The Watcher

Zero awoke with a sharp inhale, the residual energy of last night's experiment with Reiner still coursing through his veins. The test had been enlightening—his control over both Forbidden Knowledge and Darkness was growing, but their fusion remained a mystery even to Cecil, the sageborn. He would need to tread carefully.

As the morning sun crept into his room, Zero dressed swiftly and made his way to the academy. But something was off. No whisper of a presence following him. No subtle shifts in the air. The absence of a watcher left him feeling exposed rather than secure. He remained vigilant, his senses stretched to their limit, but nothing revealed itself.

Class began with an air of routine normalcy, yet Zero felt like an actor on a stage with an invisible audience. Today's lesson was on Arcane Techniques—specifically, the discovery of one's elemental affinity. It was an introductory lesson for most, but Zero already knew his from his private training: Darkness.

"I didn't think it was possible for Forbidden Knowledge and Darkness to merge," Cecil mused inside Zero's mind. "Not even in my time did I see such a thing. A sageborn should know all things, yet you continue to surprise me."

Zero's curiosity piqued at that, but he set it aside for now. One by one, the students took turns finding their element, with instructors guiding them through the process. Luther's affinity turned out to be Fire, strong and destructive. Veyna displayed an affinity for Wind, swift and precise. Reina, to no one's surprise, had Ice, her control already refined beyond her peers. Lyra's element was the rarest of all—Sound, an ability that could manipulate vibrations and distort perceptions. Nia displayed Earth, a sturdy and immovable force.

Then came Zero's turn. He stepped forward, feigning uncertainty. The instructors tried to guide him, but he deliberately suppressed his true affinity, allowing only a faint reaction to manifest—something unremarkable. The instructor shook their head, marking him as one of the many who had yet to awaken an element.

Lunch arrived, and naturally, Lyra found her way to his table once more. Their conversations were becoming more casual, more fluid. No longer was she scrutinizing his every move—at least, not as openly. Today, she asked him about trivial things: what he thought of the lessons, whether he found any faction interesting, and whether he had hobbies outside of studying. Zero answered just enough to satisfy curiosity without revealing too much. If anything, he was beginning to enjoy their verbal sparring.

Afternoon classes took a turn for the ominous. The topic was Forbidden Knowledge. The instructor warned that if any student ever displayed signs of acquiring it, they must report it immediately. Forbidden Knowledge, while powerful, was deemed too dangerous—unpredictable and corrupting. The way the instructor spoke of it made Zero wonder just how much the academy truly knew. Did they fear it because they understood its power or because they didn't?

Then, the day took its darkest turn. It was time for his detention.

The classroom designated for misfits and delinquents reeked of hostility. The moment Zero entered, all eyes locked onto him. Glares filled with malice, whispers dripping with disdain. He wasn't welcome here, and they wanted to make that clear.

It started small—an "accidental" bump to the shoulder, a stolen chair. Then, the more overt bullying began. Books knocked from his hands, subtle kicks beneath desks, ink spilled onto his papers. Zero endured it all without retaliation, maintaining his clueless facade. But he was memorizing faces, cataloging every action. Every single one of these students would regret this one day.

When the ordeal finally ended, Zero left without a word. The sun had begun its descent, bathing the academy in a dim glow. He was tired, but something gnawed at him—an unease that had nothing to do with the day's events.

He reached his dorm and unlocked the door. The moment he stepped inside, he knew he wasn't alone.

There, seated in his chair, waiting as if she owned the place, was Elise Mortwain.

"You've been avoiding me," she said, her voice smooth yet laced with something unreadable. "That's not very polite."

Zero met her gaze, expression unreadable. The watcher had come to him.

But what truly caught Zero's attention was not just her presence—it was the near-lifeless form sprawled on the floor beside her. Reiner. His spy, his informant, his only connection to the inner workings of the academy's shadows, lay beaten within an inch of his life. His once-pristine uniform was soaked in blood, his breathing ragged and shallow. Zero's gaze flickered between Elise and Reiner, his mind already racing to piece together what had happened.

Elise tilted her head slightly, observing his reaction. "You're surprisingly calm. I was expecting more of a reaction." Her voice was smooth, almost amused.

Zero stepped forward slowly, his expression unreadable. "I don't waste energy on the obvious. You're strong. That much is clear. The question is—why are you here?"

Elise smirked, brushing off the question as she glanced down at Reiner. "Your little spy got in my way. It's nothing personal. He was persistent, I'll give him that, but... persistence only gets you so far against someone like me."

Zero's fists clenched at his sides, though he forced himself to remain composed. There was no point in acting recklessly. Elise had proven herself far too capable for brute force to be an option. Instead, he needed information. "You knew he was following you."

"Of course. Did you think I wouldn't notice a shadow lurking at my heels?" Elise let out a small laugh, her crimson eyes gleaming. "I let him follow me. Let him think he was being subtle. Then I simply led him to a place where his options were limited. The rest?" She gestured lazily to Reiner's battered body. "Well, you can see for yourself."

Zero inhaled deeply, controlling his irritation. "And now you're here. That means you want something."

Elise's smirk widened. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see what kind of person you really are. You've been a rather interesting enigma, Zero. Faking incompetence. Gathering allies. Stirring the pot without directly getting your hands dirty. It's... entertaining, really."

Zero remained silent. She knew too much. Far too much. And that meant one thing—she had been watching him closely, perhaps even from the very beginning.

"What do you know about me?" he asked finally.

Elise's expression turned contemplative. "Enough to know you're hiding something far more dangerous than your little games. I know you're intelligent—far more than you let on. I know you're seeking something, though I haven't quite figured out what yet. And I know..." She stepped closer, her voice dropping just above a whisper, "that you are not ordinary."

Zero stared at her, unreadable. "And what do you intend to do with that knowledge?"

Elise held his gaze for a long moment before shrugging. "That depends on you. You intrigue me, Zero. But intrigue isn't enough for me to spare you if you become a problem."

Zero's mind worked rapidly. She wasn't giving him a direct threat—but it was there, woven into her words. She was warning him. Testing him. Measuring his worth.

He exhaled slowly, stepping over to Reiner's fallen form, crouching beside him to check his pulse. Weak, but still alive. Good. He would deal with this later.

For now, he turned his full attention back to Elise. "Then let's make something clear. If I become a problem for you, it won't be because I was careless. And if you become a problem for me... you won't see it coming."

Elise's smile returned, sharp and knowing. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."

With that, she turned on her heel, making her way toward the window. In a fluid motion, she leaped onto the ledge, her silhouette framed against the night sky. "Until next time, Zero. Try not to bore me."

And then, she was gone.

Zero remained still for a few moments, absorbing everything that had just happened. Then, with quiet efficiency, he moved to Reiner.

Elise Mortwain was dangerous.

But then again, so was he.