CHAPTER 16: THE SHADOW THAT DIVIDES
The courtyard thundered with tension. The gravel beneath their boots crunched like bones, the wind carried with it a sense of impending violence. Class B stood like a wall, united by arrogance, strength, and numbers. Behind them, clusters of students from Class A, C, and D had gathered, smirking, their loyalties suddenly thrown into unity against the outcast—Class E.
Across the dusty field stood Class E: smaller in number, but eyes ablaze with purpose. They didn't flinch at the odds. They didn't care for the betrayal from the other classes. For them, this wasn't just a fight. It was a declaration.
They activated their magic. Searing sigils glowed beneath their feet. A warm breeze turned into lightning-laced wind. The air bent around them, and with one synchronized motion, they charged forward.
But just as the two forces were about to collide, the world froze.
A deep pressure dropped from the sky.
An overwhelming presence sliced through the battlefield like a blade of absolute silence. The air thickened as if time was forced to kneel. Shadows twisted into a singular figure—a black silhouette wrapped in an unseen aura that radiated dominance.
He stood between both factions like a god descending upon ants.
Leon Varcus.
Class A Prefect.
Rank 2.
His mere presence made both sides retreat without a word. The heat of battle turned into cold sweat.
Leon gave both sides a slow, calculating glare.
"...Who the hell started this reckless fight?"
His voice was calm. Too calm.
Nobody answered. Fear gripped their throats.
Then a student from Class A, desperate to point fingers, broke the silence.
"It was Class E! They picked the fight! Said they wanted to prove something! Wanted to know who was stronger!"
Leon tilted his head and smiled.
But his next words were laced with venom.
"I...didn't ask you."
He snapped his fingers.
BOOM!
A blast of pressure exploded outward like a sonic boom of pure will. The Class A student was launched across the field, slamming into a wall with a sickening thud.
The entire field trembled. Nobody breathed.
Leon took a step forward. "I'll ask one last time. Who. Started. This. Commotion?"
Robin clenched his fist. His friends tried to hold him back.
But he stepped forward.
"I did."
He raised his hand, shaking.
"I'm the one who started this."
Leon turned slowly. His eyes scanned Robin like a hawk dissecting prey.
He sighed.
Then walked up to him.
He placed a hand on Robin's head.
"Do you take me for a fool?" he whispered. "I already know who started it. And it wasn't you."
With a light push, Robin stumbled back.
Leon turned toward the class B group, walking slowly like a reaper.
He stopped in front of a trembling boy.
Timothy.
Leon crouched slightly, locking eyes.
"Was it you?"
Timothy nodded, frozen.
Leon raised a fist—
—then faked a punch.
Timothy flinched so hard he fell back and wet himself.
The silence broke into cruel laughter.
Leon grimaced. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you a child?"
He looked at the boy with utter disdain.
"Get a shower. You stink."
Timothy stumbled away, humiliated.
Leon raised his voice. "Everyone else, OUT!"
The crowd dispersed like dust in a storm.
Then, Leon turned to Class E.
He walked toward them, his aura still dominating.
"Why are you here?"
His voice dropped an octave.
"You do know this area is restricted to Class E students?"
Robin stepped forward, bowed.
"I dragged them here. We heard Chef Ghwa had a new recipe... I thought we could sneak in and try it."
Leon glared.
Then smiled.
A terrible, wicked smile.
"This better be the last time I see any of you outside your boundaries."
Class E nodded quickly and left like frightened cats.
A shadow moved.
From behind a pillar, a woman emerged.
Rosa Flameheart. Rank 6 Prefect. Hair like fire. Eyes like knives.
She walked with a dangerous grace.
"Serious this semester, aren't you?" she teased.
Leon turned to her.
"Not serious."
He walked up to her, slowly.
"Just settling myself."
Rosa raised an eyebrow. "Settling? Odd word to use."
Leon cupped her chin.
"Are you spying on me?"
Rosa smirked. "Why the hell would I do that?"
Leon chuckled darkly.
"I don't trust anyone in the council."
She didn't flinch.
"You should."
Leon stepped back.
"I don't need a place in this world."
Then he vanished like smoke.
Rosa stood there.
Smiling.
---
MEETING HALL OF THE TEN HOLY ONES
A circular stone chamber lit by floating orbs of gold. Each throne bore an insignia and magical flame.
The Holy Ones sat, cloaked in might:
1. Dante Liorion – Phoenix Flame 2. Yuno Sylestra – Celestial Wind 3. Selene Noir – Lunar Chain 4. Axel Renstorm – Iron Will 5. Isadora Vellcroft – Mind Reaper 6. Riku Solheim – Thunder's Wrath 7. Mira Cindel – Timewalker 8. Kain Drogas – Demon's Pact 9. Lucia Raventhorn – Mistborn 10. Eren Vael – Blazing Archer
Lucia stood.
"We all heard King Matthew. Argus has escaped."
Gasps. Murmurs.
Lucia continued, "He could strike Lumina Kingdom any day. We must assist the Kingdom's Ten Warriors and reinforce the school."
Eren nodded. "What are you proposing?"
Lucia responded, "Split efforts. Half here. Half in Lumina. Defensive formations."
Kain rose.
Pushed his glasses up.
"Strategically," he began, "the school's protective field must be enhanced. We seal all entry portals except one, protected by three alternating defense layers.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom, we deploy rotating squads of four magic warriors and two prefects on the border and palace gates. Each team will carry an enchanted mirror stone to call for backup instantly."
He paused.
"That way, if Argus moves, we know."
The table nodded.
Except Dante.
Liorion stood, arms folded.
"Your plan—it's...inaccurate."
Confusion spread.
Kain raised an eyebrow. "Would you care to offer a better one?"
Dante stayed silent.
Lucia: "Come on, Liorion, what's your plan?"
Dante rose.
Eyes like fire.
"That's enough for today."
And he left.
A ghost expression carved into the air.
---
After the meeting, Lucia stopped Kain.
"You think you can do whatever you want?"
Kain adjusted his glasses. "I follow my instincts. I'm not here to impress."
Lucia smiled. "Then watch your back. Your enemy may be beside you."
Eren overheard.
---
Kate Patricia, Kain's loyal assistant, entered his office with files.
"Several professors want time off. They want you to manage their courses."
Kain nodded. "We'll handle it together."
Kate smiled.
Kain gently asked, "Your father's still in the hospital, right?"
Kate nodded, downcast.
"You haven't visited?"
She whispered, "We have...history."
Before Kain could reply, Lucia walked in unannounced.
Kain asked Kate to leave. Outside, Eren approached her.
Then Kate bow low to Eren, then Eren walked up to her and hit her head " didn't I told you times without number to stop acting like a slave to me. Being a holy one doesn't makes me a king, am still your friend," when Eren finished speaking, Kate gave him a smile. Eren looked at Kate and he asked " it seems like you are finally getting close to kain right?", Kate stood up and said " yeah, he's the fun person to be with, and he's the best among the holy ones" Eren looked at her and he said " yeah, kain is really the best, I hope he lives long" Kate looked at Eren with a surprised face " what do you mean live long" Eren replied " there is an enemy that's after kain and I hope kain won't lost his life eventually"Kate started looking worried and she grabbed Eren " what are you trying to say! Try and make me understand" she yelled out. Eren looked at her" you are kain assistant right?" Kate nodded slowly Eren continued" now you have to protect your captain, because his life is in danger" kaye was struck by those words and she asked" who is after Mr kain?" Then Eren said" Lucia, he has been targeting kain for a long time, since the day they were appointed as the holy ones ". Kate looks shocked.
Then Eren warned her again : "Lucia may try to kill Kain."
Kate panicked. Ran back to Kain's office.
He was alone. Writing.
She scanned the room.
"Lucia?"
"Gone," Kain said calmly.
Kate was not still satisfied she closed the office door and she looked around for any signs of Lucia approaching.
Next morning: SCHOOL HOSPITAL
Felix awoke.
Drip in hand. Surrounded by Cain, Deborah, Paul, Prisca, Naomi, Joseph.
Naomi gave her report " this school Really sucks, I finally make some friends from A - D class," Deborah replied " wow you did it, you are on fire " Naomi stared at Deborah with a werid face " making friends is my hobby so it's not new to me"
prisca asked" are they any results or clue we can follow " then Naomi responded" most of the classes are not interested in the case, class A mocked me for defending my class, while class D are not interested in supporting class E ".
Paul remained calm and he asked Cain" are you still receiving threats from Joel?"
Cain replied" yeah Alot of threats even from the elite class " Paul replied" hmmm I see." Then Deborah concluded" it's seems like the prefect are cautious, because I was watching at them for the past week and they are not making any move" then prisca replied" maybe they are not interested in the case". Felix responded" you think so? Because the prefect are the ones behind this bullying in the school and they might be up to something".
Prisca: "Have we checked the magic cameras?"
Everyone froze.
"That's our clue."
Knock-knock.
Lola entered shyly.
Paul introduced her as a witness to Cain's attack.
The group looked shocked.
Deborah groaned: "We had a witness and you didn't tell us?"
Paul just nodded.
Meeting resumed.
SECRET RITUAL HALL
A massive dark temple.
Runes glowed. Candles floated.
A strange woman sat on a throne.
Black robes. Pale eyes.
Lady Cerseya.
Followers knelt.
Amaria, Class B2 Prefect Rank 4, entered with two followers dragging a body.
Crysta Yuno.
Dumped like trash.
Lady Cerseya: "Where is her sister? Dante prisca "
Amaria bowed. "Naomi Rivers is already working on it."
The shadows around Cerseya shimmered.
TO BE CONTINUED...