The night carried an eerie stillness as Eren and the group made their way back to the academy. Every step felt heavy, weighed down by the events in the forest. The encounter with the mysterious intruder and the woman who had appeared to fight them left a lingering tension in the air. Questions burned in Eren's mind, but no answers presented themselves.
The academy gates loomed ahead, their imposing size a reminder of the world Eren had stepped into. As the group passed through, the guards stationed there gave them scrutinizing looks, clearly aware of the forest's disturbance.
"We should report to the headmaster," Lyra said, her voice strained. She still clutched her staff, her knuckles white.
Eren nodded silently, his thoughts elsewhere. He couldn't forget the woman's fluid movements or the way she seemed to anticipate every strike from the intruder. She wasn't just a random savior—there was intent in her actions.
---
The Report
The headmaster's office was dimly lit, the flickering glow of candles casting long shadows across the walls. Eren, Lyra, and Jorah stood before the desk, their postures tense.
"You encountered resistance," the headmaster said, his tone more a statement than a question.
"Yes, sir," Lyra replied. "An intruder attacked us. They were skilled, far more than any normal opponent we've faced."
The headmaster steepled his fingers, his piercing gaze shifting to Eren. "And yet, you all survived."
"There was... assistance," Eren admitted, choosing his words carefully. "A woman appeared and drove the intruder away."
"A woman?" the headmaster repeated, his brow furrowing. "Describe her."
Eren hesitated. He wasn't sure how much to reveal. "She was fast, skilled, and seemed to know the intruder's tactics. She didn't speak to us and disappeared after the fight."
The headmaster leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "This is troubling. If someone is operating within our borders, they could have ties to forces that threaten the academy's stability."
Instructor Kael, who stood silently by the window, finally spoke. "This woman—did she display any signs of allegiance? A crest, a uniform, anything?"
Eren shook his head. "No. She moved like a lone operative."
The headmaster exchanged a glance with Kael before turning back to the group. "For now, we'll increase patrols around the academy. I suggest all of you remain vigilant. Dismissed."
---
A Sleepless Night
Back in his dorm room, Eren paced restlessly. The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in as his mind replayed the encounter in the forest. He couldn't shake the feeling that the woman had been watching him specifically.
"Who are you?" he muttered to himself, staring out the window at the moonlit grounds.
His system, Tebu, remained silent, offering no guidance. He opened the interface, scrolling through the abilities and evolution paths of his creatures, searching for something—anything—that could help him understand the events unfolding around him.
The void serpent rested in its containment field, its shadowy form shifting slightly as if sensing his agitation.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Eren whispered.
The serpent's gaze met his, its eyes glowing faintly. It didn't need to speak for Eren to understand—danger was closing in.
---
A Strange Message
The next morning, a sealed envelope was delivered to Eren during breakfast. It bore no name or crest, only a simple wax seal.
He opened it cautiously, unfolding the parchment inside.
"We need to talk. The truth is closer than you think. Midnight, the eastern courtyard. Come alone."
Eren's grip tightened on the note. The handwriting was elegant yet unfamiliar, and the message sent a chill down his spine.
"Everything okay?" Lyra asked, noticing his distracted state.
Eren forced a smile. "Just thinking about last night."
She frowned but didn't press further, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
---
The Midnight Meeting
As the clock struck midnight, Eren slipped out of his dorm room, careful to avoid the night patrols. The eastern courtyard was bathed in silver moonlight, its quiet beauty at odds with the tension in his chest.
He waited, his senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to shift, every rustle of leaves a potential threat.
Then, she appeared. The woman from the forest stepped out of the shadows, her movements as silent as a predator.
"You came," she said, her voice low and melodic.
Eren's hand hovered near his dagger. "You've been watching me."
She nodded, her gaze piercing. "I've been watching everything. You're at the center of something far greater than you realize, Eren."
He stiffened. "How do you know my name?"
"I know more than just your name," she replied cryptically. "I know about your system, your creatures, and the power you've been hiding."
Eren's heart raced. "What do you want?"
"To help you," she said simply. "But that depends on you. Are you willing to take the risks necessary to survive?"
Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
"Why should I trust you?" he asked, his voice steady despite his unease.
"You shouldn't," she admitted, a faint smile playing on her lips. "But you'll have to if you want to uncover the truth."
She tossed something to him—a small, intricately carved pendant.
"When the time comes, use this. It will lead you to answers."
Before he could respond, she disappeared into the shadows once more, leaving him alone in the courtyard.