Three days after the monster attack.
Aethelred Academy had returned to calm… at least on the surface.
But whispers of the "Awakened Ice Dragon Spirit" and the "Zevarelis Daughter who stood unfazed amidst chaos" spread through every hall and corridor.
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📜 In the academy's underground secret chamber
Lady Miraven, along with several senior magic professors, was analyzing traces of the dark magic detected during the ball.
But none of them knew… that two students from House Lunaris were also moving in secret.
> "We can't wait for the academy to handle this. They're too busy protecting their reputation."
Thalionric leaned against the wall of an old storage room with no guards in sight. In front of him—Alexa, sitting with an old spellbook she had secretly taken from the lower library.
> "If you get caught with that, you could be expelled," said Thalionric.
> "I didn't steal it. I borrowed it… without permission," Alexa replied flatly.
They locked eyes.
Not hostile—but thick with unspoken tension.
> "Dark mages don't attack randomly," Thalionric said at last. "They only appear when a great power… begins to shift fate."
> "You think I'm the center of that?"
> "I think… you're the key to something much bigger."
Alexa closed the book. Her gaze was cold, but a faint smirk touched her lips.
> "Good. Then let's uncover the truth. Together."
---
💌 In Alexa's dorm room
That afternoon, as Alexa returned from training, a spirit bird with sapphire-blue feathers waited by her window.
> "That's… your family's symbol," Veyla whispered behind her.
Alexa unrolled the tiny letter tied to its leg.
Handwriting she knew well—Kaelith Zevarelis, her eldest brother.
> "My dear little Alexa,
We've heard rumors of the attack at Aethelred. If there's even a single scratch on you, I will raze half that academy without regret.
And… be wary of that Crown Prince. He has a history of charming flowers—only to discard them when they wilt.
If anyone hurts you—by magic, sword, or whispers—let me be the one to repay it."*
Alexa smiled faintly, though her eyes shimmered.
> They're still watching. Still protecting me. Even from afar…
> "Your brother sounds like the type who'd burn down a kingdom for his sister," Veyla murmured.
> "He wouldn't burn it. He'd freeze it first."
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🐍 Academy hallway – nighttime
As Alexa walked alone toward the private training room, footsteps echoed from the shadows.
> "Why are you following me?" she asked coldly.
Eiden emerged from the darkness, mist coiling around him like a cloak.
> "Because people are starting to realize… dark magic might be coming from inside the academy."
> "And?"
> "And I want to know… whether you've trusted the Crown Prince too quickly."
Alexa stared at Eiden sharply.
> "Are you accusing him?"
> "I'm asking the possibility. Because you're not the only target, Alexa. I am, too."
Alexa fell silent.
> "Then we watch him. But we watch everyone else too."
> "Even me?" Eiden whispered.
> "Everyone. Except my ice dragon."
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🌙 To Be Continued…