Chapter 152: Summoners return to Titanfang

Words : 1247 Updated : Oct 8th, 2025

Chapter 152: Summoners return to Titanfang [End of Volume 2... Finally the Third Volume] Blue portals began to swirl all around the wide, well-lit hall—one after another flickering open like eyes. Students stepped out from them slowly, some weary, others alert, as if unsure whether to be relieved or on guard. The room, once quiet, gradually grew louder with voices, the presence of life returning after what felt like ages of absence. Military officials stood firm in position, arms behind their backs, dressed in full combat uniforms. Their expressions were unreadable—stone-faced, yet the subtle shift in their posture betrayed a hint of unease. They weren’t just there to welcome the returning students; they were waiting... watching. The number of arrivals kept increasing, each portal directed here by tracking their phones through the academy’s satellite systems. Among the gathered officials, Sergeant Henry stood at the center, a frown buried deep in his brow. He was the leader of this operation, and his mind was far from at ease. They had all received the latest classified briefing from the newly appointed Head General—Albert. And the news... it wasn’t good. They couldn’t stop thinking about it. It lingered like a fog—one that crept beneath their skin and refused to lift. Henry especially found his thoughts heavy, spiraling. ’At times like this,’ he thought grimly, ’I wish Lloyd and the others were still at the academy.’ But he knew that was wishful thinking. According to highly confidential sources, Lloyd and his team had last been spotted engaging with Goldrics—the name that stirred dread in any soldier who knew who it was. Afterward, something happened. Something unrecorded. And just like that, the information stopped. They told him the trio survived, but nothing more. No location. No updates. ’Typical of the military,’ Henry sighed inwardly. He recalled the chaos during the last attack—running across broken halls and shattered glass to rescue as many students as possible. But not all of his colleagues had the same priorities. Some weren’t after saving lives—they were after salvaging hardware, prototypes, and sensitive technology. He clenched his jaw at the memory. ’I hated how Titanfang prioritized information and machines over human lives... over students,’ he thought with a bitter taste on his tongue. But he knew who gave those orders. General Albert. The current Head General. A man whose rule had lasted less than a month, yet already cast a long, cold shadow across the entire academy. Many whispered the same thing: They missed General Shia Vantress. Under Shia, the system was brutal but fair. Under Albert, it was just brutal. From one of the swirling portals, two figures emerged—Kairos and Darnell. Their appearance was met with quiet recognition by a few, but their arrival held deeper significance for those who knew what they’d been through. Kairos stepped out with calm detachment, eyes narrowing as he took in the familiar environment. The cleanliness of the space. The structured symmetry of the walls. The normalcy. Darnell, however, was visibly moved. He inhaled deeply and spread his arms wide, exhaling with a relieved chuckle. "Finally! A taste of real, fresh oxygen!" he said, a grin spreading across his face. For the first time in weeks, he saw people who weren’t hostile—people who didn’t reek of blood and madness. People who looked... alive. Kairos remained still, his lips barely twitching. But something in him had shifted. He seemed less tense. Noticing this, Darnell threw an arm over his shoulder, nudging him with a boyish smirk. "Aren’t you excited to be here? I can’t wait to meet Carlos. And the girls... man, I’ve missed seeing hot girls." Their time together had changed him. Darnell was beginning to heal—slowly, but surely. As for Kairos, his mind was focused and clear. ’Yes... I’ve broken myself from the brainwashing,’ he thought. ’I don’t think so foolishly anymore. My months out there made me forget my purpose... but now, I see clearly.’ Yet somewhere beneath that hardened resolve, a flicker of emotion remained. ’Kaela...’ he wondered. ’Is she here? Is she safe?’ He scanned the growing crowd, eyes darting from face to face. And then, before he could spot her, a familiar and chilling face emerged. Carlos. The one-sided, psychopathic killer. But unlike before, Carlos now wore a smile—too wide, too friendly. He waved casually as if they were old friends. But Kairos wasn’t fooled. ’So they still have a use for him,’ Kairos concluded coldly. ’Probably his original mission still stands.’ Carlos began walking toward them. His smile was still painted across his face, but Kairos could now see the cracks in it. The pretense. Darnell, oblivious as ever, waved back. "Yo! Carlos!" he called out with genuine excitement. The three met. Carlos was the first to speak. "Man, that was a stressful month. I kinda missed you guys." Kairos nodded. "Same here." Darnell wasted no time, launching into a stream of stories about their time at Kairos’ home. Of course, he carefully left out the dark, sensitive parts—focusing only on the lighter, funny moments. Carlos laughed—more than he used to. Occasionally, he only smiled, his eyes always watching. "You guys seemed to have had a lot of fun," Carlos said, amused. Kairos didn’t respond immediately. His eyes were still wandering. Then, he found her. Kaela. She stood across the room, her long dark hair cascading down and hiding her face. Beside her was Lina, whose sharp, intimidating eyes kept everyone at bay. The sight pulled something deep from within him. "The girls," Kairos finally said, loud enough for the other two to hear. He pointed, and they all began to move toward them. But they didn’t get far. Sergeant Henry cleared his throat, his deep voice commanding silence as he stepped forward. "Students," he began, "we gladly welcome you back to Titanfang." The chatter died instantly. All eyes turned to him. "Listen closely. This will only be said once. There has been a change in leadership. General Shia Vantress has stepped down. The new Head General of Base Three is Albert." He paused, letting the weight of the announcement settle. "Under his solid rule and with the help of the Guardians, the academy has been fully restored. New methods have been implemented to strengthen students at a faster rate." Murmurs began, but he raised a hand. "One of those methods involves your final test. It begins in six days. Each of you will be sent through separate portals—to different planets. There, you will face beasts of no less than Apex rank. You must survive... grow stronger... and if you’re lucky, achieve your full state of High Integration." The room erupted. "What?! We just came back!" "This is suicide!" "They’re sending us to die!" Henry heard them all. Every protest echoed what he felt deep down—but he was a soldier. Orders were orders. He continued with a harder voice. "Until then, you’re advised to train. Learn. Seek out your teachers. There will be no scheduled classes, but instructors will be stationed at their posts all day. Whether you use this time to prepare... or waste it... that is your choice." He looked over the crowd, his voice cold and heavy. "But understand this—if you choose poorly, you may not survive the first hours of what awaits." A chill swept through the hall. Students looked around, fear etched on their faces. They had returned to Titanfang... only to find something far worse waiting for them.

Chapter 152: Summoners return to Titanfang

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