A brief moment of silence descended upon the room after the news was delivered.

The kind of silence that didn't linger because of shock, but because everyone present was waiting to see how William would react.

William, for his part, took a few moments to register what he had just been told. He leaned back slightly, eyes unfocused, replaying the information in his head as if sorting through fragments that hadn't yet settled into place.

Apparently, several units were being formed. Their task was not offensive but protective in nature. Churches, academies, key civilian shelters, and a handful of other strategically important locations were to be guarded in anticipation of threats that could no longer be dismissed as isolated incidents.

And William had been selected first from Ardentia.

Not just selected, but assigned as a leader.

That part sat heavier than he expected.

"I believe you have some questions?" Kiera asked, her brows lifting slightly as she studied his expression.

William nodded slowly before speaking. "What if I don't want to participate in all of this?" he asked. "You can't force me, can you?"

The question caught everyone off guard.

They had expected concerns about logistics, about the training itself, or even about who else would be involved. No one had anticipated him questioning the very premise of participation.

Kiera exchanged an uneasy glance with Domella, the hesitation between them lasting no more than a heartbeat, before the headmaster spoke instead.

"Actually," Edward said calmly, "they can."

All eyes shifted toward him.

He continued, his tone measured, carrying the weight of institutional authority rather than personal opinion.

"The law is absolute. When a threat crosses the sanctioned limit, every citizen is conscripted into service for the Great Hall or the nation. No exceptions."

The words settled heavily in the room.

Looking directly at William, Edward added, "And you are a student of one of the Five Academies. That status alone grants us the authority to deploy you as a combat asset if the danger approaches critical levels."

William grimaced.

That rule. He remembered it clearly.

It was one of the many clauses explained to guardians before their wards were formally admitted into the academy. Buried among codes of conduct and liability waivers, but unmistakably clear in its intent. In times of crisis, the academy did not merely educate. It mobilized.

So yes, they could force him.

Not just him, but any student deemed capable enough to contribute.

"Well," William said after a brief pause, exhaling slowly, "I'm not reluctant to participate. With Death Sinks appearing more frequently, it was only a matter of time before I'd be dragged into something like this."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"But what I don't understand is the need for a team."

Lancelot answered him calmly, his voice steady. "This isn't a mission to hunt beasts, William. Don't take it the wrong way, but this isn't something you can solve by destroying everything in your path."

Domella leaned forward slightly as she added, "We know you perform best when people don't depend on you. When there's no one you need to protect directly. But as a Pillar, you'll have to change the way you think and act."

Kiera nodded in agreement. "You are strong, William, but not everyone can defend themselves the way you can. Sometimes strength alone isn't enough. At the very least, try to broaden your perception."

William let out a long sigh and leaned back in his seat.

They weren't commanding him.

They were persuading him.

And the fact that they were asking, rather than ordering, told him exactly how highly they valued his presence.

The silence that followed was broken by Edward's voice once more.

"Not for anyone else," the headmaster said quietly, "do this for your father, William."

William's head snapped up instantly, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Edward.

The man didn't hesitate.

"He is a strong man," Edward continued, "but he doesn't use his strength to hunt. He uses it to protect."

William's jaw clenched. "You're a nasty man," he muttered. "Using my father's name like that."

Edward didn't look away, nor did he show even a hint of regret.

William ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply, before finally speaking again.

"Fine," he said. "Give me the details of this training programme."

Domella and Kiera exchanged faint smiles before Kiera explained.

"In about a week, students from the southern academies will arrive," she said. "Along with you, your six team members, and several immigrants, you'll undergo two weeks of intensive training under a designated mentor. Once that's complete, you'll be assigned your first post."

William hummed thoughtfully. "And who are these six from Ardentia?"

Kiera glanced at Domella, received a nod, and answered, "So far, we've selected four. Mia, Emma, Kevin, and Gizel. Additional dungeon trials may give us more candidates."

William nodded. "If you're looking for a strong Tank, wait until Natalie recovers. She's the best Ardentia has to offer in that role."

Domella nodded. "The Headmaster suggested the same. We'll evaluate her performance once she's cleared."

William sighed softly. "So, who's going to mentor us?" he asked. "I hope it's someone as strong as him."

He tilted his chin toward Lancelot.

Lancelot chuckled. "I'm trying to take that position, but nothing's decided yet. Still, don't worry. You won't be disappointed."

William grinned. "That's reassuring."

The atmosphere eased noticeably after that. The tension that had weighed down the room earlier loosened, replaced by something closer to familiarity.

Yet Domella noticed something beneath it.

A spark of curiosity in both men's eyes.

Not hostility. Not aggression. But the kind of interest shared by warriors who recognized something dangerous and intriguing in each other. A desire to test limits. To see how the other reacted when pushed into a corner.

Haah… she sighed inwardly. They look calm, but I wouldn't leave them alone for more than a minute.

She knew Lancelot well. And she had seen enough of William to recognize the similarities.

Not long after, William rose from his seat and excused himself, leaving the five behind.

Once the door closed, the vice-headmaster spoke.

"I still believe you should reconsider your decision regarding the Commander."

Domella rolled her eyes while Lancelot sighed quietly.

Only Kiera remained composed.

"Sir David," she said, "you of all people should know. You witnessed William's performance on the island. He's a natural leader. He may lack team experience, but that doesn't mean he can't work with others."

David grumbled. "His intrusive behavior. His rogue tendencies."

Lancelot chuckled softly. "When you're fighting a war that feels hopeless from the start, people like William are the ones who make the difference. They're the reason a half-dead soldier lifts his sword one last time."

His gaze hardened.

"I want his madness," he said. "His arrogance. His intimidating presence. He'll be their anchor...their Commander."

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