…
Normal.
Billy picked up the marker.
“…Okay.”
“I think the answer is…”
He stared blankly at the complicated equation.
“…Uh…”
The classroom waited.
Billy scratched his head.
Professor Liu folded his arms patiently.
“Take your time.”
Lucas lowered his eyes toward his notebook.
Maybe…
Today really would be peaceful.
Then—
Something caught his attention.
A strange movement.
He slowly looked back toward the whiteboard.
His smile disappeared.
The mathematical symbols…
Were moving.