(Elise's POV)
Elise sat at the edge of the academy garden, her slender fingers twirling a strand of her black hair, her sharp Red eyes fixed on the distant training grounds.
"Three A-rank missions already," she hissed, her lips curving into a devious smirk.
"Kael's team is starting to gain recognition. If they complete a fourth one, they'll outshine everyone in the academy."
"What do we do, Elise?" one of her lackeys asked, their voice tinged with nervousness.
Elise's smirk widened.
"Simple. We strike when they're at their weakest—after this mission, when they're too exhausted to fight back." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"The plan is already in motion. Gather our allies from the lower ranks. Once they stumble out of that portal, tired and vulnerable, we'll teach them what happens when you rise too fast in this academy."
