Hoxrrary Academy: Boys' Dormitory
After all the chaos, I decided to treat myself to a warm shower. Figured I'd wash off the stress and try to refocus on the underground investigation. But, of course, fate had other plans.
As I walked into the bathroom, there he was—Ferris, grinning like a fool and standing there as though he owned the place.
"Ah… good evening, Ashura! Good to see you!" Ferris chirped, flashing that infuriatingly innocent smile of his.
Ugh... why, oh why, must the universe do this to me? I thought, grinding my teeth.
"Good to see you too, my friend," I replied with as much fake enthusiasm as I could muster, practically darting toward one of the shower heads like my life depended on it.
Ferris, not one to take a hint, followed me like a persistent shadow. "I don't mean to intrude, but, uh, it's kind of interesting, all the commotion happening right now, isn't it?"
I nearly slipped on the wet floor, trying to keep my composure. Intrude? You're standing right here in the bathroom, mate! What do you mean, "intrude"?
"Well, fate's full of surprises, isn't it?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I fiddled with the shower knobs, praying for some peace.
Ferris, the ever-cheerful bird, continued as if I hadn't just dropped a ton of sarcasm on him. "Ah, of course, I'll cheer for you, Ashura! I'm sure you'll do just fine with whatever's coming your way!"
...Did he just say "just fine"? My mind screeched. Fine? I'm about to face two Leclair class students in the Festival of Hestia, and this bloke thinks I'll be "fine"?
I kept my face as straight as a board, resisting the urge to shout, "Fine?! Fine?! I'm about to be roasted, my friend, roasted! But sure, I'll be 'fine.'"
Instead, I simply muttered, "Oh, you'll see, Ferris. We'll see what happens, won't we?" and shot him a smile so fake it might as well have been a mask.
Ferris, as clueless as always, chuckled and nodded. "I'm sure you'll do just fine! You've got this!"
Oh, for the love of Nyx... I thought, slapping my forehead. The universe really had it in for me today.
And so, as Ferris continued to stand there, beaming his relentless optimism at me, I could only sigh, praying for the sweet release of a peaceful shower—or, at the very least, some peace and quiet... which I was clearly not going to get.
Hoxrrary Academy: Underground Lab
After my less-than-relaxing shower, Ferris and I finally parted ways, and I began to prepare for the night's work.
Standing in front of my window, I whispered, "Oh veil of darkness, hide me as you hide the moon. Velum Tenebrarum." The shadows around me deepened and coiled, cloaking my form completely. The spell was second nature by now, a necessary precaution for my nightly escapades.
I slipped into the secret underground lab without a sound. The stench of rot and decay greeted me as usual, but I barely noticed anymore. The dark aura of the place was oppressive, but familiarity dulled its edge.
Tonight, I focused on the scattered research papers piled high on the desks. Each sheet was covered in intricate diagrams and calculations, formulas written in a language only those deeply entrenched in abyssal studies could decipher.
The evidence was damning. These weren't the hurried notes of a madman. The sheer volume and detail told me this had been in the works for over a year—perhaps even longer. And judging by the complexity, the mastermind wasn't working alone.
I was so engrossed in analyzing a formula—something about accelerating monster evolution—that I almost missed the faint sound of footsteps outside the lab. My body tensed.
The door creaked open, and I heard a familiar voice. "Urgh... I still hate the smell down here," the child-like voice complained.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Him. The self-proclaimed "Azure Julius."
"Surprised to see you back," I said dryly, not bothering to look up from the papers.
"OH GOD!" he yelped, his voice echoing off the damp walls.
I heard him clutch at his chest dramatically. "You nearly gave me a heart attack! Can't you give a warning or something?"
Ignoring his theatrics, I repeated, "Why are you here?"
He huffed, as though offended. "I should be asking you that. But fine, since you asked—information. Same as you, obviously." He strolled over to another desk, casually picking up a stack of documents as if he owned the place.
"Did you use the key I gave you?" he asked, flashing a smug grin my way.
"I'm going after this. The chairman's office isn't exactly a place you can waltz into whenever you feel like it," I replied curtly, flipping through another set of diagrams.
"Excellent." His grin widened. "Then we'll go together."
I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You're awfully confident."
He shrugged. "What can I say? I like living dangerously."
I nodded, not bothering to argue. If this self-assured brat wanted to tag along, so be it. As long as he didn't get in the way.
After hours of poring over the documents, the pieces finally started to come together.
"I see... so this is the plan, huh?" the child said, his usual smugness replaced by a rare seriousness. His small hands clenched into fists, betraying his emotions.
"It's clear they're planning their move during the Great Festival of Hestia," I said, organizing the papers into a semblance of order.
"But why now? Why not last year or the year before?" the child asked, his brows furrowed.
"It's obvious." I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Since you were... chained up, let's say, you might not know, but this year has seen an influx of exceptionally talented students—many from prestigious families. Leclair class alone has enough prodigies to fill a royal banquet hall. The perfect stage for a spectacle... or a massacre."
The child nodded, his expression darkening further. "Makes sense. Well, since we've uncovered the gist of their plan, let's head to the chairman's office. We need more details."
He turned and began walking toward the exit. I followed after muttering the spell, "Ordo Reditus." The papers and scattered items lifted gently into the air and returned to their original places, leaving the lab as pristine as we'd found it. No trace of our intrusion remained.
Hoxrrary Academy: Chairman's Office
The chairman's office was imposing, the door layered with six levels of high-circle sealing magic. It wasn't something that could be undone without significant effort—or the right key.
I drew the key from my pocket, its surface glinting faintly with enchantments. As I pressed it into the intricate locking mechanism, the magic circles shimmered and dissolved one by one. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing an opulent interior decorated with gilded patterns and plush furnishings.
"Good work," the child said, striding in with the casual air of someone inspecting their own domain.
I followed, glancing around warily. "I thought you'd be late. This place is crawling with guards."
The child smirked, not even glancing back. "I have my ways."
"Of course you do."
As he made a beeline for the desk, I scanned the room. It felt too... perfect. Too untouched.
"Let's see what we've got here." The child began rummaging through the papers strewn across the chairman's desk, his small hands sifting through documents like a seasoned investigator.
I frowned, pulling a sheet from the stack. "Seriously, what kind of idiot leaves sensitive documents on a desk in plain sight? Anyone could walk in and see this."
The child rolled his eyes dramatically. "Did you forget? We only got in because of the key. Without it, anyone else would need to dismantle six levels of advanced sealing magic. Hardly 'plain sight,' don't you think?"
"___"
I paused, realizing he had a point, but refused to admit it. "...Right. Let's just focus on the papers."
The child chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my silence. "You're terrible at conceding arguments, you know that?"
"Just shut up and read," I snapped, picking up another pile of documents.
By the time the first rays of dawn painted the sky, we had concluded our investigation. The weight of our findings lingered in the air, heavier than the thickest fog.
"Oh my... Even though I expected something like this, it still surprises me that there are more traitors in the academy," the child muttered, his expression grim.
"Well, it's not entirely surprising," I replied, leaning back against the ornate desk. "If that mimic monster is using a Xyphor parasite to control others, we can't label them as traitors so easily. They might not have had a choice."
The child snapped his fingers as if a puzzle piece had clicked into place. "Ah, so that explains why there's been no reaction from the professors or top-tier students. If the Xyphor has already taken over key individuals, it's no wonder the academy's defenses seem... compromised."
I nodded solemnly. "Which means we're in deep trouble if the mimic has control over someone powerful. This is bigger than we thought."
"Well," the child said, straightening his posture and brushing imaginary dust from his shirt, "it seems we'll need to work together, oh mysterious one." He smirked, though his tone betrayed his seriousness.
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "Annoying... but I suppose I don't have much of a choice." My thoughts lingered on the worst-case scenario. If that mimic monster has already captured professors and top-ranking students... this won't be an easy battle.
"Good," the child said, folding his arms. "From what we've uncovered, they plan to release both monsters during the Great Festival of Hestia's trials. Right when the first-years take the stage."
I smirked, an idea forming in my mind. "I think I've got a plan to handle this." Leaning closer, I whispered the details to him, keeping my voice low.
When I finished, the child raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a rare grin. "I see... That's quite a bold plan, but I like it. Let's go with that."
"I'll handle my end without issue," the child said confidently. "But are you sure the students you're counting on can deal with both monsters?"
"Hehehe..." I chuckled, my smirk widening. "Don't worry. It'll be fun."
The child shrugged and nodded, his expression a mix of amusement and skepticism. Without another word, we quietly exited the chairman's office, leaving no trace of our intrusion. The silence of the academy at dawn remained undisturbed, as if no one had ever been there.
Hoxrrary Academy: Boy's Dormitory
Ashura lay sprawled on his bed, his eyes fixed tiredly on the ceiling. Letting out a deep sigh, he whispered under his breath, "Oh darkness, unveil my form—velum tenebrarum."
At his words, shadows began to coil around him, wrapping him in their cold embrace before dispersing. Moments later, his body emerged from the gloom as he countered the spell he had just cast.
"I need to report before going to class..." he groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ugh, I really need a vacation with how much stress this is giving me." He let out a soft cry of despair, feeling his energy completely drained.
Hoxrrary Academy: Professor's Lounge
"Hohoho, Professor Cedrick, it seems like you're having a hard time," the headmaster chuckled, his smile warm but teasing.
Cedrick let out a deep groan as he slumped into the nearest chair. "Ugh... With how much trouble the kids in my class are causing, it's impossible to have a good time."
"No need to look so defeated, Professor Cedrick. After all, it's good for the kids to face challenges. Even I'm looking forward to the sparring matches between your students and mine."
The voice that interrupted was calm and deliberate, yet it carried a weight that commanded attention. It belonged to none other than Professor Dominus Vanitas. He stood tall and imposing, his sleek midnight-black hair tied back into a low ponytail, a single strand framing his angular face. His piercing silver eyes shimmered faintly, carrying a sense of mystery and unshakable authority. Draped in a long, high-collared black coat embroidered with silver patterns of wilted flowers and hourglasses, he exuded elegance. Beneath the coat, he wore a fitted black vest and trousers that complemented his pale alabaster skin. A silver ring gleamed on his hand, and he carried a slender black cane topped with a silver skull. His voice, deep and resonant, matched his austere appearance, every word calculated and deliberate.
"Urgh... I really don't want to hear that from you, Professor Dominus," Cedrick replied, rubbing the back of his neck with a wry smile.
Dominus merely raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Hoho, I'm sure your students will do just fine. After all, I've heard about that spar between the two of them—what were their names again? Jarek and... Ashura, was it?" His tone was calm, devoid of ridicule or mockery.
Upon hearing the name Ashura, Cedrick felt a grimace form inside him. Dominus Vanitas, a formidable summoner and a Sphinx-tier professor, held a reputation as one of the best of the best. His unmatched ability to summon dark-type beasts and the way his teaching worthy to be called professor of Leclair's class.
Dominus continued, his silver gaze sharp but steady. "I heard they unintentionally exhibited combat instincts during the sparring match. That's no small feat. It's a sign of exceptional talent."
Cedrick forced a smile, trying not to let his exasperation show. "It's true they're talented, but it's still nowhere near your students. From what I hear, your class already has students trying to manifest combat instincts, even if only slightly. My students were just lucky to feel it at all."
"Luck, or talent—it doesn't matter," Dominus said, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of finality. "Every spark has the potential to ignite into a flame. It's our job to guide that transformation."
Cedrick leaned back, sighing softly. "Easy for you to say when you're working with kids who already burn like torches..."