Chapter 3: Shadows Behind the Curtain
The academy always seemed alive, a bustling center of activity that never truly slept. Even in the dim pre-dawn hours, the training fields echoed with the sounds of wooden swords clashing and the occasional burst of magic.
Leon stood at the edge of the field, watching as groups of students sparred under the watchful eyes of their instructors. He wasn't scheduled for combat training today, but he'd learned that observing others could be just as valuable as participating.
From his vantage point, he could see Alaric Caine, the protagonist of the novel, effortlessly dominating his sparring partner. Alaric's golden hair shone in the early morning light, and his movements were fluid and precise—a clear demonstration of his natural talent.
"He's progressing quickly," Leon muttered to himself.
In the original story, Alaric's growth during the academy arc was pivotal. Each challenge, each battle, honed him into the hero the world needed to face the outer gods.
But watching him now, Leon couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"If he falters, the entire world falls apart," Leon thought, clenching his fists. "I can't let that happen."
His role wasn't to fight the battles or claim the glory. His role was to make sure the pieces moved as they should, ensuring the story stayed on track.
---
As the day progressed, Leon found himself in the academy's enchanted forest. The sprawling expanse of trees served as both a training ground and a testing area for students, filled with controlled dangers and hidden challenges.
Today's assignment was a simple one: retrieve a token hidden somewhere in the forest.
Leon didn't mind the exercise—it was straightforward and required little interaction with others. But as he moved through the undergrowth, his instincts warned him that something was off.
The forest was too quiet.
Leon froze, his senses on high alert. He scanned the area, his eyes narrowing as he caught a flicker of movement in the shadows.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice calm but firm.
A figure stepped into the light, and Leon's heart sank.
It was the noble from the sparring match, flanked by two of his friends. All three of them were armed, their expressions predatory.
"Well, well," the noble sneered. "Looks like we found ourselves some easy prey."
Leon sighed inwardly. Of course, they'd take this opportunity to ambush him. The forest was the perfect place—far from the watchful eyes of the instructors, with plenty of places to hide a body if things got out of hand.
"What do you want?" Leon asked, keeping his tone neutral.
The noble smirked. "Revenge, obviously. You embarrassed me in front of everyone. Now I'm going to return the favor."
Leon's mind raced. He couldn't fight them head-on—he wasn't strong enough for that. But running wasn't an option either; they'd chase him down before he got far.
Which left him with one option.
"Fine," Leon said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "You win. Just don't take too long—I've got better things to do."
The noble's smirk widened. "Cocky to the end, aren't you?"
As the three closed in, Leon's sharp eyes caught a glint of silver in the bushes behind them.
A wolf.
Leon suppressed a smile. The academy's enchanted forest was home to various magical creatures, and this wolf was one of them. It wasn't particularly dangerous to an experienced fighter, but it was more than enough to cause a distraction.
He just needed to time it right.
The noble raised his fist, clearly intending to strike Leon.
"Now," Leon thought, stepping back just as the wolf lunged from the bushes.
The creature's sudden appearance sent the noble and his friends into a panic. They stumbled back, yelling incoherently as the wolf growled and snapped at them.
Leon didn't waste the opportunity. He slipped away, weaving through the trees until he was sure he'd put enough distance between himself and his would-be attackers.
He leaned against a tree, catching his breath.
"That was too close," he muttered.
But as he turned to leave, he found himself face-to-face with someone he hadn't expected.
Celine Veradyn.
She stood a few feet away, her silver hair gleaming in the dappled sunlight and her crimson eyes locked onto his.
"You're full of surprises," she said, her tone unreadable.
Leon forced a smile. "What can I say? I'm good at improvising."
Celine raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you call it?"
She took a step closer, her gaze sharp and probing. "Why didn't you fight back? You clearly had the opportunity."
Leon shrugged. "Why bother? They weren't worth the effort."
Celine studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly—a rare and unsettling expression.
"You're an interesting one, Leon Altheim," she said. "I think I'll keep watching you."
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Leon to wonder just how much she'd seen—and what she planned to do with that information.
---
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, but Leon couldn't shake the encounter from his mind.
Celine was becoming more involved in his life than he was comfortable with. Her curiosity was dangerous, and her presence was a constant reminder of how fragile his position was.
As he returned to his dorm that evening, he found a small envelope slipped under his door.
Frowning, he picked it up and opened it.
Inside was a single piece of paper, with three words written in elegant handwriting:
"I know everything."
Leon's blood ran cold.
He didn't know who had sent the message, but one thing was clear—his carefully constructed facade was beginning to crack.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Leon felt a flicker of genuine fear.
But alongside it was something else.
Determination.
"If they want to play games," he thought, his jaw tightening, "then I'll make sure I win."
The rabbit was learning to move in the shadows, but the dragon within him was starting to stir.
---
Leon sat at his desk, staring at the note. The three words etched into the paper burned into his mind: "I know everything."
For a long moment, he simply sat there, his thoughts racing. Who could have sent this? Celine seemed the most likely candidate, but the timing didn't feel right. She wouldn't be so direct—her style was more subtle, calculated.
"Could it be someone else entirely?" Leon murmured to himself.
He carefully folded the note and placed it inside a book on his desk, hiding it for later. The words were a challenge, but also an opportunity. Whoever sent it thought they had leverage. But Leon knew something they didn't: every piece of information was a double-edged sword. If they were wrong, or if their threat lacked substance, he could turn it against them.
"Knowledge is a weapon," he reminded himself. "And they've just handed me a loaded blade."
Despite his outward confidence, a part of him couldn't shake the unease. This wasn't part of the original story—he was in uncharted territory now.
---
The following day, Leon attended his first magical theory class. The lecture hall was packed, with students seated in neat rows, their eyes fixed on the instructor at the front of the room.
Professor Alaric Veldt was an imposing figure, with sharp features and an aura of authority that demanded respect. His long, flowing robes shimmered faintly with enchantments, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through anyone who met his gaze.
Leon kept his head down, taking careful notes as the professor began his lecture on the principles of mana flow and spell construction.
"Magic is not simply a tool," Professor Veldt said, his voice resonating through the hall. "It is a force that binds this world together. To wield it is to touch the essence of existence itself."
Leon couldn't help but be impressed. In the novel, Professor Veldt was one of the most influential figures in the protagonist's life, serving as both a mentor and a moral compass. But Leon couldn't afford to attract the professor's attention.
"Stay average," he reminded himself, scribbling down notes in a deliberate but unremarkable manner.
The class continued without incident, but as it ended and the students began filing out, Leon felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned to see Emilia standing there, clutching her notebook.
"Do you have a minute?" she asked hesitantly.
Leon nodded, following her out of the lecture hall and into a quiet corner of the corridor.
"What's up?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.
Emilia bit her lip, her expression nervous. "I… I wanted to talk to you about the note."
Leon froze. "What note?"
"The one you found last night," she said quietly. "I saw it under your door when I was leaving my room."
Leon's mind raced. He hadn't noticed anyone in the hallway when he picked up the note, but Emilia's dorm was close to his. She must have spotted it by chance.
"Do you know who sent it?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Emilia shook her head. "No, but… I'm worried, Leon. If someone's targeting you, it's not safe to ignore it."
Leon sighed, leaning against the wall. "I appreciate your concern, but I can handle it."
Emilia frowned. "You shouldn't have to handle it alone."
Her words struck a chord in Leon. Emilia's genuine kindness was a rare thing in this world, but it was also a liability. She didn't understand the dangers she was walking into by aligning herself with him.
"I'll be fine," Leon said, his tone softer this time. "But thank you, Emilia. Really."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Just… be careful, okay?"
Leon watched her leave, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest. He didn't want to push her away, but the more she got involved, the more likely she was to get hurt.
---
That evening, Leon decided to investigate the note further.
He slipped out of his dorm under the cover of darkness, making his way to the academy archives. The massive library was open late for students, and its labyrinthine shelves provided plenty of places to think without being disturbed.
Leon found a secluded corner and spread out several books on the table in front of him. His focus was on the academy's history and the factions operating within its walls.
The academy wasn't just a school—it was a microcosm of the kingdom's political landscape. Noble houses vied for influence, magical researchers pushed their agendas, and secret societies worked in the shadows.
If someone was targeting him, there was a good chance they were connected to one of these groups.
As he flipped through a particularly dense tome, a voice broke the silence.
"Burning the midnight oil, are we?"
Leon looked up, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Celine Veradyn standing there.
She wore a simple black cloak over her academy uniform, her silver hair gleaming faintly in the dim light. Her crimson eyes studied him with their usual intensity, and a faint smile played on her lips.
"Just catching up on some reading," Leon said, keeping his tone neutral.
Celine raised an eyebrow. "At this hour? You're either very dedicated or very paranoid."
Leon forced a chuckle. "Can't it be both?"
Celine stepped closer, her gaze flicking to the books spread out in front of him. "Interesting choice of material. Most students don't bother with this level of detail."
Leon shrugged. "I like to be thorough."
For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence stretching between them. Leon felt like a rabbit caught in the gaze of a predator, every instinct screaming at him to run.
But he held his ground, meeting her gaze with as much composure as he could muster.
Finally, Celine smiled—a faint, enigmatic curve of her lips. "You're an enigma, Leon Altheim. I look forward to unraveling you."
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Leon alone with his thoughts.
---
By the time Leon returned to his dorm, the weight of the day's events was pressing down on him.
The note, the ambush in the forest, and now Celine's unsettling interest—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't quite put together.
But one thing was certain: the game had begun, and Leon was no longer just a passive observer.
As he sat at his desk, staring at the folded note once more, he made a silent vow.
"I won't let them control me," he thought. "If they want to play, I'll make sure they regret it."
The rabbit might still be in the shadows, but its fangs were growing sharper with each passing day.