Zane's POV
Zane tightened the blindfold around his head, suppressing a grin.
Most people prepared for missions by sharpening weapons or whispering prayers. He, however, was hyping himself up with the idea of being the ringleader of a school escape squad.
"Remember," he said, pacing in front of the others, "we're not doing this because it's fun or exciting. No. We're doing this because I am bored out of my skull, and boredom kills faster than swords."
Mira muttered under her breath. "I still don't know why I agreed to this…"
"Because you love me," Zane replied instantly. Then, without missing a beat, "Or maybe because you want to see me humiliate myself. Either way, win-win."
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Luna's POV
Her heart thudded like a drum as she crouched near the wall. Zane's words still rang in her head: do it like a ninja.
What did that even mean? Was she supposed to pose dramatically? Make "whoosh" sounds?
She sighed. Fine.
Taking a deep breath, she slipped into invisibility. The world shimmered, and she padded silently across the hall. Teachers strolled nearby, distracted by their own conversations. Perfect.
Luna scrawled the note on a scrap of paper—"Hole in the eastern wall. Students sneaking out."—and placed it where it was sure to be found.
She whispered under her breath, "Ninja enough for you, Zane?"
Then, she vanished into the shadows again, darting toward the rendezvous point.
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Teachers' POV
Two instructors paused mid-discussion when a folded note suddenly appeared on the floor.
One picked it up, frowning. "Hole in the wall? Again?"
"Which wall this time?"
"East. Let's move."
And just like that, whistles blew, alarms rang, and every nearby teacher bolted toward the eastern courtyard.
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Asher's POV
Asher grinned, tugging at his collar as Luna appeared beside him—still a little breathless from the sneak. "Well, well. Our resident shadow-girl pulled it off."
Luna flushed, looking anywhere but at him. "It… wasn't that hard."
"Oh, don't be modest," he teased, leaning closer. "You practically glided in there. Graceful, silent… honestly? You could teach me a thing or two."
"I doubt it," she said quickly, but her lips twitched, almost smiling.
He chuckled and lifted a hand, swirling mana into the air. A portal shimmered open in front of them. "Ladies first."
She hesitated, glancing at him. "You're not going to… say something ridiculous, are you?"
He smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it. Unless you want me to."
Her cheeks burned red as she darted into the portal, and Asher followed, laughing under his breath.
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Mira & Celeste's POV
Both girls stood on a rooftop, watching the chaos unfold below as teachers scrambled toward the east wall.
Celeste crossed her arms. "I'll admit, your friend Zane wasn't bluffing. This is… surprisingly well-orchestrated."
Mira sighed, twirling a dagger between her fingers. "Don't encourage him. He'll get worse."
Celeste smirked. "You don't dislike it, though."
Mira stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Celeste chuckled, eyes glinting. "Nothing at all."
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Zane's POV
Finally, it was his turn. He leaned against the wall, arms folded, watching the chaos erupt with the calm of a chess master.
Students ran one way, teachers sprinted the other, and no one noticed him stroll casually toward Asher's portal.
He tugged down his blindfold just enough to glance at the shadows around the courtyard. Every teacher's silhouette was running east. Perfect.
"Operation: Boredom Break… successful," he whispered, throwing up a peace sign before stepping into the portal.
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Final Scene (Group POV)
The five of them emerged from the other side, stumbling onto cobblestone streets bathed in lanternlight. The town outside the academy buzzed with life—taverns, market stalls, laughter, and music spilling into the night air.
They had made it.
Zane stretched his arms like a king surveying his kingdom. "Welcome, my dear companions… to freedom."