"He went too far." Chintya Badveil shook her head, disappointed with Wein's behavior.
The room was silent as they could do nothing, a few seconds before something vibrated heavily on the table, shaking and even moving across its surface.
Elaina, who was closest, grabbed Wein's pocket watch before confusedly pressing its button. A voice came from it. "Wein! It's Sherlyn, Director Claudia said the Academy is in chaos."
The room was instantly filled with shock, eyebrows raised, and Wein's bad premonition turned out to be true—those who didn't believe it now finally did. Elaina immediately stood up from the table.
"I'll go with Wein." Asking for permission, Chintya Badveil could only nod in agreement as she was powerless to do anything.
In a rush, Elaina placed the pocket watch in her pocket and sprinted toward the exit door at high speed. Using her abilities and magic, she arrived in mere seconds.
"Where's Wein?" Her breath was forced to stop.
The servant scratched his head before answering. "The young master has left the Arcveil residence and is heading to the Academy."
Elaina was slightly frustrated upon hearing that, then issued her command. "Prepare a horse-drawn carriage for me, now," she said firmly.
The servant hesitated before being forced to tell the truth. "Apologies, Miss, but only two carriages are operational in this extreme cold," he said with regret.
Her expression was a little shocked, though it was understandable. She forgot that during such frigid weather, carriages wouldn't work properly without specially crafted components.
"Thank you," she said humbly. Elaina Arcveil was forced to rely on her abilities in this cold—she had to fly to the Academy.
Loraine Eleanoir:
I arrived at the Academy right as the sun set—actually a bit late, so "right on time" couldn't be used. The sky was already pitch black, with stars scattered above.
Loraine thanked the driver and left the carriage, heading straight for the grand entrance gate of the Academy.
She set foot on the ground, snow blowing around her as her feet touched the floor, stepping slowly while glancing left and right to check if any carriages were parked.
After a few seconds and having passed through the main gate, she scanned the area again to make sure, but there were only stairs leading up to the large entrance doors of the Academy.
With a sense of dissatisfaction, a wave of irritation surged within her as if she had been deceived, but she still tried to think rationally—perhaps her driver was late due to snow-covered roads.
Loraine stepped into the entrance hallway of the Academy. The cold temperature made her uneasy, so she searched for a place to recover a bit.
But as she got closer to the hallway, Loraine felt unstable mana waves that made the mana within her tremble lightly.
Thinking it was normal for an academy, Loraine continued walking until she approached the last steps.
Just before crossing into the corridor, something made her stop. The mana waves grew stronger and vibrated, even a piercing heat ahead was striking amidst the surrounding cold.
What is this? … Loraine said in her mind. She was surprised and, by instinct, as her eyes stared at the strange, semi-transparent wall in front of her, her hand slowly reached out to touch it.
Her fingers moved, her palm leveled with her chest, and she cautiously attempted to make contact.
Her heart pounded, her mind tense and focused as her eyes brimmed with curiosity over what lay beyond. Her fingers were the first to move, then the rest of her palm touched the transparent wall.
The tips of her fingers, then her entire palm passed through, and a pleasant warmth enveloped her gently, instantly drawing Loraine to go further in.
Some time passed as her whole body stepped through. The temperature difference, around five to ten degrees warmer than outside, surprised her.
Double-checking by turning around and looking at the wall, it looked like an illusion, and she thought for a moment.
Who did this?
Loraine realized it was magic, and her eyes followed the curved structure as it rose—it was a barrier Wein had used before.
But he wasn't here.
"Help!" A piercing scream echoed clearly behind her. She turned—though, really, she glanced first before turning.
Flames spread across several dormitory buildings, even the Academy's cafeteria and astronomy building were engulfed in large, bright orange flames, with smoke trapped inside the barrier.
Loraine could only be stunned as her entire body shivered at the sight. She tried to approach as the screams grew louder.
"You're right on time, dear elf princess of the middle-class nobility." A hoarse voice spoke in an enticing way, but not to Loraine. Its sinister tone was immediately recognized.
She turned to see Lucas standing there, grandly spreading his arms. Dressed in dark, ragged clothes like a vagabond—but it was just a disguise hiding untold luxury.
She didn't immediately think he was the culprit, but Lucas didn't look like a victim. His clean clothes, even the shabby cloak, made Loraine question her own assumption.
Lucas appeared healthy, and his cruel smile made everything around him seem normal—ignoring the screams and stepping slowly toward Loraine.
"You look confused, elf lady," he said intimidatingly. "Is it because you're shocked by the masterpiece your future partner created?" he teased again, further irritating Loraine.
She gritted her teeth. "I don't care about the trash you call a masterpiece, but why would you do this, you fool?" she shouted fiercely.
Very short. "You're quite cold, going straight to the point?" He laughed loudly, echoing around them.
"I like you even more, elf." Lucas quickened his steps, even extending his reach slightly as his shoulders moved with overwhelming desire.
Wein Arcveil:
The soles of his feet struck the carriage floor repeatedly, making sounds in the silence as he grew restless. Wein looked outside as everything sped by, leaving him behind.
"How much longer until we arrive?" Wein asked, even though he already knew—but he couldn't control his body when his whole self was ruled by Wein Arcveil, not Leon Crimson.
"I'm not sure, but at this speed we'll be there shortly," the driver said, tilting his head slightly back.
Trying a different approach, Wein looked at Lumine and Rigel who appeared very ready—calmer, even stronger after the training he left them with at his estate.
"There it is, sir—Aetheris Academy, resting in the snow," the driver said, pulling the reins to slow the horses. Wein immediately looked out the window.
It was very peaceful—no riots, no noise, nothing like what Sherlyn had described. But he realized that this was a world of magic, where reality could be manipulated.
Wein opened the carriage door without letting the driver do it for him, jumping down before offering thanks, then immediately sprinted toward the entrance gate.
His heart pounded as the footsteps of wolves running alongside him echoed—and he suddenly stopped when he saw something that made him freeze.
His mouth opened, and Wein smiled without emotion in his eyes. "Aetheris Academy never sleeps."