Chapter : The Betrayal

The day's events weighed heavily on the team. The intense battles and Hans' escape had drained even the most resilient among them. The festival, meant to be a moment of celebration and unity, had turned into chaos, leaving the king and elders with no choice but to call for a kingdom-wide search for Hans. Kyle, ever the composed leader, had given his detailed report to the higher-ups, but even he was visibly strained.

Despite the exhaustion, Ace remained as lively as ever. As the team gathered for dinner in the dorm's dining hall, he leaned casually against the doorframe, his grin as cocky as ever. His eyes locked onto Maya, who was slumped in her seat, clearly too tired to deal with anyone.

"Hey, Maya," Ace began, his voice filled with playful energy. "You know, even when you're tired, you're stunning. I mean, seriously it's unfair to the rest of us."

Maya waved him off weakly. "Not today, Ace. I don't even have the energy to ignore you properly."

Kyle watched the interaction with mild amusement before clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up. I know today has been rough on all of us, so I've arranged for something to help us recharge. Later, we'll head to a hot spring for some much-needed relaxation. We need to proper rest to regain our strength before heading back to Elaris."

The announcement was met with tired but appreciative nods.

Ace's grin widened. "Kyle, I have just one important question "

"No, it's not a mixed spring," Kyle interrupted, rolling his eyes. "And it never will be. Now eat your dinner and stop being a clown."

The team laughed, the tension in the room easing slightly.

As the meal continued, Josuke glanced around the table, his brow furrowing. "Hey, where's Silver? He hasn't joined us at all today."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he's still new to the team, and I get that he can be a little… awkward. But still, he could've at least come to dinner."

The lights in the dining hall flickered briefly, causing everyone to pause. The faint hum of electricity filled the air, and Silver emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable.

"There he is," Arthur said with a smirk. "Speak of the devil."

Josuke gestured to the empty seat next to him. "Hey, Silver. Come on, join us. You should eat something."

Silver shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm full." His tone was polite but distant, and without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the team in awkward silence.

Ace and Lily exchanged glances before heading out of the dining hall to investigate the flickering lights. A few minutes later, they returned, looking slightly annoyed.

"Well, that explains a lot," Lily said. "Hey, Kyle, when you said Silver was a bionic, you forgot to mention that he literally eats electricity."

Kyle blinked. "Oh. I guess I forgot to bring that up."

Maya sighed, leaning back in her chair. "What Kyle should have said is that Silver works as both a human and a robot. He has human parts, but his mechanical and electrical components keep him running too. Still, I thought those parts were toned down in his final design."

"No wonder he's so expensive," Josuke muttered. "When was he even made, anyway?"

Maya shrugged. "Four years ago. His original designation was '007' as you guys where told ,and he's the seventh and only successful model in his series. The rest… didn't make it past development."

Arthur's eyes widened. "Wait, hold up. He's only four years old? And he's already cleared the Ranger Exam? That's insane, even for an android."

"Efficient design," Maya replied simply. "But also a bit of a miracle, considering the failures that came before him but despite all that sliver is still imperfect."

Kyle interrupted the conversation with a sharp clap of his hands. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Finish up your meals so we can head to hot springs, but we'll need to stay sharp."

As the team prepared to leave, the scene shifted to the forest just outside the dorms. Silver stood alone among the trees, his mask faintly glowing in the moonlight. In his hand was a small communicator, its light casting eerie shadows across his face.

The voice on the other end of the call was deep and authoritative. "Is the plan set?"

Silver's tone was calm, almost robotic. "Yes. They don't suspect anything."

"Good," the voice replied. "Remember, this has to be done before the sun rises tomorrow. Josuke Akari and Arthur Pendragon must be eliminated. Do not fail complete this mission and as promised Glenda would be brought back to life ."

Silver lowered the communicator, his glowing eyes narrowing as he stared into the darkness. The trees around him creaked in the wind, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of electricity coursing through his body.

"I understand," he said quietly, his voice devoid of emotion.

As Silver turned to head back to the dorms, the faint glow of his mask illuminated his path, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The flickering lights from earlier now seemed to take on a more sinister tone, hinting at the storm brewing beneath the surface.

Back in the dorms, the team laughed and teased each other, oblivious to the danger that lurked in their midst. Josuke and Arthur exchanged lighthearted banter, while Ace attempted another failed joke. Lily and Maya shared a quiet conversation about the day's events, both eager for the promised trip to the hot springs.

Despite the cheerful atmosphere, an unseen tension hung in the air. The bonds they had forged would soon be tested, and the choices they made in the coming hours would shape their futures forever.

Silver entered the dorm quietly, his footsteps barely audible. He glanced at the team from the shadows, his glowing eyes lingering on Josuke and Arthur. For a brief moment, a flicker of hesitation crossed his expression, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"Before the sun rises," he murmured to himself. "It will all be over."