"Jake would have died in that fire, but thanks to you, he survived. We just couldn't save his leg."
Mister Nocty felt his world spinning. He stared at the Headmaster and Butler Basil, his mind buzzing with this new information.
This wasn't what he knew; it wasn't what had happened.
Years ago, Everest had unleashed a curse within the school, hurting Nocty's friends who were the closest to him and had trusted him. Everyone else had died. That was what happened.
The pain and grief he had carried all those years couldn't have been an illusion, no matter what anyone told him.
"Master," Butler Basil called quietly, catching the Headmaster's nod while keeping his attention on Mister Nocty. "I'll come back."
Having said that, Butler Basil gave a slight bow to Mister Nocty and left without another word. Once he was out of sight, the Headmaster let out a shallow breath.
"Nocty," he called, his youthful voice carrying solemnness. "What's wrong? What did you see in the Labyrinth?"
