Everyone around me was either frozen in fear or on their knees, crushed under the golden eagle's overwhelming presence.
Faces filled with despair. The confidence we had moments ago was shattered in an instant.
But I couldn't wait any longer.
It was time.
I stepped forward.
The ground cracked slightly under my feet as I released my suppressed aura—a powerful wave of Rank 3 Peak-level energy surged outward, clashing against the golden eagle's pressure and stabilizing the atmosphere around us.
The crushing weight lifted. Students looked up in shock. Even Rank 2s stared wide-eyed.
Only Haritha, calm as ever, didn't look surprised.
I floated above the others, my aura shielding everyone within range. Their expressions—fear turning into disbelief—might have been amusing under different circumstances. But now wasn't the time.
I raised my voice, loud and clear.
> "Everyone, listen up! This is not the time to hide or panic. I'll take care of those three Rank 3 monsters."
Gasps erupted, but I didn't stop.
> "Form up! This building—Block A—will be our base. Rescue operations start immediately. Healers, stay here. Anyone too afraid to fight or with non-combat abilities—defend the building and protect the healers."
I turned to the junior boy who had demonstrated his energy shield.
> "You! Use your shield ability to reinforce the entrance. Keep this building safe."
I looked at Haritha.
> "You can sense monster movements. I'm putting you in charge of the base. Form defense teams, give alerts, and respond fast to any incoming threats."
Then to Sneha:
> "You're the only Rank 2 healer here. Conserve your energy. Only heal life-threatening injuries. Let the others handle minor wounds."
I looked back at the crowd—half broken, half afraid—but still alive.
> "Some of you may be scared. Some of you may be selfish. Some of you might be here only to grow stronger by killing. But now is the time to unite."
> "Form two types of teams—Rescue teams and Combat teams. Protect civilians. Kill monsters. We survive together."
As my final words echoed through the stunned silence, I turned around, eyes locking onto the 10-meter tiger monster that was seconds away from devouring a group of civilians.
I launched myself forward.
In the blink of an eye, I appeared next to the beast's head and kicked its neck with full force, sending its massive body crashing through trees.
Before it could even roar, I speed blitz onto its chest.
My fist glowed with lightning energy as I punched straight through its heart, shattering its heart in one strike.
The monster convulsed and let out a final roar before collapsing, dead in under five seconds.
Gasps echoed behind me.
But I didn't turn back.
Because the golden eagle had noticed.
Its screech tore through the sky as it dove straight toward me. I floated calmly above the tiger's corpse, raising my hand.
> CRACKKKK!
Lightning and thunder exploded from the sky, slamming toward the incoming eagle, slowing it briefly.
Then I turned and shot like a comet toward the ocean, aiming straight at the spiked tortoise, luring both aerial and sea beasts away from the city.
I needed the battlefield far from civilians.
Above the sea, I launched bolt after bolt of lightning—but the tortoise only roared in anger, its shell unscathed.
> Tch. It's tough.
Behind me, the golden eagle flapped its colossal wings and shrieked again, closing in.
---
Back at the academy, the atmosphere had completely changed.
The pressure had lifted. Hope had returned.
Awakened students began cheering.
Advisor Semion, watching from the entrance, turned to Sathish.
> "Who… is that? How is he so powerful? Why was he hiding his abilities?"
Sathish blinked, then gave a helpless smile. "Honestly, sir… I don't know either."
He looked to Mohan, who stood silently.
Mohan just shrugged. "Even I don't know how strong he really is. But he's always been that kind of guy…"
---
Back at the base, Haritha immediately took control.
> "Rescue teams, move out! Prioritize anyone trapped under debris or injured in the first attack. Combat teams—stay close to each other and don't fight alone!"
Several teams sprang into action.
Team Alpha—Rohith, Dhaya, Praveen, and Bhuvanesh (with his Rank 1 Peak laser eye ability)—formed one of the main combat units, heading toward the front lines.
Team Beta—Mohan, Sathish, Akshay, Gowtham, and Lavanya—took the west zone for civilian rescue, carrying out injured students and guarding medical staff.
More students rallied, and the atmosphere of despair turned into a surge of teamwork.
The war had begun.