As the celebration continued to unfold, Professor Cassia Nightshade, the formidable instructor known for her expertise in magical defenses, approached Raj with a purposeful stride. Her expression was one of quiet determination, and there was a sense of urgency in her demeanor that caught Raj's attention.
"Rajinder Singh Mahal," she called out, her voice carrying across the bustling hall. "A word, if you please."
Raj turned to face Professor Nightshade, a curious expression on his face as he acknowledged her request. He excused himself from the group he had been chatting with and made his way over to where she stood.
"Professor Nightshade," he greeted respectfully, inclining his head in acknowledgment. "How may I assist you?"
The professor wasted no time in getting to the point. "During the Divine Gauntlet, while the rest of the academy was focused on the trials, there was a surge in monster activity in the surrounding areas," she explained, her tone grave. "Many of these creatures began to encroach upon the outskirts of Sun City, putting its inhabitants at risk."
Raj's brow furrowed in concern as he listened to her words. It was unsettling to hear of such disturbances occurring so close to the academy, especially during such a pivotal event.
"However," Professor Nightshade continued, her expression softening slightly, "thanks to your ingenuity and quick thinking, we were able to implement a safety measure to protect the academy and its students."
Raj's eyes widened in surprise at her words. He had been unaware of any such developments during the Divine Gauntlet, as his focus had been entirely consumed by the trials themselves.
"I instructed you to build a device capable of erecting a force field around the school perimeter, to ward off any potential threats," Professor Nightshade explained, her tone tinged with pride. "And I must say, your creation has performed admirably. It has been in place for the duration of this celebration assembly, and there have been no breaches in security thus far."
Raj felt a swell of pride at the professor's praise, grateful that his efforts had contributed to the safety of the academy and its students. He nodded appreciatively, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.
"Thank you, Professor," he replied earnestly. "I'm glad to hear that the device has proven effective in safeguarding the academy. It was my honor to assist in any way I could."
Professor Nightshade nodded in acknowledgment, her expression reflecting a mixture of approval and gratitude. "Well done, Rajinder," she said, her voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "Your contributions have not gone unnoticed, and I wanted to personally commend you for your efforts."
With that, she offered him a nod of farewell before turning to attend to other matters, leaving Raj to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. As he rejoined the festivities, a sense of pride swelled within him, knowing that he had played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of his fellow students and the continued security of Solaris Academy.
***
However, an unexpected red flicker enveloped the school, Raj's heart quickened with a surge of alarm. He glanced down at his beeping watch, confirming his suspicions: there was indeed a malfunction with the barrier that encased the academy.
As Raj stepped into the school zone with the barrier, he noticed a woman's silhouette departing. Yet, he couldn't quite identify her
Cassia Nightshade's instructions echoed in his mind, urging him to investigate the anomaly. With a sense of urgency propelling him forward, Raj wasted no time in making his way toward the designated zone where the barrier had been set up.
As he entered the area, his eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of disruption or tampering. It was then that he caught sight of a shadowy figure retreating from the barrier's perimeter. Though the silhouette was indistinct, Raj couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that washed over him.
Determined to uncover the source of the malfunction, Raj ventured deeper into the room that housed the barrier controls. His eyes swept over the consoles and displays, searching for any indication of what could have caused the disturbance.
At first glance, everything appeared to be in order. The controls were operational, and there were no visible signs of damage or interference. However, as Raj delved deeper into his investigation, he noticed a subtle anomaly: the barrier's strength was not at its usual 100%.
A frown creased Raj's brow as he realized the implications of his discovery. Someone or something had compromised the integrity of the barrier, weakening its defenses from within. Even more troubling was the fact that the barrier was steadily depleting, its strength diminishing with each passing moment.
Before Raj could fully process the situation, a deafening crash echoed through the room, causing him to startle in alarm. The flickering blue barrier suddenly shifted to a vibrant shade of crimson before dissipating entirely, leaving the school vulnerable to outside threats.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Raj realized the gravity of the situation. Without the protective barrier in place, the academy was now exposed to the dangers that lurked beyond its walls. And judging by the ominous rumblings that echoed through the corridors, those dangers were already beginning to make their presence known.
Summoning every ounce of determination and resolve, Raj sprang into action, knowing that time was of the essence. With monsters now infiltrating the school grounds, he would need to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the safety of his fellow students and protect the academy from imminent danger.
***
Raj and Wally quickly assessed the situation. With the barrier malfunctioning and monsters breaching the school's defenses, Raj knew that time was of the essence. However, he also realized that simply broadcasting the news of the breach without a plan of action could incite panic among the students and faculty.
Taking a moment to formulate a strategy, Raj and Wally decided on a two-pronged approach. First, they would work together to contain the immediate threat by confronting the monsters and preventing them from advancing further into the school. Then, once the immediate danger was under control, they would discreetly inform Professor Nightshade and the other faculty members, allowing them to coordinate a response without causing undue alarm.
With their plan in place, Raj and Wally sprang into action. Raj summoned his electromagnetism powers, ready to repel the encroaching monsters, while Wally activated his surveillance systems to track the creatures' movements and identify any potential vulnerabilities.
As they moved through the school's corridors, Raj and Wally encountered several groups of monsters, each more formidable than the last. Using their combined skills and teamwork, they fought back against the onslaught, driving the creatures back with a combination of strategic thinking and raw power.
Meanwhile, in the celebration hall, the students and faculty remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding just beyond the school's walls. Raj knew that they couldn't afford to panic, not when the safety of everyone inside the school was at stake. Instead, he focused on containing the threat and minimizing the risk to those he had sworn to protect.
As the battle raged on, Raj and Wally remained vigilant, their determination unwavering in the face of adversity. With each passing moment, they drew closer to their goal, knowing that the fate of Solaris Academy hung in the balance. And though the road ahead would be fraught with peril, they faced the challenge head-on, ready to confront whatever dangers lay ahead with courage and determination.