The creature

In the men's dormitories... two young men were arranged on the floor surrounded by books while another two were talking by the window. The two looked at each other worriedly as they discussed:

– Why would Nevra do that? – Ikuto asked with a complicated expression.

Thamy looked out the window, frowning he said – He doesn't seem to be plotting anything regarding the enmity between mages and vampires in the Realm of Almalorantia, there must be a much more complicated reason...

Ikuto sighed as he thought, shaking his head – The only hunches I have are a little absurd… should we ask him?

Thamy nodded slightly.

– We're leaving – Ikuto told the two young men, Drazhan and Hiro, who were sitting on the floor.

– Are you guys going to Nevra's dorm? – Drazhan asked, and as soon as Ikuto nodded Drazhan tried to get up, but was held by Hiro who had an annoyed expression on his face.

– You know you'll be suspended if you don't do one more activity, right?

Drazhan pursed his lips, knowing he couldn't refute Hiro's words.

– Do you need to talk to your brother? We can let him know, then you'll meet tomorrow – Ikuto spoke as he followed Thamy out of the room.

Drazhan smiled bitterly – It's not like Matheu has time for his older brother now that he has that wizard, but could you tell him we need to talk?

Ikuto nodded – Don't worry, I will tell him that.

Closing the door behind them, Thamy and Ikuto walked up the stairs and up to the second floor, walking towards Nevra's dorm. Just as Ikuto was going to knock on the door Thamy held his hand, Ikuto looked at him and saw him with a suspicious expression, Ikuto turned to the door and feeling the 'presence' of four people inside, he looked doubtfully at Thamy.

Thamy whispered – There's something wrong...

With that, he moved his fingers close to the lock, a low clicking sound was heard and the door was opened slowly. Both frowned upon finding the room completely empty.

– This… – Ikuto looked around – Where do you think they are? Why would they need to fake their presence here? – Ikuto looked thoughtful, Thamy walked around the room, narrowing his eyes as he watched every corner of the room, Ikuto suddenly slammed his fist into his other hand and whispered – They're doing something wrong...

Thamy raised an eyebrow as he stared at him, Ikuto smiled as he scratched his head – Not that it looks like they would, but, it's really weird...

Thamy walked to the window, Ikuto approached him and Thamy spoke as he pointed to the school – I feel the magic of a Night Mage there.

Ikuto looked where he was pointing and said – The amulet of the Tasvali family...

Thamy nodded, getting worried when he remembered something, watching his expression Ikuto also realized – That thing has more freedom at night, they're in danger – They quickly left the room, running towards the main hall.

Thamy ran to the boys' dormitory entrance door, failing to open the door that hadn't relented to his attempt to pull it open, his expression darkened – I forgot my permission, Ikuto, you still have yours? – He asked as Ikuto approached, panting, soon seeing him nod, he gave space for Ikuto to open the door, which opened normally as Ikuto wore the student council permission bracelet.

They were walking towards the school when Ikuto, out of habit, looked at Harumi's dorm window, froze as soon as he realized it was empty, Thamy saw him stop and followed his gaze, realizing the same as Ikuto: 'They weren't in the dorm… maybe they were in another room?' Ikuto squeezed his right hand, looking slowly at the school after a few seconds – Harumi is at school…

Both stared at each other, widening their eyes and running back towards the school: 'If Harumi was in school, Leila would be too, Leila was the daughter of their Master, it was their duty as disciples to protect their little sister'

Ikuto moved forward more quickly pushing the door for them to enter, the two then disappeared into the corridors.

...

– Celine! Wait... please! – Harumi spoke as they ran, and seeing that Celine had stopped she sighed with relief, crouching down on the ground tiredly, Leila was also breathing heavily – Why are you running? – She asked, the dorms were already closed, they would be punished as soon as they found out they didn't come back.

Celine ran for a long time, and the two, not knowing what to do, just followed her.

Celine frowned as she looked around, sighing in frustration as she walked towards Leila and Harumi.

Harumi grabbed her arm as she approached, but just as she was about to say something they heard small noises coming from the bend in the hallway in front of them.

The three froze, Celine came back to her senses and walked slowly over there, Leila tried to pull her but with no success, deciding to follow her closely, Harumi, not wanting to be left behind, just got up immediately and followed them too.

The sound of footsteps became more and more distinct, and when she was close enough Leila took a step forward, fist raised, and she lunged towards whatever creature was approaching.

She was surprised when her wrist was suddenly caught. Staring for a while she realized that it was a person… a person! She widened her eyes as she took a step back, startling Harumi who was only two steps away from her.

A small light was turned on in Felipe's palm.

…

The groups face each other for a while – Miss Leila? – Felipe spoke as soon as he realized who the girl was, being relieved for a few seconds before his expression changed to puzzlement.

– Felipe? – Leila asked, and looking at the others she frowned – What are you doing here?

– We ask the same – Raphael said as he faced the three girls in front of him – Your highnesses don't seem to be the type to go out and cause trouble…

…The atmosphere got weird, Harumi was still stunned, Celine had a frustrated expression for not being what she was looking for and Leila was staring at Raphael with a complex expression. Felipe, noticing the atmosphere between them, said – We're investigating something, and you?

Leila finally relaxed her expression as she replied – Celine suddenly ran, so we followed her out of concern.

– Suddenly run? Why did you run? – Nevra spoke while staring at Celine, the three girls stared at him in surprise, the tone he used was anticipatory, quite different from the listless tone he normally used.

Celine noticed that everyone was looking at her, making a strange expression she replied – I saw... a shadow, it ran and I just followed.

– A shadow? ...That must be what we're looking for! This thing, why would there be a shadow moving around? It's definitely what we're looking for – Felipe said excitedly.

...

Matheu looked around, turning his gaze to Celine, he asked – You were following this thing, right? – Celine nodded…

Matheu then said – So you mean you followed this thing until here? – He emphasized the word 'here', causing everyone to freeze, waiting for a response from Celine, who was looking down the hallway behind them, nodding after a few seconds.

Raphael felt something looking at him, and looking out of the corner of his eye as he turned his head slightly back he caught a 'standing' shadow watching them.

Harumi and Leila, who suddenly found themselves facing that shadow were shocked - What was that?

– Nobody moves – Raphael said calmly – What do we do now?

Nevra and Matheu looked at Felipe, who was smiling bitterly – I have no idea.

Nevra gritted his teeth before speaking – What do you mean you have no idea?

– I didn't think we'd actually find this thing – He replied worriedly.

Raphael noticed a small movement coming from the creature out of the corner of his eye, which was so fast there was no time to warn.

Nevra was hit by something that seemed to tie him, something started to come out of him and go to the creature using that thin line of smoke that tied him as a path, the others didn't seem to see it, they just knew that Nevra had been hit by something, it was Celine who saw all that delicate white smoke writhing around the black one as it made its way to the creature.

Raphael pulled Nevra back quickly as he shouted – Behind me, stay behind me – And just as they did, Raphael took something from his chest and pointed towards the ground, a glowing barrier with a star-covered night sky engulfed them, Celine quickly noticed that the thread between Nevra and the Creature was suddenly cut.

The creature, frustrated with this movement, grew a few meters as it tried to approach the barrier, failing whenever it tried to touch it, the creature moved around the barrier, completely annoyed with this thing that prevented it from connecting to the boy of pure powers…

– What... this thing won't give up?! – Felipe spoke desperately, even though it was an unbreakable barrier, being surrounded by something like that was not very pleasant.

– Harumi! Leila!! – Everyone listened after a while, for a moment thinking they were raving – Celine! Matheu!

Harumi's eyes widened – It's Ikuto and Thamy!!

Leila smiled thinking - 'my disciple brothers were too powerful, this thing would be no match for them' - when she yelled back:

– Ikuto! Thamy! We're here!

Soon they heard hurried footsteps approaching.

Ikuto and Thamy were deeply concerned as they ran through the hallways, giving up on being discreet they started calling out to these lost teenagers.

And when they finally heard an answer, they couldn't help but be relieved as they ran towards the sound, freezing as soon as they came face to face with the huge misty creature that was futilely trying to pass a starry barrier.

They were completely shocked by the situation.

– ...shit – Ikuto spoke with an incredulous expression. The creature, repairing the two exposed people and sensing their powers, advanced toward them with a hungry look.

Thamy blinked, realizing how close the creature was already, he threw himself to the side, not forgetting to push Ikuto at the same time so he wouldn't get hit too. Ikuto woke up as soon as he touched the cold ground, the creature went right between them, getting even angrier and advancing against the young man with green eyes who was the one who hindered it at the last moment.

While Thamy was focused by the creature, Ikuto ran to the others – Are you okay?

Everyone nodded. Felipe took a step forward – Senior Ikuto, is this thing that has been draining the power of the students?

Ikuto breathed heavily, hearing Felipe's question, Ikuto turned to look at the creature, who at the moment was very focused on trying to capture Thamy, frowning, he replied – I don't know...

– Yes, it's that thing.

Celine quickly attracted attention to herself.

– How do you know?

Celine looked at the creature – It seemed to be draining Nevra's power.

Nevra looked at her, stunned, he felt something before, but it felt more like an insect bite, and that made him feel a little strange, but he didn't feel anything beyond that.

A subtle ability, that thing sucked away someone's power without them even noticing that they were losing their abilities...

Ikuto took a deep breath – We have to get out of here.

At that moment, Thamy was thrown to the other side of the corridor.

Leila saw him hit the wall – Thamy!

Nevra and Raphael took a step forward, only to be blocked by Ikuto soon after – What do you think you can do?!

Raphael looked at Thamy, who was already standing facing the creature, he was surrounded, if he ran, he could make that thing follow him away from the others, but there was also the possibility that this would not happen and the creature would turn its interest to the teenagers behind it.

Raphael pulled out his amulet, attracting Celine's attention, who, in shock, covered it with her own hand.

Raphael looked at her in astonishment – What you-

– Put that away! – Ikuto spoke in a hurry, but it was already late.

Thamy looked confused when the creature simply turned its back to him and started to face the group.

Furrowing his eyebrows, he looked at the others, and seeing what caught the creature's attention, he mentally cursed, shouting – Run!

Frightened by the creature, everyone ran.

– That doesn't make sense, Raphael was with the jewel the whole time, why did the creature only now notice it? – Leila asked as they ran.

Raphael frowned – The first night mage wouldn't hand over something that would be so easily noticed, the jewel does not emit a single signal if it is kept by its wearer, but as soon as it is taken out, it will emit an aura… oh.

Ikuto showed an angry expression on his face. Holding Harumi's hand, he pulled her to the side abruptly, shouting – Everyone gets down!

Leila pulled Celine as she threw herself into a corner and then covered their heads with their hands.

The others did the same.

The only thing they saw was a red flash and then a loud thud.

Standing up, they saw the creature struggling to rise from a small pile of rubble.

Ikuto shouted – Come on!

They went back the way they ran, and now, away from the creature's eyes, Ikuto went to each of the doors in the corridors, trying to open them, becoming more and more desperate when he was unable to open them.

Leila ran to another door, her eyes lit up when she heard the small clicking sound – Here!

They ran to her, entering the room one by one, as soon as everyone was inside, Ikuto took out the key that was inside, went out and locked the door – Stay here.

– …what? – Matheu said, breaking the silence between them.

Raphael ran to the door, thinking - 'Does he think that locking us in here is a good idea?' Then, almost taking his amulet out of his pocket, he remembered.

– Don't use it – Felipe said next to him.

Sighing, Raphael moved away from the lock – I know…

Nevra sat in a corner, muttering – Even if Raphael doesn't use the amulet, my pure magic can draw that thing's attention.

Harumi was breathing hard, still in complete shock from the situation they were in, some tears suddenly started to roll down her face silently.

– And now? Do we wait for them? – Leila asked, then turning to Celine – How did you see that?

Celine looked at the door, paralyzed.

Leila approached worriedly, and passing her hand a few times in front of her eyes she called – Celine?

This attracted the attention of the group, Raphael and Felipe, who were closest to the door, looked at each other, and then slowly walked away from the door.

The room fell silent as everyone waited for the girl's reaction.

Celine suddenly began to change the direction of her gaze slowly, as if she was following something with her eyes, then sighed in relief.

Hearing her sigh, everyone felt relieved. Harumi took a step back, trying to lean on the wall, but she tripped over something and fell, the sound of the fall alarmed everyone again. Felipe ran to turn on the lights, now that the creature was gone, they could act more relaxed.

Turning on the lights was not a good idea.

As soon as she opened her eyes from the fall, Harumi found herself face to face with her legs on top of a person.