Around them, the cafeteria's energy changed. Students leaned forward at their tables, whispers stilled mid-breath. Every chair seemed to pivot toward the confrontation, the air thick with the kind of silence that comes before a storm.

Lomwel's eyes narrowed—not in thought, but in defense. His smirk remained, though it strained at the edges. "I don't need a useless mutt." His tone was flat, deliberate, but the edge of it cut sharper than he meant it to. Without another glance at the dog, he turned on his heel. His white coat flared with the motion, boots clicking against the polished floor as he strode toward the exit.

Ceyla's entire body tensed, her hands curling into tight fists. Her voice was low and dangerous. "That bastard—"

Kaen had already taken a step forward beside her, shoulders squared, jaw locked. "Let's finish this now—"

Before either could move another inch, a firm, steady hand landed on each of their shoulders.

"Enough."

Khael's voice cut through the tension like steel through cloth—not loud, but so firm it left no space for argument.

Both Ceyla and Kaen turned slightly toward him, still bristling, but his steady gaze held them in place like chains.

After a long pause, Khael exhaled slowly, the sound heavy. It wasn't just air leaving his lungs, it was a release of pressure, of unspoken history that pressed on him as much as it did on them. (If this goes on, the whole academy will get dragged into it.)

Meanwhile, a figure lingered near the archway of the courtyard, half-shadowed by the ivy-covered stone.

It was one of the academy's senior instructors, Professor Lok.

His gaze lingered on the exchange, the corners of his mouth twitching in a way that was almost, but not quite, a smile.

(Finally… an opportunity), he thought, the words curling in his mind like smoke.

And his attention drifted not to Andromeda, not to Rael but to someone standing at the edge of the crowd.

Matthew.

Lok's eyes narrowed slightly, a predator recognizing a moment of weakness in its prey.

Corruption, after all, didn't always begin with grand temptations. Sometimes, it began with a quiet, carefully planted seed.

..

Back in the cafeteria, the air was still thick from the earlier clash. Lunch trays lay half-forgotten, and conversations had turned into a low buzz as eyes kept darting toward their table.

Kaen stepped toward Andromeda Ban, his usual fiery expression tempered—just a little. He extended a hand, his voice begrudging but firm.

"I misunderstood you."

Andromeda gave a faint, humorless huff, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Heh… don't get me wrong. I'm just here to punch that bastard for abandoning an echo beast."

Kaen's eyebrows twitched, his hand still hanging in the air.

"Jerk until the end!"

From the side, Rael's voice cut in, cool and dismissive.

"Still nosy as ever, loser."

Kaen's head snapped toward him.

"What did you say!!"

Rael didn't blink. He crossed his arms, posture as rigid and composed as a duelist's stance.

"Hmmp… causing trouble again… make sure it won't ruin our reputation as Team 3."

Kaen jabbed a finger in his direction.

"It won't, you!"

Rael's lips quirked ever so slightly.

"Loser."

"You!!" Kaen barked back, already stepping forward.

Khael just dragged a palm down his face and let out a long, weary breath. (They're impossible.)

At the far side of the table, Shigeo Motome tilted his head toward Saya Kurenai—the bright-eyed blonde with a braid that swung whenever she moved, her energy filling whatever space she occupied.

Saya grinned, her tone warm and genuine.

"Wow, we're so many now! I hope sis Lira is here."

Shigeo didn't even look up from his plate.

"What a complicated world."

Across from them, Ceyla sat with the dog cradled in her arms. The animal's eyes were half-lidded now, comforted by her steady warmth. Ceyla's gaze softened, and her thoughts whispered like a vow.

(You won't be abandoned again.)

Andromeda Ban's attention drifted to the dog as well. His jaw flexed, the faintest shadow of something unreadable in his expression. Then, slowly, he lifted his eyes toward Khael, as if weighing what to say next.

Andromeda's shadow fell across the table. He stood straighter now, Junjun pressed close at his side, the cafeteria's fading noise pulling away until it felt like only their voices carried.

"Khael…"

Khael's eyes lifted from his half-finished meal.

"?"

They locked eyes, no words for a moment, just a quiet, taut exchange. Something was moving beneath the surface, like they were speaking in a language only the other could catch.

Khael's tone was low, but edged with curiosity.

"Talk… what do you want to say?"

Kaen and the others leaned in subtly, sensing the change in the air. Even Saya, usually all smiles, went quiet.

Rael, however, had already turned to leave. His footsteps echoed lightly against the cafeteria tiles.

"I don't have interest in your childish thing."

"Tsk… what a bastard," Kaen muttered under his breath, eyes still on Khael and Andromeda.

Andromeda's gaze didn't waver.

"That bastard… I sense a void in him."

Khael's brow furrowed.

"A void?"

His thoughts spiraled instantly, faster than he could control.

(I know Matthew from the manga, but… he died. It wasn't explained how. And now that I think about it… Matthew's big brother wanted to kill Andromeda Ban. Now I know… Andromeda Ban will kill Matthew in the future. But why? And what did he just say—a void in him?)

Kaen leaned forward, impatient.

"What is it!!"

To be continue

Author Note:

VOIDBORN

"When emotion breaks and Shinrei cracks… the Hollow leaks in."

What Are the Voidborn?

Voidborn are beings that have been fully consumed or corrupted by the Voidrot—the dark, parasitic energy that distorts Shinrei, feeding off fear, hatred, regret, and despair.

They are not just monsters, they are echoes of broken souls, mutated by their own inner darkness or by exposure to corrupted emotional energy.

Voidborn

Former humans overwhelmed by their own emotion (usually fear, grief, or rage).

Transformed into monsters—some intelligent, some feral.

How Are Voidborn Created?

Collapse of Emotion Core

When someone's Vein Gate is shattered by overwhelming fear, loss, or guilt, their Shinrei implodes. Their identity is devoured, and they become a natural Voidborn.

Forced Infection (Voidmarking)

Cults like the Hollow Nine implant Void Seeds into people, especially strong warriors. These slowly twist the person's emotional Shinrei into corrupted Shade-type until they fall.

Voluntary Submission

Some mad or desperate individuals give in to the Void to gain forbidden power—transforming into Voidborn while retaining fragments of their personality.