Sergei sat in his quarters, a thick report spread out before him. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk as he scanned the final page. A sigh escaped his lips.
"What a headache…" he muttered, leaning back in his chair.
Just days ago, he had been lecturing in the academy, living a relatively quiet life. Then, out of nowhere, the Council's orders had pulled him here—temporarily in charge. Temporarily or not, the responsibility weighed heavily.
His eyes lingered on one particular line in the report.
"Li Yang injured during breakthrough attempt," the official documents said. But his father's private report contradicted it.
"Attacked. Targeted. Someone wanted him out of the way. And Bloodfort's name keeps surfacing in whispers… Conspiracy. Always conspiracy. Tch, what a headache…"
He exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples.
"No matter. By tonight, I'll know who's moving behind the curtains."
Suddenly, the sharp rap of knuckles on his door echoed.
"Enter," Sergei commanded.
