Like I was saying — I swear there's something going on between my brother and that beautiful girl.
Maya kept insisting, her voice desperate as if the whole world depended on us believing her.
"I don't think you're right, Maya. Isaac seemed annoyed… well, more than usual," Liam said, shrugging.
"Yeah, that's true," Leo added, nodding in perfect sync with his twin.
"But… she even asked him to meet her in the cafeteria for a second date," Maya said, head lowered, looking like an abandoned puppy.
I walked over and patted her head.
"I believe you," I told her. Normally, I wouldn't care, but this girl had grown on me.
"Big sister Claire, you're the best!" she beamed, throwing her arms around me.
"Unlike Liam and Leo, who refuse to believe me." She shot a glare at the twins, sticking her tongue out at them.
Then—
BOOM!
The floor shook as an explosion ripped through the academy, followed by a distorted, chilling voice over the loudspeakers.
Maya and the twins froze, fear flashing in their eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you. I'm the best, right?" I tried to keep my voice cool, so they wouldn't panic. "Let's find a teacher first."
Their shoulders eased a little, which made me feel relief. Thankfully, we were close to the academy's training grounds. I moved in front of them — just in case an intruder was waiting in one of the halls.
"Big sister Claire… do you think Isaac is okay?" Maya asked softly.
I forced a smile. "Of course. He'll be fine. We all will. The instructors here are strong, remember?"
It was a lie. I didn't know Isaac well, but every time we locked eyes… I felt a cold shiver down my spine. Still, I couldn't believe he was Maya's brother. What a waste of only she was my sister
A gentle tug on my uniform pulled me out of my thoughts. It was Leo. That innocent, sweet face of his always made me want to protect him.
"What is it?" I whispered so Maya and Liam wouldn't worry.
He pointed toward a hallway. "That place… smells like iron."
It took a second for me to understand — iron meant blood.
"Wait here," I told them, moving ahead to check.
One peek was enough to twist my stomach — the hallway was littered with bodies, blood pooling around them. Some faces… I recognized.
I stepped back slowly, but Maya and the twins had already seen my reaction.
Before I could say anything, a voice came from behind me.
"Well, look who we have here."
A masked man was standing in the hall's shadow.
"Hey, are these guys on the list?" he called out.
Another man emerged from the bloody hallway. He was bulky, broad-shouldered, and… strangely familiar, even behind a mask.
"The red-haired one's useful. The rest? Not needed," the bulky one said coldly.
I backed away and summoned my familiar. In a flash, a lion made of living flames appeared in front of me, growling at the intruders.
The bulky man barely reacted, but the skinny one raised his hands.
"Slow down, little miss. We just want to talk. No need to get all worked up."
His smile made my skin crawl, but I had to keep my cool — if I wanted to protect the people behind me, I had to play along. For now.
"What do you want?" I demanded.
"Like I said — to talk. We're here to recruit you, not fight you."
"…Recruit?" I asked.
"Yes. Only the awakened are chosen by our god. It's our duty to rule this world. What do you say? Wanna join us, little miss?"
I stared at him, disbelief bubbling in my chest. God? Chosen? Rule the world? Was this guy insane?
"Hmph. And what do I get if I follow you?" I asked, testing him.
His expression twitched. He lowered his head, muttering.
"If… if…? What do you mean if? Our god gave you the gift of awakening, and you dare refuse him?"
His voice rose into a scream as he clawed at his own face, shaking violently.
"How dare you… HOW DARE YOU!?"
He turned his eyes toward the children behind me.
"Ah, I see… It's because of them."
He glanced at his partner.
"You said the rest aren't needed, right?"
The bulky man nodded.
The skinny man grinned, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.
"Hehehe… worry not, miss. I'll save you."
Every instinct screamed danger. A sudden gust of wind rushed past me — if not for my lion stepping in the way, Leo would have been hit.
"How dare you!" I roared, ordering my familiar to attack. The flame-lion grew larger, leaping at the skinny intruder.
I turned to the others. "Run! Find a teacher! I'll hold them off!"
"But we can't leave you—" Maya cried, but Liam grabbed her hand and ran, dragging her and Leo away.
"Did you forget about me?" a deep voice rumbled beside me.
I looked just in time to catch a punch to the stomach. The bulky man smirked.
"This is why magicians are no good — all mana, no muscle."
He started going after the kids, but I hurled a fireball at the ceiling. It collapsed, blocking the hallway.
"I won't let you touch them," I said, forcing myself to stand.
Then—
CRASH!
Glass shattered behind me.
I knew it was dangerous to look away, but I couldn't help it.
There he was — Isaac — jumping out of a window like a madman.
One thought crossed my mind.
That fucker is crazy.