Scene 1: Infirmary Awakening (Pages 1–4)
Scene: The infirmary room is quiet. A clock ticks. Zeru's eyes flutter open.
Zeru (thinking):
"…The Nova Art… I fainted…"
He sits up slightly, wincing, feeling the emptiness where his mana once surged.
Zeru (thinking):
"My mana core… it's almost dry. If I push myself like that again…"
Scene: The door creaks open. Kael enters, arms crossed, expression a mix of relief and irritation.
Kael:
"Finally awake, huh? You had us worried, idiot."
Zeru (weak smile):
"Guess I went overboard again."
Scene 2: Squad Reunion (Pages 5–8)
Scene: The rest of Golden Crest squad rushes in — Lira, Darius, Hana.
Lira (scolding):
"Overboard? You nearly killed yourself!"
Darius (laughing):
"Still… that Nova Art was insane. You wiped him out in one strike."
Hana (softly, placing a hand on his arm):
"Don't do that again… please."
Zeru (quietly, looking down):
"I… don't know if I can promise that. But I'll try."
Narration:
"The squad's relief hides the shadow of worry. Each knows how dangerous his power has become."
Scene 3: The Captain's Words (Pages 9–12)
Scene: Their squad captain enters, his presence commanding silence.
Captain:
"Zeru. That technique you used—Nova Art. It nearly destroyed you."
Zeru (bowing his head):
"…I know, sir."
Captain:
"Power without control will only get you killed. Or worse—get your squad killed. Remember that."
Scene: The squad looks tense. Zeru clenches his fists beneath the sheets.
Zeru (thinking):
"…He's right. If I can't master this… it'll consume me."
Scene 4: Looming Threat (Pages 13–16)
Scene: Outside the infirmary, two cloaked figures stand in the distance, watching the academy grounds.
Cloaked Figure 1 (whispering):
"So… he awakened it already."
Cloaked Figure 2:
"Good. That means the chains are breaking faster than expected."
Scene: Their shadows vanish into the night, leaving only a faint trace of dark mana in the air.
Narration:
"Unseen by Zeru and his squad, a darker game begins to unfold…"
End Chapter 15.