OUTSIDE THE DORM
The dorm was shrouded in silence, except for the distant clatter of armored footsteps echoing faintly on cold stone. Flickering torchlight cast wavering shadows, making every corner seem darker, every step heavier. Keal's eyes locked onto the iron door, his white hair mussed from the earlier scuffle. He shifted his weight, muscles coiled tight.
Unconscious June stood nearby, hands bound with enchanted ropes that glimmered faintly. The air reeked of dust and faint incense, but beneath that was the metallic tang of old blood – a silent reminder of the danger lurking nearby.
"We can't enter with a prince tied up," Keal said, his voice low. "Lira, you should go seduce the guards outside. They're all general rank."
A soft giggle came from behind them. Lira appeared, her bright eyes sparkling mischievously as she fluttered her lashes. Her light red dress swayed with each step, and her voice was like a breeze on a spring day – light and teasing.
"So… you want me to charm the guards, huh?" she said with a playful grin, twirling a strand of her green hair around her finger. "Leave it to me! Boys love a pretty face with a smile."
Keal rolled his eyes but nodded. "Just get them to unlock the door. Quietly."
With a flirty giggle, Lira stepped toward the guards posted nearby. Her laugh tinkled as she leaned in close, batting her eyelashes. "Hey there, handsome," she cooed softly, brushing her hand lightly against a guard's armored arm.
The guard blinked, visibly flustered. "Uh… m-miss Lira? What are you—?"
She interrupted him with a soft finger on his lips and a wink. "Shhh, just enjoy the moment."
Within minutes, the guards' stern faces softened, their grip on the keys loosened. A faint click echoed as the heavy door unlocked.
INSIDE THE DORM
Back inside the room, Keal heard the door creak open and Lira's cheerful voice teasingly call, "Door's open, boys! Let's not keep the fun waiting!"
The group hurried inside, the oppressive tension lightened a bit by Lira's infectious laughter.
June, still groggy, suddenly woke up. He was tied from head to toe, and his mouth was finally free. "If none of you killed July," he said, his voice laced with anger, "then Instructor Lira should bring out a Contract of Truth."
Lira pulled out an ancient scroll sealed with crimson wax from her subspace pouch. "This is a Contract of Truth," she said, her voice low but serious. "Although they're expensive, I'll give you all one. Signing it means you swear to tell only the truth, or face dire consequences."
June narrowed his eyes but nodded, sensing the gravity. One by one, Lira, June, Zack, and Keal signed the glowing parchment, each adding their own weight to the oath.
As they finished signing, Ron burst through the door, his fiery red hair a wild contrast to the dusty, dim room. His adventurer's cloak was stained with grime and dried blood.
"The woman who was with June is dead," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Killed in the next room."
Keal's voice rose as Ron signed the contract. "This is obviously a setup. But who will target me? The Koral clan's reach can't be in the academy."
"There are only four people with that type of power that I know of," Lira said, her voice steady. "The recent noble murderer, the academy authority, the imperial nobles, and the Black Cult."
Ron spoke quickly, his words tumbling out. "It can't be the Black Cult. It's not their style."
Zack said, "Calm down, dude."
June's voice cracked with emotion. "It can't be the imperial family or the school authority. They don't have any reason to."
Lira suggested, "Why don't we look into the noble murderer?"
Ron's gaze darkened. "Four nobles have been killed in the past three months. Men and women. But this one wasn't on the usual list."
Lira's eyes sparkled with intensity. "Looks like the killer's mixing up the game. Doesn't care who gets caught."
June's voice shook. "Then who's next? Me?"
Keal's expression turned ruthless. "Now you know we didn't kill your sister, and you have a lead. You can go and chase it. It's not our problem anymore."
Ron replied, "Let's help him out."
Zack clenched his fists and bowed his head. "How many like her?"
Keal thought, Even if they refuse, Zack will still help them. He had no choice but to agree. "Fine, we'll find the killer," he said, signing the contract.