Chapter 174 — Nobles

[Hypersonic Train - Central Region Route]

Damian sat alone in a private cabin, the train cutting through the night at speeds that blurred the landscape into streaks of light.

He wore a tailored black suit that fit his transformed physique perfectly, a fedora hat pulled low over his face, and dark goggles that hid his distinctive crimson eyes.

His hair had been cut to shoulder length, still long enough to be recognizable but manageable enough to not bother him in between combat.

The disguise was necessary. His face had been broadcast across every news network in the Federation after the portal emergence.

Walking around without concealment would create crowds around him.

The train slowed as it approached a station in the Central Region.

Damian didn’t move as he hadn’t planned to disembark here.

But... his cabin door slid open anyway.

And a man entered, also wearing a suit, his face unremarkable and his movements precise. The pressure radiating from him was intense – at least A rank, possibly higher.

Thud Thud Thud

He said nothing. Just walked forward, placed a folded slip of paper on the small table in front of Damian, and turned to leave.

The entire interaction took maybe five seconds.

Damian remained completely still throughout, his combat instincts screaming warnings about the man’s power level.

’Dangerous... Very very dangerous...’

The door slid closed and the man disappeared into the station crowd as the train resumed its journey.

Damian picked up the slip with steady hands and unfolded it.

Inside it, three names and three addresses in different cities across the southern Central Region were mentioned.

Ronan Hale’s family - Silverbrook City

Ariana Sterling’s family - Meadowfield City

Zavier Wells’s family - Ashton City

Below that, a single word in red ink:

NOBLES

And at the very bottom, underlined twice:

Military

Damian’s face hardened as his expression shifted from neutral to something cold and violent.

Translucent flames of Slaughter Intent erupted around his body, the pressure making the air in the cabin feel thick and suffocating.

’They’re finally playing dirty. Couldn’t break the Mafia students through direct confrontation at the Academy, so now they’re targeting families who can’t defend themselves.

Fucking cowards. All of them.’

Kuro materialized on his shoulder, the raven’s red eyes glowing with shared fury through their bond.

The train was moving across a bridge now, water reflecting moonlight far below and the wind howling against the windows.

Damian didn’t waste any time.

He stood up, walked to the window, and smashed through it with enhanced strength.

Bam

Glass exploded outward as the wind screamed around him. The drop to the water below was easily a hundred meters.

But Damian jumped anyway.

The night air was freezing and the river looked very beautiful as he fell.

Kuro followed after him, diving faster than gravity, his body expanding mid-flight and growing from raven-sized to something massive.

Transformation included: Six-meter wingspan. Muscular frame capable of carrying significant weight. And C+ rank power radiating from enhanced form.

Damian landed on Kuro’s back mid-dive, his balance perfect despite the speed.

"GO!"

The single word carried urgency that needed no elaboration.

Kuro’s wings caught air as his enhanced speed carried them away from the train at velocities that blurred the landscape below.

Damian activated his communication device, speaking to Aiko.

"Send emergency messages to Ariana Sterling, Ronan Hale, and Zavier Wells. Tell them to contact their families immediately and instruct them to find safe locations and stay hidden."

"Messages sent, Damian."

Aiko’s voice carried none of her usual cheerfulness, recognizing the situation’s gravity.

Damian reached into his spatial ring and pulled out the handgun he hadn’t used in months.

The weapon felt familiar in his grip.

’Time to test level 3 of Omega Point.’

****

[Stormhold Academy - Gymnasium]

Seven students sat together in the training facility’s rest area, their evening practice session winding down.

Ariana Sterling, her katana resting across her lap, sweat still cooling from intensive sword drills.

Ronan Hale, his massive frame occupying two seats, his broad shoulders relaxed in the rare moment of peace.

Zavier Wells, always slightly nervous, his fingers drumming unconsciously against his thigh.

Edrin Kael, his glasses reflecting the gymnasium lights, his analytical mind already processing tomorrow’s study schedule.

Lysa Morwen, elegant even in training clothes, her bow set carefully beside her chair.

Marcus, nursing a bottle of expensive whiskey despite being underage.

And Selena, quiet as always, her twin daggers crossed on the table in front of her, her eyes constantly wandering around.

They’d become close over the months, these founding members of the Academy Mafia branch, bound by shared secrets and mutual protection.

Three communication devices chimed simultaneously.

Ariana, Ronan, and Zavier all received identical messages from Aiko, marked emergency priority.

"Contact your families immediately. Instruct them to find safe locations and remain hidden. Do not ask questions. Do this NOW."

Confusion spread across all three faces.

"What the hell?"

Ronan looked at his device like it might bite him.

"Boss doesn’t send messages like this without reason. Call your families. Now!"

Edrin’s voice cut through the confusion with absolute certainty.

Ariana’s hands were already moving, dialing her parents’ number, her katana forgotten as fear replaced post-training calm.

The call connected after three rings.

"M-Mom? Where are you right now? Are you home? Good. Don’t leave the house. Lock all doors and windows. Hide somewhere safe. I can’t explain anything for now but please trust me."

Her voice shook despite attempts to stay controlled.

Ronan called simultaneously, his conversation equally frantic.

"Dad? Yeah, it’s me. Listen, you and Mom need to stay inside the house. Don’t answer the door for anyone and don’t go outside. Just trust me on this."

But... Zavier’s call didn’t connect.

He kept on trying but nobody answered.

"T-They’re not answering. Why aren’t they answering? They always answer when I call!"

Panic was creeping into his voice.

"Calm down."

Edrin stood and walked over, placing a hand on Zavier’s shoulder.

"Send Boss their home address and any other locations they might be. He needs the information to help them."

All three immediately sent their family details through the group communication channel.

Edrin pulled up a holographic map, plotting the three addresses.

His expression grew grim as the pattern became clear.

"What is it?"

Ronan asked, seeing his friend’s face.

"Boss was supposed to arrive in Tranquil City soon. But instead he’s asking for your families’ locations in emergency priority. The implication is obvious."

Edrin’s voice was clinical despite the severity.

"Someone is targeting our families. All three addresses are in the southern Central Region, different cities but within striking distance of each other. This is coordinated and planned."

"But... why would anyone do that?"

Lysa’s voice came out pale and shaken.

Edrin looked at each of them, his glasses reflecting light in a way that made his eyes unreadable.

"Who holds the most power in the Central Region?"

Silence spread around as no one spoke.

Then... Ariana spoke, her hand tightening on her katana’s grip hard enough to make the weapon’s wrapping creak.

"The Nobles."