The sun had set on the Crowns Academy by the time Selene finally excused herself. Her visits were rare, and they never came without a purpose —
Too polite. Too careful.
Even as Edran watched her retreating figure of his Sister.....surprised still etched on his face seeing that she came to warn him which was quite... unexpected.
And that was that.
He turned from the Hall and made his way toward the residential wing. The corridors of the Academy were quiet now, most students still out in the training fields or bustling about the market district outside the gates.
By the time he reached his quarters, night had settled fully over the Academy. The dorm room was modest by imperial standards — a narrow bed, a not so big desk, a meditation mat — but it was quiet. Private. And right now, he needed the stillness.
Sliding the door shut behind him, Edran settled cross-legged on the mat. His body still ached faintly from the fight with the wraith, and his mind hadn't yet recovered from the moment he'd been forced to call upon the Dragon Vein.
Just as he began to slow his breathing and sink into cultivation, a faint shimmer rippled in the air above his desk. His eyes snapped open.
A pale green jade slip materialized in midair before dropping soundlessly onto the polished wood. The crest engraved into it — a silver falcon clutching a spear — made his pulse quicken instantly.
"Varik Lorne.
The Captain of the Second Imperial Guard Division. The Queens trusted slave. And a man Edran trusted far more than most within the palace walls.
He reached over and pressed two fingers to the jade's surface. The slip pulsed faintly, then Varik's voice — low, urgent — filled the air.
---
"Prince Edran....Listen carefully, and don't respond through the slip — I can't risk this being traced back to me."
A faint scrape of boots on marble came through before the voice continued.
"Earlier today, in the north wing of the palace, I happened upon a meeting between Prince Darius and a man I didn't recognize — tall, robed entirely in black, face concealed. The two spoke quietly, but I heard enough to know this wasn't a harmless visit. The man spoke of you. Specifically you."
Edran straightened unconsciously, his knuckles tightening against his knee.
"He told Prince Darius that your sudden fame from the tournament win has upset certain… balances. That you are becoming a threat to both of your brothers' positions. And then he promised Prince Darius a solution."
There was a pause, and the faint edge of distaste bled into Varik's voice.
"He said a spy has already been planted inside Crowns Academy. A woman. Daughter of a high noble, cultivation in the late Core Formation stage. Her orders are to get close to you — learn your weaknesses, isolate you, and when the moment is right… remove you entirely. Prince Darius didn't object. In fact, he seemed almost relieved."
Edran's jaw clenched.
"The man left before I could follow, but from the way Prince Darius spoke, this wasn't their first meeting. Your highness Prince Edran, this is not a threat you can confront openly — at least, not yet. The Academy walls will not protect you from someone sent with imperial approval. Act normal. Watch for her. I'll try to find out her name and send it to you."
The message clicked off with a faint pop of spiritual energy, and the jade slip dimmed in his hand.
---
For a long moment, Edran sat motionless. The low hum of the spirit lamp was the only sound in the room.
A spy in the Academy. Someone strong enough to overwhelm him if he wasn't careful. Someone with noble status — meaning she could move freely without drawing suspicion.
Part of him wanted to curse aloud. The other part… was coldly calm. He had suspected Darius would move sooner or later. Alaric's rise was the obvious, visible threat; Darius was the quieter serpent in the grass.
And now, the serpent had sent someone into his garden.
He set the jade slip down and leaned back slightly, letting the reality settle in. He couldn't afford to confront Freya or ask for help from his sister Selene despite having been told that he could so her for help....he know he couldn't fully trust her— not yet. If Varik was right, the spy's orders were to get close. Which meant she would come to him on her own.
All he had to do was wait. And watch.
---
The next morning, the Academy's main courtyard was buzzing with activity. Students streamed in and out of the quest hall, instructors called out assignments, and the clatter of weapons from the training fields echoed faintly through the air.
Edran walked with measured steps toward the alchemy hall for his morning lecture, his eyes casually scanning the flow of people. He wasn't looking for anyone in particular — just letting instinct guide him.
It didn't take long.
She stood near the quest board, the sunlight catching the faint violet thread woven into her dark hair. Tall, poised, dressed in the Academy's deep blue uniform trimmed with silver. Her expression was pleasant, even warm, as she accepted a parchment from the quest attendant.
But the moment her gaze met with his, he felt it — a flicker of killing intent so faint it might have been his imagination. Except it wasn't.
And then she smiled.
Not the polite, distant smile of most noble daughters. This one was slow. Measured. Like a hunter acknowledging prey.
Edran returned the faintest nod of recognition and walked past her without slowing.
The game had begun.
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TO BE CONTINUED....