Chapter 35: First Encounter with the Captain

Dawn Academy, sprawling over ten hectares, is home to countless state-of-the-art facilities, each intricately connected to honing the students’ abilities. The cost of establishing such an institution can only be described as immeasurable.

Within Dawn Academy stands a two-story, disc-shaped building, its exterior adorned with a myriad of bewildering and mysterious patterns, evoking a sense of dazzling profundity. The materials used in its construction are of such value that a single gram rivals the price of a gemstone. It is difficult to imagine what kind of power could have possessed the resources to build an academy of this magnitude.

Atop the disc-shaped building rises a golden statue, five meters tall. Though made of gold, the statue exudes no sense of ostentation; instead, it hints at a subdued yet commanding aura. The figure is human-shaped, its features exquisitely carved, yet the true face remains shrouded in ambiguity—a fantastical creation. This is the likeness of the “Hero” who emerged during the War of the Planes, the very founder and first headmaster of Dawn Academy. To call him a hero of all humankind would not be an exaggeration; without him, the Earthly Plane would have long since fallen.

This disc-shaped building, crowned by the golden statue, is the academy’s iconic structure—the administrative building, where the school’s staff conduct their work.

On the second floor, in the largest office, three figures are present: the headmaster’s office.

The eldest among them sits on the sofa, savoring a cup of black tea. His hair is entirely white, as is his bristling beard, yet his weathered face radiates a remarkable vitality. His back is straight and proud as he sits, so much so that, were it not for the hair and wrinkles, one might mistake him for a younger man.

He is Sun Gongming, the third headmaster of Dawn Academy, and its principal pillar of support.

Standing before him are two others. One is Li Yang, a man of about thirty, righteous and upright. He is the current head of the academy’s first-year students—the very person who once labeled Sikong Xu as “the king of all failures, a failure among failures.”

The other is Jiang Hong, homeroom teacher of Class E, Sikong Xu’s class.

“Let me organize my thoughts,” the headmaster said, setting down his cup and stroking the unruly beard at his chin. “Li Yang, you mean to expel the child known as the ‘King of the Cripples,’ am I right?”

Li Yang forced a chuckle. That infamous title had indeed been his doing, though he had only exclaimed in astonishment at a student who had failed even the most basic awakening—he had not expected it to bring Sikong Xu so much trouble.

“Ahem.” Li Yang cleared his throat and continued, “That’s right, Headmaster. I bear no grudge against the child, but his talent is simply... If he remains at our academy, he may well endanger his life.”

The headmaster nodded, then turned to Jiang Hong to hear his opinion.

Jiang Hong appeared as drowsy as ever. He addressed Li Yang, “Which student here at Dimensional Academy isn’t in danger? If one isn’t prepared to risk their life, there’s no hope of resisting the Otherworld. Besides, I know you’re only against Sikong Xu being here because he’s their son.”

Li Yang faltered at Jiang Hong’s remark, then slowly replied, “The old bastard Sikong not only got himself killed, but got her killed as well. Now even their child has to suffer for it. I can’t bear to watch.”

Li Yang was known for his bluntness, and it was precisely this trait that had led to Sikong Xu’s infamous moniker.

“Their son...” The headmaster squinted, as he always did—perhaps a result of age and drooping eyelids, for few had ever seen his eyes fully open.

“Yes, their child... How could he be ordinary?” Jiang Hong sighed as well.

“Jiang Hong, has the boy gone to the Fantasy World for training?” the headmaster suddenly asked.

“Hm? Yes, he left more than half a day ago. Before, he’d come out in less than an hour, but this time it’s been quite a while,” Jiang Hong replied.

“We’ll settle this matter after he returns from this trial,” the headmaster said, waving his hand to dismiss them.

Thus, Li Yang and Jiang Hong left the headmaster’s office together.

Jiang Hong understood the headmaster’s meaning clearly: if Sikong Xu’s performance in this trial was unsatisfactory, expulsion was indeed a possibility.

...

“A yellow smoke signal?” On his way to the frontlines, Sikong Xu noticed the unusual sight in the sky.

A yellow smoke bomb rose into the air—clearly, Eren had already moved the boulder to seal the breach in the wall. This signified that, for the first time, humanity had triumphed over the Titans!

“Heh, nicely done, Eren. I’d better hurry over to support them.” Sikong Xu smiled. Though the breach was now sealed, many Titans still roamed the town; the few he had managed to slay were not even a third of the total.

Suddenly, a swift figure flashed past Sikong Xu, moving even faster than he could. Startled, he paused, and the agile figure looped back, coming to a halt before him.

The newcomer stood about one meter sixty, small in stature with an equally slight face, black mushroom-cut hair, pronounced features, but heavy dark circles under his eyes that marred his appearance.

“Captain...” Sikong Xu drew a deep breath. He hadn’t expected to encounter the most popular male character from “Attack on Titan”—and the strongest. Known as “humanity’s mightiest soldier,” it was said he alone could rival the strength of an entire brigade—a force unlike any in the real world.

Levi Ackerman. That was his name.

“Soldier, report the current situation,” Levi’s voice was cold, his tone commanding but not unpleasant.

“Captain, you look really cool. You’re quite popular where I’m from, but I’m not into men, you know.” Meeting Levi for the first time, Sikong Xu couldn’t help feeling excited.

But Levi had no idea what he was talking about, and his tone grew even more curt: “What is the situation? What happened?”

Sensing Levi’s coldness, Sikong Xu dropped the jokes and quickly recounted the events of the battle to retake Trost District.

“The Commander is truly reckless,” Levi remarked with a stony face after listening. “But he pulled it off—that’s something.”

“Soldier, I’m heading to the front to provide support. You’re free to withdraw,” Levi said.

“As it happens, I’m also going forward to find my friends. Let’s go together,” Sikong Xu replied, locking eyes with Levi.

Levi said nothing—his silence was consent.