chapter 11

Three heavy days had passed since we uncovered the conspiracy in the tunnels—days that felt more like three years of constant pressure. We were forced to act as if nothing had happened, attending classes and eating with our peers, while the truth burned inside us like a hidden fire. Danger surrounded us from every direction, and one wrong move could cost us everything.

Elyana flinched at the slightest sound, trembling whenever a door slammed or a voice rose unexpectedly.

Draken walked with his hand always resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for any possible threat.

And me? I had started using the Holy Spirit Eye constantly—watching the corridors, scanning faces, searching for any strange movement or unfamiliar energy.

"This is harder than any training we've ever had," Elyana whispered as we sat in the dining hall, her eyes drifting nervously among the crowd.

"Maybe because this time, we're playing a game where we don't have a combat guide," I replied.

Draken kept his gaze fixed on a corner of the hall, where the red-haired student had appeared again.

"Rex Flamhart," I said the name, tasting it once more.

"Third year, specializing in advanced fire magic."

"How do you know that?" Elyana asked, surprised.

"The library," I lied—partially.

The truth was, I remembered Rex from the game. A minor character. I couldn't recall whether he'd betray us later… or save us.

"Professor Stormhammer will tell us the plan today, right?" Draken asked, his voice a mix of hope and anxiety.

"I just hope we're not just bait."

"!"

Before I could answer, Marcus Iron appeared—our stubborn rival from before—wearing a friendly smile that carried a hidden edge.

"Hey, battle champions," he said, sitting beside us. "Mind if I join?"

"Of course not," I said, forcing a polite tone.

But a cold thought crept in: *Could he be involved too?*

"I heard about your special training," Marcus said, staring straight at me. "Pretty rare thing, especially coming from Professor Stormhammer."

Elyana looked at him with growing tension.

"In fact…" Marcus suddenly lowered his voice. "I wanted to warn you about something strange I've heard recently."

My heartbeat spiked.

"What kind of rumors?"

"Some first-year students have been disappearing for hours, then returning with no memory of what happened. As if a part of them was… literally lost."

It confirmed every fear we had.

The plan had already begun.

"How long has this been going on?" Draken asked.

"About two weeks. At first, I thought it was just stress from studies. But the number of cases is rising. It's impossible to ignore anymore."

"Did you talk to any professors?"

"Some laughed at me. Only Professor Firestone seemed interested, but he said he needs proof."

I raised an eyebrow, thinking.

Professor Firestone? Either he's truly innocent… or he's a very good actor.

"Thanks, Marcus. We'll be careful."

"Good. I'd feel better knowing you're on your guard."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave now!"

And as he walked away, we exchanged silent glances—each filled with certain dread.

"They're really targeting students," Elyana whispered.

"And using memory-altering magic, no doubt," Draken added.

I remembered the black capsules I'd seen in Mr. Shadowbane's box.

*Memory Dissolver*… There was definitely a connection.

That evening, we met with Professor Stormhammer in his office. He stood before a large map of the academy, surrounded by handwritten notes.

"Good news and bad news," he began without preamble.

"The good: I've identified several potential locations of suspicious activity." He pointed to red marks scattered at the edges of the map.

"And the bad?"

"The conspiracy is wider than I expected," he said, his voice heavy with caution. "Some of my colleagues have noticed strange changes in their students' behavior."

"Marcus told us something similar," Elyana said.

"Smart kid. That's an excellent observation."

He opened another file.

"The plan for tonight is simple… in theory. You'll go to one of these suspicious sites and act like curious students. If my theory is correct, they'll try to abduct you."

"And then what?" Draken asked.

"Resist a little—just enough to make it convincing. Then… let them take you."

"Will you be following us?" I asked, my voice tight with tension.

"Yes. Me and a group of warriors. And I'll equip you with these."

He pulled out three silver rings, glowing faintly with hidden energy.

"Summoning rings. Press them if things go wrong. We'll arrive immediately."

We took the rings, each of us feeling the weight of the mission settle onto our fingers.

"Destination: the old watchtower in the northern garden," the professor said, pointing to a spot on the map. "Abandoned for years… but workers have reported lights appearing there at night."

We left his office, a mix of anxiety and adrenaline boiling in our chests.

"Do you think we're overreacting?" Elyana asked, pulling her cloak tighter around her.

"Sometimes, adventure begins with a calculated risk," Draken said—his voice wiser than I expected.

"That's the kind of line that scares me more than it comforts me."

We reached the tower at midnight. The stone structure looked even more sinister than usual. Ivy clung to its walls, and the air felt cold, as if evil itself was breathing around us.

"Holy Spirit Eye," I whispered, activating my ability.

"Someone was here recently."

We crept inside, Ember lighting our path with her flames, and Luna wrapping Elyana in a protective aura. The stairs creaked beneath our feet, as if warning us of the unknown.

And on the third floor… we found it.

A room filled with magical devices, glowing stones, and blueprints of various academy sections.

"Finally!" Elyana whispered.

But suddenly, slow clapping echoed from behind us.

"Good question… where *are* they, really?"

A familiar, hateful voice spoke.

We turned.

Victor Shadowbane… accompanied by three masked men. And behind them—

"!"

"No…" I stammered.

Professor Lillith Shadowcraft.

And worse… Rex Flamhart.

He stood there confidently, right beside them.

"Welcome to our little trap," Victor said.

"We've been watching your every move," Professor Shadowcraft said, her gaze as cold as ice. "The professor is in danger!"

"Why, Rex?!" I shouted, betrayal cutting deep into my heart.

"Real power doesn't come from the academy," he replied with a twisted, evil smile. "And I've chosen the winning side."

"Humiliating me won't go unpunished!" Victor snarled. "You'll surrender your power… willingly or by force."

Shadowcraft's magic began to swirl like a dark vortex.

I pressed my finger against the ring.

"We won't let you!"

I screamed.

"You're just students!" Victor laughed.

"Maybe," I said, smiling.

"But we're not alone."

I pressed the ring.

"…."

But… nothing happened.

"!"

They all burst into laughter.

Hahaha…!

Hahaha…!

And in that moment—the wall of the tower exploded.

Professor Stormhammer stormed in like a hurricane, warriors behind him.

"Sorry for the delay," he said, eyes gleaming. "I was gathering evidence."

Ember burst into blazing flames. Luna spread a radiant shield of light.

The real battle had just begun!