"Is it just me, or is time moving way too fast these days?" Dylan said as he walked alongside Liam, Ariana, and Maxwell.

"I mean, come on—we're already halfway through the semester," he continued, dragging a hand through his hair in disbelief. "Am I the only one noticing how quickly we got here?"

"Honestly… you're not wrong," Max replied as they kept walking at an easy pace. "Sometimes it really does feel like just yesterday the previous third-years graduated."

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Dylan shot back. "Something has to be wrong with time itself, because this is a bit too much for me."

"Well, I guess you're right," Ariana said in her usual soft tone, "but I also think you're overreacting a little, Dylan. The only reason you're this aware of time is because of how exhausting the instructors and professors have made things so far."

Dylan hummed thoughtfully, actually paying attention.

"Compared to our first year, the beginning of this year has been packed," Ariana continued. "Written tests, practical exams, group evaluations… it's been nonstop."

Dylan hummed again, slower this time.

"Guess you're not wrong, Ari," he admitted. "That old man in Alchemy has been making life a living hell for us."

"Actually," Ariana corrected with a small, knowing smile, "I think that only applies to you. You personally get on his bad side and make him take it out on you."

Dylan froze mid-step, then turned to her with an exaggerated look of shock, placing a hand dramatically over his chest.

"Me? I could never do such a thing."

"You already have," Ariana replied without missing a beat.

"That's a false accusation, Ari," Dylan said, slipping into a mock-victimized tone. "I can't believe you'd think so low of me."

"I believe her," Max added casually. "I mean, you basically do the same thing to Professor Walt. And mind you, that man is one of the most easygoing professors here. Yet somehow…"

He paused, gesturing lazily toward Dylan.

"…you still manage to bring out his worst side."

Dylan slowly turned his head toward him, giving both of them a flat, suspicious stare.

"I feel like you guys are trying to start a rebellion against me."

"That's because you know we're telling the truth," Max said evenly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as if it were an established fact.

Dylan clicked his tongue before shifting his attention to Liam, who had been silent the entire time.

"Hey, Liam," he said, his tone suddenly hopeful and exaggerated. "You don't believe a word they're saying, right? I mean, you know me. You know I could never do something like that."

Liam stayed quiet for a moment as they continued walking, then finally glanced at Dylan from the corner of his eye.

"You're Dylan," he said simply. "That sounds exactly like something you'd do without even trying."

Dylan stopped in his tracks for half a second, staring at him as if he'd just heard the most absurd thing imaginable. The expression on his face exaggeratedly drained of life.

"To think you, of all people, would betray me like this…" he muttered, as though his entire world had just collapsed.

Liam only gave a small shrug in response.

Dylan stared at him for another moment before abruptly straightening up, his expression shifting just as quickly.

"Well, you can't blame me," he said with mock pride. "Someone has to keep things entertaining, and I always choose to step up. You should all be grateful."

"Yeah, right," Max said, rolling his eyes. "As if."

"Don't worry, Maxie," Dylan said smoothly, a mischievous smile forming. "I know you secretly enjoy my presence."

Max gave him a long, unimpressed look before turning his gaze away.

"See? No denial," Dylan pointed out immediately, far too eager. "Maxie~ enjoys my presence~"

"Just shut up, dammit," Max snapped, though the lack of real conviction in his voice made it fall flat.

"No need to worry," Dylan added in a quieter tone, leaning in slightly. "I won't tell anyone."

Max could only click his tongue in irritation, while Ariana let out a small, amused giggle at the exchange.

For a brief moment, silence settled over them as they continued walking. Then, as expected, Dylan broke it again.

"Hey," he began, glancing between them, "since we're already halfway through the semester… shouldn't we have been informed about a major test by now?"

The others looked at him, because he wasn't wrong.

"That's true," Ariana said thoughtfully. "The academy will probably announce something about a major test soon."

"Yeah," Max added, "this is the Dark Knight Academy, after all. Their motto is probably something like, 'Test them until they drop.'"

Dylan let out a short laugh.

"Okay, that was actually a good one."

"I wonder what they'll have us do this time," Max said.

"Probably the same old real-life simulation, or dumping us into some realm to survive," Dylan replied. "Just with more pressure and higher risk to make it an actual challenge."

"Makes sense," Maxwell said with a shrug.

"You know, what I'm really interested in is what kind of test they'll give the first years," Dylan added, curiosity clear in his eyes. "I wonder if they'll get thrown into Vlardia like we were—forced to survive in random groups of five for three days."

The others hummed lightly at that, each of them considering the possibility that their juniors might be subjected to the same fate.

"I wonder how they'd react," Dylan muttered. "Considering the academy probably won't tell them about it until the last minute, they'd be completely thrown off." He smirked slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his expression.

"Why do I feel like you want them to suffer even more than we did?" Ariana asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"That's because they are going to suffer more than us, Ari," Dylan said without hesitation. "I personally don't think the academy is going to go easy on them just because they're new."

"Still, that doesn't mean you should be wishing the worst for them," Ariana replied calmly.

"Okayy~," Dylan dragged out playfully. "I won't, since you asked so nicely."

"Good," Ariana said as they continued walking.

Meanwhile, Liam had drifted into his own thoughts, quietly considering what kind of test awaited him and the others.

'If it turns out to be something that requires all one hundred of us to act as one,' he thought, 'then it would be the perfect opportunity for Sheila to prove why she's more suited to lead than I am.'

'There's a good chance she's already built trust with the people she's been leading over the past few months through the smaller tests,' he continued. 'But this one… this would be the moment to truly solidify that position.'

He paused briefly.

'That is, if the test allows it.'

If the exam ended up focusing on smaller groups or individual performance instead, Liam already knew there would still be fractures among the students, especially with someone like Chris, who clearly hadn't given up on proving he deserved authority over the others simply because of his status as a prince.

'Well, whatever it is,' Liam concluded calmly, 'I'll leave everything to Sheila and do what I need to. Just like we agreed.'

Pushing those thoughts aside, Liam continued walking with the others across the academy grounds toward the dorm blocks.

As they drew closer, they noticed three students approaching from the opposite direction, dressed casually just like them.

Three girls.

One blonde with blue eyes. One brunette with green eyes. And the one in the middle—dark hair tied into a neat ponytail, her dark eyes calm and steady.

Just from a glance, Liam and the others could tell they were first years.

Eventually, the girls stopped in front of them.

"Good afternoon, seniors," the girl in the middle greeted, bowing her head slightly. The other two followed her lead.

The gesture caught them off guard for a moment. It was widely known that most first years were difficult to deal with and rarely showed this level of respect—especially toward second years.

"Good afternoon," Ariana responded in her gentle tone, easing the tension the girls were likely feeling under the presence of Liam, Dylan, and Maxwell. "How can we help you?"

"My name is Gabby Iflame," the girl in the middle said. "This is Sasha, and this is Anna." She gestured politely to the blonde and the brunette.

"I see. I'm Ariana," Ariana replied. "This is Dylan, Maxwell, and Liam." She gestured toward each of them in turn.

Dylan gave a casual wave with a smile. Maxwell offered a small nod and a polite smile. Liam simply looked at them, his expression unreadable.

"Is there something you need? We were actually on our way somewhere," Ariana added calmly.

"We apologize for interrupting you," Gabby said, bowing her head slightly again. "But I do have something I'd like to ask."

"Of course, go ahead," Ariana said.

"Sorry… but my request is for him," Gabby said as she lifted her head and gestured toward Liam. Her friends exchanged brief glances—not surprised, but more like they had expected this.

Dylan, Ariana, and Max all looked at Liam for a moment before stepping back slightly, giving space.

Liam, on the other hand, simply stared at Gabby, silently prompting her to continue without saying a word.

There was a brief pause as Gabby seemed to hesitate, caught in a moment of internal conflict over whether she should go through with what she was about to say.

Then, after a few seconds, she made her decision.

"I would like you to spar with me."