After Kite's warning, the rest of the day passed in a blur of planning, strategizing, and preparation. Lumi, despite her usual preference for lazing around, found herself actively participating in the discussions. As much as she wanted to retreat to her room and sleep through the chaos, she knew the stakes were too high. Erick Noye wasn't just a nuisance anymore—he was becoming a real threat.
Lumi, June, and Heath gathered in their usual spot outside the academy, sitting under the sprawling oak tree that had become their unofficial meeting place. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the tension that had gripped them since Kite's revelation.
"So, what's the plan?" June asked, leaning back against the tree trunk. "We know Erick's got someone on the inside, but we don't know who or what he's planning."
Lumi stretched out on the grass, her eyes half-closed as she gazed up at the sky. "I dunno. Part of me just wants to… I don't know, do nothing and hope it all blows over. But something tells me that won't work this time."
Heath, always the pragmatist, nodded. "No, it won't. We need to figure out who Erick's working with—and fast. If we can stop him before he makes his move, we'll have the upper hand."
Lumi sighed, rolling onto her side to face them. "Great. So, basically, we need to start snooping around the academy and see who's acting shady."
"Well, if there's one thing you're good at, Lumi, it's keeping a low profile," Glaciel's voice echoed in her mind with its usual sass. "You could probably nap your way through half of this investigation, and no one would even notice."
Lumi smirked. "Yeah, maybe. But I doubt I'll be able to sleep through this one. Erick's getting desperate. And desperate people do stupid things."
June nodded in agreement. "That's what worries me. If Erick's willing to involve someone on the inside, then he's planning something big. We need to figure out what it is before it's too late."
Lumi groaned, sitting up and stretching her arms overhead. "Alright, alright. I guess it's time for some good old-fashioned investigating. Let's split up and keep our ears open. If anyone hears anything weird or sees someone acting suspicious, we meet back here and figure out our next move."
Heath stood up, nodding his agreement. "I'll check around the training grounds. There are always students there, and people tend to gossip when they're not paying attention."
June gave a playful salute. "I'll head to the library. If Erick's informant is sneaky, they might be looking up something important."
Lumi sighed dramatically, rising to her feet. "Guess that leaves me with the academy halls. I'll wander around and see if I can pick up on anything… shady."
"Just don't get too distracted by any cozy nooks along the way, darling," Glaciel teased. "I know how tempting a quick nap can be, but this is serious business."
Lumi rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I'll stay focused… for now."
With their plan in place, the trio split up, each of them heading off to their assigned areas. Lumi wandered the academy halls with her usual air of nonchalance, her sharp eyes casually scanning her surroundings. The familiar stone walls, the soft hum of magic in the air, the buzz of students going about their day—it all felt so normal. But beneath the surface, Lumi knew something was wrong. Erick was up to something, and he wasn't alone.
As she passed by groups of students, Lumi tuned into their conversations, hoping to catch a snippet of something useful. Most of what she overheard was mundane—complaints about homework, gossip about professors, discussions about upcoming duels. But there were moments when the tone would shift, when a hushed whisper or a furtive glance hinted at something more.
Finally, as she passed a group of older students near the library, Lumi caught a whisper that made her pause.
"…I heard Erick's got a meeting with someone tonight. Something big is happening."
Lumi slowed her pace, pretending to check the noticeboard nearby as she eavesdropped.
"Do you know who it's with?" one of the students asked.
"No idea," another replied. "But it's happening in the old tower—the one no one goes to anymore."
Lumi felt her heart rate spike. The old tower was a secluded part of the academy, rarely used except for storage. If Erick was meeting someone there, it meant he wanted to keep it hidden.
"This sounds like the lead we've been waiting for," Glaciel's voice cut in, its tone more serious than usual. "You need to get there and see what's going on. This could be your chance to stop him."
Lumi's stomach twisted with a mixture of excitement and dread. "Yeah, but I'm not going in there alone. I'll meet up with June and Heath first. This could get messy."
"Good call. Just make sure you don't lose the trail. If Erick's planning something, we need to know about it."
Lumi quickly left the area, making her way back to the oak tree where they had agreed to meet. Heath and June were already there, waiting for her.
"Did you find anything?" Heath asked, his expression tense.
Lumi nodded, her eyes sharp. "Yeah. I overheard some students talking. Erick's got a meeting tonight in the old tower. It sounds like something big."
June's eyes widened. "The old tower? No one goes there anymore. Why would he choose that place?"
"Because he doesn't want anyone to find out," Lumi replied. "He's meeting with someone—probably his contact inside the academy."
Heath's jaw tightened. "We need to be there. If we can figure out who Erick's working with, we'll have the upper hand."
Lumi crossed her arms, her mind already working through the possibilities. "Yeah, but we have to be careful. If Erick sees us, he'll know we're onto him. We need to keep a low profile."
June grinned. "You're good at that, Lumi. We'll follow your lead."
Lumi sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Alright, fine. Let's get this over with. But afterward, I'm taking the longest nap in history. I just wanna laze around."
"You'll get your nap, Lumi," Glaciel said, its voice filled with amusement. "But first, let's deal with our little problem."
That night, under the cover of darkness, Lumi, June, and Heath made their way toward the old tower. The air was thick with anticipation, the academy grounds eerily quiet. The tower loomed ahead of them, its shadow stretching across the cobblestone path like a sentinel guarding secrets long forgotten.
They approached cautiously, sticking to the shadows as they moved closer to the tower's entrance. A soft glow of magical light emanated from one of the upper windows, and Lumi's heart raced as they crept closer.
"Looks like someone's home," June whispered.
Heath nodded. "We need to find a way inside without being noticed."
Lumi scanned the area, her sharp eyes catching sight of a side door partially hidden by ivy. "There. That's our way in."
They moved swiftly and silently, slipping through the side door and into the tower. The air inside was cool and musty, the scent of old stone and forgotten magic filling the narrow corridors. As they ascended the spiral staircase, Lumi's mind raced. What would they find at the top? And more importantly, who was Erick's mysterious contact?
When they finally reached the top of the tower, they crouched near the doorway, listening intently to the conversation inside.
"…we don't have much time," Erick's voice was sharp, filled with impatience. "I need that artifact, and you promised you'd help me get it."
A second voice, quieter and more measured, responded. "You'll get what you need, but you must be patient. The scepter is being closely guarded now. Rushing in will only lead to failure."
Lumi's blood ran cold as she recognized the second voice. It was someone she never would have expected—someone she had trusted.
Professor Aurelian.