Inside Silver Heaven Academy, the air was still — save for the faint rustle of parchment and the hum of mana crystals illuminating the Grandmaster's chamber.
Lady Maya Flamefox, the Grandmaster herself, sat on her chair before the tall window, her black hanfu faintly shimmering under the glow. Across from her stood Taka Izunova, one of the senior academy officials, holding several papers respectfully.
"Lady Maya," she began, her tone formal yet concerned. "About the incident reported yesterday — the altercation between a disciple of Apprentice Batch Two, Shaun Thunderhawk, and a disciple of Scholar Batch One, Vince Dragonblade — President Akshay Himaira has submitted his written statement. He believes it was provoked unintentionally, though the outcome was rather… violent."
She hesitated before adding, "He mentioned that Vince Dragonblade had a misunderstanding regarding his fiancée, Lady Nina Heavenstar, and without any further confirmation, he and four other disciples from his batch publicly humiliated that poor boy, Shaun, in front of the entire academy."
"Thankfully, the intervention of the Disciplinary Knights and Prince Aiden Flamesaber prevented the situation from escalating further."
Lady Maya's black eyes narrowed slightly as she turned toward her.
"Vince Dragonblade, that arrogant brat again… Like aunt, like nephew. I thought dealing with Katherine was troublesome enough, but it seems her nephew is following her footsteps. I had hoped the Dragonblade heir would have learned restraint from his father — the Emperor himself — but I suppose I was wrong."
Taka nodded carefully. "President Akshay suggested issuing strict action against him. This isn't the first time he's humiliated someone weaker than himself."
"What's worse, many disciples from noble and aristocrat families are starting to follow his example, bullying their classmates. If this continues, the academy's atmosphere will be compromised. And if the son of an Emperor behaves this way, it's deeply concerning."
Lady Maya exhaled softly — half in thought, half in fatigue.
"Very well. I understand Akshay's concern, but we cannot take direct action until we have sufficient evidence to prove their motives. Even if we summon Vince for questioning, many eyewitnesses would likely turn from their words. And Katherine… she would seize the chance to retaliate against us. It would all be for nothing."
"Then what should we do, Lady Maya?" Taka asked, worry clear in her tone. "We can't let Vince walk away unpunished after what he's done. That would only encourage him further."
"I know, Taka. Don't worry — I won't let him walk away unpunished. For now, a warning will suffice. But if Vince crosses the line again, inform Akshay that the Disciplinary Knights are permitted to act without hesitation — no matter whose bloodline he bears." Her tone hardened slightly.
"I'll handle whatever comes after that. But tell him to gather solid evidence before making a move." Her words carried quiet authority; her aura flared faintly before fading into calm once more.
Taka bowed again. "Understood, Lady Maya. I'll pass down your orders to President Himaira."
She hesitated as she flipped through her papers. "There is… one more matter, Lady Grandmaster. A rather peculiar one."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"It's about a disciple named Neil Winsome, from Apprentice Batch Two. He was accepted into the academy few months ago — but according to the attendance records, he hasn't attended a single class since admission."
For the first time, Maya's composed expression faltered slightly.
"Few months… and no appearance? Have you sent a letter to his home?"
"Yes, my Lady. But no response has arrived — not even once. Instructor Lily Frost confirmed he's never shown up, nor has he officially withdrawn from the academy. I'm concerned, especially since he's a commoner, and you're already aware of the mysterious disappearances happening among them lately."
Lady Maya rose from her chair, turning toward the window. Her reflection shimmered faintly in the glass as her tone deepened.
"Even if no one tells me, my ears are sharp enough to hear the whispers of what happens in the shadows. The situation is indeed concerning — and strange, just like this one. A disciple who passes the entrance trials cannot simply vanish. There must be something suspicious behind this."
Her gaze hardened. "I'll personally look into it. But first, I'll speak with Instructor Lily myself."
With that, she lifted her cloak gracefully and began walking toward the corridor. The faint click of her heels echoed through the silent wooden halls — sharp, rhythmic, and purposeful.
Outside, the morning light bathed Silver Heaven Academy in a soft golden glow. The Grandmaster's gaze was firm.
"Neil Winsome… I hope that child isn't in any trouble."
**********
The morning light filtered softly through the tall crystal windows of Apprentice Batch Two's classroom. The faint hum of mana-infused quills and the rhythmic scratch of chalk filled the air as Instructor Lily Frost explained a complex theorem of Mathamancy.
Just as she was illustrating a formula on the mana board, the great oak doors creaked open. Every head turned instantly as Lady Maya Flamefox, the Grandmaster of Silver Heaven Academy, stepped into the room.
Her presence alone silenced the class. Even the air seemed to still. Lily immediately turned, eyes widening in surprise before she bowed deeply.
"L–Lady Maya! I wasn't expecting your visit. Please forgive me — I didn't realize—"
Maya raised a gentle hand, her expression calm but commanding.
"There's no need to apologize, Instructor Lily. I only need a few minutes of your time."
"O–Of course, my Lady." Lily stepped aside respectfully.
Maya's black hanfu rippled slightly as she walked to the front of the classroom, her gaze sweeping across the rows of curious young faces. Then she turned back to Lily.
"I wanted to ask you about one of your registered disciples," Maya began, her voice even but faintly sharp. "A boy named Neil Winsome. According to the academy records, he was admitted few months ago but hasn't attended a single class since. What can you tell me about him?"
Lily's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Neil… Winsome?" she repeated softly, thinking hard. "I'm afraid I don't know who that is, Lady Maya. Lady Taka asked me about him a few days ago, but like I told her, I've never met any disciple by that name. Not even once."
A flicker of concern crossed Maya's eyes. "You're certain?"
Lily nodded quickly. "Yes, my Lady. I've checked every roster and seating list, but there's no trace of him in the classroom. I assumed he might have withdrawn before the term began."
"He hasn't withdrawn. The records confirm his acceptance after the entrance trials. Yet, his attendance — and now his presence — remain non-existent," Maya's tone turned slightly firmer.
The room grew quieter. Even the disciples began glancing at each other, sensing the unease in the Grandmaster's words. Maya turned to face the class, her gaze sweeping over them like a calm storm.
"Disciples," she said, her tone composed yet carrying authority, "is there anyone here who knows of this disciple — Neil Winsome? If any of you have seen or spoken to him, inform him that the Grandmaster summons him to her office by tomorrow morning. He has already missed many important lessons."
The room fell into silence for a long moment — then a soft wave of murmurs rippled through the seats.
"Neil Winsome? Who's that?"
"I've never heard of him."
"Wait, is he from our batch?"
"No idea… maybe he dropped out?"
The disciples whispered among themselves, confused and curious. But as Maya watched their expressions, she realized something chilling — not a single one of them showed even the faintest sign of recognition. Finally, she spoke again, her tone low and thoughtful.
"Not one of you knows him…? I see," Her black eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of suspicion flickering within them.
"Interesting."
The class fell into complete silence once more. The uneasy murmurs faded into the still air, leaving behind only tension and confusion — like a shadow had passed through the room.
**********
The chatter in the classroom grew louder with every passing second. Whisper after whisper bounced off the walls, filling the once-silent space with confusion and curiosity.
Lady Maya's patience began to thin. Her sharp eyes swept over the restless disciples, and her tone turned firm, cutting through the noise like a blade.
"I asked," she said, her voice echoing across the room, "who is this Neil Wins—"
Before she could finish, the heavy oak door burst open with a loud BANG! Every disciple froze.
A blur of motion stumbled through the doorway — a boy in the light green full sleeve vest over a gray full sleeve gii. He tripped over his own foot, lost balance, and slid face-first across the polished floor — stopping right at Lady Maya's feet with a muffled thud.
The entire class gasped. For a moment, there was complete silence — only the faint squeak of a rolling ink bottle breaking it. Then, with his forehead still pressed against the floor, the boy slowly raised one shaky hand and groaned, voice muffled but earnest,
"Y-Yes, Teacher… Neil Winsome is here!"
**********