Where truth finally knocks… and danger answers first.
The moon hovered low, casting pale silver light across the Academy's rooftops. Inside her dorm, Aeri couldn't sleep. Her heartbeat refused to calm—not since the Headmaster's words, not since the growing suspicion that someone had altered her fate again.
She wrapped her robe tighter around her and stepped outside into the cold night air.
But she wasn't alone.
A soft rustle came from the shadows near the courtyard fountain.
Aeri stopped."…Who's there?"
A figure stepped out—Soren.
But his usual confidence wasn't there. His eyes were sharp, guarded, almost… hunted.
"Aeri," he whispered, "you shouldn't be outside right now."
She frowned. "Why? What's happening?"
He hesitated.Aeri had seen Soren hesitate maybe twice in her life. This was number three.
"There's something you need to know," he said quietly. "Something I should've told you earlier."
Her breath caught. Was it about the prophecy? Her death? His role in her fate?
But before she could ask, a pulse of dark energy rippled through the courtyard.Aeri's hair lifted from static. Soren grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him.
"Move," he growled.
A shadow detached itself from the trees—no, not a shadow.A Shade Beast.
Inside Academy grounds.Impossible. Protected areas couldn't be breached… unless someone invited it.
The creature rushed forward, smoke trailing behind it like torn cloth.
Soren raised his hand, magic igniting in a violent burst of blue flame.Aeri stepped beside him, palms glowing gold.
"Aeri—""I'm not running."
Their attacks collided with the creature, blasting it backward. But its form reassembled immediately, snarling silently.
"It's targeting you," Soren shouted over the roar of magic.
She already knew.She felt it—like its hunger was carved onto her soul.
Aeri grabbed Soren's arm. "Why is it only coming after me?"
His jaw tightened.There it was again—guilt. Heavy. Choking.
"Aeri, listen—"He didn't get to finish.
The Shade Beast lunged straight at her, bypassing Soren entirely.Aeri raised a golden barrier just in time. The beast shattered it in seconds.
Too strong. Much too strong.
Soren shouted her name.
But before the beast could touch her, a crimson blade sliced through the air, tearing the creature into ribbons of darkness.
A figure landed between them, breathing hard.
Lior.
His eyes glowed a deep red, expression deadly.
"You two really can't stay out of trouble, huh?" he muttered, wiping blood from his cheek.
Soren scowled. "You're late."
"I saved your life—you're welcome."
Aeri stared at the two boys—her two protectors, her two mysteries—standing like shadows on either side of her.
The beast evaporated into smoke… but the danger wasn't gone.
Because Lior turned toward her, his voice low.
"Aeri… that wasn't an accident. Someone sent that thing."
She swallowed. "But… who?"
Lior and Soren shared a look—one filled with old secrets.
And then Soren finally said it:
"Aeri… the person who wants you dead…is someone inside this Academy."
Her heart stopped.
And then Lior added quietly:
"And they know exactly who you were in your past life."