Thunder rolled across the dark sky, though no storm was forecast.
The boys' dorm was unusually quiet—except for Shane's hurried footsteps echoing down the hall.
She'd come to speak with Rio.
But his door was open, and he was nowhere in sight.
"Rio?" she called.
No answer.
Curious, she stepped in—his room surprisingly neat, with swords on display and ancient books stacked beside a half-burnt candle.
Something shimmered behind his desk.
She approached it slowly—then saw it:
A scroll wrapped in crimson silk, tucked carefully under a carved fox statue.
Her fingers hesitated.
Then she touched it.
The moment her skin met the scroll, a seal glowed gold—and broke.
The scroll unrolled by itself. Ancient symbols swirled into legible script:
> "To the one reborn under moonlight… the enemy still breathes beneath your feet."
"Beware the Mirror Saint—the one who bends loyalty with love, and brings ruin in your own reflection."
"They walk among you."
Shane stepped back, breath shallow.
The Mirror Saint… someone inside the school?
Just then—Rio appeared behind her. His voice low. "You weren't supposed to find that."
She turned, eyes wide. "Why didn't you tell us?"
Rio's expression hardened. "Because the Mirror Saint can manipulate hearts… twist memories… make us doubt each other."
He stepped closer. "And the worst part is—we don't know who they are yet."
Outside, wind howled.
Somewhere in the shadows…
a figure smiled, their reflection flickering unnaturally in the dorm window.
To be continued…