Chapter 81: The Calm Before the Storm
The classroom buzzed with idle chatter, the usual hum of energy that marked the start of another lecture at Eternity Academy. The light filtering through the tall windows bathed the room in a golden glow, a stark contrast to the dark battles Yun-ho and his friends had faced just weeks ago. He sat near the back with Nova and Ethan, his mind wandering as Professor Faron, the esteemed Constellation historian, prepared to start the lesson.
"Can you believe it's only been a few weeks since we took down the Syndicate?" Nova whispered, leaning closer to Yun-ho, her signature staff propped against the wall beside her.
"Feels like a lifetime," Yun-ho muttered back, his eyes still scanning the room, half listening, half daydreaming. His thoughts were a storm of uncertainties—his secret, the weight of the stars, and now, the strange foreboding he couldn't shake.
Ethan, seated on the other side of Yun-ho, raised an eyebrow. "You two getting sentimental on me? It's only been a couple of weeks, and now we're back to textbooks and lectures. I almost miss the adrenaline."
"Almost," Nova smirked, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Some of us don't need constant danger to stay sharp."
Before Yun-ho could comment, Professor Faron cleared his throat, commanding their attention. His voice echoed with authority, despite his gentle tone. "I hope you all enjoyed your brief respite. But don't get too comfortable. This semester will test not only your intellect but your very souls."
Yun-ho's attention snapped back to the professor, but a strange sensation tingled at the back of his mind. His hand instinctively went to his chest, where the faint pulse of the Heart of Darkness stirred ever so slightly.
Faron's lecture continued, focusing on the intricate connection between Constellations and their contractors. "Each of you has unlocked a star, and with each star comes great responsibility. Remember, understanding your constellation is not merely academic; it's a bond of trust and power."
Yun-ho shifted uncomfortably, his hand dropping. His eyes flicked to Nova, who seemed to be listening intently. He couldn't tell her—not about the Heart of Darkness, and certainly not about his true origins. The weight of it all made him feel like an outsider, even among his closest friends.
Suddenly, the lights in the room flickered. A chill swept through the academy halls, and Yun-ho stiffened. He knew this feeling all too well. Ethan shot him a glance, clearly sensing it too.
Just as Professor Faron was about to continue, a wraithlike figure materialized in the front of the classroom, its voice cold as death. "You think you've saved the world?" the wraith sneered, its presence freezing the air. "Fools. This was merely the beginning."
The class gasped, but Yun-ho's heart sank. The battles were far from over.