The starry sky slowly and mysteriously vanished into the unknown, its inky darkness retreating as an array of soft, golden hues crept across the heavens. The yellow tones spread like a quiet, creeping virus, determined to infect every inch of the vast expanse with the promise of a new dawn.
From beyond the horizon, the sun began its ascent—rising slowly with a warm, comforting glow that spilled gently across the land.
Its golden light brightened the surroundings, brushing the treetops and rooftops in a soft brilliance, proudly announcing its arrival with regal confidence.
Somewhere in the distance, birds were expected to chirp melodiously, or perhaps a lone rooster would crow—a timeless sign that morning had come once again.
However, there was only silence—deep, unbroken, and almost unnatural. No cheerful chirping, no rustling leaves, not even the distant hum of waking life.
It was as if the world itself had paused. The stillness hung heavy in the air, giving the unsettling impression that no life had ever existed in the area surrounding the academy to begin with.
Back in Victor's room, a certain individual rose from his bed with a migraine so intense, it felt as though his brain were on the verge of liquefying.
"Arghhh!!!"
"My head..." he groaned in agony, the pain burrowing itself deep beneath his veins, pulsing like molten iron.
Instinctively rubbing his forehead in an attempt to subdue the pain, he twirled his legs over the side of the bed and hopped off the broken frame. His eyes remained closed, struggling to recollect his thoughts as the migraine consumed every bit of his attention.
He kicked against a splintered block of wood, and only then did his eyes snap open. His pupils contracted as he turned back quickly, gaze falling onto the half-human imprint on the wall and the mess of debris scattered on the bed.
Only then did his memories begin to trickle back.
"Fuck... that bastard."
Though he couldn't recall every detail, the vivid image of being launched across the room stood clear in his mind. The culprit hadn't been clear—it all happened so fast.
However, since the new roommate was the only other person in the room, and given the fact they lived in a world where the impossible was often just another Tuesday, Caleb was convinced Victor had done it.
"I'll get that son of a bitch!" he swore under his breath.
---
Meanwhile, in the cafeteria of Crystal Palace Academy, a monster was born—or rather, discovered.
Chowing down nearly 500 kilograms of meat like it was an everyday snack, he sat at the center of attention. Every pair of eyes, whether disgusted or amused, was fixed on him. Some were horrified by the sheer lack of etiquette, while others chuckled at the sight of such barbaric gluttony.
Saliva dripped from chunk to chunk as his sharp teeth crushed through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. Each time his jaw descended, it became clear—nothing could withstand that bite force. Even the bones were rendered utterly useless.
Yes, such behavior could easily destroy one's reputation—especially with the girls—if you were new to the academy. Yet, the guy didn't seem to care. He simply kept going, as though no one were watching him devour his meal like a starving beast.
Victor had once been a man of discipline and composure. But the insatiable hunger that had seized him since transmigrating into this world was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
The food was free—he could eat as much as he wanted. The person who deemed it free would have regretted the decision immensely if they saw this scene.
Unknowingly, they had handed a buffet pass to a ravenous, unchained animal.
"What is in this food..." he tried to say, but the words came out muffled, his mouth stuffed to the brim.
He swallowed a huge chunk of meat and then reached for a cup, chugging down its contents with a few powerful gulps. The 150cl cup was drained in seconds.
Clicking his tongue, he uttered sheepishly,
"Sweet!!"
With a lazy exhale, he leaned back in his chair, spreading his legs slightly as his arms stretched behind his head to form a makeshift rest against the chair's rough wooden edges.
"Haaaah... This is the life..."
A life without worries sounded like paradise. But for Victor, peace was a fleeting illusion.
After all, he had been chosen by a mysterious system bound to three powerful beasts—and marked by the Darkgod itself. That alone was enough to declare that his future would be anything but calm.
So, if he was to enjoy peace, it had to be now—before the storm.
Victor's eyes had just begun to close when he sensed something off. A faint shift in the air. Like the sharp breeze left in the wake of a fast-moving object.
His eyes shot open, but it was too late.
POW!!
The end of a steel pipe slammed violently into the side of his face. The strike landed with such force and speed that the world spun around him. A high-pitched screech rang through his head as he was flung across the room, smashing into the cold ceramic-glass wall.
[-5H]
[Your jaw has been broken]
[Two minutes to repair damage]
"Urghh!!"
Victor struggled within the swirling dust, veins and muscles frozen from the brutal, searing pain erupting across his jaw. He couldn't move. His body screamed in protest.
"Oi, oi, oi..."
A voice echoed through the cafeteria—smooth and resonant, like velvet sliding over rough stone—as three individuals stepped forward into the light.
The one who had spoken was a green-haired delinquent. His appearance made it obvious. Spiky hair dyed like sour limes, a face as smooth as untouched ice, a disrespectful slouch in his posture, and a crooked, devil-may-care smile.
"Wow!... Bro took it like a champ. I guess he can handle more... Let's test that, shall we? Hahaha."
---