CHAPTER 175: GOOD BYE.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don’t hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

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The moment Instructor Doran finished scanning the room and confirming everyone’s presence, something softened in his expression. His shoulders eased, the stern line of his mouth curved faintly, and he exhaled in a way that made the tension in the classroom loosen by a degree.

Then he smiled — that familiar, calm, slightly amused smile only A1 ever saw — and said:

"So... how was the party last night?"

A few students groaned.

A few straightened in panic.

Seris pretended to polish imaginary dust off her nails, smug as ever.

And Arlen buried his face in his hands.

Doran chuckled quietly. "Relax. I’m not reprimanding anyone. Four years with you troublemakers gave me a front-row seat to your... creativity."

That earned light laughter around the room — even from the usually composed Scholar Department.

A1 had always had a relaxed kind of rapport with him. Yes, he was strict. Yes, he pushed them past limits. Yes, he demanded excellence without compromise.

But he cared. Deeply. And he made no attempt to hide it from this group.

The next thirty minutes passed in easy conversation.

Doran leaned against the edge of his desk and talked to them not as a uniformed instructor, but as someone who had watched them grow from stumbling twelve-year-olds with too-big uniforms to polished youths with bright futures. He joked with Arlen about his aerial DJ stunt. He teased Seris about instigating half the chaos. He even complimented Maera for keeping the SD students from collapsing midway through the night.

Then, he turned a bit more serious — not tense, just reflective.

"You’ve all come far," he said. "Farther than any expectations I had four years ago."

The room fell quiet.

No one interrupted.

Doran’s gaze traveled across the rows — each face familiar, each posture attentive.

"I’ve enjoyed teaching this particular set," he continued. "You’re talented, disciplined, driven... annoyingly competitive — all the things an A1 class should be."

A few students smiled at that.

"And the time has come where I can finally say this: all of you have passed the strict boundary of learning the core foundations required of you. Every skill, every technique, every discipline."

Murmurs rippled through the class.

Orion blinked.

’Passed? Now? With a whole month left?’

Doran kept smiling, but it was too soft. Too sentimental. Too final.

Orion narrowed his eyes slightly.

This wasn’t normal.

Doran liked structured progress. He liked routines. He didn’t get emotional unless something significant was approaching.

Orion almost raised his hand to tell him he was being dramatic — that they still had weeks left — when a sudden shift in the air made everyone straighten.

A presence flickered.

Distinct.

Bright.

Authoritative.

A signature that demanded attention even from the most unruly of noble heirs.

Rhaena Chronos appeared beside Doran.

Their Supervisor.

Not just for A1 — for their entire set.

And despite her rank, her duties, her influence, the students rarely saw her outside major announcements and large-scale events.

Her arrival immediately confirmed Orion’s suspicion.

Something big was happening.

Rhaena smiled widely, eyes shimmering with a glassy shine that could only be described as emotional.

"Alright, best of the best," she said. "I’m sure all of you have heard the rumors going around. And I’m equally sure you expected this meeting."

The class held its breath.

"And by the way," she added with a bright grin, "sorry for the timing. I heard the party last night was... eventful."

Seris lifted her chin proudly.

Arlen groaned again.

Rhaena chuckled, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

"I still remember those chubby little faces that marched into the academy during orientation — so excited, so proud, so absolutely certain you’d conquer the world by lunchtime." She laughed gently, wiping an actual tear from her eyes. "The looks you wear now show how far you’ve come. You’ve grown. In every way."

A wave of warmth washed through the classroom.

Even Orion felt it — a subtle tug of nostalgia.

"And like every set before you, I have no doubt you’ll do great things," Rhaena continued. "Chronos Academy doesn’t raise mediocrity."

She clasped her hands.

"So... let’s talk about the real reason you’re here."

The room leaned forward collectively.

"As the closing statement in the life of every A1 class, we like to end things with a bang." Rhaena giggled softly as she said it. "And no — not the fun kind of bang. The educational kind. The kind where we throw you into the wild and evaluate your survival instincts."

A few students swallowed.

Some straightened.

Rhaena’s eyes gleamed.

"In simple words... we’re testing your mettle."

."We’re staying within the Chronos Dukedom — but we will be leaving the safety of the estate."

Orion’s posture sharpened slightly.

"That’s not all," Rhaena continued. "You’ll be clashing with other nobles of our dukedom."

A fresh wave of tension spread.

"A competition?"

Maera asked, the SD girl’s voice clear and steady.

"Yes, Maera," Rhaena said warmly. "A competition with a significant reward on the line. A reward even I am not privy to."

The entire class stiffened.

For someone at her rank to say that meant only one thing:

This wasn’t just a school event.

It was a family-level directive.

"Oh, don’t look so shocked," Rhaena added with a small laugh. "At this point, you’ve all grown beyond my jurisdiction. You’re Chronos assets now."

Orion felt something twist in his chest at that phrasing.

"Now," Rhaena continued, "the competition will be split into two divisions — Combat Division and Scholar Division."

A few students traded looks.

"You will not be working together," she clarified. "You will separate and compete independently within your divisions."

Silence followed as her words sank in.

"That is all I am permitted to announce," Rhaena said at last, brushing her hands lightly. "Any questions?"

They reviewed every detail mentally.

There wasn’t much to work with.

Just enough to stir excitement — and anxiety.

Finally, Rhaena nodded. "As expected. No questions. Instructor Doran?"

Doran straightened, stepping forward with his hands clasped behind him. His eyes swept over the class — every student he had guided, scolded, disciplined, and encouraged.

"Remember what I told you during our very first class."

The room went still.

"A1 is a responsibility."

He smiled.

And before any of them could react, question, or breathe—

A burst of light swallowed the entire classroom.