Chapter 17 – The Bitter Truth

That morning, the academy hall was once again filled with students. Unlike usual, the atmosphere was somber. There were no cheerful whispers, only tense faces waiting for the teachers’ explanation.

Master Ardian stood at the front, flanked by two other instructors. He tapped his staff against the floor, and his deep voice echoed across the hall.

“You have seen with your own eyes how negative energy can spawn new monsters. Now, you must learn a far harsher truth.”

A black crystal was placed on the stage. When Ardian touched it, an illusion appeared: the image of a native man facing a monster made of mist. He tried to fight back, but when the monster’s attack struck him, his entire body was shrouded in a dark aura. A scream echoed—and his form began to twist. Before the students’ horrified eyes, the man transformed into a hulking physical monster, his body cracked and glowing, his eyes burning red.

The entire hall fell silent. Some students covered their mouths in shock.

Ardian lowered his gaze, his voice heavy:

“This is the tragic fate of the natives. They cannot withstand direct exposure to this corrupted energy. If they are struck by it, their body and soul merge with the monster, creating a far stronger physical creature. And until now… there has been no way to reverse the process. When they transform, they are considered dead.”

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### The Students’ Reaction

Shock and fear rippled through the hall.

“So every physical monster we fight… was once a human?” someone whispered.

“That means killing one is the same as ending what’s left of a person’s life…” another murmured.

Zareen swallowed hard. Ardian’s words felt like a stone pressing down on his chest.

*So every time I fight a physical monster… I’m really killing what’s left of a human trapped inside?*

He stared at his hands, remembering the shadow wolves he had once fought. If Brant or Arven had been struck by that energy… they could have turned into monsters too.

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### Gino’s Turmoil

Across the room, Gino clenched his fists, teeth grinding. His voice broke the tense silence.

“So what—you’re saying we natives are just supposed to sit back and watch?!”

Many students turned to look at him.

Ardian met his gaze, calm but solemn. “That is the reality. The primary task of fighting the darkness falls to the travelers from other worlds. They are more resistant to its corruption.”

“Rubbish!” Gino’s voice trembled with anger. “I don’t care about the risk! I won’t just sit here while the world burns! If I end up turning into a monster, so be it! At least I’ll die fighting!”

Several native-born students lowered their heads. Some began to cry softly. There was despair in their eyes—despair that their lives were at the mercy of someone else’s protection.

Zareen looked at Gino for a long moment. He understood this wasn’t just anger—this was pain.

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### Nighttime Conversation

That night, the dormitory was quiet. Gino sat on his bed, staring blankly out the window.

Zareen finally spoke. “You really meant what you said back there, didn’t you? Even knowing the risk…”

Gino turned, his eyes burning. “Do you think I’m just going to sit still? So what if I’m a native? That’s exactly why I refuse to hide behind you outsiders!”

Zareen said nothing for a moment. He understood that feeling. If he had been born a native, he might have made the same choice—to fight, even at the cost of his life.

“Gino,” he said at last, “you don’t have to carry this alone. I’m here. If you can’t take the front line, I’ll stand there for you.”

Gino snorted, though his expression softened slightly. “Idiot. You think I’d let myself lose that easily? No way. I’ll prove that a native can stand equal to a traveler. Your rival isn’t going anywhere—even if the whole world is against him.”

Zareen’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Then let’s see which of us falls first.”

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### The Joint Mission

A few days later, the academy announced a major mission. All first-year students would be deployed outside the walls to investigate the **source of the negative energy** spreading in the southern region.

“This is a combined operation,” Ardian explained. “You will move in large squads, not just small teams. You will face more than wild beasts this time. Prepare yourselves.”

Students exchanged uneasy glances. Some faces turned pale, others steeled themselves.

Zareen glanced at Gino, and without a word, the two of them nodded to each other.

They both knew—this would be the beginning of the real test.