Vila jumped through branches as some students caught her in the corner of their eyes. Whispers and rumors came across people's mouths in the academy, unsure of the elf with her intentions.
While everyone behaved normally, talking with steady and calm mannerism, arranging tea parties and small banquets of their families, Vila never found herself belonging between them. She always travels in silence, her quiet steps always being polished to her needs.
"With this, I would be unbothered."
Or so the elf thought. Even the crickets notice that the elf's presence already had been such a bustling topic around the academy. Among the students, some began to approach the members from the group of four.
Ruka who couldn't be easily found, someone with a lack of presence.
Blanche who is busy and politely gives students' invitations for many different kinds of matters with refusal.
Yuxin who is playing hard to get, yet her actions seem to have ended up the other way around.
And Vila, the elf, her uncanny takes and the humor of a sturdy stone rock. Students always wondered where she had gone, questions and curiosity crept between the class folks, spreading slowly but sure of such rumors that mingle with pure and healthy assumptions.
"Vilaphine? You haven't heard of her?! She's a Goddess!"
"You might find her weird at some point, but she is always kind to people!"
With that, her name rises gradually and eventually brings a thing to people's ears. Some admitted how bold she is, some perceive her blunt kindness as natural, and more.
The elf was simply spending her time messing around, and no one actually knows why she built up strange habits throughout the day.
By the time she climbed a stone ledge, through the academy's walls, without everyone's eyes catching her, she spotted someone.
"Classy noble.", Vila said with a slight smirk.
Leaping through branches, she continuously followed those who she found with great interest. Not like exposing herself to them, she stayed in the shadows as long as she could before eventually finding her way back to her room.
Sometimes, she skipped break times, even classes just to check into Myrdvawein.
Taking care of her plants and houses, even watering flowers and picking fruits.
Up until now, no one has noticed her disappearance, only the other three.
The rest of the group could only sigh in disbelief, finding Vila's actions could be incredibly daring. And right now, without raising any attention, she tailed Blanche to see what she's up to.
As always.
The corridor leading to the Council Chamber shimmered with morning light, filtered through the tall panes of enchanted glass. The floor beneath Blanche's steps was silent—polished marble, carved with the sigils of each founding house.
She walked alone.
Her posture, as always, was perfect.
straight back. Composed gaze. Poised hands resting just below her waist.
But behind her clam exterior, thoughts stirred like silent tides.
outside the glass students laughed, ran, and called out to each other.
they had no idea.
No idea that something had begun to shift beneath the calm.
A tension Blanche Could feel—too quiet to be seen, but too real to ignore.
She reached the double doors of the Council Chamber.
the crest of House Caelumortis gleamed faintly on the bronze handles.
They opened without a knock.
Silas was already inside.
Sitting at the head of the crescent table, his fingers interlocked, a stack of reports hovering in front of him via floating runes.
He looked up as she entered, his sharp silver eyes focusing immediately.
"Lady Equinox," he greeted simply. "Thank you for coming."
Blanche gave a light nod and took the seat beside him—one reserved for Council aides, but unused by anyone else but her.
"You summoned me."
"Yes," Silas said, voice low. "Something's changed."
He waved his hand, and one of the papers floated toward her—etched with the seal of the Western Quarter.
"Kael Dymont," he began, "leader of the West Faction. Loud, unpredictable, dangerous when cornered—but until now, never truly crossed the line."
"Until now?" Blanche asked.
"A student," Silas replied. "Missing for nearly five days. No trace. No message. No Pacta flares. Nothing."
Blanche skimmed the document.
Name: Erin Vos, Division 2, Pacta Type: Enhancement.
"I've heard whispers," she murmured. "Some say she was last seen entering the West wing."
Silas nodded slowly.
"Some of Kael's recruits were seen with her. The trail ends there."
He leaned forward, the shadows from the stained-glass ceiling cutting sharp angles across his face.
"You know why we haven't shut them down, Blanche. The factions aren't technically illegal. They operate in the gray—the space our own Code doesn't fully cover."
"But this," he tapped the paper, "if this connects to them... it becomes criminal."
Blanche's fingers tapped softly against the wooden table.
"Do you want me to investigate again?"
Silas met her gaze.
"Not yet. This time, we're watching first. I need to be sure."
A beat of silence passed.
Then he added, more quietly—
"But if Kael's group is involved… this won't be like the East."
"He doesn't play games."
Blanche's eyes narrowed slightly as she set the report down.
"With everything I've heard… shouldn't it already be enough?"
She turned toward Silas, tone still polite, but sharper now.
"Forced recruitment. Control over supply routes. Alleged dueling rings. And now a missing student is possibly tied to them."
"Does the academy truly have no authority to act?"
Silas didn't flinch. His fingers tapped once on the armrest.
"We do."
He leaned back in his seat, gaze steady.
"But they've been careful. Kael's crew knows the lines—and more importantly, how to dance right along the edge."
He gestured toward the other floating documents. Several snapped open in response—each one stamped with administrative seals and reports.
"Disruptive behavior? Yes.
Verbal threats? Multiple.
Underground gatherings? Rumored.
Illegal experiments? Nothing confirmed.
Now... a disappearance."
His eyes sharpened.
"Each offense, standing alone, is just below the threshold. Barely insufficient for direct expulsion or criminal pursuit."
Blanche's brow furrowed.
"So we wait for someone to die before acting?"
Silas didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"We wait until the academy itself cannot deny it."
His voice was low, almost grim.
"You think I enjoy this? Watching them grow bolder while the staff play blind? No. But the Council acts on precedent and proof."
"Rumors won't hold in a tribunal. And Kael knows it."
He paused, then met her gaze again.
"But if Erin Vos truly vanished under their watch... the threshold may have just cracked."
The council chamber doors clicked shut behind her, sealing in the tension and weight of unanswered questions.
Blanche exhaled slowly as she walked down the long, vaulted corridor—sunlight bleeding through the stained glass onto the polished floor. Her heels echoed with each step, but her mind was miles ahead.
The encounter with Silas still lingered.
Kael Dymont. The West Faction.
Rumors that brushed the edge of proof.
And yet… no action. Not yet.
She clenched her fingers lightly at her side. "Not for long," she muttered to herself.
By the time she arrived back at her dormitory, the quiet comfort of the Equinox residence wing offered little solace. She removed her coat with a composed breath, then moved toward the writing desk by the window.
One by one, she sent out brief written notes—discreet, efficient, marked with a golden sigil pressed in wax:
To Yuxin: "Meet in my room. There's something we must discuss."
To Ruka: "Please come. It's important. - B"
To Vila: (This one, she hesitated for a heartbeat longer before writing)
"Your insight may be useful. We need to talk."
She sealed each note and dispatched them with the help of the academy's enchanted courier system—small mechanical birds that flew from door to door, vanishing in streaks of light.
As she set the final note aside, Blanche turned toward the window.
Outside, Asterblume shimmered with its usual peace—students strolling, distant laughter echoing, the hum of magic in the air.
But beneath it all, the roots of something darker had already taken hold.
And tonight, they would begin to trace those roots to their source.
Blanche's room was dimly lit, the glow from a single crystal lamp reflecting off the dark wood and gold trim of the Equinox furniture. The curtains were drawn, and the air inside was still, save for the soft clink of porcelain as Blanche poured tea for the three girls seated across from her.
Vila stood near the window, arms folded.
Ruka sat politely on the couch, hugging her knees.
Yuxin sprawled half-sideways in a chair like she owned the place.
"Silas called me today," Blanche began, her voice calm. "The Council has started to take interest in the West Quarter. Specifically, Kael Dymont."
Yuxin raised an eyebrow.
"The street brawler guy with a god complex?"
"The same," Blanche replied. "There's a student missing. Possibly last seen with his faction."
"So we're jumping into another faction mess already?" Yuxin muttered. "Didn't we just finish with Seryn?"
"This isn't official," Blanche clarified. "But I'm going to look into it. And I need someone with me."
She paused, letting the silence settle.
"This time, it could escalate."
Yuxin sighed and stood up.
"Not me."
Blanche blinked.
"May I ask why?"
Yuxin looked at her, calm but guarded.
"No. You may not."
It wasn't hostile—but it was final.
She grabbed her coat from the chair.
"Good luck. Tell me if you need backup—later."
She left without another word.
Blanche didn't stop her.
She simply turned to Ruka.
The girl flinched slightly under the sudden focus.
"I want to go," Ruka said quickly. "I do, but…"
She glanced down at her notes peeking out from her bag.
"I have remedial classes all week. I'm barely keeping up."
Blanche's expression softened.
"Then focus on that. It's alright."
Then, her gaze shifted—slowly—to the elf standing by the window.
Vila met her eyes without blinking.
"I have time."
Just that. No drama. No questions.
Blanche gave a small nod.
"Then it's decided. Vila and I will go."
A faint flicker of something—respect, maybe—passed between them.
Ruka looked between the two, biting her lip.
"Be careful. The west side…"
"It is," Vila said simply. "Louder."