Kyle was restless.

Veronica had called him earlier, saying there was an emergency and asking him to stay inside the apartment because she was already nearby.

What could’ve happened?

He already knew the Central Ministry had been discussing his situation extensively ever since everything surrounding him came to light.

Maybe they had finally decided to imprison him after all?

No...

Kyle immediately rejected that thought.

He had already displayed too much potential for them to waste him so carelessly.

At worst, they might threaten him with imprisonment in order to force him into cooperating with the government.

Though...

’If they actually choose that route... would I even be able to refuse?’

Kyle slowly lowered his gaze.

He had spent the last three weeks living as a rogue Nightwalker.

And during that time, countless people had become entangled in his existence.

If he attempted to run now, he wouldn’t just become one of the government’s highest-priority targets.

Blake.

Veronica.

Amanda.

Every single person close to him would inevitably suffer because of it.

So no.

Running away was no longer an option.

His secret had already been exposed.

Now all he could do was face whatever awaited him next.

Bzz.

His phone vibrated shortly afterward.

A message from Veronica.

She had arrived downstairs.

Kyle immediately headed toward the house entrance and checked the security camera feed before remotely unlocking the building’s main entrance for her.

He had already shared the elevator access code with Veronica beforehand, so there was no need to guide her further.

Soon afterward, Kyle quietly opened his apartment door and stood there waiting for the elevator to rise.

A strange tension slowly built inside him as the glowing numbers above the elevator climbed floor by floor.

Then—

Ding.

The elevator doors slowly slid open.

And standing inside was a...

Smiling Veronica?

Kyle hummed softly in surprise before hearing her ask,

"Did I disturb you?" A faint apologetic smile rested on her lips. "Were you resting?"

Still slightly confused by her unusually relaxed demeanor, Kyle shook his head.

"No, I just had lunch." Then, stepping aside, he added, "Well... come inside first."

He invited her in before asking her to wear the indoor slippers Amanda had bought earlier that morning.

Veronica quietly slipped them on while glancing around the apartment.

"It’s a really nice place," she commented softly. "Warm... and peaceful."

There was genuine appreciation in her voice.

Her own apartment carried a similar atmosphere, after all.

Veronica had always preferred silence over the chaotic noise of the city.

Kyle nodded lightly.

"Yeah. It’s pretty much exactly what I wanted."

The two soon entered the living area together.

Veronica’s gaze wandered across the room, quietly taking in the carefully chosen wall colors and furniture that blended perfectly with the apartment’s calm atmosphere.

For a brief moment, she simply stood there admiring it all in silence.

Then Kyle spoke,

"I’d offer you something to drink first, but..." He looked at her carefully. "Tell me what this is about."

Veronica suddenly grinned before grabbing his wrist and pulling him down onto the couch beside her.

Kyle became even more confused seeing how oddly cheerful she looked right now.

Still, he remained quiet and waited for her to explain.

"Alright," Veronica began, "I got a call from the old man."

"The Headmaster?" Kyle immediately asked.

Veronica nodded.

The moment she continued speaking, Kyle felt tension rise inside his chest again.

"The Ministry finally reached a decision after he personally stepped into the debate."

Kyle unconsciously held his breath.

"What did they decide?"

Veronica looked directly at him before finally revealing it.

"You’re going to the academy."

"..."

Kyle went completely silent.

For a brief second, he genuinely questioned whether she was joking or being serious.

But Veronica’s expression held no trace of humor.

She was entirely serious.

"While the Headmaster didn’t reveal every detail," she explained, "it seems some members of the Ministry were simply doubtful about your capabilities as a Nightwalker."

A faint annoyance surfaced in Kyle’s expression.

"And naturally, they wanted to drag you into the Central Zone for stricter supervision and training."

His face instantly soured.

That was exactly the situation he had wanted to avoid.

However, Veronica soon added something far more tolerable.

"That’s why the Headmaster proposed a compromise." A small smile appeared on her face. "One that would satisfy them without completely taking away your freedom."

Kyle already understood where this was heading.

"Joining the academy..." he muttered before sighing deeply.

Veronica nodded.

"Yes. But only for three months."

Kyle looked toward her again.

"After those three months, you’ll undergo several evaluations." She crossed her legs calmly while explaining. "If you pass them, you’ll officially be assigned here in Montclair."

Then her lips curled faintly upward.

"Under my supervision."

Kyle looked genuinely surprised.

"They actually agreed to assign me to Montclair?"

Veronica nodded.

"They did." Then her expression turned slightly amused. "Though you’ll need to perform well during the assessments first."

Kyle already felt uneasy hearing that.

"The Headmaster personally vouched for your combat ability and your Genesis control."

Kyle froze briefly.

Combat ability...

That part, he could somehow manage.

But Genesis control?

The moment those words were spoken, the number 8% instantly flashed across his mind.

This was going to be difficult.

Letting out a groan, Kyle leaned back against the couch.

"What exactly am I supposed to do at this academy?"

Veronica shrugged casually.

"Nothing too extreme." She rested one arm against the couch while explaining. "You’ll be assigned a dormitory and required to attend a few classes."

Then she added,

"And even those only run five days a week. You’ll still be free to return home during the remaining two."

Kyle hummed thoughtfully.

"And this academy is somewhere in Fortis, right?"

Veronica shook her head.

"Actually, it’s near that resort area."

Kyle blinked slightly.

"It’s built deep between forest regions," she continued. "Completely isolated and hidden from ordinary people."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Unless you’re invited there..." Her eyes met his. "You’d never even realize the academy exists."

Kyle let out a long sigh before leaning back against the couch.

Veronica immediately looked a little concerned.

"You... don’t like the idea?"

Kyle shook his head.

"It’s not that." He rubbed the back of his neck lightly. "Honestly, this is probably the best possible outcome."

His expression softened slightly.

"I get to keep my freedom and stop living as a rogue." Then he looked at her directly. "And if I have to serve under someone..."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I genuinely couldn’t ask for anyone better than you."

Veronica’s expression softened almost instantly.

Though she still warned him,

"I should tell you beforehand, I’m very strict when it comes to work as a Commander."

Kyle chuckled quietly.

"Then I’m actually curious to see that side of you too."

But soon after, his smile faded into another sigh.

"Though there is one thing bothering me."

Veronica blinked.

"What is it?"

Kyle slumped further into the couch.

"Didn’t you say most people awaken their powers during their early teenage years?"

Veronica instantly realized where this was going.

Kyle groaned softly.

"Now imagine a twenty-one-year-old man walking into the academy..." He covered part of his face with one hand. "Not as a teacher."

A pause followed.

"But as a student."

Veronica tried her best to encourage him.

"You already look pretty young for your age," she said reassuringly. "They might not even notice."

Kyle stared at her for a moment before helplessly reaching out and patting her head.

Her attempt at comforting him was so sincere that he couldn’t even bring himself to point out how completely useless it was.

But he knew that this was going to be awkward.