Chapter 84: The Veins of Eternity
The academy's halls stretched before Yun-ho, each corner brimming with history, every shadow whispering of long-forgotten secrets. After the intense confrontation with the wraith, he and his companions had expected a momentary lull, but even in stillness, the weight of what they'd uncovered lingered. Today, however, wasn't for battle—it was for learning.
Yun-ho walked alongside Nova and Ethan, eyes drawn to the towering stained-glass windows of Eternity Academy. Sunlight filtered through, painting the marble floors in shimmering colors. Depicted in the glass were ancient Constellation contractors, their powerful forms encased in glowing auras, and their symbols woven into the intricate patterns. Some of the figures were recognizable—Orion, Draco, Lyra—but others were more mysterious, their histories lost to time.
"Funny, isn't it?" Ethan said, breaking the silence. "We study here, but we barely understand half of what happened before us."
Nova nodded, her eyes fixed on one window, her expression more serious than usual. "This place has secrets...ones even the professors don't talk about."
As they continued toward the library, the sheer size of Eternity Academy became evident. The sprawling grounds weren't just built for training, they were a monument to an ancient tradition. Enormous statues of Constellation heroes lined the walkways, each frozen in a moment of glory. Lush gardens stretched around the perimeter, filled with flora from every corner of their world. Students were scattered across the green, practicing spells, sparring, or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
"Why do you think the headmaster chose now to tell us about the ruins?" Yun-ho mused, his voice thoughtful.
Nova's expression darkened. "He's preparing us for something. Whatever's coming, it's bigger than the Syndicate. Bigger than any of us."
Reaching the entrance to the library, they passed under a massive stone archway. Inscribed into the stone were ancient runes, faintly glowing. The library itself was a relic—old as the academy and rumored to be the source of many breakthroughs. Vaulted ceilings disappeared into the shadows above, and bookshelves, stacked impossibly high, seemed to stretch on forever.
Inside, the scent of aged parchment and ink surrounded them. The air was cool, untouched by the sunlight outside. A few students sat hunched over ancient texts, whispering softly as they studied. Others moved between shelves, their robes swishing in the stillness.
The librarian, a tall, gaunt man with silver-rimmed glasses, greeted them with a curt nod. "Back again?" he asked, his voice thin but warm. "I suppose there's always more to discover."
Yun-ho smiled politely as they made their way to a secluded table. Anya joined them a moment later, her arms full of scrolls. She dumped them onto the table with a dramatic sigh. "I've gone through every record of the Heart of Darkness I could find...and nothing mentions the ruins Kael spoke of."
"Then we're missing something," Nova said, pulling a tome closer. "If this academy is tied to the origin of the Constellation powers, it must have a deeper connection to the Heart."
Yun-ho gazed out the window as they settled into their research, his mind wandering to the legends of the academy. What had once been a simple school now felt like the nexus of something far greater. Eternity Academy was more than it appeared, and somewhere within its depths, the key to stopping the looming threat lay hidden.