Morning came slow.
The academy's bells rang once. Deep and low. A signal. Nothing spoken. But every student felt it.
Someone had died last night.
Again.
Azel stepped out of his room like nothing happened.
Blood cleaned. Uniform folded. Movements precise.
He made his way to the Eastern Wing. It was off-limits. Which made it useful.
Statues lined the hallway. Faceless stone monks. Each one held a different weapon.
He paused at the fifth.
> System ping
Hidden chamber detected behind statue
Lock type: Rune trigger
He placed his palm on the base. Nothing.
Then he whispered the number carved into the dagger the assassin used.
"Eighteen"
The statue's hand shifted.
A slit opened behind it. Just wide enough for a body.
He entered.
Dark.
Cold.
Scrolls littered the floor. Maps. Names. Red ink.
He stepped closer.
On the far wall was a list.
Each name was a student.
Some crossed out.
Others marked with a red circle.
Azel's name was circled three times.
He read the other marked names.
Sera Veyr. Rank 3.
Kaito Derm. Rank 5.
Elan Mira. Rank 9.
Top talents.
Targets.
This wasn't a rogue assassination.
This was organized.
Internal.
He heard it then. Breathing.
Soft. Controlled. Hidden.
He didn't turn.
"I know you're watching"
A girl stepped out of the shadows. No fear. Just quiet interest.
Silver eyes. White gloves. Voice like frost.
"Sera Veyr"
"You're not on patrol duty"
"Neither are you"
They stared.
"You knew they were coming last night" Azel said.
"I knew someone would try" she replied. "Didn't think they'd pick you so early"
"They failed"
"I noticed"
She walked closer. Her gaze flicked to the wall.
"They call this room the puppet nest. Someone's pulling strings behind the scenes. Targeting students who don't follow academy rules"
"I don't follow anything"
"That's why they circled you three times"
Azel touched one of the red circles. It burned slightly.
Living ink.
Linked to someone outside the room.
He looked at Sera.
"Want to help me find the puppeteer"
She smiled.
"Only if I get to cut the strings myself"
A pact formed. Quiet. Sharp.
No witnesses. No witnesses needed.
They walked out side by side.
For the first time since arrival, Azel wasn't alone.
Not a friend.
Not an ally.
Just a weapon moving next to another.