Drifter, as usual, sat on his sofa after waking up, going through his routine. But today, something new caught his eye.

  A small regur object—the one Mina had given him. Should he open it? He wasn’t sure how. To do that, he’d o reach a pce outside the ral zone, and he khere was no way the Order would let him leave. He sighed, pushing the thought aside, and stood, stepping out of his quarters. His gaze swept over his surroundings. The residential plex of the academy was unusually quiet.

  He g his Lumina Core: "Lundas—07:17 AM," marking the seventh and final day of the week.

  The surrounding area felt serehe soft melodies of Skysinger birds filling the air. In the distahe gentle murmur of a fountaied a soothing rhythm. Occasionally, the bark of Skylins, rge dog-like creatures apanying instructors, would break the stillness, but it quickly faded, leaving behind a peaceful silence.

  It had been a while, he thought, appreciating the rare weekend after the releraining schedule Luna had imposed. He weled these fleeting moments of respite.

  As the breeze brushed against him, his thoughts wandered back to his time at the Mage Association—those quieter moments spent discussing alchemy, teological advas, or monster extermination missions. A faint smile tugged at his lips, and Drifter slowed his pace, letting the calm settle in his chest.

  A faint meowing, like a whisper, stopped Drifter in his tracks. He turned, his gaze sing the area, searg for the source of the sound.

  He spotted Luna Sabriel and Alina Walsh guiding a group of Vellcats, cat-like creatures. Drifter recalled how people used to keep them as pets before the Camity, much like the middle-aged woman in his old neighborhood. He had seen them trolling elements... Maybe some could cast elemental magic too. Curious, he decided to follow them.

  he academy’s pond, a rge group of Vellcats had gathered with Luna and Alina. Alina seemed happy and chatty, while Luna remained as unreadable as ever. After a brief versation with Alina, Drifter realized they were trying to save some stray Vellcats. It seemed like a , but seeing how they ied with the cats, it was clear they truly e—and it might even be more of a hobby for them.

  As the topic of the Vellcats came to a close, Alina suddenly said, “Oh, by the way, we were just talking. We think you’d make a great guest instructor. There’s a special ext week. The students need someone who truly knows what’s out there.”

  Drifter’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. “Instructor?” he asked.

  Luna nodded slowly. “Just once. A special css. Solvas.”

  Drifter exhaled heavily, then nodded relutly. “I don’t think I’m the right person... but fine, I’ll try.”

  Alina nearly cheered, patting Drifter’s shoulder enthusiastically. “Thank you, Drifter. You have no idea how much this means.”

  As they left, a dark blue Vellcat trailed Drifter’s steps, its amber eyes locked on him as if appraising his worth. Alina picked it up, scratg its with a pyful smile directed at Drifter.

  “See? Even the Vellcat thinks you’d make a great teacher,” Alina said with a wink.

  Drifter didn’t respond immediately, but a faint smile tugged at the er of his mouth as he nodded politely, preparing to leave with them. Uedly, Alina and Luna decided to apany him.

  As they explored the city together, Drifter couldn’t help but notice how different the atmosphere was on a weekday. The streets arian walkways were alive, with outdoor cafés spilling over with people. The murmur of versations was louder than he'd ever heard, and for the first time, he witnessed an Alcherider traffic jam oreets. It felt less quiet, more vibrant.

  Luna, notig his curiosity, casually mentioned, “You should buy your own Alcherider. It’ll make getting around easier.”

  Drifter’s eyes widened in surprise. “Buy one? I don’t have the money for that…”

  Luna smiled, unbothered. “The Academy will cover it. You get to choose what you like.”

  Drifter felt uneasy, but there art of him that couldn’t help but feel intrigued. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded in agreement.

  They made their way to an Alcherider shop, and Drifter’s gaze lingered ouristic designs on dispy. After a moment of indecisiotled on a Zenith Alcherider—a bck vehicle with sharp, angur lines and a fusion of hexagonal edges and Y-shaped patterns. It looked intimidati elegant.

  Drifter hesitated before climbing onto the Alcherider, his movements awkward as he tried to get the hang of it. The momeivated it, the mae hummed to life beh him, a mix of disbelief aement flooding through him. Luna sat in front, guiding him with practiced ease, while Alina sat behind, a grin spreading across her face as she watched his struggle.

  They fihe day at a restaurant by the Eirda River, a pce Drifter had never seen before. It was beautiful, in an ued way. The interior was immacute, with lines and an uated elegahe view of the river, flowily beh the setting sun, was mesmerizing, but the atmosphere was strangely formal. Holographic opera projes danced in the air above their table, while the guests around them were dressed in sharp suits and formal attire.

  Alina leaned in, her voice a bit more pyful. “This is one of Luna’s favorite spots.”

  Luna gave a small nod. “It’s not bad, but the food is good.”

  Drifter couldn’t help but agree—the meal was delicious, though he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that everything around him was far more luxurious than what he was used to.

  As the meal ended, Luna casually picked up the bill. “Don’t worry, the Academy will pay for this too.”

  Drifter felt a twinge of disfort at the thought, but when the bill arrived, he g the long string of zeros in disbelief. The sheer amount was staggering.

  With the evening winding down, they made their way back to their quarters. Drifter, still processing everything, turo thank both Luna and Alina.

  “Thanks for today,” he said quietly.

  Alina fshed him a grin, while Luna simply nodded in aowledgment.

  As Drifter closed the door to his room and sank into bed, he couldn’t help but refle the surreal day. At least, he thought, he now had his own vehicle. But it felt strahis new life he was stepping into.

  The m, Drifter prepared himself and walked from his quarters toward the academigs, heading to the . The m light bathed the hallways in a soft glow, and as he he door, he heard the lively chatter of students outside.

  When he opehe door, he found the painted in white and gray tones, with rows of desks and chairs arranged ly. The chatter died down as the students noticed him, and at the edge of the room, a holographic dispy read: "Solvas, 09:07 AM," marking the first day of the week.

  Drifter took a seat at a desk fag the students, sing the familiar faces. He reized the trio he’d saved before and Nadia, but Alma, Lor, Sloane, and Reine were absent. Some students looked at him curiously, like they had never seen him before.

  He cleared his throat and spoke, trying to break the tension.

  “o be tense. You talk if you want,” he said, his voice steady.

  The chatter gradually returo the room, though it remained quieter than before.

  Drifter noticed two students he hadn’t seen before. The girl had golden elf-like features—pointed ears, golden hair, and golden eyes. She wore bold, stylish attire, somewhat revealing but undeniably captivating. Beside her stood a young man with short blonde hair, dressed in a bck shirt with an open colr. From the casual versations he overheard, it became clear they had just returned from a student exge program with the cve of the Eldoria.

  The door swung open, and Alina stepped to the front, instantly sileng the .

  Then, the door opened again, and Lor Grindelwald entered, leading the way, followed by Sloane Gast and Reine Lindt.

  "M, Alina! You’re way too early, you know," Lor said with a grin.

  Laughter rippled through the room.

  "Yeah, what’s the rush? Didn’t stop for breakfast, huh?" Sloane added.

  "Sorry, ma’am… we’re te," Reine said politely, l his head in apology.

  Lor’s eyes sed the room before nding on Drifter. "Drifter? What are you doing here?" he asked, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.

  "Enough, Lor. Sit. Now," Alina snapped, her voice firm.

  The trio taking their seats. Sloane leaned back zily, Reine slouched low at the back, and Lor kept his usual grin.

  Ohe room quieted, Alina stood tall. "Today, we have someoh the most experietling the Cataclysmaris. Drifter will share his knowledge with you."

  A shift rippled through the room. Whispers ceased, and all eyes locked on Drifter, their faces a mix of awe and nervous anticipation.

  Lor shot to his feet, a grin spreading across his fabsp;"Wo-ho! Finally, a css that isn’t b!"

  Laughter broke out, but Alina’s sharp gre sile almost instantly.

  Drifter sed the room, his eyes resting on the eager faces of the students. A flicker of something long buried stirred in his chest.

  Ba the old Evocaier Order, he’d seen many like them step forward with hope—only for most to disappear, their names lost to time.

  A few returned, scarred and weary, their victories small and fleeting against a sea of failure. He exhaled slowly, the weight of those memories pressing down on him before he pushed them aside. His gaze sharpened once more, focus settling oask ahead.

  With a slight shift in his posture, Drifter stepped forward.

  "Of course. First, have any of you ever faced a Cataclysmaris before?" his voianding.

  The room fell silent. The students’ eyes revealed a mix of fear and curiosity.

  Drifter nodded.

  "Just as I thought. Most of you haven’t. The st Abyssal breach was sealed 700 years ago—except for the one in Paxluma." his toeady.

  He paused, sing the students one by one.

  "The rift at Paxluma was different. The rgest ever recorded, with Cataclysmaris numbering like an endless sea. That’s where I fought st, before ending up here."

  "To close an Abyssal Breach, you must destroy its core—the Void Rift. All artificial energy—whether from Skyships, Golems, or Skystrikers—will be absorbed and rendered useless. Teology ’t be relied on. All you’ll have is your training, your wits, and your ce." His voice lowered but was resolute.

  He raised his hand and tapped the Lumina Core on his wrist. A soft blue glow illumihe room as a holographic image appeared before the css.

  The room darkened as the image of small bck creatures appeared—some round, others oval—adorned with writhing tendrils, scattered red orbs, and fluid, shifting armor that seemed to pulse with motion.

  Gasps rippled through the css. Some students leaned closer, curiosity overtaking fear, while others instinctively recoiled at the sight of the grotesque creature.

  Drifter poi the image.

  "This is an Othrupinel-Css Cataclysmaris, the most on type. It will likely be your first enter—and for some of you, it might be your st," his voice sharp and anding.

  The proje shifted, revealing an amoeboid bck creature with a massive structure resembling a living skyship. Its core, suspended in swirling dark energy, pulsed with an eerie glow. Crimson and violet tendrils hung like roots, and obsidian-like ptes shifted occasionally, revealing the chaotiergy swirling within.

  "This is a Gravephoma-Css. It doesn’t hunt individuals—it hunts everything," Drifter said.

  "Do not let these things touch you. Your natural barrier won't hold up; it will e everything. Their tendrils siphon energy from everything they touch," he added.

  The room fell silent, some students wide-eyed, others swallowing nervously.

  The proje shifted again, revealing a humanoid figure with a dense skeletal core, elongated sinewy limbs, and tendrils that morphed into spear-like ons. Its crimson eyes burned within a shadowed skull-like head, while dark energy flickered like fmes from its body. Its movements were erratic, predator-like, and unnervingly fast.

  "And this… is the Direntica-Css. If the others are chaos, this one is precision," Drifter said.

  He turo face the css, leaving the proje behind. Silence filled the room as ever.

  "It doesn’t charge. It doesn’t rampage. It watches. It thinks. And it only attacks when it knows you ’t fight back." His tone darkened.

  "And they’re not individual entities. Every Cataclysmaris is ected—to each other and to something far worse. Kill one, and another will rise to take its pce. You’re not fighting one creature. You’re fighting a work, a system of destru," his voice lowered.

  The proje faded, leaving the room in a profound silence.

  The silence lihen, from the baadia Fernleaf raised her hand.

  "What… what does it feel like to be inside an Abyssal Breach, sir?" Her voice trembled.

  All eyes turo Drifter. He stood still, the question weighing heavily on him.

  His gaze sharpened, but his thoughts drifted to the hum of the Abyssal Breach—the tendrils of Cataclysmaris reag through the rift, and the suffog pressure that threateo pull him under. He could still hear the heavy, erratic beat of his ow, as if it was the first time he'd felt it. The fear, the raw edge of terror—it lingered with him even now.

  He paused, drawing in a slow breath before responding, "A good question, Nadia. Fighting inside an Abyssal Breach… it’s disorienting. The air feels heavy, like breathing uer. Gravity shifts without warning. Your vision blurs. Fear creeps into your mind, trying to distract you,"

  "But you ’t let it e you. Ihe breach, doubt meah. Focus on what’s ahead—on surviving." His voice sharpened.

  "Thank you, sir… I truly hope we never have to face it," Nadia said.

  Drifter gave a faint, reassuring smile. "I hope so too, Nadia. The fewer Abyssal Breaches, the fewer lives at risk,"

  At the front row, Erick raised his hand. "Sir… is it true that most non-Primordials struggle in an Abyssal Breach?"

  "Those who rely solely on their Lumina Core to trol Evocyte are highly vulnerable. Inside an Abyssal Breach, the e to the Lumina Core be disrupted," Drifter replied.

  Drifter sed the students’ faces. Some sat rexed, even fshing faint smiles as if unfazed by the warning. Others sat upright, gripping their desks or kightly, their eyes cast downward, their faces tense as if masking unease.

  Eriodded quickly, returning to his seat.

  Then, from the back, the golden elf girl raised her hand. She smiled. "Sir, I’m Vaeloria—just call me Ria. I want to ask… do Cataclysmaris have any weaknesses?"

  Drifter paused, his sharp gaze. "The core is its weakness," He tinued, "The core is protected by rotating armor. The oint only appears briefly before it’s covered again. If you’re not fast and precise, you’ll miss your ce."

  "Thank you, sir… I’m looking forward to seeing you in a," she said with a pyful tone.

  A few chuckles spread through the room in respoo Vaeloria's ent.

  Nearby, the blonde-haired young man raised his hand. "Sir, I’m Caelus Amelioris. Do you think another Abyssal Breach will appear iure? And… how did you travel through time to our era?"

  The room shifted. The mention of Drifter’s mysterious arrival immediately captured everyone’s attention. Whispers spread, students exging curious gnces.

  Drifter paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Abyssal Breaches are uable. As long as we don’t fully uand their cause, the risk of another breach remains."

  He tapped the Lumina Core on his wrist. A proje appeared—the Bck Cube.

  "To be ho, I’m not sure how I ended up in this era... but I got the cube after defeating the Cataclysmaris I faced there... I was here when I touched the cube," Drifter expined.

  The room buzzed with quiet murmurs, the students’ faces filled with awe and disbelief.

  "Do you think that artifact could be the key to stopping future Abyssal Breaches?" Caelus asked.

  "I wish I knew. Even the researchers may not have that answer yet," Drifter replied.

  A sharp bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. The students began pag their belongings, the temosphere gradually softening, though curiosity lingered in the air.

  "That’s all for today. Drifter, thank you for your insights," Alina said.

  The studeed slowly, whispers about Cataclysmaris, Abyssal Breaches, and the artifact filling the room. he door, Vaeloria smiled as she talked to nearby students.

  "Let’s go to hia Mall, everyone! Big sale today—don’t miss it!" she said.

  Her friends ughed, lightening the heavy mood slightly as they exited the css.

  Alina approached closer to Drifter.

  "You made an impression. They’ll remember this." her voice gentle.

  Drifter gave a small nod. "Let’s hope they never have to face what I have."

  Alina nodded quietly and fell into step beside him. Drifter's gaze remained fixed oudents, his eyes distant and unfocused. Along the way, he noticed Alina gng at him, her expression unreadable.

  The sileretched between them, heavy with unspoken words, as they made their way toward their quarters.