One week later.
The academy was still trembling beneath its shiny surface. Though Ezra's system had been wiped and his twisted AI legacy locked in corrupted code, it didn't mean we were safe.
In fact, this was just the calm before a nastier, bloodier storm.
Lucian had taken temporary control over the council seat. Ryker was appointed interim head of security—chaos magnet he might be, but the guy knew traps like he was born in one.
As for me? I tried going back to class like nothing happened.
I wore my uniform. Smiled at people in the hallway. Ate spicy noodles in the cafeteria with Pix and Vale.
But I knew something was coming.
Something worse.
And I felt it again the moment he returned.
---
It started with the faculty meeting.
An emergency gathering in the dark auditorium.
Everyone was talking—until a single cane tapped the marble floor.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Then silence.
And he entered.
Professor Kael.
Silver hair slicked back. Long coat that swayed like shadows behind him. A face too calm to be sane. His presence silenced even the rowdiest mafia brats in the room.
I blinked twice.
No. It wasn't a hallucination.
That was my former handler. The man who trained me when I was twelve. The one who turned me from scared little girl into a ghost agent.
And now… he was here, standing on the academy stage.
Kael: "Students. Staff. Survivors. I offer my congratulations."
A smirk ghosted across his lips.
Kael: "Ezra was a mistake. One I predicted. One I waited for. But you've cleaned it well. Bravo."
Murmurs broke out.
Ryker leaned toward me. "Who is this Bond villain-looking dude?"
I whispered, "Shut up."
Kael's silver gaze scanned the hall—and stopped right on me.
Kael: "And you, little ghost, have grown."
My breath caught.
Lucian turned sharply. "You know him?"
I didn't answer.
Kael: "I am Kael. Founder of this institution. The original architect of its blueprint."
Gasps.
Kael: "Ezra was my first student. And my first disappointment."
Someone muttered, "Then why are you back now?"
Kael: "Because now, it's time the academy fulfills its real purpose."
He smiled.
Kael: "War."
---
Later that night, I paced the training hall.
Sweat trickled down my spine.
Kael didn't lie. He never needed to. He was too powerful for deception.
He wanted war—and if history had taught me anything, it meant blood on every wall and betrayal in every kiss.
Vale entered quietly.
Vale: "He's your old teacher, isn't he?"
I nodded slowly.
I: "He trained me when I was a child spy."
Vale: "What does he want?"
I: "He doesn't want anything."
Vale frowned. "That's worse."
I: "He just acts. And the world shifts."
---
Elsewhere, Ryker, Lucian, and Pix were watching the new security feeds.
Pix: "He's moving fast. Installed his own faculty. Started elite training drills for upper rank students. Reinstated duel codes."
Ryker: "Duel codes? That's basically legal assassination!"
Lucian: "He's establishing control through chaos."
Ryker: "We're screwed."
Pix: "No. She's screwed. He came here for her."
Lucian's jaw tightened.
Lucian: "Then we make sure she doesn't face him alone."
---
Meanwhile, Kael stood in his new office—Ezra's old throne.
A raven perched by the window.
A file in Kael's hand.
Her file.
Kael: "You're blooming, my little nightmare."
He traced her picture with gloved fingers.
Kael: "But I wonder… will you kill me when the time comes?"
He turned to the raven.
Kael: "Or will you return home?"
The raven croaked.
Kael: "Good answer."
---
Back in the dorms, I sat in my bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
I wasn't scared.
Just… calculating.
The man who raised me was now my enemy.
But also—my maker.
And I knew one thing for sure.
If Kael had truly come back…
Then my real test had just begun.
---
End of Chapter 28