The library at Valenhold Academy was usually a haven of quiet study, its towering shelves and glowing enchanted lights providing a serene atmosphere. Tonight, however, it was a cacophony of chaos.
Students darted between aisles as books floated erratically in the air, their covers opening and slamming shut while emitting shrill screams. A few unlucky souls tried to grab the tomes, only to be greeted by a loud "Don't touch me!" followed by a magical zap.
Ethan stood at the entrance, arms crossed, watching the spectacle with mild amusement. Beside him, Caleb, his overly enthusiastic classmate, was nearly doubled over with laughter.
"This," Caleb wheezed, "might be the best prank in academy history."
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin. "Any idea who's behind it?"
Caleb straightened, wiping a tear from his eye. "No clue. But rumor has it the pudding kid's involved. He's turning into a legend."
Before Ethan could respond, Alyss Serath approached, her expression somewhere between exasperation and amusement. "Maxwell, don't just stand there. Help fix this before the head librarian finds out and turns someone into a toad."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Why me?"
"Because you're the only one with enough skill to actually solve this," Alyss shot back. "Or are you scared of a few screaming books?"
The corner of Ethan's mouth twitched upward. "Fine. But you owe me."
A Magical Solution
As Ethan stepped into the chaos, the books seemed to sense his presence. They swirled in the air, their screams growing louder as if daring him to intervene. He activated Appraisal, his eyes glinting as he scanned the magical signatures.
"Basic enchantments, layered with a chaos rune," he muttered. "Clever, but sloppy."
Ethan reached out, summoning a pulse of Light Magic. The room glowed softly as tendrils of energy wrapped around the books, calming their frantic movements. One by one, the books floated down to the shelves, their screams fading into whispers.
The students watched in awe as Ethan worked, his movements precise and effortless. In less than five minutes, the library was back to normal—aside from the scorch marks on a few tables.
Alyss folded her arms, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "Not bad, Maxwell. I might actually be impressed."
Ethan smirked. "Only 'might'? I'll try harder next time."
Factions Stirring
As the crowd dispersed, Ethan caught a glimpse of a figure lingering in the shadows of the library. His eyes narrowed as he activated Night Vision, revealing a cloaked individual watching him intently.
"Ethan," Kael's voice came from behind. "We need to talk."
Ethan turned, the cloaked figure vanishing as quickly as they had appeared. Kael's serious expression was enough to erase the levity of the moment.
"What is it?" Ethan asked, his tone sharp.
Kael glanced around, lowering his voice. "The factions are moving faster than I thought. There's talk of a shadow group testing recruits—dangerous ones. You might've already caught their attention."
Ethan's mind raced. The System Quest about investigating the factions suddenly felt more urgent. "And you think I'm a target?"
Kael shrugged. "You're too powerful to ignore. They'll either try to recruit you—or eliminate you."
"Let them try," Ethan said coolly. "I've dealt with worse."
Dorm Room Reflections
Back in his dorm, Ethan leaned against his desk, reviewing the events of the day. The cloaked figure, the factions, and the prank at the library were all pieces of a larger puzzle he couldn't yet see.
[System Alert: New Reward Unlocked]
Reward: 300 XP, 100 System Points, and Enchanted Tome (Rare Item).Description: A magical book containing advanced spell formations.
Ethan smirked as the glowing tome materialized in his hands. "At least tonight wasn't a total waste."
As he opened the book, a knock at the door interrupted him. He sighed, setting the tome aside. "Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing Calyra, his Sylphrowing companion. She fluttered inside, her soft glow filling the room. "You've been busy," she chirped. "You should rest."
"I will," Ethan replied. "After I figure out what's really going on at this academy."
Calyra perched on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Be careful, Ethan. Not all shadows are easy to fight."