The Plan Underway

The Black Forest was alive.

The second day of the festival had begun, but the students were not the same people they were when they arrived.

The night had changed them.

They had learned fear.

They had learned hunger.

And above all, they had learned that the real monsters weren't just the ones with fangs and claws.

They were the people standing beside them.

Now, as the early morning sun pierced through the mist, the survivors did not waste time.

They hunted.

They planned.

They prepared.

Because if last night had been a trial—

Then today would be a war.

Sonya lay against the warm, scaled body of the King Wyvern, feeling the steady rise and fall of its breath beneath her.

To an outsider, it would seem insane—a human girl, resting against a beast that could kill her in an instant.

But to Sonya, it was comfort.

A reminder that she was no longer the weak, naive girl she once was.

The King Wyvern was hers now.

She had spent days earning its trust, using the knowledge she had gained from the very man she sought to destroy.

And now, she had tamed it.

She ran her fingers across its thick, obsidian-black scales, feeling the raw power beneath them.

It had taken time, patience, and strategy—

But now, it would follow her commands.

Now, it was her weapon.

She smirked to herself.

"Austin Ravenclaw… you have no idea what's coming for you."

Deep within the forest, Selen walked through the ritual site, her boots crunching against the dead leaves.

The cultists of Somara were already gathered, waiting impatiently.

Their leader, the silver-haired girl, grinned at her approach.

"Finally," she purred. "You're here."

Selen did not return the smile.

"The time is set," she said flatly. "Noon. That is when we strike."

A ripple of excitement moved through the cultists.

The ground was carved with intricate abyssal runes, pulsing with a faint, eerie glow.

At the center stood a cage, covered in thick, enchanted chains.

Whatever was inside, it was powerful.

And it was angry.

The air vibrated with its presence, thick with corruption.

The cult leader stepped forward, running a gloved hand over the bars of the cage.

"We will release it at noon," she whispered, eyes gleaming. "And then… let the festival drown in chaos."

Selen exhaled slowly.

She had one goal—

"Kill Austin Ravenclaw."

And this time, he wouldn't escape.

Sonya pressed her hand against the rough scales of the King Wyvern, feeling its immense power beneath her fingertips. The beast, once a ferocious predator of the Black Forest, had become hers. Tamed not through kindness, but through sheer force of will. She had spent the past nights resting beside it, feeding it, gaining its reluctant trust. And now, it obeyed her.

She took a deep breath. The moonlight shimmered against its dark, armored hide. The wind howled through the cliffs. This is it.

"Shall we?"

With a swift motion, she climbed onto its back. The Wyvern shifted beneath her weight, its wings unfurling like massive sails. Sonya gripped the reins, steadying herself. She had never flown one before—but she would learn, just as she always had.

She exhaled, her voice steady.

"Dracarys."

With a deafening roar, the Wyvern launched itself into the sky. The force nearly knocked her backward, but she held firm. The ground below shrank, the trees turning to mere specks. The night stretched endlessly before her, the cold wind biting at her skin.

She ignored it.

All she could think of was him.

"Just you wait, Ravenclaw. I'm coming for you."

A Hunter in the Forest

Austin Ravenclaw moved through the dense foliage, his golden eyes scanning the area. The festival was in full motion. Students scrambled through the wilderness, tracking spirit beasts or simply trying to survive. Some were exhausted, others still clung to their overconfidence.

He sighed. "Weaklings."

Then, something shifted. A shadow passed overhead. The wind howled unnaturally.

He looked up.

A Wyvern.

Flying above the treetops, its massive wings stretched against the moonlit sky. But that wasn't what caught his attention.

It was the rider.

His smirk deepened. "Well, well, what a surprise."

The Wyvern banked hard, circling lower, and in that instant, Austin saw her eyes—burning with hatred.

"Sonya."

Before he could call out, she moved.

She tapped the Wyvern's side, and the beast let out a bone-rattling roar before diving straight for him.

Austin exhaled. He muttered a spell under his breath.

"Flying Steps."

Magic surged beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, he launched himself into the sky, the air bending to his will. He climbed higher, rising to meet her in midair, his movements effortless.

Now, they were face to face.

"Sonya," he called, his voice carrying over the wind. "What do you think you're doing? That thing is dangerous. If you lose control, you'll be endangering the students below—"

"Dracarys!"

The Wyvern inhaled sharply, its throat glowing with molten heat before releasing a breath of fire.

Austin barely sighed.

"Protego."

A golden barrier shimmered into existence, absorbing the flames. The fire swirled around him, but he remained untouched, floating in the air as though it were nothing.

When the blaze died down, he lowered his hand. "Really?" he asked. "Is that the best you've got?"

Sonya's grip tightened on the reins. She had been expecting that—but the sight of him, untouched, unharmed, only made her angrier.

"You think you're invincible?" she spat.

He smirked. "No, I just think you're predictable."

Snarling, she raised her hands, unleashing a barrage of spells. Black lightning arced through the sky. Jagged shards of ice followed. Wind blades, sharp as swords, cut through the air.

Austin wove through them with ease.

"Dull."

A bolt of lightning struck where he had been a second ago, but he had already moved.

"Slow."

A spear of ice missed his shoulder by inches.

"Sonya." His tone was almost disappointed. "Are you even trying?"

"SHUT UP!"

She tapped the Wyvern again, sending it into a spiral. It roared, claws extended, ready to tear into him.

Austin lifted his hand.

"Binding Chains."

Golden chains erupted from thin air, lashing out toward the Wyvern's wings.

"Break!" she countered, shattering them with raw magic.

Austin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you have improved."

She didn't answer. She only attacked.

The battle turned into a deadly dance—spells clashing mid-air, bursts of fire and lightning illuminating the night sky. Below them, students had stopped everything, watching in stunned silence as two of the academy's strongest clashed above them.

But Sonya wasn't fighting to impress them. She was fighting to kill.

Her magic crackled around her, her heart pounding. This is it. This is the moment. He's not untouchable. I can do this!

Then, without warning—

Austin disappeared.

Her breath hitched. What—

A hand gripped her wrist.

Her eyes widened as she was yanked off the Wyvern's back.

Wind howled around her. She was falling.

Her vision blurred, and when it refocused, Austin was right there—holding her arm, his expression unreadable.

"You can't beat me, Sonya," he murmured. "Not like this."

She thrashed, trying to summon a spell, but his free hand lifted.

"Silence."

Her voice vanished. Her magic—gone.

His grip adjusted, steadying her mid-fall. "You're reckless," he said softly. "But I won't let you die."

The Wyvern screeched from above, confused by her sudden disappearance. Austin, however, didn't seem fazed.

He pulled her closer—and together, they plummeted toward the dark forest below.

The battle was over.

For now.

Austin narrowed his eyes as he looked up, his body instinctively shielding Sonya as they plummeted toward the thick canopy of the Black Forest. The King Wyvern, now without a rider, let out a furious roar, its glowing eyes darting wildly in search of Sonya. But Austin had no time to care for the beast—only one thing mattered now.

"Silceries."

His voice cut through the wind like steel.

Dozens of wind blades materialized, slicing through the darkness like a storm of razors. The wyvern shrieked, its massive wings torn apart as it plummeted, its body breaking apart mid-air. Blood splattered against the moonlit sky, painting the night in streaks of crimson. The beast that had terrorized the Black Forest, the one Sonya had tamed, was now nothing but fragments raining down into the trees below.

Austin glanced down at the girl in his arms. Her golden hair, usually wild and burning with untamed spirit, now clung to her pale face. Her breathing was weak, unconscious from the battle.

"Reckless girl."

The forest was coming fast. The trees blurred together, a sea of green and darkness. The wind roared, pulling them faster and faster. The impact would be fatal.

Austin exhaled, shifting his grip on her.

"Tide Reversal."

A surge of magic pulsed beneath them, shifting the air currents. With a final push, he twisted their bodies and angled them toward a large body of water below—one of the many raging rivers that ran through the deeper parts of the forest.

And then, they hit.

Cold.

The water wasn't still—it was a furious storm, a river cursed by the forest itself. The current grabbed them immediately, pulling them down like greedy hands. The world became a blur of rushing darkness, the deafening roar of the river drowning out all other sounds.

Austin fought against it, holding Sonya close. Her body was limp in his arms, her breath barely there.

"Not today."

Gritting his teeth, he kicked off the riverbed, pushing them both toward the surface. The water fought back, swirling with an unnatural force, trying to drag them into the abyss. But Austin was stronger.

He reached the surface with a gasp, sucking in air just before another wave crashed over them. His grip on Sonya tightened. Too dangerous. They had fallen far, beyond the protected zones of the academy's hunting grounds.

They weren't in the Black Forest anymore.

They were deep in the Abyssal Wilds.

The place where even veteran adventurers feared to step.

He looked around. The river continued to rush violently, carrying them further into the unknown. No time to hesitate. His eyes darted around, searching for anything, and finally—a cave.

Using his last bit of energy, he pulled them toward the rocky shore, dragging Sonya out of the water. His boots sank into the mud as he carried her into the cave, setting her down gently.

His entire body was soaked, his clothes clinging to him like a second skin. Sonya lay there, still unconscious, her face pale from exhaustion and the cold.

Austin let out a breath, running a hand through his wet hair. "Tch. You're more trouble than you're worth."

But he didn't mean it.

He reached into his coat, pulling out a small bundle of enchanted matches. With a flick of his wrist, he lit them, casting a small but warm flame.

The cave flickered with dim light. It was a temporary sanctuary, but it would do.

Now, the real problem.

They were deep in monster territory.

And night had only just begun.

Austin sat near the crackling fire, his damp clothes discarded to dry on the cave's rough stone floor. The dim light flickered against the walls, casting deep shadows that danced in rhythm with the flames. His bare torso gleamed with a faint sheen of moisture, each sculpted muscle outlined by the glow.

His body bore the marks of battle—old scars, fresh cuts from the wyvern's assault, and the faint bruises forming from their fall. He exhaled, running a hand through his soaked hair as he stretched, rolling his shoulders.

He glanced at Sonya, still unconscious beside him.

Her golden hair was matted and tangled, her once-pristine hunting clothes drenched and clinging to her skin. She had fought fiercely—he had to give her that—but what the hell had she been thinking?

Attacking me in the middle of the festival, taming a wyvern, and now… He sighed. Reckless as always.

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment. Her long lashes trembled slightly, as if she were caught between dreams and reality. The firelight softened her features, making her look almost… vulnerable.

He scoffed, shaking the thought away.

If she woke up now and saw him sitting like this, she'd probably throw a fireball at his face.

He poked at the flames with a stick, watching the embers rise. His mind was already racing ahead, trying to figure out how to get them out of here.

The Abyssal Wilds were no joke.

No one entered this place and left unscathed. The deeper regions were rumored to be home to creatures that even the Empire's greatest hunters feared. If they were truly outside the Black Forest's boundaries, then—

A soft groan.

Austin tensed.

Sonya shifted slightly, her fingers twitching against the cold stone. Her breathing changed—more shallow, more aware. Then, her eyes fluttered open.

Golden irises met his.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then—

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Austin winced as Sonya's scream echoed through the cave. She scrambled back, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.

Her gaze darted to his bare chest, then to his discarded clothes, then back to his chest, then to his face.

She gawked. "W-WHAT—WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

Austin arched a brow. "Keeping us from freezing to death?"

Sonya's face turned bright red. "WHY ARE YOU HALF-NAKED?!"

He sighed. "Because my clothes are wet?"

"Then keep them on!" she yelled, throwing a nearby pebble at him. He dodged it effortlessly.

"You were unconscious. We crashed, remember?" Austin leaned back against the cave wall, unfazed by her outburst. "Or did you conveniently forget trying to roast me alive?"

Sonya clenched her fists, her embarrassment quickly morphing into anger. "You deserved it."

"Oh?" He smirked. "And now, thanks to your reckless little stunt, we're stranded in the Abyssal Wilds."

Sonya blinked. "Wait… where?"

Austin pointed toward the cave entrance. Beyond the flickering fire, only pure darkness stretched out—a thick, suffocating black that swallowed everything past the rocky threshold.

There were no sounds of students. No sounds of the festival.

Only the distant, bone-chilling howls of creatures lurking in the night.

Sonya swallowed.

Austin watched as realization dawned on her face. Good. At least she understands how much trouble we're in.

She turned back to him, her expression hardening. "So? What's your plan, Ravenclaw?"

He smirked, resting his arms behind his head. "For now? We wait till sunrise. Then, we move."

Sonya crossed her arms. "And if something finds us before then?"

Austin's gaze flickered to the entrance once more. His hand hovered near his sword, his senses sharp as ever.

"Then we don't let it live."

Austin exhaled tiredly, rubbing his temples as Sonya glared daggers at him from across the fire.

"You need to take off your clothes and let them dry," he repeated, his voice laced with irritation. "I'm not carrying yoy back to the Black Forest while you're drenched and shivering like a fool."

Sonya's face turned crimson. "Y-YOU PERVERTED MONSTER!" she screeched, hugging her arms around herself as if shielding her body from his eyes.

Austin blinked. Then he let out a short laugh. "Oh, please," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm your enemy, disciple. If I wanted to do something terrible, don't you think I would've done it while you were unconscious?"

Sonya's fists clenched.

"And besides," Austin continued, smirking as he leaned back against the cave wall. "You're not my type."

Sonya's eye twitched.

"I prefer older women with bigger assets." He gestured vaguely with his hands, as if describing something… abundant.

A vein nearly popped in Sonya's forehead.

She immediately looked down at herself.

Austin caught the way her expression faltered for just a second, and he smirked, victorious.

"You… insufferable…" she growled under her breath, her whole body trembling with rage.

Austin rested his arms behind his head, unfazed. "Relax, Princess. I'm just being honest."

Sonya's jaw clenched. Her nails dug into her arms as she glared at him with all the fury of a storm. "I can charge you with sexual harassment, you know," she snapped.

Austin gave her a flat look. "For telling you to dry your clothes?"

"For looking at me like that!"

"I looked at you like a half-dead raccoon, because that's what you looked like when I dragged you out of the river."

"Liar."

"Delusional."

They glared at each other, the tension thick between them.

Outside the cave, distant roars echoed in the abyssal night. But inside, the real battle was happening between the two of them.

Austin sighed. "Look. Do whatever you want. Freeze to death, for all I care." He pointed to the pile of dry wood he had gathered. "Just don't expect me to carry your frozen corpse back."

Sonya huffed, turning away. "Tch. Like I'd ever rely on you."

Austin smirked. "You already did."

Her head snapped back. "What?!"

He gestured to himself. "Who do you think pulled you out of the river?"

Sonya's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

For the first time, she seemed at a loss for how to respond.

Austin let the silence drag on for a few seconds longer, just to enjoy the sight of her struggling to admit she had needed his help.

Then he smirked. "You're welcome, by the way."

Sonya scowled, looking away. "…Tch."

Outside, the night grew colder. The winds howled like spirits of the damned, rattling against the walls of their temporary shelter.

Austin threw another log onto the fire, watching as the flames rose higher.

They still had a long night ahead of them.

The flames crackled in the cave, casting flickering shadows on the damp walls. The tension between them had simmered for a while, but Sonya's mind was far from at ease. Her eyes discreetly flickered to Austin's drying clothes, where a dagger gleamed dimly against the firelight.

He was distracted—watching the fire, lost in thought.

This was her chance.

Silently, she reached for the weapon, her fingers curling around the cool metal handle. With every ounce of stealth she possessed, she drew it close to her body, preparing for the strike. Her heart pounded, her breath shallow.

This time… this time, I'll do it.

She inhaled sharply—

And lunged.

But before the dagger could find its mark, a firm hand caught her wrist, stopping her blade mere inches from his neck.

Sonya's eyes widened in shock.

In one swift movement, Austin twisted her wrist, forcing her fingers to release the dagger. The weapon clattered to the rocky ground. Before she could react, he grabbed her by the throat—not tightly, but enough to push her backward—her back hitting the rough stone of the cave wall.

Austin loomed over her, golden eyes gleaming like a predator's.

"Aaa, aaa, Princess," he tutted, tilting his head as he smirked. "Again with this?"

Sonya gritted her teeth, her breath ragged as she struggled against his grip.

"I don't know why you keep trying to kill me," Austin continued, voice almost amused. "But it's futile." His grip loosened slightly, but his presence remained oppressive, towering over her. "You cannot kill me right now, no matter how hard you try."

Sonya glared at him, her lips curling into a snarl. "One day—"

"One day isn't today," Austin interrupted smoothly.

Her fists clenched.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Let's get something straight, Princess. If I wanted to kill you, I had plenty of opportunities. You were unconscious, completely defenseless. If I had any ill intentions, I could've slit your throat while dragging you out of that river." His golden eyes narrowed. "And yet—here you are. Alive. Safe. Under my protection."

Sonya's breath hitched. She wanted to argue. To fight back. But she knew—deep down—that his words were true.

"You're weak," Austin murmured, voice dropping lower. "Reckless. Impulsive."

Sonya's glare sharpened, her body tensing as rage bubbled within her.

"And yet," Austin continued, releasing his grip as he took a step back, "you think you can kill me now? Like this?"

Sonya clenched her fists.

He smirked. "Pathetic."

Her teeth gnashed together. "You—!"

Austin turned his back to her, stepping away as he picked up the dagger from the ground. He twirled it between his fingers before lazily tossing it into the fire.

"That was your last chance for a sneak attack," he said, his tone light, but his words carrying a chilling weight. "Next time? I won't be so forgiving."

Sonya's breath was heavy, her mind racing.

Austin sat down by the fire once more, stretching out his arms. "And you definitely can't kill me until I finish my business in this world," he added, almost offhandedly. "So if you want to try again, I suggest you wait your turn."

Sonya swallowed hard, her fingers trembling.

She hated him.

She hated how effortlessly he overpowered her. How he always seemed to be one step ahead.

But most of all, she hated that he was right.

And that realization was far worse than any defeat.

Sonya's breathing was still heavy from the struggle. Her heart pounded in her chest, frustration and humiliation burning through her veins. But she wasn't reckless enough to make another move—not now. She needed to be smart. Next time… next time, I won't fail.

Regaining her composure, she crossed her arms and forced her voice to remain steady.

"Fine," she muttered, breaking the tense silence. "Then do you at least know a way out of this damned forest?"

Austin, who had already settled back by the fire, raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her attempt at casual conversation after just trying to kill him.

"Of course," he replied, poking the fire with a small branch, sending sparks into the air. "But not tonight."

Sonya frowned. "Why not?"

Austin leaned back against the cave wall, tilting his head toward the entrance. Outside, the dense shadows of the trees twisted unnaturally, moving ever so slightly in the dim moonlight. The wind howled, carrying an eerie, bone-chilling whisper.

"Because at night—" He gestured toward the darkened forest. "—the things that lurk here aren't the kind you'd want to meet. And we can't afford to fight them."

Sonya clenched her jaw. She hated feeling trapped. Hated the idea of spending the entire night in a cave with him. But she wasn't foolish. She had seen glimpses of the creatures in this forest—beasts with glowing eyes, slithering shadows that moved too quickly for the mind to comprehend. Whatever lay beyond the safety of this fire wasn't something she wanted to face unprepared.

For now, she had no choice but to wait.

She sat down stiffly, keeping as much distance between herself and Austin as possible. The flickering firelight cast an orange glow across the cave, creating dancing shadows against the stone walls. The silence stretched between them, heavy and unyielding.

Then—

A loud, deep growl echoed through the cave.

Sonya stiffened her, hand immediately reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Her eyes darted to Austin, expecting him to be on high alert, but instead—

His face remained neutral.

Another growl.

Sonya's eyes narrowed.

Austin let out an irritated sigh and placed a hand on his stomach.

"…Damn it."

It took her a moment to realize.

That sound wasn't coming from outside.

It was his stomach.

Sonya blinked.

Then—despite everything—despite the hatred, the tension, the near-death experience—she burst out laughing.

It was short, almost mocking, but it was laughter nonetheless.

Austin shot her a glare. "Something funny?"

"You." She smirked, tilting her head. "You talk like you have everything figured out, acting like some wise all-knowing instructor—and yet, here you are, starving like a lost dog."

Austin rolled his eyes. "It's called being human, Princess."

Sonya smirked wider. "I thought you were above such things."

Austin sighed and leaned his head back against the cave wall. "Mock me all you want. It doesn't change the fact that we have no food."

Sonya frowned. He was right. They had been thrown into the deepest part of the forest, away from the usual hunting grounds. They had no supplies, no weapons, and no idea what edible food—if any—existed in this cursed place.

Her stomach grumbled slightly, but she ignored it.

Austin glanced at her. "Unless you have some hidden skills in foraging or hunting, we'll just have to wait until morning."

Sonya scoffed. "I was raised in a palace. Do you think they let me wander around picking berries like a commoner?"

Austin chuckled. "Then I suppose we starve together."

The thought of suffering alongside him wasn't exactly appealing, but Sonya pushed the irritation down. Just endure it.

The cave fell into another silence, only the crackling fire breaking the stillness.

After a few minutes, Austin spoke again.

"…Did you think that dagger would work?"

Sonya didn't answer.

Austin smirked. "That was a poor attempt, Princess."

Sonya scoffed and turned her back to him, refusing to entertain his amusement.

Austin's smirk widened. "Next time, at least try to be creative."

She ignored him.

He leaned back once more, his smirk fading slightly as his golden eyes flickered toward the forest outside. His expression turned thoughtful, almost unreadable.

Night in the Abyssal Forest was long.

And before the dawn came, something was bound to find them.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. The Abyssal Forest was alive—not just with the rustling of leaves or the distant cries of beasts, but with something else. A presence. Something unseen, lurking beneath the canopy, just beyond mortal comprehension.

Selen stood in the center of the cultists' hideout, her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the faces of those gathered. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the damp cave walls, making the figures around her look even more sinister.

"Where is he?" she demanded, her voice cold and unwavering.

The sadistic cultist girl, draped in black robes with intricate red embroidery, leaned lazily against the cavern wall. Her bloodstained fingers traced idle patterns in the dust as she tilted her head, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Where is who exactly, dearest Selen?" the girl asked mockingly, twirling a curved dagger between her fingers.

Selen's patience was razor-thin. "Austin Ravenclaw."

The smirk on the cultist girl's lips widened. "Ah, him. And here I thought you came to enjoy our lovely company." She giggled darkly, her voice dripping with amusement. "But now that you mention it, where is our dear little instructor? I thought he'd be here by now."

Selen's glare hardened. "That's exactly what I want to know. We were supposed to send Gunther out at noon—why didn't you signal me?"

The cultist girl's smile faltered, but only for a second.

"Oh, but we did," she purred. "The great and mighty Austin Ravenclaw was supposed to come running, yet… nothing." She licked the edge of her dagger absentmindedly before tilting her head at Selen. "That is, unless you saw him?"

Selen exhaled sharply, her frustration barely restrained. "I didn't see Austin Ravenclaw. Didn't I just say that?" Her voice was laced with irritation. "I won't repeat myself."

A low murmur spread through the gathered cultists, unease rippling like a slow-building storm.

The sadistic girl's playful demeanor faded slightly as she stood up straighter, her gaze sharpening. "That is strange," she admitted. "We've been watching the students. We should have seen him."

Another cultist, a gaunt man with hollowed eyes, stepped forward. "Perhaps something else got to him before we could?"

Selen clenched her fists. That was unlikely. Austin Ravenclaw wasn't the kind of man to fall prey to mere beasts. If he had vanished, something had gone wrong.

The cultist girl twirled her dagger again, considering the possibilities. "Do you think he fled?"

Selen scoffed. "No. That's not like him."

"So then…" The cultist girl's smirk returned, but it was more calculating this time. "Maybe someone got to him first?"

Selen stiffened.

Sonya.

That insufferable princess.

If anyone had the arrogance and hatred to make a move against Austin without consulting the cult, it was her.

Selen's expression darkened. "Find out where Sonya is."

One of the robed cultists nodded and immediately vanished into the shadows, his footsteps barely making a sound.

The sadistic girl laughed softly, her amusement returning. "Ooooh, are we getting jealous, Selen?" she teased. "You don't want our prey stolen away, do you?"

Selen shot her a withering glare. "Shut up."

The cultist girl giggled. "Relax, my dear. If Sonya did do something, then she only played into our hands."

Selen raised an eyebrow. "How do you figure that?"

The girl stepped closer, her fingers lightly tracing the hilt of Selen's dagger. "Because," she whispered, "whether she kills Ravenclaw or not… the result is the same."

Selen's lips pressed into a thin line.

The girl continued, her voice sweet like poisoned honey. "If she succeeds, then good riddance. But if she fails—" she let the word linger, her smile deepening, "—then Ravenclaw will finally have to face us. He'll come right into our waiting arms. And then…" She let out a delighted hum.

Selen exhaled slowly, forcing herself to remain composed.

"Even so," she said, her voice measured, "I want to know exactly what happened."

The cultist girl mockingly placed a hand over her heart. "As you wish, high priestess."

Selen ignored the taunt. She turned sharply, heading toward the entrance of the cave. If Sonya had done something, she needed to be prepared for the fallout.

Because one way or another—

Austin Ravenclaw was going to die.

And if Sonya had interfered?

Well.

Selen would just have to make sure both of them suffered.

The fire crackled softly, its flickering light casting shadows on the damp walls of the cave. Sonya sat with her knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped around them, her heart pounding erratically against her ribcage. She could hear the distant howls of creatures beyond the cave entrance, but they seemed like nothing compared to the man sitting just a few feet away from her.

Austin Ravenclaw.

She had never seen him like this.

His coat and shirt hung nearby, drying over a makeshift rack he had fashioned with fallen branches. Without them, his muscular frame was fully revealed—the powerful arms that had effortlessly subdued her, the broad chest marked with faint scars, each a silent testament to the battles he had fought. His damp hair was slightly disheveled, and the firelight danced along the sharp contours of his jaw, his piercing eyes fixed on the flames.

He looked nothing like the arrogant instructor she had sworn to kill.

And for the first time, Sonya felt something else—a strange, foreign sensation curling deep in her stomach, something dangerous.

She clenched her fists, willing the thought away.

No.

She was not going to fall for whatever spell this man unknowingly wove around people. He was her enemy. He was the enemy. The reason for her suffering, the reason for her father's humiliation, the reason she had spent years sharpening herself into a blade meant for one purpose—to kill him.

So why?

Why was her heart betraying her now?

She stole another glance at him, expecting to see that same indifferent, smug expression he always wore at the academy. But instead, she saw something else.

Tiredness.

Austin Ravenclaw, the untouchable instructor, the man she had painted in her mind as a villain—looked tired.

The firelight cast soft shadows beneath his eyes. His usual sharp, mocking smirk was absent, replaced by a rare moment of stillness. He wasn't watching her. He wasn't teasing her. He was simply staring at the fire, lost in thoughts she would never be able to guess.

It unsettled her.

Sonya had expected many things from this night. She had imagined countless scenarios where she would finally drive a dagger into his heart, where she would watch the life drain from those piercing eyes as he realized his sins had finally caught up to him.

But she hadn't expected this.

She hadn't expected to be sitting in the same space as him, both stranded in this wretched forest, both forced into uneasy silence. She hadn't expected to see him as anything more than an obstacle in her path.

And yet…

Her fingers unconsciously traced the scar on her own forearm—one she had received during a training session years ago. One that he had caused. One she had sworn to never forgive.

And yet…

Her heart continued to pound.

She despised it. She despised him. She despised herself.

Austin let out a sigh, leaning back against the cave wall. "You keep staring at me like that, Princess, and I might start thinking you've fallen for me," he said lazily, not even looking in her direction.

Sonya stiffened.

"Tch." She scoffed, turning her face away from him. "Don't flatter yourself."

Austin smirked, finally shifting his gaze toward her. "Then stop looking at me like that."

Sonya's grip on her arm tightened. "Like what?"

"Like you're confused."

Her breath caught in her throat.

Austin tilted his head slightly, observing her with that sharp, calculating gaze of his. "I've seen a lot of emotions on your face, Sonya. Hatred, anger, pride, frustration… but this?" His smirk deepened. "This is new."

Sonya forced herself to glare at him. "You think too highly of yourself."

Austin chuckled, closing his eyes as he stretched out his legs. "Maybe. But you are staring. And you're thinking. Hard. About something you don't want to admit."

She hated him.

She hated him.

And yet, she had no response.

Because he wasn't wrong.