The previous evening, after Jason and Sofia had calmed down from the terrifying encounter, Selwyn and Raven sat them down to explain—at least partially—the reality of the world they were unknowingly stepping into. They spoke of mana, the existence of supernatural forces, and how there were things beyond ordinary human understanding. Selwyn was careful with his words, omitting details about Rogues and their factions, but he made it clear that the strange occurrences weren't just coincidences. Raven added what she knew, explaining that spirits, curses, and residual mana could leave lasting effects in certain places. Jason was skeptical but shaken enough to listen, while Sofia absorbed the information in silence, her sharp mind already piecing things together.
The events of the previous night left the group restless. Jason and Sofia, still shaken, demanded answers, but Selwyn and Raven hesitated. The hidden entrance, the whispers, the shadowy figure—they hadn't told them about that part. Not yet. They needed more information before they could reveal the full truth.
Determined to uncover more, the group gathered at the academy's library. It was nearly deserted, the weight of fear keeping most students away from late-night study sessions. They combed through historical records, searching for anything that could explain the disappearances.
It was Sofia who finally found something—a passage buried in a brittle, dust-covered book.
"The Curse of the Forgotten," she read aloud. "A rogue legend about spirits bound to places of power. It says that those who vanish become whispers in the wind, unable to move on unless their presence is acknowledged."
Selwyn frowned. "That would explain the voices… and why they're calling out."
Jason exhaled sharply. "So what? These ghosts just want attention?"
Raven shook her head. "No. It's more than that. If this curse is real, it means the spirits are stuck here because of something that happened in the past. Something unfinished."
Before they could discuss further, an unnatural chill filled the room. The air grew heavy, thick with an unexplainable presence. The candles flickered, and suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the corner of the room.
A wraith-like figure surged forward.
Jason barely had time to react before it grabbed his arm, an icy grip locking him in place. His breath caught as a force stronger than anything he'd ever felt started pulling him into the darkness.
"Jason!" Sofia screamed, reaching for him, but the shadows tightened their grasp.
Selwyn moved without thinking. He thrust his hand forward, and a surge of mana erupted from his palm. A burst of blue energy slammed into the entity, forcing it to release Jason. The moment the connection broke, Jason stumbled back, gasping for breath.
The shadow let out an eerie, guttural sound before vanishing into the darkness.
Jason clutched his wrist, still feeling the phantom's cold touch. "What… the hell was that?"
Silence hung between them. There was no more room for secrets.
Selwyn and Raven exchanged looks before Selwyn sighed. "Alright. It's time you both knew the truth."
They didn't tell them everything, but they revealed enough. Enough to explain why they knew about mana, why they weren't as surprised by these events as they should be, and why they had been so careful.
Sofia listened intently, her sharp eyes scanning both of them. "So, what you're saying is… you're not normal students."
Raven smirked. "You're just figuring that out now?"
Sofia didn't smile. Her suspicion was growing, but she said nothing more.
That night, as Selwyn drifted into sleep, the whispers returned, stronger than ever.
This time, he wasn't in the academy anymore. He stood in a ruined battlefield, ancient weapons scattered across the ground. The wind howled, carrying voices lost to time.
Then, a figure emerged from the mist—a spirit cloaked in shadows.
"The traitor walks among you," it whispered, its voice hollow and chilling. "Find me before it's too late."
Selwyn jolted awake, his heart pounding.
Someone in Ashford Academy was hiding something.
And now, he had to find out who.