As they neared the Academy gates, eyes began to turn.

Awakeneds.

Instructors.

Students moving out of the school gate...

One by one, people noticed Bruce, whispers spreading quietly through the crowd as recognition set in.

Those who had fought on the front lines, those who had witnessed the dragon's descent, those who had felt the crushing suppression that had saved their lives.

One by one, they bowed their heads.

"Thank you."

"If you hadn't shown up with your beast, things would've turned out really bad."

Some spoke softly. Some shouted. Some could only nod with gratitude written plainly on their faces.

Bruce didn't stop.

He acknowledged none of it directly, passing through them without ceremony. He wasn't here for praise.

He was here for one thing.

The Academy gates loomed ahead.

Somewhere inside... Lily was waiting.

Just as Bruce was about to move toward her, Gunther hesitated. He slowed his steps, his expression tightening slightly before he finally spoke.

"One more question," he said. "That beast… it definitely wasn't normal. The way it made me react, I was completely frozen. I was too afraid to move, even though I was forcing my will with everything I had."

He exhaled slowly, clearly unsettled by the memory.

"Not to brag, but my class power is tied directly to my will. That's why my will is stronger than that of a normal human. I've withstood full SSS-Ranked aura bursts before with pure will alone. But that thing…" He shook his head. "I couldn't move at all."

Bruce nodded quietly and let out a soft sigh.

"Do you know what that beast actually was?" he asked.

Gunther frowned, not quite understanding where Bruce was going with this. "Wasn't it an SS-Ranked mutant mantis?"

"That's where you're wrong," Bruce replied calmly. "Yes, it was an SS-Ranked mutant mantis, but it was possessed by an Invader."

Gunther stiffened.

"And that Invader," Bruce continued, "is definitely above SSS-Rank. So the aura you felt wasn't just SSS-level pressure. It was something far beyond what you could handle."

Gunther's eyes widened.

"…You were fighting something like that?"

Bruce nodded. "With the unique effects of my class, I was able to resist its aura. But the main reason I could defeat it was because the body it possessed was only SS-Ranked."

His gaze hardened slightly.

"If it had possessed an SSS-Ranked beast with a Domain, or worse, invaded the world with its true body, things would have been much more troublesome."

Bruce deliberately kept his tone flat, measured. The last thing he wanted was someone treating him like an untouchable god.

Unfortunately, Gunther didn't take the hint.

"…You really are a monstrous genius," he said honestly. "No wonder you hold the Anomaly title."

Bruce raised a brow. 'How did he know?'

Noticing his confusion, Gunther laughed and stepped forward, extending his hand.

"Gunther Reed," he said. "Former holder of the Anomaly title. Nice to meet you properly."

"…Bruce Ackerman," Bruce replied calmly, accepting the handshake.

Their grips met, firm, equal, and shook once.

Gunther scratched the back of his head sheepishly, the gesture oddly mismatched with his massive, muscular frame. "I'll take my leave now. I'd rather not disturb your reunion with your little sister."

"That's fine," Bruce nodded. He didn't particularly want Gunther trailing him around either.

Swoosh.

The next second, Gunther vanished, his body blurring out of existence with explosive speed as he shot off into the distance.

Bruce watched the direction he disappeared toward, then let out a quiet sigh.

"…S-Ranked, huh," he muttered. "Nice."

Then his gaze returned to the Academy gates.

To Lily.

And he moved forward.

He passed through the gates and into the well-secured Academy grounds, immediately noticing how quiet it was. Classes had already ended for the day, far earlier than usual, most likely because of the dungeon break that had occurred so close to the vicinity.

Now, the open grounds were filled with children.

Students ranging from about five to eighteen years old stood around in clusters, some waiting patiently, others fidgeting or chatting excitedly as they waited for their parents or guardians to come pick them up. Innocent faces. Bright smiles. Laughter that hadn't yet learned how fragile the world really was.

As Bruce walked through the crowd, something caught his attention.

Among the younger students, those around seven to ten years old, many carried crude weapons. Wooden swords. Bone daggers. Short spears roughly carved and poorly balanced, clearly handmade or academy-issued training tools.

His brows knit faintly.

So they're already preparing them this early…

Activating Life Glance, Bruce scanned the area effortlessly.

He found her instantly.

Lily.

She was standing near the edge of the grounds, eyes darting around anxiously, clearly searching for him. The moment Bruce raised his hand and waved, her face lit up.

"Big brother!"

She broke into a run.

One detail stood out immediately, Ash, in its small, adorable cub form, flapped its wings hurriedly as it chased after her, struggling slightly to keep up. Another detail stood out just as much.

Lily was holding a short wooden spear, sized perfectly for her height.

Bruce slowed slightly.

Meanwhile, Lily had become the center of attention.

She was the only student in the entire Academy with a beast following her around so openly, and it naturally drew gazes from both students and instructors alike. No one said anything. There were no rules against bringing pets onto Academy grounds, and more importantly, the instructors present were mostly Awakened.

They had been there.

They had gone to the front lines during the dungeon outbreak.

They had witnessed Bruce's arrival firsthand. Felt his S-Ranked aura freeze beasts in place. Seen Ash tear apart A-Ranked mutants as if they were made of paper.

No one in their right mind would antagonize someone like that.

As for the children...

They just thought it was cool.

A flying pet? That followed Lily everywhere?

That was awesome.

***

A/N:

Please keep voting guys. Your Golden tickets and powerstones are very much needed and appreciated. Thanks for the support so far... I'll keep trying my best.

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