The instructor took a step back, his expression grim as he let the weight of his words settle in. For a moment, the classroom was silent, the reality of what he had just revealed sinking into the students' minds like a heavy stone dropped into a deep abyss.
Hope's fingers tightened slightly around his pen.
So far, they had only been taught that the Veil and its horrors existed in the Ashlands. That the only time someone had to face those creatures was when they were pulled in by the Veil. But now?
The truth was much worse.
"Many believe the Veil is contained within the Ashlands, that it only takes people from our world and drags them into its cursed domain. That is a lie."
The instructor's voice was calm, but the weight of his words was anything but.
"There have been multiple records—verified incidents—where Veil creatures have appeared right here, in the waking world. On Earth."
A ripple of unease passed through the students.
One of them, a girl with short dark hair, hesitated before raising her hand.
"But... why? I thought the Veil only pulls people in. How can its creatures come out?"
The instructor exhaled slowly before responding.
"That is a question the world has struggled with for over a century. No one knows exactly why, but what we do know is this—when the Veil tears open, when its influence leaks into our reality, the creatures that dwell within it can break through."
His eyes scanned the classroom.
"These incursions are rare. But when they happen, they bring devastation. The highest-ranked Veil creature we have ever seen emerge into our world was a Celestial—a being with the same power as a Transcendent or a Saint."
A few students gasped at that.
Hope's expression remained neutral, but inside, his thoughts were racing.
A Celestial? That wasn't just powerful. That was beyond comprehension. Transcendents were beings that stood at the peak of existence, wielding power that could reshape entire landscapes.
And one had broken through into the real world?
No wonder they kept this from the public.
The instructor continued, his tone somber.
"The governments of the world have done everything in their power to keep this hidden from the masses. The truth is too horrifying. If people knew that creatures from the Veil could appear anywhere, at any time, society would collapse."
His expression darkened.
"But secrecy comes at a cost. Because the reality is this—Earth is no longer ours."
A heavy silence filled the room.
The instructor's next words carried the weight of millions of lost lives.
"When the first large-scale Veil incursion occurred, it did not happen in a battlefield. It did not start in a war zone. It happened in cities. Neighborhoods. Streets filled with ordinary people."
He shook his head, his voice tinged with something close to grief.
"And when the Veil came, it did not take prisoners."
A hollow stillness spread through the classroom.
"Of the seven continents that once existed, only three remain."
A student in the back let out an audible breath, as if the truth had just struck them in the chest.
The instructor continued.
"The only surviving continents are America, Africa, and Europe. Every other landmass—including Asia, Australia, and Antarctica—has been completely overrun. Even the oceans have become infested with Veil creatures."
He let his words hang in the air for a long moment.
Hope could hear a few students shifting uncomfortably. The idea that entire continents had been lost wasn't just terrifying—it was overwhelming.
"Millions—no, billions—of lives were lost. Entire nations fell in days. The world we once knew was reduced to ashes, and humanity was forced to retreat."
His voice grew quieter.
"And even then… it was not enough."
Hope felt something cold settle in his chest.
"The Ashlands were never meant to reach our world. But now, Earth itself is becoming an extension of the Veil. And the creatures are getting stronger. If the trend continues, then one day… there will be nothing left."
The class remained deathly still.
No one moved. No one spoke.
The instructor then straightened, his posture regaining its firm, authoritative presence.
"That is why we fight. That is why you are all here. You are not just training to survive in the Ashlands. You are training to protect the last remnants of the human race."
For the first time, the reality of their situation truly sank in.
They weren't just contestants. They weren't just warriors in training.
They were humanity's last defense.
The instructor took a deep breath before continuing.
"When it became clear that we were losing, the Five Sovereigns made a decision. A decision that changed the course of history."
He glanced around the room, his gaze sharp.
"The Five Sovereigns are the most powerful beings to have ever existed. They stand above all others. Even among Transcendents, they are unmatched. But despite their power, they are not rulers. They do not command armies. They do not seek to govern the world."
His expression grew unreadable.
"For centuries, they have remained separate, each walking their own path. Never interfering. Never working together."
Then, his next words carried a weight that sent chills through the students.
"Until the day they created Threta."
The room was silent.
No one breathed.
Hope's eyes narrowed slightly.
A world created by the Five Sovereigns?
That wasn't just impressive—it was almost unbelievable.
"Threta is the first and only time in history that the Five Sovereigns have worked together."
His voice was measured, slow and deliberate.
"It is an alternate world—a reflection of Earth, yet separate from it. A place where the last remnants of humanity can be evacuated to, should Earth ever fall."
Hope's grip on his pen tightened.
So that was the plan.
If Earth was ever completely overrun, if the last defenses collapsed, there would be a final escape.
A last resort.
A final hope.
The instructor exhaled.
"That is the purpose of Threta. It is not a paradise. It is not a second chance. It is humanity's last refuge."
Then he stood straight, his gaze sweeping over the class.
His final words rang through the room like a declaration of fate.
"Pray that you never see the day when we are forced to flee to it. Because if we do—then that means Earth is lost."