A sudden, thunderous explosion echoed across the academy.

All the cadets rushed out in confusion, wondering what on earth had happened. Some even feared that a war might have broken out.

"What in the world… h-hold on!"  
"Is that… a mana reaction?"  
"I think I just saw something explode! That was definitely a mana blast."  
"Oh, crap."

Realizing what had happened, they clamped their mouths shut in shock.

The awakeners among them recognized it instantly. The explosion on the distant mountain was no ordinary blast. It was a mana-induced explosion—terrorism.

In that instant, a …