The Arcane Tower was no longer quiet.
Footsteps echoed through the corridors as instructors moved rapidly between floors. Magical lights flickered as security runes activated across the building.
The academy rarely issued emergency alerts.
When it did, it meant something serious had happened.
Lucien stood beside the dusty pedestal as Professor Roland entered the room with three other faculty members.
Their expressions were tense.
Roland scanned the chamber carefully.
"Both of you," he said, looking at Lucien and Elena, "step away from the pedestal."
They obeyed.
One of the instructors stepped forward and began examining the stone structure.
His hands glowed with detection magic.
Runes appeared in the air as he traced mana patterns left behind by the earlier surge.
Lucien kept his expression calm.
Inside his mind, the grimoire whispered.
"Do not react."
I wasn't planning to, Lucien replied mentally.
Elena watched the investigation with interest.
"What happened?" she asked Roland.
"A magical disturbance," Roland answered.
"Something inside the tower released a large burst of ancient mana."
His gaze shifted briefly to Lucien.
"Did either of you see anything unusual?"
Lucien shrugged.
"Just old books."
Elena added,
"We felt the tremor a moment ago, but nothing else."
Roland studied them both carefully.
But neither of them showed signs of panic.
Finally, he turned away.
"Continue scanning the room."
The instructors resumed their work.
Golden detection arrays spread across the floor like glowing spider webs.
Lucien felt the grimoire tense inside his mind.
"Their detection spells cannot find me," the book said calmly.
Good.
"However… one individual outside this room may become a problem."
Lucien frowned slightly.
Who?
But before the grimoire could answer—
A new voice echoed from the hallway.
"Professor Roland."
Lucien immediately recognized it.
Arthur Valerian.
The top-ranked freshman stepped into the room.
His sharp blue eyes swept across the chamber.
Then they landed on Lucien.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Arthur finally turned to Roland.
"I heard there was an incident in the tower."
Roland nodded.
"There was a surge of ancient mana."
Arthur looked thoughtful.
"Ancient?"
"Yes."
Arthur glanced around the room.
His gaze lingered briefly on the pedestal.
Then he looked back at Lucien.
"You were here when it happened?"
Lucien nodded.
"Bad timing, I guess."
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucien could practically hear the gears turning in his mind.
The grimoire whispered again.
"This one is intelligent."
I noticed.
Arthur stepped closer to the pedestal.
He examined the stone surface carefully.
Then he looked back at Lucien.
"Interesting coincidence."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"You think I caused it?"
Arthur shrugged.
"I think you're unusual."
Elena suddenly spoke.
"That's not a crime."
Arthur smiled slightly.
"No, it isn't."
Then he looked back at Lucien.
"But unusual things tend to attract trouble."
Lucien smiled in return.
"Or opportunity."
For a moment, tension filled the room.
Even the instructors noticed the atmosphere changing.
Roland cleared his throat.
"That's enough speculation."
He turned to the other teachers.
"Report?"
One instructor shook his head.
"No active artifact detected."
Another added,
"The mana signature has already dissipated."
Roland frowned.
"That shouldn't be possible."
Ancient magical disturbances normally left traces for hours.
But here—
There was nothing.
Arthur's gaze shifted back to Lucien again.
He didn't say anything this time.
But the suspicion in his eyes had grown stronger.
Inside Lucien's mind, the grimoire spoke again.
"He will continue watching you."
Let him.
Lucien wasn't worried.
If anything, Arthur's attention might make things more interesting.
Roland finally sighed.
"It seems the disturbance has ended."
He turned to the students.
"You are both dismissed."
Elena nodded.
Lucien followed her toward the exit.
As they stepped into the hallway, Elena suddenly spoke quietly.
"That Arthur guy doesn't trust you."
Lucien laughed.
"I don't trust him either."
They walked down the spiral staircase together.
The tower gradually returned to its usual calm atmosphere.
After a moment, Elena asked,
"So what actually happened in that room?"
Lucien glanced at her.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
Lucien thought for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Maybe someday."
Elena sighed.
"You're impossible."
But she didn't look angry.
If anything, she looked more curious than ever.
They exited the tower together.
Outside, the academy courtyard was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
Students were already gossiping about the mysterious tower incident.
Rumors were spreading quickly.
Lucien stretched slightly.
"Looks like the academy will be busy tonight."
Elena glanced back at the tower.
Her eyes were thoughtful.
"You know…"
"What?"
"That artifact reacted to you."
Lucien didn't answer.
Elena smiled faintly.
"I'll prove it eventually."
Lucien chuckled.
"I look forward to the investigation."
They parted ways at the courtyard.
But as Lucien walked back toward the dormitory—
The grimoire spoke again.
Its voice was quieter now.
More serious.
"Your time at the academy will not remain peaceful for long."
Lucien smirked.
"I figured."
"Because something else has awakened."
Lucien stopped walking.
What do you mean?
The grimoire paused before answering.
"The magic that sensed me earlier…"
"…does not belong to the academy."
Lucien's smile slowly faded.
Then who does it belong to?
The grimoire's answer was simple.
And unsettling.
"An enemy."
High above the academy—
Far beyond the tower—
Something in the distant mountains was beginning to stir.
And it had just discovered
Lucien Blackwood.