The lecture hall doors opened.
Students immediately poured outside.
Conversations erupted everywhere.
Some discussed assignments.
Others complained about professors.
A few unfortunate souls had already started studying for examinations that were months away.
Meanwhile—
Kel walked out looking half asleep.
The lecture had lasted nearly two hours.
Two very long hours.
And unfortunately—
The professor had spent most of that time explaining something Kel had learned years ago.
Inside his mind—
Seiren sounded amused.
"You survived."
"Barely."
"You were awake the entire time."
"Physically."
The Guardian laughed.
Beside him.
Seraphina walked while carrying several books against her chest.
The former mermaid had adapted remarkably well to academy life.
Her academy uniform remained neat.
Silver hair flowed behind her as she walked.
Several students still glanced toward her occasionally.
Though the attention had become far less extreme than before.
People eventually grew accustomed to beauty.
Or at least.
Somewhat accustomed.
Elena walked on Seraphina's other side.
The blonde Vice Guild Master stretched her arms.
Then groaned dramatically.
"I refuse."
Seraphina blinked.
"Refuse what?"
"Everything."
The blonde girl sounded serious.
"Assignments."
A pause.
"Lectures."
Another pause.
"Professors."
A third pause.
"The concept of studying."
Kel nodded.
"A reasonable position."
Elena immediately pointed at him.
"See."
The blonde girl looked vindicated.
"Aedon understands me."
Seraphina sighed.
"You're both hopeless."
The academy pathways remained busy.
Students moved between districts.
The sounds of academy life echoed throughout the island.
Everything felt peaceful.
Normal.
Calm.
Exactly the type of day Kel preferred.
Unfortunately.
Peace rarely survived for long.
Not around him.
The three eventually reached one of the academy gardens.
Ancient trees stretched toward the sky.
Colorful flowers decorated stone pathways.
Crystal fountains flowed gently.
The scent of fresh grass lingered in the air.
A perfect place to rest.
And Kel intended to do exactly that.
The silver-haired young man sat beneath a tree.
Then yawned.
A rare sight.
Inside his mind—
Seiren laughed.
"You're actually tired."
"The lecture attacked my soul."
"Dramatic."
"Accurate."
Seraphina sat nearby.
Elena occupied a bench.
For several moments—
Peace existed.
Then footsteps echoed.
Rapid.
Urgent.
Professional.
Immediately.
Kel opened one eye.
Not because he recognized the person.
Because he recognized the pace.
Someone running with purpose.
A young guild member appeared.
Sweat covered his forehead.
His breathing remained uneven.
The moment he spotted Seraphina—
Relief appeared on his face.
Then urgency returned.
"Guild Master!"
The title immediately changed the atmosphere.
Seraphina stood.
No hesitation.
No confusion.
Only focus.
The transformation was subtle.
Yet undeniable.
The former mermaid who once feared paperwork now looked like an actual Guild Master.
"What happened?"
Her voice remained calm.
The guild member swallowed.
Then answered immediately.
"Emergency request."
Silence spread.
Even Elena straightened.
The guild member continued.
"Ocean monster suppression operation."
The words carried weight.
Everyone understood.
Emergency requests rarely appeared.
And when they did—
The situation was never simple.
Seraphina's expression became serious.
"What monsters?"
The guild member hesitated.
Then answered.
"Leviathans."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The surrounding garden suddenly felt much colder.
Elena immediately stood.
Her eyes widened.
"Plural?"
The guild member nodded.
"More than one."
The answer made everything worse.
Far worse.
Inside his mind—
Seiren spoke.
For once.
Without laughter.
"Interesting."
Kel looked toward the harbor in the distance.
Leviathans.
Ancient ocean predators.
Massive creatures.
Dangerous creatures.
Not something ordinary guilds handled casually.
Especially multiple Leviathans.
The guild member continued.
"The Harbor Authority issued emergency mobilization."
A pause.
"All maritime organizations are requested to provide support."
Another pause.
"Academy vessels have already begun preparing."
The situation was clearly escalating.
Quickly.
Seraphina remained silent.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Analyzing.
Kel observed quietly.
The former mermaid's expression had changed completely.
No uncertainty remained.
Only focus.
Professional focus.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The silver-haired girl finally asked:
"Location?"
"Western maritime zone."
The guild member answered immediately.
"Three trade vessels reported attacks."
A pause.
"Two merchant ships damaged."
Another pause.
"One escort vessel sunk."
The situation was serious.
Far more serious than ordinary monster sightings.
The guild member waited.
The garden remained silent.
Everyone waited for Seraphina's decision.
The former mermaid slowly turned.
Her silver eyes landed upon Kel.
Just once.
A brief glance.
Nothing more.
Yet that glance carried meaning.
Because months ago—
She would have looked toward him for guidance.
For instructions.
For answers.
Now—
She simply looked.
Then looked away.
Because the decision belonged to her.
Inside his mind—
Seiren noticed immediately.
"She didn't ask."
"No."
"She decided herself."
Kel nodded slightly.
The Guardian sounded pleased.
Very pleased.
Seraphina turned toward the guild member.
Then spoke.
Clear.
Calm.
Professional.
"Inform the guild."
The young man immediately straightened.
"Yes, Guild Master."
"Activate emergency support procedures."
"Understood."
"Gather all available maritime specialists."
"Understood."
"Prepare supply inventories."
The guild member nodded rapidly.
Taking mental notes.
Then—
Seraphina gave the final order.
"I am coming."
The young guild member visibly relaxed.
Because leadership mattered.
Especially during emergencies.
"Understood, Guild Master."
Then he immediately ran.
The urgency remained.
The mission had already begun.
The garden became quiet again.
Only the fountain continued flowing.
Only the wind continued blowing.
Yet everything felt different now.
A storm approached.
Not a weather storm.
An ocean storm.
The kind born from monsters.
Elena looked toward Seraphina.
"You sure?"
The blonde girl sounded serious.
No jokes.
No teasing.
Just concern.
The former mermaid nodded.
"I know Leviathans."
A pause.
"They are dangerous."
Another pause.
"Which is exactly why I should be there."
Elena sighed.
Then stood.
"Then I'm coming too."
The response arrived instantly.
Seraphina wasn't surprised.
Neither was Kel.
Some things never changed.
Inside his mind—
Seiren laughed softly.
"Loyal."
"Very."
Eventually.
Both girls turned toward Kel.
The founder of Azure Horizon remained seated beneath the tree.
Calm.
Quiet.
Watching.
Elena crossed her arms.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
Kel thought briefly.
Then answered honestly.
"No."
Silence followed.
The blonde girl stared.
Then stared harder.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
The answer somehow sounded completely reasonable to him.
Seraphina laughed softly.
The former mermaid understood.
Kel wasn't interfering because he trusted them.
Simple as that.
Eventually.
The silver-haired young man stood.
Then stretched slightly.
His gaze moved toward the distant harbor.
Ships.
Sailors.
Guild members.
Academy vessels.
Preparations had already begun.
The emergency response would start soon.
Inside his mind—
Seiren spoke quietly.
"You're going."
Kel looked toward the horizon.
Then nodded.
"Of course."
"To help?"
A pause.
The silver-haired young man smiled faintly.
"To watch."
The Guardian immediately started laughing.
Because she knew exactly what that meant.
Whenever Kel said he was merely watching—
Something inevitably happened.
And somewhere beyond the harbor.
Beyond the island.
Beyond the calm horizon.
Ancient Leviathans waited beneath dark waters.
Unaware.
That several academy students.
One guild master.
One vice guild master.
And one extraordinarily troublesome observer—
Were already on their way.