The ride back to the Academy was quiet one. The hum of the stealth transport was the only sound. Colonel Boris sat in the corner. Glowing mana cuffs held her wrists. Her face was a cold mask of fury. No one even looked at her.

Jax leaned back, cleaning his knife slowly, in a calm way. Titus stood like a statue by the door, his big body still and strong. Draven stared at Jonah. His look was not angry anymore; it was a forced respect, learned from the recent mess.

Jonah just stared out the window, watching the rough mountains give way to rolling hills. He could feel Specter, a silent presence in the back of his mind, and the faint hum of his other Progeny resting in his Beast Space. They had walked into a trap, faced down a corrupt government agent, and won. It didn't feel like a victory, though. It just felt… finished.

Vanessa nudged him gently. "You okay?" she whispered, her eyes full of concern.

He managed a small smile. "Tired. But okay." He looked over at Draven, who finally broke his stare and gave a short nod. It was more than enough.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Headmaster's office was as intimidating as ever. The team stood before his massive desk, still in their dusty combat gear. Colonel Boris was handed over to the Academy's elite guard, her final venomous glare aimed squarely at Jonah before she was escorted away.

Seraph placed a data slate on the desk. "Colonel Boris, acting under the authority of the Bureau of Elite Development, attempted to assassinate Jonah of Cinderfall and the entirety of my task force. The evidence is all there. Surveillance logs, the schematics for the trap, and her own recorded orders."

The Headmaster didn't look at the slate. His eyes, sharp and calculating, moved over each member of the team, finally landing on Jonah. He was silent for a full minute, the tension in the room so thick you could feel it pressing down.

Finally, he spoke in a low, deep voice. "You have not just survived, children. You brought their hidden evils to light." He pressed his fingers together. "The Bureau has overstepped. They thought they had all the power. You showed them they didn't."

His eyes shifted back to Seraph. "Leave this with me. The Academy will handle the fallout. You have all earned a rest. You are dismissed."

____________________________________________________________________________________

The next few days quickly passed by. News of the incident spread across the nation's networks. The story was simple and damning: a high-ranking Bureau official had gone rogue, attempting to assassinate a decorated military officer and the now-famous "Saint of the Scar."

The Headmaster used the evidence like a weapon. He launched a political attack that rocked the government. One by one, Bureau officials connected to Boris were exposed, investigated, and removed from power. The Bureau's influence, which had been a constant shadow over the Academy, was shattered. In its place, the Academy's power grew, cementing its position as the unshakable pillar of the nation.

Jonah was suddenly more than just a talented student. He was a hero. The military saw him as one of their own, an asset who had bravely exposed a traitor. The Church, already hailing him as a Saint, saw this as further proof of his divine protection. He was untouchable. No one dared move against him. For the first time since that terrifying day in the undercroft, Jonah felt a sense of true freedom.

_________________________________________________________________________

The Headmaster had summoned them again, but this time the atmosphere was different. It was just him, Jonah, Draven, and Seraph.

"The political dust is settling," the Headmaster said, a rare hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Your actions have reshaped the balance of power in this nation for a generation." He looked at Draven, then at Jonah. "You both acted with courage and skill far beyond your years. It is time your rank reflected that."

He slid two small boxes across the desk. Inside each was a Rank Three Badge, the symbol of the Ultra Awakened Rank.

Draven took his with a quiet solemnity. He had worked tirelessly for this, pushing himself to his limits ever since his failure at Station Chimera. He clipped it to his uniform, his face showing strong pride..

Jonah stared at his. An Ultra Awakened. A year ago, he was a nobody, dreaming of just escaping the slums of Cinderfall. Now…

"This is not a reward," the Headmaster said, his eyes locking with Jonah's. "It is a recognition of the responsibility you now carry." He pushed a formal-looking document forward. "I have also approved the creation of a permanent research grant in your name. You will have access to the resources you need to pursue your unique studies. No questions asked. No oversight. Your only duty is to continue your work."

Jonah's heart pounded. This was it. The freedom to create, to learn, to fulfill the promise he had made. The freedom to pursue Project Requiem.

Draven cleared his throat. "Headmaster," he said, his voice steady. "I would like to state for the record… I was wrong about Jonah. His power is… different. But it is real. I am proud to serve alongside him." He looked at Jonah, and for the first time, Jonah saw not a rival, but an ally.

________________________________________________________________________________

That night, Jonah found himself on the Academy's highest rooftop, the same one where he had first tested Specter. The cool night air felt clean and fresh. Below, the Academy grounds were a pattern of glowing lights.

Vanessa was there, leaning against the railing. "Quite a week," she said softly, not looking at him.

"You could say that," Jonah replied, a real smile touching his lips.

He let his senses expand. Nyx landed silently on the ledge beside him, its iridescent feathers shimmering in the moonlight. A moment later, a patch of air next to Vanessa warped, and Specter appeared, its multiple eyes observing the world with ancient intelligence.

He closed his eyes, focusing inward. Deep within his Beast Space, the Alpha Broodmother Essence swirled like a miniature galaxy. A seed of incredible hope. It was his responsibility now.

"What are you thinking about?" Vanessa asked, finally turning to him.

Jonah opened his eyes and looked out towards the distant line of the Great Wall. He could feel the power at his fingertips, the resources at his back, and the freedom to create his own path. The weight of it all was immense, but for the first time, it didn't feel like a burden.

It felt like a beginning.

"My next project," he said, feeling a powerful urge to create, with no limits.