The Phantom Scholar and the Calculated Gamble

After dismissing his group, Zero sat in solitude, his Omniscient Mind unraveling the tangled mystery behind the letters of Cecil Vance. His thoughts were methodical, breaking apart the puzzle with relentless precision. He considered all possibilities—someone impersonating Cecil, a secret organization using his name, an illusion crafted to deceive him—but one hypothesis stood above all the rest. And as the final piece of the puzzle clicked into place, he felt it.

A gust of wind rushed through the room, an unseen force swirling behind him. Zero's body tensed, but he did not turn immediately. His mind registered the phenomenon before his eyes could confirm it. Then, a voice—light, amused, filled with an erratic curiosity—broke the silence.

"Brilliant deduction, young one. You really are one of us."

Zero finally turned, his sharp gaze locking onto the figure materializing before him. The man had an almost ethereal presence—his form flickering, like an image on the verge of breaking apart. He was clad in old scholar's robes, slightly disheveled, and his eyes gleamed with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His entire demeanor screamed of a man who lived for discovery, lost in the endless corridors of knowledge.

"Cecil Vance," Zero murmured, more as a confirmation to himself than a question.

The scholar grinned, pushing up his glasses, which seemed to perpetually slide down his nose. "Ah! So you've heard of me. That makes this far less awkward. Now then, I assume you have questions?"

Zero did not waste time. He asked everything—why was he here, how did he send the letters, and what did he know about the rulers? But Cecil's answers were fragmented. He could recall flashes of the past but nothing concrete.

"My memories... they've been locked away," Cecil admitted, frowning. "By the rulers themselves. I know something—something dangerous. And they've ensured I can never remember it. Unless..."

Zero leaned forward, intrigued. "Unless what?"

"Unless I fulfill a certain condition," Cecil said, his fingers tapping against his temple. "But I don't remember what that condition is. Ah! How irritating! I loathe not knowing things. It's like an itch I can't scratch!"

Zero exhaled slowly, contemplating. Despite the uncertainty, one thing was clear—Cecil was real, a Sageborn like him, a true blood relative. For the first time in his life, Zero had found someone he could trust without hesitation, someone who shared his lineage, his plight.

And for that reason alone, he would keep Cecil's existence a secret.

The next morning, Zero called Reina, Veyna, Nia, and Luther to a private meeting. His tone was calm but firm.

"Stop investigating Cecil Vance. It's done."

The four of them exchanged glances, confused by the sudden change.

"What?" Reina frowned. "But we still don't know how he—"

"It's done," Zero repeated, his voice brokering no argument.

Veyna crossed her arms. "Zero, if something happened—"

"Nothing happened. But trust me, there's nothing left to uncover," he said with finality.

The group hesitated but ultimately relented. Zero rarely demanded things outright, but when he did, they had learned it was best to follow his lead.

Later that day, the classroom buzzed with anticipation as the instructor addressed the students. It was time to officially declare their chosen factions. One by one, students announced their affiliations, each name solidifying alliances and rivalries.

Then it was Zero's turn.

"What about you? Which faction did you join?" the instructor asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Zero scratched his head, looking entirely unbothered. "Ah... I forgot the name."

The class fell silent.

The instructor's brow twitched in irritation. "You forgot?" His tone was sharp.

"Yeah, there were so many names. They all sounded the same," Zero replied with a sheepish grin, maintaining his clueless facade.

The instructor's patience snapped. "Enough with the nonsense. If you refuse to take this seriously, then you will explain yourself to the Headmaster. Now."

Zero's smile didn't falter. He stood up, dusting off his uniform, and walked out of the room under the watchful eyes of his peers.

He had planned for this.

The Headmaster was an enigma, a shadow that loomed over the academy. Very little was known about him, but if Zero was going to carve a path toward his ultimate goal, he needed to know what kind of being he was dealing with.

As he walked through the academy halls, a thought flickered through his mind—a chessboard, pieces moving into place. This wasn't just a meeting.

This was a test.

And Zero intended to win.

As Zero made his way to the headmaster's office, each step felt heavier under the weight of the aura pressing down on him. This was different. This wasn't the presence of a mere warrior—it was the oppressive might of someone who stood at the pinnacle of strength. He was about to meet Remus Stelian, a Grandmaster Stage being, perhaps even beyond. The air itself seemed to ripple as if acknowledging the power radiating from the headmaster's chambers.

Reaching the ornately carved door, Zero steadied himself, ensuring his fool persona remained intact. He knocked once. The door creaked open on its own, an invisible force pulling him inside.

The moment he stepped in, an unseen pressure bore down on his shoulders. It was suffocating. Remus sat behind a grand desk, his piercing golden eyes locking onto Zero with an intensity that sent chills down his spine.

"So, you're the one who 'forgot' his faction's name."

Each syllable he uttered vibrated through the air, infused with an aura so potent that the very walls trembled in acknowledgment. This wasn't just strength—this was command, dominance, an unshakable force.

Zero knew immediately—this was a man who had no equal in this academy.

For the first time in his life, Zero struggled to find words. His throat felt dry, as if the sheer presence of Remus had stolen the air from his lungs. He was in awe, captivated by the overwhelming might this man exuded.

Remus leaned forward slightly, and Zero felt a cold sweat forming at the back of his neck.

"Why?" the headmaster asked.

A single word. That was all. But it carried enough weight to demand an answer.

Zero realized his gamble had been seen through instantly. Remus wasn't just powerful—he was intelligent, perceptive beyond measure. He knew Zero had orchestrated this meeting.

For a few seconds, the silence stretched between them. Then, Remus spoke again.

"You wanted to see me, didn't you?"

Zero remained still, mind racing to regain his composure. He had to respond. He had to break through the suffocating pressure.

Taking a slow breath, he finally said, "I wanted to know what kind of man you are."

Remus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And?"

Zero's lips curled slightly. "I haven't decided yet."

That was a lie. He had already made up his mind. This man was not his enemy. Unlike the rulers who conspired against his kin, Remus Stelian was a man of honor, one who had no interest in deceit or hidden agendas. He was an immovable pillar of dignity, the kind of figure Zero needed to watch but not fear.

Remus exhaled, his aura finally easing. "You're an interesting one."

He stood up, towering over Zero as he moved toward the door. "I should expel you for this little stunt, but instead, I'll assign you to detention."

Zero blinked. Detention?

"You'll spend a full day with the 'misfits' of this academy. Consider it a lesson."

Zero knew that meant trouble. The misfits weren't just troublemakers—they were the ones the academy barely tolerated, students with violent tendencies, dangerous abilities, and unpredictable natures. This would be another test.

Remus gave him one last piercing glance before dismissing him. "Now go. You have lunch to get to."

Zero left the office, his mind swirling with thoughts. That had been a valuable encounter. He had confirmed that Remus wasn't a direct enemy. Now, he just had to see what kind of challenge detention would bring.

By the time he reached the dining hall, it was already filled with students. He sat down with his usual tray of food, and just as he expected, Lyra appeared once again, sitting beside him without a word.

For once, she didn't bombard him with questions. Instead, she simply ate, engaging him in casual conversation about the academy, lessons, and training. Zero, while keeping up his clueless act, couldn't help but be intrigued by her choice to stop prying.

After lunch, the students returned to their afternoon classes. Today's lesson was focused on teamwork, with an activity designed to test strategic cooperation. The task was simple—capture the opponent's flag before they could capture yours.

Zero, naturally, picked Reina as his partner.

Reina gave him a cold glance. "You're going to make me pretend to carry you, aren't you?"

Zero grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "What gave you that idea?"

Reina sighed. "Fine."

That was exactly his plan. He needed to maintain his fool persona, and what better way than appearing incompetent while letting Reina shine?

As the match began, Zero made a show of being clumsy, fumbling over obstacles while Reina systematically dismantled the opposition. He observed every student, taking mental notes on potential recruits. By the time the match ended, Reina had secured victory almost singlehandedly.

Zero gave her a thumbs-up. "Wow, you're amazing!"

She rolled her eyes.

He just grinned.

But inside, he was pleased. He had learned everything he needed to about Reina's capabilities, and even more importantly, he had identified other students with hidden potential.

With faction activities set to begin soon and detention with the misfits looming ahead, Zero knew that the pieces of his grand plan were starting to fall into place.

After the last class ended, Zero made his way back to his dorm room, his mind already set on what he needed to do next. The meeting with the headmaster had left an impression on him, but it also made one thing clear—he needed to grow stronger, much faster than anticipated. There was no telling how many more Grandmaster-level figures lurked within the academy, and he couldn't afford to remain at his current level. His forbidden knowledge, the power he had only begun to grasp, needed testing. And who better to test it on than his own personal spy?

Sitting in the dimly lit dormitory, Zero reached into his cloak and retrieved a small, enchanted stone—a communication device attuned to Reiner. He activated it, his voice calm yet commanding. "Come to my dorm. Now."

Within moments, the shadows near the window shifted, and Reiner materialized from the darkness, his presence silent but ever-watchful. His silver eyes flickered with curiosity and concern as he took in Zero's contemplative expression.

"You called?" Reiner asked, folding his arms. "Is it about the Watcher? I still have—"

Zero shook his head. "Not about Elise. This is about you. And me."

Reiner's stance stiffened slightly, his instincts on high alert. "What do you mean?"

Zero leaned back against the wall, his fingers tapping against the wooden desk beside him. "I need to test something. Forbidden knowledge."

Reiner raised an eyebrow. "Forbidden knowledge? Are you sure that's a good idea? You don't even know its full extent."

Zero smirked. "Exactly. That's why I need a test subject."

Reiner exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing his temples. "You want to use a dangerous power on me without knowing what it does?"

Zero's golden eyes gleamed under the dim lantern light. "You owe me, don't you?"

Reiner clenched his jaw. He did owe Zero—his freedom, his life, his purpose. The weight of that debt was not lost on him. "Fine," he muttered. "But if I die, I'm haunting you."

Zero chuckled. "Noted."

Stepping forward, Zero extended his hand, darkness curling around his fingers like living tendrils. It felt cold, unnatural—yet oddly familiar, as if this power had always been waiting for him to claim it. A whisper echoed in the back of his mind, ancient and indecipherable.

Reiner stood firm, watching as the forbidden energy coiled and pulsed. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Zero didn't answer immediately. Instead, he focused, allowing his Omniscient Mind to guide him. He willed the darkness to latch onto Reiner—not to harm, but to influence. The moment the energy connected, Reiner gasped, his body stiffening. His mind was suddenly exposed, vulnerable. Zero could see glimpses of thoughts, memories, fears—yet there was no pain, only submission.

Reiner struggled against the feeling. "What... the hell is this?"

Zero narrowed his eyes, intrigued. "It's... control."

Reiner's breathing grew uneven as he fought against the overwhelming force pressing into his consciousness. "You're in my head..." he hissed. "Is this mind control?"

Zero's smirk faded slightly. "Not quite. More like... persuasion. An enhancement of influence."

With a flick of his fingers, he released Reiner, who stumbled back, sweat beading on his forehead. He exhaled sharply, glaring at Zero. "That's dangerous. If you refine that, you could make anyone do what you want."

Zero flexed his fingers, watching the lingering darkness dissipate. "Exactly. And that's just the beginning."

Reiner wiped his face, still shaken. "Whatever you're planning... be careful. Forbidden knowledge is forbidden for a reason."

Zero smiled, a quiet but assured expression. "I know. But tell me... would you rather be at the mercy of power, or the one wielding it?"

Reiner hesitated, then sighed. "Just don't turn that on me again without warning."

Zero chuckled. "No promises."

As Reiner vanished into the shadows once more, Zero sat back down, deep in thought. He had barely scratched the surface of what this forbidden knowledge could do. And soon, he would push its limits even further.

One way or another, he would rise above them all.