The attack on Solareth Academy did not remain a secret.
By nightfall, news had reached the Mage Council—and by dawn, it had reached the King himself. An assault by Demon Nobles within the capital's academy was no minor incident.
The King's command was absolute.
Investigate.
Arrival of the Council
The Mage Council arrived the following day.
Their presence alone silenced the academy. Archmages, knights, and royal scholars moved through the damaged grounds, inspecting scorched stone, warped barriers, and lingering traces of abyssal mana.
Their conclusion was swift.
"The demons did not come to attack the academy," one councilor said."They came for someone inside it."
Their attention turned to one student.
Liliya.
Liliya sat quietly in a sealed chamber, hands folded in her lap.
Across from her sat several council members.
One of them stepped forward.
He had silver-green eyes and long pale hair—an elf.
"My name is Yuto," he said gently. "I am like you."
Liliya looked up, surprised.
Yuto's voice softened. "Do not be afraid. We only seek the truth."
They asked her everything.
About the Demon Nobles.About the attack.About the masked man who saved the academy.
Liliya shook her head, tears forming.
"I don't know who he was," she said honestly. "He appeared… and then he was gone."
"And why were the demons targeting you?" Yuto asked.
Liliya clenched her fists.
"I don't know that either."
The room fell silent.
Yuto studied her carefully—then nodded.
"She is telling the truth."
The Unconscious One
When the questioning ended, Liliya and Rin left immediately.
They went to the infirmary.
Akira lay still on the bed, his breathing steady but shallow. Days had passed, yet he hadn't woken once.
Rin stood beside him, fists clenched.
"Idiot…" she whispered. "Always carrying everything alone."
Her mana had fully recovered by now—but the fear hadn't faded.
Liliya clasped her hands together. "Please… wake up…"
Then—
Akira stirred.
His fingers twitched.
Rin froze.
"Akira?"
His eyes slowly opened.
For a heartbeat, the world returned.
Rin let out a sharp breath—and without thinking, threw herself forward.
She hugged him tightly.
"You—!" her voice cracked. "You scared me!"
Akira blinked in surprise. "Rin…?"
Suddenly, she realized what she was doing.
She pulled back instantly, her face burning red.
"I—! I mean—!"She turned away. "Don't misunderstand!"
Liliya laughed softly, tears in her eyes. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Akira smiled faintly.
But inside—
Something felt wrong.
This feeling…
A strange sensation coursed through his body—like an echo where something had been taken… and something else had been left behind.
Akira closed his eyes briefly.
Whatever the masked man had unleashed—
It had not come without a price.
And the world had begun to notice.