Advisor Semion stepped onto the stage, the microphone in his hand humming slightly. The crowd of Indian students hushed.
"Good morning, my dear students," he began, his voice firm but kind. "I hope you all are doing well. As you know, the world has changed drastically. People all over the globe have awakened abilities, and animals have begun to evolve into monstrous forms."
He paused, scanning the crowd. "According to current government data, about one-third of the global population has awakened. Most are Rank 1, some have reached Rank 2—and I am proud to say I am one of them."
There were surprised murmurs in the crowd.
"Due to the speed at which monsters are evolving—often faster than humans—Russia and several other nations have formed a unified defense and response council. In just the last two days, numerous monster attacks have occurred worldwide. Even our campus was not spared—some of you were involved in defending against the minor attack."
Students straightened with pride, recalling the small battle just a day ago.
"The world governments have decided to create military-academic training programs to register, train, and evolve awakened individuals into powerful defenders. You all will now be part of this effort."
Semion continued, "As for your MBBS classes, they will be suspended for two months. You may return to India and continue your academic learning via online platforms. Once this turbulent period stabilizes, you may return to complete your studies in person."
A pause.
"Now, among the 200 Indian students, 50 of you have awakened. We will now begin registration and demonstration. Please come forward in the order of senior to junior, and class by class. Each of you will step onto the stage and demonstrate your awakened ability. Let's begin."
---
Students began lining up in groups. Excitement and tension filled the air.
Soon, it was our class's turn.
Sathish stepped up first, demonstrating his telekinesis, levitating a stack of chairs.
Gowtham followed, his body bulking and morphing into a bull hybrid form.
Sivaranjini displayed elegant control over plants, vines sprouting from her fingers and wrapping around the stage railings.
Lavanya ignited her palm with a flicker of controlled fire, casting dancing flames without burning anything.
Akshay twisted his limbs in unnatural ways, revealing his elastic physique.
Then it was our turn—me, Mohan, Haritha, and Sneha.
I stepped forward, unleashing a short but intense arc of lightning across the air. Gasps followed.
Mohan's metal skin shimmered like steel under the light.
Haritha revealed her Spirit Eyes, piercing through illusions and revealing hidden auras.
Sneha, glowing faintly, healed a small wound on another student's arm—her Angel's Blessing in action.
---
Suddenly, a deep rumble shook the building.
The ground trembled violently.
Screams echoed from the outer walls. Then came the bone-chilling roars of monsters.
Everyone paused.
The next student, a junior with an energy shield ability, had just stepped on stage—only to be thrown off balance by the tremor.
I tensed. My enhanced hearing picked up the destruction unfolding outside before anyone else could react. The sounds were horrifying—shrieks, collapsing structures, and monstrous howls.
I dashed outside, Mohan, Haritha, and others close behind.
And what we saw…
It was hell on Earth.
A monstrous tiger, nearly 10 meters tall, rampaged through the outer perimeter, its claws slicing through students and guards alike.
From the sky, flying beasts—hybrid birds and reptilian horrors—swooped down on screaming students.
In the far distance, we saw the ocean… and a cargo ship being torn apart by a spiked tortoise at least 20 meters long. Its roar shook the air.
But nothing prepared us for what came next.
The sky darkened.
A massive golden eagle, wings stretching over 30 meters, circled above us. Its presence alone was suffocating.
The moment it shrieked, Rank 1 awakened collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from their ears.
Ordinary humans lost consciousness instantly.
Even Rank 2 awakened —stood frozen. We could barely breathe, let alone move.
A single thought echoed in every awakened mind:
> This is no ordinary monster.
> This is a Peak Rank 3 Apex Predator.
Despair surged through the campus like a wave.
The tiger and tortoise were terrifying… but this eagle? It was on a whole different level.
We had no idea how many would survive the next five minutes.
---
To be continued...