Chapter 15: A New Arrival

Morning came too soon.

Zayne barely got any sleep after the encounter with Lord Vael. His mind kept circling back to the Syndicate's warning, the revelation of a traitor within Mystic Heights, and Vael's ominous presence in the Academy. If the Council was directly intervening, things were worse than they had imagined.

He pulled on his uniform—a dark navy tunic lined with silver embroidery, the standard attire for Mystic Heights students—and strapped his sword to his waist before heading to the dining hall.

The great hall was already buzzing with chatter when he arrived. Long wooden tables stretched across the room, filled with students engaged in conversation. Some spoke about their upcoming missions, others gossiped about Vael's sudden arrival.

Zayne spotted his team near their usual spot. Malo was slouched back in his seat, lazily poking at his food. Seraphina sat beside him, reading a scroll while absentmindedly sipping her tea. Elias leaned against the table, scanning the room like he was looking for threats.

As Zayne approached, Elias gave him a nod. "Rough night?"

Zayne sat down and grabbed a plate. "Didn't sleep much."

"Can't blame you," Malo muttered. "First, the Syndicate calls you out, then Vael shows up throwing punches. Bad week."

Seraphina glanced up. "It's about to get more interesting. There's a new student arriving today."

Malo raised an eyebrow. "So?"

Seraphina set down her scroll. "So, he's not just any student. He's a direct transfer from a Guild Academy in the capital."

That caught Zayne's attention. "The capital? That's rare."

Elias frowned. "And suspicious. A high-level transfer right when we're dealing with a possible traitor?"

Malo smirked. "I say we keep an eye on him. He might know something."

Before they could continue, the doors to the great hall swung open, and all eyes turned to the entrance.

A tall figure stepped inside.

He had jet-black hair, slightly tousled, with piercing golden eyes that scanned the room with quiet intensity. His uniform was different—sleek black with gold trim, denoting his previous academy's rank. A single silver earring glinted on his left ear.

Whispers filled the hall.

"That's him…"

"A capital elite? What's he doing here?"

"He looks dangerous…"

The newcomer ignored the murmurs and walked confidently toward the head table, where Headmaster Vaughn sat beside Lord Vael.

Vael stood, addressing the room. "Students of Mystic Heights, allow me to introduce your newest peer. This is Kai Renhardt, formerly of Arcadia Guild Academy."

Zayne's brow furrowed. He had heard of Arcadia. It was the most prestigious guild-academy in the country, known for producing elite adventurers. Why would someone from there transfer here?

Kai gave a polite nod. "It's an honor to join Mystic Heights. I look forward to working alongside you all."

His voice was smooth, controlled.

Too controlled.

Zayne exchanged glances with Elias. Something wasn't right.

Vael gestured toward the students. "Make him feel welcome. Dismissed."

The hall erupted into chatter again as students returned to their meals. But Zayne wasn't interested in food anymore.

Kai Renhardt. A transfer from Arcadia. Arriving just as a Syndicate spy was revealed to be inside the Academy.

This wasn't a coincidence.

And Zayne was going to find out why he was really here.