In the highest layer, there was a shadowy figure, or several shadowy figures.
It was difficult to truly identify what was occurring in the third layer, as the shadowy figure took to the throne.
Although the shadowy figure sat on the throne, footsteps still resounded out, as if the very concept of sound had been stuck in a past time.
But, when the shadowy figure lifted his right hand, all sounds ceased as a dead silence was given birth to.
The instructors were ridded of their dazed personas as they raised their heads.
The deans also raised their heads.
Unanimously, they all felt their bodies tremble, and the muscles under their skins began twitching uncontrollably.
It was not caused by fear, or more accurately, it was not just fear, but reverence, pure emotions that churned in their hearts, minds, and very spirits.
He, Xerxes, did not speak.
His lips did not move.
And his eyes remained closed.
His features were ever concealed by a veil of confusion...
Yet, his intentions caused the blank canvas to crack and the solidified darkness to crumble.
The instructors and deans were brought to ease, naturally.
And as they returned to their thrones, the deans were brought aware of the founder's intentions, translating it into worldly sound which the instructors could perceive.
"The divination was a great success, and the preparations were a great success."
The voice of the three deans resounded out in unison, "The calamity that we've attracted this time, is a greater destruction that any before it."
"But, after death, is life," They said, "The one-winged monkey horde; a calamitous event yes, but in calamity, fortune resides."
As one of the new instructors heard this, he perceived the sound of weeping. Turning to his side, he realized that it was one of the more experienced instructors that sat next to him.
Though he desired to speak, to ask what was wrong, he did not speak.
He did not dare to speak.
He could not speak even if he was daring, even if he dared.
"This year group, above those in the recent past, has more than one with potential comparable..."
The three deans paused.
The bodies of these three shadowy figures trembled.
Their voices quivered as they said, "Comparable to the founder's group, the first group, the group of six human heroes. And hence, a group holding such individuals will be given a daunting trial."
"Only amidst the greatest destruction do the greatest heroes arise."
The three deans said simultaneously, "The six heroes are the best of examples."
A strange silence seemed to blast into the ears of the instructors as the three deans translated everything.
More than that, as these words were fully absorbed by the brains of these instructors, many had varying thoughts.
Some wanted to question this, some desired to resist this, some had a line that they weren't willing to cross, but this was way beyond said line, and yet, none confronted the intentions of the founder.
Interestingly, there were more than one instructor who were focused more so on a particular set of words, such as "More than one with potential comparable to the founder's group."
Verily, the "new world order" was not the only organization that stood against the human lord.
Much more than that, there were organizations that were against all six human heroes.
Naturally, unless on their side, another group of human heroes was not something exactly desirable.
So, hidden in the eyes of more than one instructor, dark intentions and strange brilliances flashed through.
Yet, although it was hidden, their change could not be hidden by the being on the highest throne.
Surrounding the shadowy being's face was the purest form of darkness.
But parting darkness was the shining brilliance of two golden stars drifting through a white void.
These golden sun stars slowly made their way to the corner of the white void, as the founder's gaze pierced the third, second, and first layer, landing on these entities who had intentions unknown that swirled through their minds.
...
Atop a small hill, there was a massive glass structure.
Here, the world was calm, much less tense than in the Black Dojo.
"S manor's servants welcome the manor lords."
A few diminutive, sleek, and compact pieces of machinery, featuring smooth, metallic surfaces flew towards a pair of individuals.
These robots were designed to be visually appealing and functional, with rounded edges and friendly appearances.
Anon and Seth had just been encompassed by the light originating from the bracelet on their wrists, so it was only logical that when they reopened their eyes in a new location, and with robot servants approaching them, they were to be quite shocked.
Only that, Anon already expected this, and Seth, well, he was unamused.
"S manor?" Anon asked.
One of the robots replied respectfully, "Students of the superior class are assigned to the S manors. There are nine S manors, and depending on the military academy's first assessment, the S manors can see two to three students sharing it."
Another continued, "There are the S manors for superior students, T manors for top tier students, and H manors for high-level students. T manors host three to four students, and H manors is home to four or five students."
The final robot completed this piece of information by saying, "How many students staying within a manor is affected by the number of students to pass the first assessment, whilst which students stays with each other is similarly affected by the assessment, specifically, where these students are ranked. Seth Constantin and Anon ranked first and second respectively, hence the two will share this S manor."
"We welcome the two manor lords inside," The three robots simultaneously said.
...
In an S manor bedroom, Anon gazed at the moon high in the crimson night sky.
The S manor was a large glass structure that acted as a mirror from the outside, reflecting everything, while revealing the outside world from within.
Moonlight cascaded beautifully down the red sky, enveloping Anon's figure in a warm embrace.
Between his fingers, he played with a small black chip.
'It's been just one night since I met true father, and yet, it feels as if it's been days and weeks.'
Anon grinned, musing internally, 'Father said, at that time, before the apocalypse, days flashed past in the blink of an eye, weeks felt like days, and months like weeks. Right now, it feels like the complete opposite.'
He flicked the chip into the air.
It was a piece of technology given to him and Seth by the robotic servants.
This chip was to be placed in the bracelet on their wrists right before they went to sleep.
The duo was informed that while they slept, the bracelet would seamlessly impart the contents of the chip into their minds.
When they woke up the next morning, they would be well-acquainted with the military academy.
The black chip bore intricate drawings that Anon's sharp vision discerned as it glimmered in the moonlight.
As it descended, its path led straight toward Anon's right eye, but he caught it just in time with his left hand.
Thereafter, he stabbed the chip into the bracelet wrapped around his right wrist.
As the bracelet vibrated, Anon observed it and sighed inwardly, 'So easily, these geniuses could become father's slaves.'
'Those banished from the academy have already forgotten any technology not revealed to them in the camp of ten thousand.'
'These bracelets can affect us far more than they reveal, yet the geniuses remain oblivious, placing their trust in them.'
'Well, the military academy can't be too reckless in their actions or break too many laws.'
'Still, they do have a high level of freedom.'
Though the military academy was still cautious, wary that if they went too far, the organizations hidden in the shadows would unite to resist, even publicly moving with the moral high ground, the academy could still walk unbothered by most things.
'Even the death of a student, or many students, would be ignored by the public, or more so, covered up well by those of the military academy, through any means possible, whether that might be healthy, or unhealthy.'