Hiyakura felt an intense wave of anger sweep through her body when she heard Shiro's words.
Her hands instinctively clenched tight, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she was oblivious to the pain.
Her eyes became sharp as knives, as if she wanted to cut the maid in front of her into a thousand pieces.
"You lied to me!"
Hiyakura gritted her teeth, her voice filled with suppressed rage.
Her chest heaved violently, her breathing quickened and became heavy.
Facing Hiyakura's fury, Shiro still maintained her elegant and composed demeanor.
She lightly adjusted the hem of her dress.
Then she slowly began to speak, her tone as calm as if discussing today's weather:
"Miss Hiyakura, please understand your current situation."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority:
"You three are bound by me now, so you have no right to negotiate with me.
"And I only agreed that during this time you help me, I won't harm them."
"From the outcome, I have indeed fulfilled my promise."
A cryptic smile curved on Shiro's lips.
Her words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Hiyakura's head.
Yet they didn't extinguish the fire in her heart; instead, it sparked an even greater flame.
Suddenly, two blazing flames erupted in her eyes, as if wanting to ignite the entire secret room.
The temperature around them shot up suddenly.
A scorching air began to permeate the atmosphere.
The metallic instruments on the wall began to emit faint creaking noises, as if enduring tremendous heat pressure.
Tiny cracks appeared on the floor, like a parched land cracking under the searing sun.
Shiro's eyes flickered with surprise and shock at the scene before her.
She had originally thought she had completely suppressed Hiyakura's abilities with her special methods, even binding her.
But the sight before her indicated that this seemingly fragile girl contained unimaginable power, hinting at a potential to break free from her restraints.
Faint sparks began to appear in the air, dancing around Hiyakura like fireflies.
Her hair floated without wind, as if surrounded by an invisible source of energy.
The temperature in the entire secret room continued to rise.
Even in the distance, Violet and Jasmine could feel the abnormal heat wave.
Seeing this, Shiro quickly spoke up:
"Miss Hiyakura, it's best if you calm down a bit; don't struggle or act impulsively."
Her voice remained calm, but her gaze carried a hint of vigilance, "After all, they are still in my hands. If you continue to act recklessly…"
Her words were left unfinished, but the threat was evident.
Shiro slowly walked toward the bound Violet.
She extended her hand, gently tapping Violet's cheek with her knife, her eyes flashing with a glimmer of cruelty.
Hiyakura's heart struggled violently at this sight.
She knew her current situation well and understood that Shiro's threats were not empty words.
In the end, reason triumphed over fury.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
The surrounding temperature gradually returned to normal, and the flying sparks began to disappear.
Hiyakura's gaze regained clarity.
Yet within it lingered deep anger and resentment.
"What do you want to do?" Hiyakura asked in a deep voice, her tone trembling slightly, not just from anger but also from concern for her friends' safety.
Upon hearing this question, Shiro's expression suddenly turned feral.
A hint of madness flickered in her eyes, and her smile twisted into something terrifying.
"What do I want?"
Shiro asked coldly, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Hiyakura, don't you understand? I want Tao Yao! I only want Tao Yao!"
Her voice gradually grew louder, imbued with a near-maniacal fervor, "If you feel even a trace of guilt for Miss Tao Yao's plight, then come help me instead of questioning me here!"
Hiyakura was taken aback by Shiro's sudden emotional explosion.
She instinctively took a step back but quickly regained her composure.
She looked at Shiro, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"But this has nothing to do with them…"
Hiyakura said softly, her voice carrying a hint of pleading.
Hearing this, Shiro's lips curled into a cold smile: "Previously, it was inconsequential, but now it's related…"
As she spoke, a spine-chilling smile emerged on her face.
"From the memories you explored about the past, I obtained what I desired."
Shiro said slowly, "However, there are still some matters I need to consider, and your two friends just happen to be useful for that."
"If there are no objections, I would like them to participate in my latest idea, just like you."
Just then, a sharp alarm suddenly blared, interrupting Shiro's words.
The piercing sound echoed throughout the secret room, causing everyone to furrow their brows involuntarily.
Shiro first showed a hint of confusion, then quickly walked to the control console nearby.
She deftly operated the complex instruments and quickly saw something on one of the monitoring screens.
"It seems your academy people are quite fast."
Shiro said with a light laugh, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and contempt, "They've already come, I originally thought I could hide or stall with those mechanisms…"
Hiyakura suddenly felt a glimmer of hope ignite in her heart.
"Is it Little Principal and the seniors?!"
At that moment, a violent crashing sound suddenly echoed from the large door of the secret room.
The metal door was deformed from the impact, emitting a piercing clang.
Hiyakura felt a flicker of hope at the sound outside the door.
She turned to Shiro, her tone urgent and cautioning:
"You can still surrender now! Stop this futile resistance!"
Hearing this, Shiro's face revealed a trace of a helpless smile.
She slowly turned around, looking at Hiyakura with a nearly pitying gaze: "Hiyakura, you don't think I'm afraid, do you? If so, you are too naïve."
Her voice was soft yet filled with confidence, "Do you think a few people from the academy can threaten me?"
Shiro's expression suddenly turned serious, her tone becoming cold:
"But I must admit, now is indeed not the time for a direct confrontation with you, after all, I have more important matters to attend to."
Her eyes flickered, seemingly pondering something.
The secret room fell into an eerie silence.
Only the crashing sounds from outside broke this tranquility.
Shiro frowned, lost in thought.
Her fingers lightly tapped the table, producing a rhythmic sound.
Suddenly, Shiro's eyes lit up, as if she had thought of a brilliant idea.
She looked at Hiyakura again, a meaningful smile forming on her lips: "How about this, Hiyakura? I'll take one of your little companions and have her replace you to assist me with some things. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, a sense of ominous premonition rose in Hiyakura's heart.
Her pupils constricted slightly, and her breathing quickened. "What do you want to do?"
Her voice was filled with wariness and concern.
Her body instinctively leaned forward, as if ready to pounce on Shiro at any moment.
Shiro watched Hiyakura's tense demeanor, her smile widening.
She said slowly, "You are a fairy, and I find it difficult to control you. One wrong move and you could break free from my control, so in my plans, there are some things that may not be suitable for you to do…"
As she spoke, Shiro slowly approached Violet.
The sound of her footsteps was particularly clear in the silent secret room, each step seeming to tread on Hiyakura's heart.
Seeing Shiro approach, Violet's eyes were filled with fear, her body trembling as she shook her head frantically, making whimpering sounds, clearly resisting desperately.
Hiyakura felt her fury reignite at the sight.
She shouted fiercely, "Come at me instead! Don't hurt them!"
Her voice was filled with anger and helplessness, tears glimmering in her eyes, a mix of fury and worry for her friends.
Shiro ignored her, having somehow acquired a sharp dagger.
In one fluid motion, she cut the rope binding Violet in midair.
Violet suddenly lost her support, her body plummeting down.
Having been suspended for so long, Violet's legs were already numb.
She fell softly, but Shiro caught her in one swift motion.
Shiro's actions seemed gentle, yet they contained an irresistible strength.
"Stop!"
Hiyakura realized something was amiss.
She strained to struggle, trying to rush forward.
But she was bound too tightly, left helplessly watching as Shiro carried Violet toward one side of the secret room.
Shiro reached the wall and gently pressed a concealed button.
The wall silently slid open, revealing a deep, dark passage.
In the dim light, the passage looked eerie and dreadful, as if leading to an unknown abyss.
"Goodbye, Hiyakura." Shiro turned back, revealing a meaningful smile, "Don't worry, I will take good care of your friend."
With that, she stepped into the dark passage, holding Violet.
Violet struggled desperately, making whimpering sounds.
But under Shiro's grip, it was all in vain.
Her desperate gaze fixed on Hiyakura until the dark door slowly closed, entirely cutting off their sight.
Hiyakura screamed hysterically, filled with pain and despair.
She struggled frantically, the ropes digging deep into her skin, leaving streaks of blood, yet she remained oblivious.
In the secret room, only Hiyakura and Jasmine remained.
Jasmine was likewise bound, unable to speak, only able to look at Hiyakura with worried eyes.
Hiyakura felt a wave of intense powerlessness sweep over her.
"I'm sorry…"
She murmured, her voice filled with self-blame and regret.
Just then, the large door of the secret room was finally burst open.
Amidst the rising dust, several figures rushed in quickly.
"Hiyakura!" a familiar voice called out, it was Little White Lotus.
Hiyakura looked up and saw the Little Principal, Laurel, and several formidable teachers from the academy rushing towards her.
A glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes.
But it soon dimmed again.
"Hurry! Shiro took Violet away!"
Hiyakura said urgently, her voice somewhat hoarse.
"They escaped through the dark passage!"
The Little Principal's expression changed upon hearing this. She quickly ordered:
"Immediately search the entire academy, we must find Shiro and Violet!"
Laurel and the other teachers sprang into action upon receiving the order.
They began to meticulously search the secret room, looking for the entrance to the dark passage.
The Little Principal came to Hiyakura's side, gently stroking her hair:
"Don't worry, we will definitely find Violet."