"Who's bold enough to mess with the Headhunters Mercenary Corps?!"
"With the Punk Family backing them, they've always been bullies. Guess they finally crossed someone dangerous?"
"Serves them right! Yesterday, one of their men whipped me for no reason. I hope whoever did this gets away clean!"
Whispers like these buzzed through every alley and street corner. Even when mercenaries roughed up a few loudmouths, the townsfolk's gossip only grew louder. The presence of the town guard kept the violence in check—no one dared defy the law outright.
———
Meanwhile, Mays Academy remained an oasis of calm, its thin walls shielding students from the chaos outside.
As the elderly Professor Smith packed his notes after class, a voice called out:
"Professor Smith! Wait, please!"
He turned to see Bonnie, one of his brighter pupils, fidgeting nervously.
"Ah, Bonnie. Did something in the lecture confuse you?"
"No, it's not that..." She hesitated, glancing at classmates already filing out.
Professor Smith smiled indulgently. "Go on."
"In my eyes, you're the wisest person here," Bonnie began, her tone overly sweet. "You must know everything."
The old man chuckled. "Flattery won't earn you extra marks. Ask your question."
"Have you... ever heard of Bayek Town?"
Smith's smile faded. His brow furrowed as he stroked his beard.
"I think... yes. The name rings a bell from years ago. Why?"
"Oh, no reason!" Bonnie forced a laugh. "Just curious."
Smith studied her a moment, then shrugged. "If that's all, I'll be off."
Once he left, Bonnie stared out the window, her resolve hardening. She marched to Leila's desk, where her friend was buried in a textbook.
"Leila. We need to talk. Outside."
———
In a deserted corridor, Leila crossed her arms. "Bonnie, what's this about? I've got to review for—"
"Will you go to Bayek Town with me again?"
Leila blinked. "But... you were terrified last time! What changed?"
Bonnie lowered her voice. "Mr. Glen... he came to see me."
"Mr. Glen?" Leila's eyes lit up. "Did he help you? Tell me everything!"
Over the next hour, Bonnie recounted her conversation with Glen—how he'd reassured her, explained the magic behind her nightmares, and gently nudged her toward facing her fears. By the end, Leila was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Let's visit him tomorrow!"
Bonnie froze. "T-Tomorrow? But..."
"Come on! If Mr. Glen says it's safe, it must be!" Leila grabbed her hands. "We'll skip afternoon classes!"
———
As they returned to the classroom, a group of boys intercepted them. Miles, their de facto leader, grinned cheekily.
"Leila! You missed class? That's not like you."
"We had... personal matters," Leila replied smoothly.
The boys erupted in exaggerated concern:
"You okay?"
"Need help with notes?"
"Want me to walk you home?"
Leila suppressed an eye-roll. Teenage posturing bored her. Miles and his friends, at least, were tolerable—they didn't preen like peacocks.
Just as she opened her mouth to dismiss them, a haughty voice cut through the chatter:
"Leila! There you are."
The boys fell silent, parting like wheat before a scythe.
Pernathys, daughter of Baron Voss, swept into view. Her silk dress shimmered, her posture radiating aristocratic disdain. Compared to Leila's understated beauty, Pernathys was a gilded statue—untouchable, icy, and utterly alien to the starstruck boys.
Leila smiled politely. "Pernathys. What brings you here?"
The noblegirl's gaze swept over the gaping students. "I need to discuss the upcoming ball. Privately."
As Pernathys steered Leila away, Bonnie caught the flicker of annoyance in her friend's eyes. This, she realized, would complicate their plans.
———
By dusk, all of Dud Town knew two things: the Headhunters were tearing the countryside apart for their vanished elf, and two girls from Mays Academy were plotting a very unofficial field trip.