The sun was already dipping behind the academy's massive spires when Yujin, Kain, Mira, Sylvia, and Taro stepped off the teleport platform. The scent of saltwater still clung to their clothes, and their hair was damp from a day of laughter, waves, and disaster at the beach.
Mira stretched her arms overhead, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhh… best mission ever. Can we file a report that says 'mission success: fun had'?"
Kain, his shirt half unbuttoned and hair sticking up from Mira's earlier sand attack, chuckled.
"Yeah, until you nearly drowned me trying to ride that inflatable shark."
Mira stuck her tongue out at him. "It was your fault for challenging me to a race!"
Sylvia, walking beside Yujin with a faint smile, glanced over.
"Technically, you both lost to the twelve-year-old cadet surfing nearby."
Yujin gave a soft laugh, wrapping an arm around Sylvia's shoulders.
"Let's just hope the headmaster never hears that part."
They were still laughing as they passed through the academy gates.
But the mood shifted almost instantly.
---
The Change
Gone were the usual sounds of students chatting and sparring in the courtyards. The training grounds were empty, the lights in the dorm wings dimmed. A cold breeze swept through the air, carrying an unnatural chill.
Yujin's smile faded.
"Something's wrong."
Sylvia instinctively tightened her grip on his arm. Taro, usually relaxed, scanned the surroundings with narrowed eyes.
Kain let out a low whistle.
"Well, this isn't ominous at all."
As they reached the central notice board, Mira's face fell.
Taped across it in bold, blood-red letters:
> "EMERGENCY CURFEW: 9 PM. ALL STUDENTS TO REMAIN IN DORMITORIES. MISSING PERSONS ALERT: TWO CADETS UNACCOUNTED FOR."
Mira grabbed Kain's arm.
"Missing cadets?!"
Yujin's jaw tightened.
"Let's go."
---
Briefing in the Headmaster's Office
The headmaster's office smelled faintly of old paper, ink, and ozone.
Headmaster Arcan stood by the window, his white coat swirling faintly in the draft. Professor Rowel Vayne, arms crossed, leaned against the bookshelf. Avelyn Drake hovered near the table, poring over several enchanted maps.
"You're back," Arcan said without turning. "Good."
Yujin stepped forward. "We just returned from the beach mission, sir. What's going on?"
Arcan turned, his face drawn and weary.
"Two cadets missing. No signs of struggle. Mana signatures… warped." He paused. "It's the eastern wing."
The room fell silent.
The eastern wing — the oldest part of the academy, half-abandoned and rumored to be haunted.
Rowel tossed a mana detector onto the table.
"We detected distortion near the old library. No one's been able to enter. We need you five to investigate."
Kain cracked his knuckles, a cocky grin pulling at his lips.
"Sounds fun."
Mira smacked his arm.
"Are you incapable of being serious?!"
Taro rubbed the back of his neck.
"Any backup?"
Avelyn shook her head.
"Just you. The rest of the squads are on lockdown."
Yujin nodded slowly.
"We'll handle it."
---
The Eastern Wing
Night settled over the academy as the team approached the eastern wing.
Vines crept up cracked walls, and shattered windows stared at them like dark, hollow eyes. The air was sharp and cold, biting through their clothes.
"Why is it always cold in haunted places?" Mira shivered, hugging Kain's arm.
"Because," Kain said wisely, "ghosts have bad heating systems."
Mira groaned. "That was awful."
Yujin scanned the hallway, his eye ability flickering faintly as he traced hidden mana currents.
"There's a seal on the library door. I can disrupt it."
Sylvia moved beside him, fingers glowing with mana.
"Let's do it together."
As they worked, Kain pulled Mira close.
"Scared?"
"I'm not scared!" Mira protested—then squeaked when a rat scurried past.
Kain bit back a grin. "Sure."
With a low hum, the seal broke.
The doors creaked open.
---
The Library
Inside, the old library was a maze of broken shelves, scattered scrolls, and floating candles. A faint whispering filled the air, curling around their ears.
Taro frowned.
"Do you hear that?"
Mira clutched Kain's arm tighter.
"Okay, maybe I'm a little scared."
Kain slipped an arm around her waist.
"Don't worry. Worst case, I'll throw you at the ghost and run."
Mira slapped his chest.
"Romantic."
Yujin stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"There's something… no, someone…"
Out of the shadows, a small figure emerged — a cadet, maybe twelve, trembling violently.
"Help… me…" the child whispered.
Without warning, the ground split open. A shadow beast surged upward, massive and pulsing with corrupted mana. Its many eyes locked onto them, and it roared.
---
The Battle
"Go!" Yujin shouted. "Rescue the kid!"
Taro and Mira darted forward, Kain unsheathing his blade to cover them.
"Come on, ugly!" Kain taunted, dodging a swipe of massive claws.
Sylvia unleashed a barrage of freezing shots, slowing the beast's limbs as Yujin darted in.
"Left flank, weak point behind the leg!" Yujin called, his Mistake Solved Eye highlighting a glowing fracture.
Kain leapt, sword gleaming, slamming down onto the exposed core.
The beast shrieked, but instead of falling, its body twisted, splitting into two smaller creatures.
"Ah, come on!" Kain groaned, blocking a strike.
Mira spun, blasting one with a shockwave.
"Watch your back, genius!"
Taro swung his staff, wrapping one in vines.
Sylvia fired at the second core.
"Yujin, finish it!"
With a flash, Yujin appeared above, his blade plunging into the core.
Boom!
Both beasts dissolved into ash, the tremors fading.
---
Aftermath
The cadet was safe, curled up under a blanket in the infirmary. Avelyn gently examined the cursed marks on his arms, muttering under her breath.
Arcan stood beside Yujin, his expression heavy.
"This is just the start, isn't it?" Yujin murmured.
Arcan gave a weary nod.
"We've stirred the hornet's nest."
---
Late Night: Humor and Romance
That night, the team gathered in the common room.
Mira was half-asleep, her head resting on Kain's lap, mumbling about ghosts stealing her snacks.
Kain gently brushed her hair from her face, smiling softly.
"Terrifying warrior by day, sleepy kitten by night."
Sylvia curled up beside Yujin, tracing lazy circles on his chest as they lay on the couch.
"You were amazing tonight," she murmured.
Yujin kissed the top of her head.
"Couldn't have done it without you."
Suddenly—POOF!—Taro emerged from the kitchen, arms piled with snacks.
"Victory feast!"
Mira shot up. "Dibs on the donuts!"
Kain blinked.
"You were faking being asleep, weren't you?!"
Mira grinned wickedly.
"Obviously."
Laughter filled the room, echoing into the night.
For now, they had peace.
For now.