Three days had passed since the demon attack, and Grandeur City was beginning to regain its rhythm. Outside the walls of the Academy, rumors about the horrific events continued to swirl, growing more exaggerated with every retelling. Whispers of blood demons, mysterious mages, and shadowy battles filled the streets.
Within the walls of the Academy, however, Mystica ensured a far more controlled narrative. Only the story she wanted heard was allowed to spread. According to this carefully constructed tale, she had singlehandedly vanquished the demons, saving countless lives in the process. No mention of Liam or his involvement was allowed to surface.
The Academy's staff, save for Galen and Magnus, were no exception to Mystica's manipulations. Through subtle suggestions and clever deflections, she guided their perceptions, leaving them none the wiser.
