Inside the Royal Palace Treatment Hall, the atmosphere was calm and quiet.
Soft light entered through the large windows as several healers finished their work.
On a bed in the center of the room, Ketlos slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was blurry at first.
But as it cleared, he realized something.
Many people were standing around him.
His mother, his siblings, his grandfather, and even Kairo were there.
Ketlos!
His mother rushed forward immediately, holding his hand tightly.
You're finally awake!
Relief filled her voice.
His siblings also looked extremely worried.
Even the old grandfather stood silently beside the bed, watching him carefully.
But the moment Ketlos' eyes landed on
Kairo…
Something strange happened.
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
For some reason, deep inside his heart, he felt fear.
He didn't understand why.
Kairo was simply standing there quietly with a calm expression.
Yet something about his lips… the faint curve of his smile…
It made Ketlos uneasy.
Almost like a hidden nightmare.
But Ketlos quickly pushed the feeling away.
It must have been his imagination.
After all, Kairo was just his younger brother.
At that moment, the grandfather stepped forward.
His sharp eyes looked directly at Ketlos.
Tell me.
Who did this to you?
The room immediately became silent.
Do you remember his face?
Ketlos frowned slightly as he tried to recall that night.
Then he slowly nodded.
Yes…
He was wearing a black hoodie.
He had a creepy… almost psychopath-like smile.
And his eyes…
Ketlos hesitated for a moment.
…his eyes were red.
Hearing this, everyone in the room exchanged serious looks.
Before the atmosphere could become too heavy, Ketlos' mother gently stroked his hair.
It's alright.
My child is safe now.
She leaned down and softly kissed his forehead.
Don't think about those things anymore.
You need to rest.
Soon, the family slowly left the room to let him recover.
Only silence remained.
Outside the treatment hall…
A royal carriage had just arrived.
The door opened.
Stepping out of the carriage was the Princess.
She had come personally to check on Ketlos.
As she walked through the palace corridor, her eyes suddenly moved to the side.
Someone was standing near the pillar.
Kairo.
He stood there quietly.
His expression was cold and emotionless.
For a brief moment, the princess looked at him.
Their eyes met for just one second.
Something about his presence felt strangely distant… almost chilling.
But she quickly looked away and continued walking toward Ketlos' room.
Meanwhile…
Inside the Academy.
Students were gathered in the large training courtyard.
Rumors had already spread everywhere.
Did you hear?
Ketlos nearly died fighting the Three-Headed Wolf!
I also heard an evil cultivator appeared that night!
Is that even possible?
Excitement, fear, and curiosity filled the academy.
Everyone was talking about the mysterious incident.
But no one knew the truth.
Not yet.
And somewhere in the academy grounds…
The shadow of something far more dangerous was slowly growing.