The Terrorist Attack

Words of previous day spread quickly like wild fire, and now every member of the school's administrative board was present even instructors with high value were called for, their expressions mixed with concern and curiosity.

Headmaster Alaric Storm sat at the long, oval table, his fingers steepled as he surveyed the room. He was known as a man of few words but immense authority, guiding the academy through countless challenges, but the look in his eyes now hinted at the seriousness of the situation.

Dr. Quinn, still in shock from the event, stood to address the group.

"Thank you all for coming on short notice. As some of you may have heard, there was a serious incident during the yesterday's final trial. What was supposed to be a controlled simulated was hijacked resulting in thirty four students being teleported into a real dungeon locations unknown."

A murmur of shock and disbelief rippled through the room. The concept of a trial being hijacked was unheard of, especially within the academy's state-of-the-art security systems.

Alaric raised a hand, silencing the murmurs "Dr. Quinn, please continue."

Dr. Quinn nodded, taking a deep breath. "Due to this, we lost twenty seven students who are yet to return and assumed dead. As for the survivors, out of seven, six came back alive meanwhile the last one came back void of sanity, he was the only survivor in his group. We've checked the simulation chamber thoroughly, and there are no signs of tampering on our end. The dungeon any were sent to isn't one we have on record"

Professor Thorne, the academy's chief of magical studies and also Russians top magic user, frowned deeply. "No tampering, you say? Then how could this have happened? Our systems are designed to be impenetrable."

"We're still investigating," Dr. Quinn replied. "But from what we've gathered, it seems like some external force intervened. The runes and symbols the students encountered were unfamiliar, and we've been unable to trace them to any known source of magic and technology."

Alaric leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Are you suggesting that this was deliberate?"

Quinn hesitated, the nodded slowly. "Yes, Headmaster. It's possible that someone or something targeted these students specifically."

The statement sent a chill through the room. The idea that someone would go to such lengths to endanger students at Milliard was unthinkable, and yet evidence was becoming difficult to ignore.

Professor Fiona, who was made the head of combat training, crossed her arms, her expression hard. "We need to consider the possibility that this is just the beginning. If there's an outside threat capable of infiltrating our systems, our students could be at risk every time they step into a simulation.

"Agreed," Alaric said, his voice resolute. "Our first priority is to ensure the safety of our students. All upcoming trials and simulations are suspended until we can guarantee their security. I want every resource we have dedicated to uncovering how this happened who is responsible, and why."

The others collectively nodded in agreement as they absorbed the gravity of the situation.

"And what about the students involved?" Professor Thorne asked "They just experienced something beyond what any of us anticipated. How are they holding up?"

"I heard Casper and his team were resilient", Fiona said, a note of pride in her voice.

"Oh you mean the Normie you brought" Professor Yuichi cut into the conversation. "I'm surprised he isn't dead"

"Aria and her twin must have handled it perfectly" Professor Thorne gaze narrowed at their headmaster "For a Normie to survive"

Alaric raised his hand to silence them. "Dr. Quinn report"

She nodded "The students handled the situation remarkably well given the circumstances. But this experience will have deeply affected them. They'll need support, both to process what happened and to prepare for whatever might come next.

"We should also consider" Professor Fiona added "that they might be our best resource in understanding what happened if this was a targeted event, they may have experienced something that could give us clues.

Alaric nodded thoughtfully. "I'll speak with them personally. We'll ensure they're well cared for, but we'll also need to debrief them thoroughly. Their insights could be crucial."

The headmaster paused, looking around the room, ensuring that every instructor understood the seriousness of the task ahead. We've always prided ourselves on being the best, the safest place for the next generation of hunters. This incident challenges that belief, but it also gives us a chance to rise to the occasion. We'll uncover the truth, strengthen out defenses, and ensure that Milliard Academy remains the beacon of safety and excellence."

As the meeting adjourned, the instructors dispersed, their expressions grim but determined. Headmaster Alaric lingered, deep in thought. He knew that this was only the beginning. The incident had exposed vulnerabilities in their systems, but it had also revealed something else, an unseen enemy willing to play a dangerous game.

Alaric's gaze hardened. Whoever had targeted his students made a grave mistake. And soon, they would learn just how formidable an opponent Milliard Academy could be.

*

The days after the incident passed in a blur and the students who passed were called for an assessment test at the Academy assessment room. The student's mana level will be tested determining their rank and class.

Casper stared at the entrance of the assessment room, he was nervous of what rank he would get. The adrenaline that had kept him sharp and focused during the trial slowly ebbed away, replaced by a heavy exhaustion that settled deep in his bones.

Despite Sir. Ethan's advice, he couldn't shake the vivid memories of the dungeon-the feel of real battle, the sound of Elena's blade as she easily overpowered Aria and the gut-feeling that both Elena and Aria knew something the item.

"Could you move dummy? You're blocking the entrance"

Casper immediately regretted staying there, he turned to the familiar voice.

"Sophia…Sis, how have you been?"

"I heard you survived the trial" Sophia said totally ignoring his question.

Casper squinted a bit and stepped back. "Do you have a problem with that?"

Sophia sighed and walked past him

"Just don't screw my reputation up by telling people we're related" She said before stepping into the Assessment room.

Casper watched the door close behind her with disdain. He braced himself and walked past the door. It didn't matter if no one believed in him, he'll grow and become strong enough to know more about the item.

*

As Casper stepped into the assessment room, he felt the air buzzing with anticipation as students gathered in the central plaza, their eyes floating screens that displayed results if the academy's latest rank evaluations. The atmosphere was almost electric, this was the moment every student had been waiting for, where abilities would be measured and their ranks revealed.

Casper stood among the crowd, his heart pounding as the names and ranks appeared as the student each placed their hands on the Mana Pillar, an ancient monolith standing in the center of the courtyard, its surface carved with mysterious runes that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

"Next" called Professor Thorne, his voice sharp and commanding. He stood beside the Pillar, his robe shimmering with the ethereal light that marked him as one of the most powerful mages in the Academy.

A nervous hush fell over the crowd as Casper stepped forward. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out to touch the Pillar.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the Pillar emitted a faint, dull glow. The ruins above Casper's head flickered weakly before settling into place, displaying the symbol of an E-rank. A murmur ran through the crowd.

Casper didn't let that get to him, after all he knew rank didn't matter in his case.

One by one the students approached the Pillar, each hoping for a higher-rank than the last. The hierarchy of the academy was brutally clear, and your rank determined everything in your life as a hunter.

It was finally Sophia's turn, the atmosphere shifted. She walked with fierce determination and elegance. The crowd watched as she confidently placed her hand on the Pillar began to glow with a steady, confident liar.

The runes above her head swirled and coalesced into the symbol of an S-rank. The silence that followed was deafening. S-ranks were the stuff of legends like The Ultimate Hunter (Fiona) or The Shadow (Ethan) whose power could shape the fate of nations. Sophia stood there, unmoved, her face expressionless.

Professor Thorne's voice though calm, carried an edge of awe. "An S-rank…. This is unprecedented."

Sophia turned away from the Pillar, her gaze meeting Casper. She smirked and mouthed the words "You'll drop out soon"

As she walked back into the crowd, the students parted for her, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear, respect and hope.

Breaking the silence, three figures materialized at the center of the assessment room, drawing all eyes to them. Among them, a tall slender dark hair lady with a twisted grin and cold eyes stepped forward.

"Good morning, students of Milliard Academy," Her voice echoed through the room, dripping with mockery. "I hope we're not interrupting anything important."

Casper felt a chill run down his spine. He recognized the danger immediately, as did Professor Thorne who was already moving intervene.

"Whoever you are, I would politely ask you to leave" His Russian voice deeper and dangerous than ever.

The lady stared at Professor Thorne "Darius, Lucian"

With those words the two figures who accompanied her stepped forward. Darius, his eyes glowing with an ominous orange light, conjured a massive wall of fire cutting off any escape route, while Lucian summoned a horde of shadowy creatures that quickly surrounded the students, their growls silencing the any attempt of resistance.

The lady's grin widened as she saw the fear spreading through the students. Professor Thorne conjured up an earth molded arm and tried smashing her but she just teleported away and materialized behind Darius and Lucian.

"Now, now no need to panic. We're not here to hurt anyone-at least not yet. Consider this… a little demonstration."

She glanced at her company "Darius, Lucian, keep them entertained, would you? I have business with the Headmaster."

Darius flames flared brighter as he stepped forward, while Lucian's creature tightened their circle, making it clear that any attempt to fight or flee would be met with immediate consequences.

Meanwhile, the lady teleported away in an instant, vanishing from the assessment room and leaving the students under the control of Darius and Lucian. Her destination was clear: the headmaster's office.

Professor Thorne walked towards Darius and Lucian "Just give up and surrender. It will be easier for us both"

They didn't reply instead flares of flame conjured in the air above of Darius while Lucian summoned three shadow soldiers.

"So that's your reply" Professor Thorne sighed as the wind around him started circulating "Well I guess I'll just have to use force"

He sent a pressure of wind flying like blade towards Darius, who created a flame wall but it barely held the attack. He was sent flying across the room, but managed landing on his feet.

Lucian commanded his soldiers to attack the Professor. The soldier moved instantaneously, their movements in rhythm and sync.

But the Professor was unfazed, as he conjured up water creating an octopus like arm he blocked and countered the attacks with ease. Then manipulated the water transforming it to Ice spears piercing the soldiers. The shadows soldiers immediately disappeared into the shadows.

"Is that all you got? As terrorists infiltrating this Academy, you're weak."

Darius smirked "I guess we have to get serious" he spoke as he and Lucian placed one arm on his chest.

"Release" They said in unison.

A sudden burst of Mana occurred within them, the sensation sent the students kneeling and it even seemed to pressure Professor Thorne.

Casper knew that ominous feeling, it was the same as the item he held within him, only less powerful.

Darius lunged at Professor at a greater speed, Thorne not expecting this was thrown off balance and landed on his back.

Darius conjured a gigantic ball of flame and aimed it the Professor.

Thorne immediately created a diversion for him to get up by using earth to block the attack.

But the moment he managed to escape the attack, five shadow hellhounds attacked him, he conjured up ice and stuck them. But instead of dispersing, they just reformed.

It became an endless battle as Darius pressured the Professor with fierce attacks while Lucian's shadow summons kept on reforming after being killed.

The Professor began to lose ground, he was getting overpowered, slowly but surely.

Darius thrust his hands forward, sending a roaring wall of flames towards Thorne. The inferno rushed across the battlefield, its heat distorting the very air as it surged forward. But with a flick of their wrist, Thorne conjured a barrier of water. But the force of the attack sent the roof and some equipment flying apart. Steam erupted as the attacks came into contact. The mist became a cloud obstructing the sight of the students.

They saw flashes of light, attacks from both sides and they could tell the intensity of the battle.

From the haze, Lucian vanished, becoming one with the shadow. Thorne's eyes narrowed as he summoned a gust of wind dispersing the mist. But it was too late - twisted, shadowy creatures were closing in. They slithered from the shadows, their forms barely distinguishable from the blackness itself. The Professor slammed his hand on the ground, massive pillars erupted, crushing several of the shadow beasts.

But the respite was brief. With a roar, Darius surrounded Thorne's stone defenses with a ring of fire, the flames licking higher and higher, turning the stone into molten slag. Sweat beaded on the professor's brow as they struggle to maintain control, the intense heat pushing them to the limit.

With a defiant shout, Thorne summoned water once more, dousing the flames-but the stone had already cooled into sharp obsidian spikes, closing them in.

The ground beneath Thorne shook as he tried to steady himself, he was losing breath quicker now. He couldn't afford to lose, the life of the students were on his hands. He raised his arm, calling upon all the elements at once. Thunder rumbled, and a storm began to form overhead, lighting cracking across the sky. The wind howled, tearing through the already ruined assessment hall, scattering the remaining shadows and sending debris flying

Lucian grinned before making some hand signs calling forth another creature. A hulk like beast, its eyes glowing red as it lumbered toward the elemental mage. Like in sync, Darius stoked his flames with a white-hot inferno, sending bolts of fire spiraling through the windstorm.

Professor Thorne gritted his teeth, summoning a massive tornado of wind and earth in response to their attack. The forces collided fire and shadow being swept up into the swirling vortex.

Thorne gave a satisfying smile, he might be able to regain control. The storm raged, lighting bolts striking the ground, making the students who had been fixated on the battle scatter.

But the tide of the battle shifted. Darius was relentless, absorbing the flames into their very being, becoming a living inferno. Their eyes burned with an almost manic intensity as they advanced, flames rippling off his body in the waves. Meanwhile, Lucian merged with the creature, the shadows seemed to stretch and swallowing the light, as the two dark figures became a single looming monstrosity. It moved with terrifying speed, slipping through cracks.

Thorne was finding it hard to keep up. His strength began to waver, his hands trembled as he surged all his strength to call down another bolt of lightning, but it was weaker, the lightning struck harmlessly against Darius blazing form.

The storm he had conjured was no working against him, feeding the fir, scattering the shadows but leaving no room to retreat.

Desperation clawed at the Thorne's heart. He tried to raise a shield of earth, but Darius shattered it with a single blazing punch. The shadow beast lunged, its massive claws raking the air as it sought to engulf Thorne in darkness.

Thorne felt it, for the first time his life flashed before his eyes. He tried conjuring up water but it wasn't enough. Darius fist crashed through his defenses, a wave of searing heat followed the impact. At the same time, the shadow beast struck from the other side, its claws sinking into Thorne's back.

Thorne gasped, his strength finally failing as the fire and shadows closed in. His vision began to blur, fire scorched his skin and shadows consumed the light. He grinned, so this was how he was going to be defeated.

Darius stepped closer raising another blaze to strike Thorne. The Professor vision was fading but he saw it, a wall of ice surrounded Darius blocking his attack.

"I can't let you kill him" A familiar voice yelled. Sophia stepped forward conjuring sets of icicles and flames sending them at Lucian's direction. Lucian easily deflected them, summoning two shadow wolves, but as they lunged at her someone stepped in punching them with his fists that sent them back into the darkness.

"No one gets to kill her but me" Casper said placing his fists together.

Darius melted the ice around him, he stared at the two siblings with fury in his eyes. He gave Thorne a glance "I'll deal with you later"

He conjured another floating flame balls, he starts walking towards them. Lucian summoned another set of Shadow soldiers.

Sophia gave Casper a questioning look "You sure about this?"

Casper grinned "Nope but who cares? It's what a Hunter would do"

Sophia smiled taking a battle stance with icicles and flame balls floating above her.

"I guess you're right"