Fluff bolted through the air like a startled rabbit, vanishing into thin air before Zara's eyes.
Zara blinked. What the…? Why is Fluff running away? Isn't he supposed to be invisible? Or… is he afraid of something else?
The tiny creature didn't stop until he slipped into the system space like smoke through a crack.
"Fluff, what happened? Why are you scared?" Zara asked, her tone low but urgent.
[Host, I just analyzed her power. She can sense my aura and trace my movements,] Fluff said, his usually cheeky voice tinged with tension.
Zara's expression hardened. "Wait… does that mean she can see the system inside me?"
[No, not the system. Only me—if I'm outside the system space,] Fluff replied more confidently.
Zara exhaled slowly, reassured, but kept her gaze fixed on the girl across the training hall—Ishara.
Ishara, her eyes still hidden behind a white cloth, tilted her head as she studied Zara with amusement. Is that some kind of contracted beast that can turn invisible? Interesting…
Just as Ishara's hand reached for the cloth around her eyes, a sword whistle broke the silence.
Selena had stopped mid-swing.
Her icy gaze softened for a split second as she caught sight of Ishara—but the frost quickly returned. She started to lower her blade.
In the next moment, Ishara's entire face lit up like a child seeing candy.
"Ahhh! My dear Selena! Where have you been all day?" she squealed, arms outstretched.
Before anyone could react, she launched herself at Selena, hugging her tightly and shamelessly rubbing her cheek against Selena's like a purring cat.
"I missed you sooo much!" she cooed dramatically.
Selena's expression twitched. Her left eye twitched. Her entire soul twitched.
From the side, Zara burst into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over, clutching her stomach as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
Selena slowly turned her head, her cold glare locking onto Zara like an icy arrow.
Zara froze mid-laugh and wiped a tear from her eye. "Ehehe… my bad," she mumbled, then whispered to Fluff, "Still, why are you so afraid of Ishara? She seems like a chill person to me."
Inside system space, Fluff's face twitched.
[Chill? Host, that's a walking nuke in a priestess dress.]
Meanwhile, Selena began walking toward the exit, her face as unreadable as stone. Ishara clung to her back like a koala, still humming affectionately.
Time passed quickly.
Zara's days were filled with grueling training sessions in the hall after classes. Her bond with Selena had deepened, often exchanging blows that left bruises and earned mutual respect.
But peace never lasts.
Far away, on the Demon Continent, hidden within a shadow-choked valley beyond the borders of the Demon Empire, a forgotten castle stood.
Inside its blackened stone walls, five figures sat cloaked in darkness.
Only one face was visible.
Drakan.
His blood-red eyes burned under torchlight as he rose from his seat.
"I'm heading into the Human Kingdom," he declared. "Krazun won't suspect a thing now. Our plan will unfold in silence... just as we intended. Hahaha!"
The others said nothing.
Outside, a murder of crows erupted into the sky, their sharp caws echoing through the valley like a warning from the abyss.
Back at the academy...
"Now, you input mana into this circuit—like so," explained Professor Natalia, forming glowing red runes in the air.
Zara stared at the rune, eyes narrowed in determination. She extended her hand, tried to replicate the movement, and pushed her mana through the shape.
A puff of smoke.
She coughed, blinking as the magic fizzled.
Across the room, Mia snorted.
"Pfft! Just smoke? Really? That's adorable," she teased.
Zara pouted but didn't give up.
Natalia turned to face the class with a final announcement.
"Starting tomorrow, practical lessons will begin. I expect every one of you to have mastered what I taught. No excuses."
With that, she left the classroom, her heels echoing down the hall.
Zara's eyes widened. She leapt up with energy, fists in the air.
"Finally! I can test my magic for real!"
But then...
"Hmph. Test what? With your mid-class talent, you'll be target practice at best."
The voice dripped with arrogance.
Zara and Mia turned in sync.
A boy stood near the back of the room, arms crossed, wearing the academy uniform like it was beneath him. Zara didn't recognize him.
But Mia did.
Her face darkened instantly.
Her cheer vanished like a flame under water.
The boy has sneer on his face,