Night swallowed Saint Academy whole.
Moonlight painted the cliffs silver, waves crashing far below like something enormous breathing in the dark. The wind howled relentlessly, tugging at cloaks and carrying salt and danger in equal measure.
Alex stood at the cliff's edge, fingers curled around the Heaven-Grade Evolution Orb.
It pulsed softly in his palm.
Alive.
"Alex."
He turned.
Elara stepped out from the shadows, her expression calm, composed...too composed. Victor followed behind her, hands in his pockets, smile lazy and cruel.
Alex's heart sank.
"You wanted to see me?" Alex asked.
Elara nodded. "You've caused quite a stir today."
Victor snorted. "Understatement of the year."
Alex's grip tightened on the orb. "If this is about the dungeon..."
Elara raised a hand.
"That was impressive," she said. "Truly."
Relief flickered.
Then she smiled
"And unforgivable."
The word landed heavier than a blow.
"You humiliated me," Elara continued. "In front of everyone."
"I didn't mean to..."
"You never mean to," she interrupted coldly. "That's what makes you dangerous."
Victor cracked his knuckles. "Enough talk."
Elara's eyes gleamed faintly as her mana flared. "Give me the orb, Alex."
The wind screamed louder.
"No," Alex said.
The word surprised even him.
Elara blinked.
Then she laughed.
"You forget your place so easily."
She stepped closer.
"Without me, you are nothing."
Alex felt the parasite stir violently.
Hungry.
Defiant.
"I survived despite you," he said quietly.
Victor moved.
Fast.
Pain exploded across Alex's ribs as Victor's fist slammed into him, sending him skidding across the stone. The orb slipped from his grasp, clattering dangerously close to the edge.
Elara didn't even look at Victor.
She looked at Alex.
Disappointed.
"You were meant to be useful," she said. "Not arrogant."
Alex struggled to stand.
Victor grabbed him by the collar and dragged him upright, forcing him toward the cliff's edge.
The sea roared below.
Sophia's face flashed through Alex's mind.
Don't trust them.
Elara stepped forward.
"You drained me," she said softly. "You fed on me."
Alex laughed weakly. "Funny. I was thinking the same."
Her eyes darkened.
Victor shoved him.
Alex stumbled back...foot slipping on loose gravel.
For one terrifying second, he teetered.
Elara met his gaze.
And smiled.
Victor kicked.
The world vanished.
Alex fell.
The wind tore the scream from his lungs as the cliff rushed past him. His body spun violently, stars exploding behind his eyes.
This is it.
The parasite erupted.
Pain.
Heat.
Then...
Stillness.
Time slowed.
Alex felt it then...not luck, not chance.
A rebound.
Energy surged violently outward, slamming him against the cliff face instead of letting him fall free. Bones screamed. Skin tore.
He bounced.
Once.
Twice.
Momentum snapped back toward the cliff.
Alex slammed into rock hard enough to knock the air from his lungs...but his hands caught something.
Roots.
He clung desperately, fingers digging into dirt and stone as his body dangled over the abyss.
He gasped.
Laughed.
Cried.
Alive.
Above him, footsteps crunched.
Elara peered over the edge, eyes wide.
"He survived?" Victor muttered.
Alex looked up.
Their silhouettes framed against the moon.
For the first time, fear flickered across Elara's face.
"Finish it," she hissed.
Victor stepped closer.
Then...
"STOP!"
Sophia burst from the trees, staff glowing.
"Get away from him!"
Elara spun. "You shouldn't be here."
Sophia didn't hesitate.
She ran to the edge, dropping to her knees.
"Alex!" she cried, reaching down.
Alex forced one hand free, grasping hers.
The parasite pulsed wildly.
Energy surged between them.
Sophia pulled...
And Alex was ripped upward, collapsing onto solid ground.
For half a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then Elara moved.
Mana exploded.
Sophia screamed.
Pain tore through Alex's chest.
A sharp, burning pressure...right through his heart.
The world went dark.
The last thing Alex heard was Sophia shouting his name.
And something else.
A voice.
Cold.
Amused.
Death is inefficient.