After the attack on the training grounds, Alex, who had carried the injured student, was waiting in front of the infirmary door. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he stared at the ceiling with apparent weariness. Ella came running, her face pale with fear.
"Alex! You're here! Tell me he's fine, please!"
Alex glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his expression filled with cold indifference.
"He's fine. His life was never in danger. He was just unlucky."
"What? What do you mean, unlucky?"
"Hm… You'll understand later."
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Davina approached them, her expression grave.
"Miss Ella, Alex… I believe the target of that attack was me."
Alex didn't flinch.
(Obviously. The first arrow narrowly missed its target, which is why the shooter immediately tried to correct his mistake with a second one. No one saw it coming because of the panic, and the guards were too far away. What a waste…)
He pushed himself off the wall and started walking away.
"This doesn't interest me. I'm leaving. I have to wait until the end of the day to escort Melty. Settle your own problems."
Ella watched him leave, his hands in his pockets, a heavy feeling tightening her chest.
(What's gotten into him? This doesn't feel right… I've got a bad feeling about him.)
She let out a deep, exhausted sigh.
"Why does all of this have to happen during my first year? I'm going to snap!"
"Miss Ella?" Davina interrupted. "Hello? Are you listening?"
Meanwhile, Alex was walking through the gardens, a predatory smile on his lips.
(Let things run their course. This is about to get very interesting.)
In an abandoned room at the top of one of the academy's buildings, a wounded man was kneeling before a figure hidden in the shadows.
"I'm sorry, sir… I failed. I was surprised by a magical attack. But please, don't kill me! Give me one more chance, I beg you! I'll do it!"
In the darkness, two azure pupils—identical to Alex's—lit up with an icy glow.
"You failed to kill a little girl and came back injured. What use are you now? You even managed to hurt an innocent. I should kill you right here."
The man slammed his forehead against the floor.
"I beg for mercy! I'll kill that girl! And the guard who blocked me will die too!"
The unknown man with the azure eyes twitched.
"A guard?"
"Yes! A kid, actually. Pretty handsome, with the same eyes as you… His reflexes are unbelievable."
A heavy silence followed. (Interesting…) thought the figure.
"But sir…" the kneeling man asked hesitantly. "Why do you want that girl dead? Isn't that a bit extreme?"
The man with the azure eyes turned away.
"She saw something she never should have seen. Just obey. I have no desire to dirty my own hands."
"Your orders will be carried out!"
A few days later, Alex was sitting alone in the guards' cafeteria. He was wearing simple clothes: a polo shirt, loose black pants tightened at the waist and ankles with violet bandages. A maid approached to clean his table.
"You look relaxed. Aren't you working today?"
Alex looked her over.
(Brown hair, delicate features, a graceful figure… she must turn plenty of heads.)
"Apparently not. It's my colleague's turn."
"I suppose you're going to train, then?"
"Exactly. I've got something to take care of today."
The maid was about to reply, but her leg hit the edge of the table and she suddenly lost her balance. Alex caught her reflexively before she hit the ground.
"Are you okay? Be careful."
"Thank you…" she murmured, slightly dizzy. "Just a small faint spell."
"Be cautious. You never know."
She walked away with her tray, while Alex watched her thoughtfully.
(Well, my turn. I've never understood the mindset of the powerful. They think everything can be bought with money and influence… I'll show them what happens when brute force is no longer enough.)
At the same time, in Navy's office, the teachers were holding an emergency meeting.
"With the recent attack, the students are nervous," the headmistress said. "But the first-years' survival exam must go on. I want you to infiltrate among them to ensure their safety. Especially you, Ella! Your class was targeted. Keep a close eye on Davina Lorens. Do not let her out of your sight."
"Understood!" Ella replied firmly.
On the parade ground, the magical portal was opened by Liam Yonass.
"Eliminate as many monsters as possible! We will track your progress. Once you cross the portal, you'll be scattered randomly throughout the forest!"
Hidden behind a pillar, Ella watched Davina step toward the portal.
(Here we go… what a pain. I'll have to play the shadow.)
Suddenly, her eyes widened. A familiar silhouette had just discreetly slipped in behind a group of students.
(Wait… was that Alex?! What is he doing here?)
Already far ahead, Alex smiled.
(They use tracking spells on every student. But on me? That'll never work.)
The moment the portal was crossed, the students found themselves in the heart of a dense forest. The first monster roars echoed through the trees. Perched on a branch, Alex observed the chaos with a nostalgic gaze.
(Mages, knights, alchemists… everyone's playing with their lives. This forest almost reminds me of the hell of my childhood. Let's see what you're made of.)
Not far away, Davina walked cautiously, wand in hand. A few classmates joined her.
"Davina! Are you looking for allies?"
"Why not," she replied, before casting a worried glance behind her.
"What is it? A monster?"
"No… just a strange feeling. Like someone's watching me."
Invisible thanks to a camouflage spell, Ella was seething inside.
(Of course you feel watched, I'm literally stalking you!)
But they weren't the only ones. Lurking in the bushes, the wounded assassin smiled, dagger in hand.
(Finally… I can let loose.)
And a few meters behind him, a black-clad figure with deep azure eyes watched the scene unfold.
(That idiot is going to mess up again. I have to personally make sure that girl doesn't leave this forest alive.)
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Academy, Act 1: Survival Test (1)