*Chapter 42: Shadows and Sparks*
- The academy buzzed again as a letter—sealed with black wax—appeared on the Nightwatch common room door: *Join the Midnight Gauntlet, if you dare. Prove who the true heroes are.*
- Their rivals from the elite Silver Serpent Society strutted into the main hall, led by the cunning and dangerously charming Lin Yu. He smirked, "Looks like Nightwatch's luck is about to run out."
- After classes, the headmistress announced: "This year's Gauntlet is open. Team trials, hidden traps—and glory…or humiliation."
- Lin Yu and his squad taunted Nightwatch in training, competing in duels and sabotaging practice drills. Tension flared—old wounds and new sparks.
- Mei Fen and Yan suggested Nightwatch team up and outsmart their rivals with teamwork, not just brute force.
- Late that night, Li Wei and Xiulan snuck out to scout the Gauntlet maze. Hands clasped, hearts pounding, they overheard a shady plan between Lin Yu's friends—something about "an unfair advantage the headmistress mustn't see."
Nightwatch must now balance preparing for the dangerous Gauntlet AND exposing their rivals' plot—all while staying one step ahead and trusting each other.