The sun had barely risen over Aether High, yet the academy was already swarming with uniformed officers from the National Police Department. Yellow police tape cordoned off the main office, the stench of blood lingering faintly even outdoors. Students whispered in clusters, their faces pale and frightened.
Amanda Marquez stepped onto the scene, her hands in her coat pockets, her eyes scanning every detail. Unlike the uniformed officers moving methodically, she was not officially a detective, but her sharp gaze and meticulous movements made it seem like she belonged. She crouched by a bloodstain, fingertips hovering inches above the floor without touching it.
"Looks like she was stabbed from behind, knowing Madame there's no way someone could kill her from front without causing and havok." Amanda muttered to herself, her voice low but firm. She traced an invisible line in the air, almost as if connecting dots that no one else could see. "Straight into the neck… no chance to react. Efficient. Precise. Must be someone she knows."
One of the officers frowned. "Ma'am, can we…?"
Amanda waved them off. "Not yet. Let me think. I'm just observing. I have permission."
Nearby, Misa stood handcuffed, escorted by two officers. Her face was pale but calm, though her eyes burned with quiet fury. Amanda walked over, ignoring the murmurs around her.
"Tachibana Misa," Amanda said, leaning down slightly to meet her eyes. "I'm Officer Marquez, from NDA. Don't worry—I know you didn't do this."
Misa blinked, suspicion mixed with relief. "You… know that?"
"I know," Amanda replied firmly. "I've been watching all the clues and none of them tell you did this. This is bigger than it seems. Whoever did this… they're organized, careful, and dangerous. But you? You didn't even touch them."
"I… I just wanted to protect Ren," Misa said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "He doesn't deserve any of this."
Amanda nodded. "I know. That's why you're not the target. But you are a person of interest until we can sort things out. That means staying here under observation. That's all."
Misa's shoulders slumped, but she managed a small nod. "I understand."
Amanda turned her attention back toward the office. The scene inside was worse than anyone had imagined. Madame Gonzalous upper body without any organs lay slumped against a beam, her back pierced cleanly, her bones still protruding. Around her, the suspended girls were spread across the floor and ceiling, their faces pale and decapiticated, eyes open but lifeless. Blood had pooled beneath them, some dripping from the ceiling, painting grotesque patterns.
Amanda crouched beside one of the bodies. "Same pattern as the others… clean strikes, no struggle. The wounds are all from behind. This person is skilled. Fast. And calm under pressure."
An officer whispered, "Ma'am… it's all those girls who… who attacked that student before."
Amanda's lips twitched slightly. "Yes. I see the connection. Previous victims… previous attempts… now, the target is bigger. But Why Madame Gonzaleous if this had been done with the intent of getting revenge. And the others—they were expendable."
Amanda wasn't blind, as the only person who even bothered to make the connection of this tradgey to Mila's death, she knew all of this were tied and they were ahppening because of this young man Ren, whom she met few days ago.
She paused, eyes narrowing. "And it's not just the academy. Someone who can do this, who can sneak past police security… they're audacious. Dangerous. They might be after something else, something bigger. I've got a few ideas, but it's too broad to call just yet."
Later that day, Amanda walked into a small, sterile room. Misa sat alone, still her both hands cuffed together, her hands resting on her lap.
"You're being watched, but that doesn't mean you're guilty," Amanda said, sliding into the chair opposite her. She studied Misa carefully. "I know your mother instincts are strong. I know why you were at the scene. I'm not here to interrogate you. I'm here to make sure you understand what's going on."
Misa's eyes were wary. "You really think I didn't—?"
Amanda shook her head. "I know. You're a mother, not a killer. You're angry, yes, but this… this is beyond you, I read your record and watched the CCTV footage. Whoever did this isn't thinking like a mother—they're thinking like a predator."
Misa exhaled slowly, a flicker of relief on her face. "Thank you… for saying that."
Amanda stood, glancing at the camera monitoring her. "I'll keep an eye on you. Don't worry. I won't let anyone pin this on you. But stay calm. Don't do anything rash. But what I want to warn you is...there's something paranomal happening around your son's life. You should keep and eye on what he is doing and who he is meeting."
Meanwhile, in a quiet dorm room, Ren sat on his bed, the bandages over his head still fresh. His hands clenched into fists as he replayed the news in his mind.
"Someone… someone killed her?" Ren muttered, voice trembling. "Madame Gonzalous… and… the girls?"
Luxy hovered beside him, wings shimmering faintly, her expression serious. "Yes… and worse. Whoever did this isn't ordinary. This is someone who can kill under any circumstance, sneak into anywhere, and leave without a trace."
Ren's stomach churned. "This doesn't make sense… First Mila… the one who supposedly died from suicide… after trying to attack me and now this. Are these events connected? Why Madame Gonazalous if it's just people who attacked me? Who is responsible for this?"
Luxy's eyes narrowed. "It is connected. And I intend to find out who is responsible. But it's not going to be easy."
Ren leaned forward, voice low. "What do we do? Can we… survive this?"
Luxy's wings flickered, a faint glow pulsing. "I'll sacrifice a wing for you. You need that… without it, you won't survive for long. But you… you'll make it. You must be ready. If I guess correct with this sacrifice you will gain the ability to see women that have fallen for you. I feel like there's someone around you that even we don't know."
Ren's gaze fell. "What about you? Won't you… become half mortal?"
Luxy smiled faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Half mortal, yes. But still stronger than any mortal you know. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. You… get ready."
Ren's chest tightened. "Ready for what?"
Luxy's eyes glimmered with determination. "Everything that's coming. This is bigger than the academy. Bigger than any one person. And you… you are the key to surviving it. You are the key for my survival so I will do whatever it takes."
Ren swallowed, his mind racing. "I… I can't express how grateful I am for your sacrifice."
"I am doing this for myself.," Luxy said firmly, her wings stretching slightly. "without my help, you'll die trying to do everything alone. And that's not an option. Not for me. Not for you."
The two of them sat in silence, the weight of the Tragedy of Aether High pressing on the room like a storm cloud.