Chapter 21: Another Oracle

In a secluded hall of Elitia Academy, Carl Perez had someone pinned against the wall, his grip tight with frustration.

"Why did you make Zal the criminal? Why did you plant the evidence in his room? Why did you make him take the blame for something he didn't do? He's innocent, for god's sake!" Carl yelled, his voice filled with anger.

The girl stared at him, her expression cold yet wavering.

"Because I wanted revenge," she said, her voice eerily calm. "I wanted him to feel how it is to be misunderstood, to be the one taking the blame. Just like I did… And I didn't kill that man for no reason."

Her voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I had to, Carl. If I didn't, they would've killed my family," she whispered. "Do you even know how hard it was for me to take a life? But I had no choice. They told me to pick someone to take the blame… and I couldn't risk being imprisoned or expelled from the academy. So I chose him." She let out a bitter chuckle. "What a coincidence, right? That I already had a grudge against him."

"You're crazy," Carl blurted, shaking his head in disbelief.

She wiped her tears, her eyes darkening with resolve.

"I am," she admitted. "And I will be if that's what it takes to protect the people I love. If I have to be the villain in someone's story, then so be it."

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"And that man the one I killed he deserved it. He had been harassing students here for years. Worse, he even killed some." Her gaze locked onto Carl's, her next words sending a chill down his spine. "Did you know he was the one who murdered Aella's ancestor? The former Alpha student? I think it's time he finally paid for his crimes."

Carl's grip tightened, his eyes burning with fury.

"Just who the hell are they that you have to follow their orders?" he yelled, his voice raw with anger.

"Zal is my friend... I can't just sit back and watch him suffer like this," Carl added, his tone pleading.

The girl's face softened for a moment, but her resolve remained firm.

"I'm sorry, Carl, but I can't take back what's already been done," she said, her voice steady but full of regret.

Her hands trembled slightly as she spoke, her desperation spilling out.

"Please, Carl… just this once. Please, turn a blind eye to this. Don't report me… I'm begging you."

"What will happen to him?" Carl asked, his voice low, still reeling from the truth.

"Maybe suspension, or worse... expelled," she replied with a resigned sigh. "I'll make sure someone justifies that he killed the man in self-defense. That he didn't report it because his mind was a mess after the incident... and then they'll settle for a lesser punishment."

"Who?" Carl asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Velia," she stated, her voice cold and unwavering.

"Velia?" Carl asked, his disbelief growing.

"They're holding Velia too," she said with a bitter laugh. "She's just another pawn in their game, just like me."

Carl's brow furrowed. "Why? Velia's from the Luther family one of the most powerful families in Phyrrhion. She's the first cousin of Princess Khierra. How could they possibly have control over her?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if revealing a dangerous secret. "Velia's father is the brother of Khierra's father the current king. She told me that one day, men in black came to their mansion and made a deal with her father. They promised to help him take the throne from Khierra's father... but only if he agreed to follow their orders."

Carl stood silent for a moment, processing the gravity of what she'd just revealed.

"Will Velia accept your favor?" Carl asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

She shook her head slowly. "She doesn't have a choice," she replied, her voice hollow.

"But we have a problem," she told Carl, her voice tight with worry.

"Someone knew I was the killer," she added, her eyes darting nervously.

Carl's gaze hardened. "She knew... that's why you two are covered in bruises."

She nodded, her expression grim.

"Do you mind just shutting up?" Carl snapped, frustration lacing his words.

"We need to make her quiet... even if it means using force," she said, her tone dark and resolute.

After their heated conversation, they returned to Alpha House as if nothing had happened. But behind their calm exteriors, a plan was quietly taking shape one that neither of them could afford to ignore.

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In the darkest corner of the library, two men in black bowed low.

"Mighty Zarael... all is going according to plan," one of the men reported, his voice low and reverent.

"The time for this continent's destruction is drawing near," Zarael replied, her tone cold and commanding. "The rise of the new monarch is inevitable. It's only a matter of time before we take this continent from their hands."

As it spoke, someone lightly patted her shoulder.

Suddenly, she jolted awake. Her mind raced, still haunted by the vision. It hadn't been a dream it was an oracle.

"You were sleeping in class," Winter said, her voice laced with amusement.

"Am I?" she asked, blinking as she tried to shake off the remnants of the vision.