The academy grounds smelled of smoke and scorched stone. Lanterns lay shattered, trees splintered, and chunks of rubble littered the courtyard. Students moved quietly, exhausted but alive. Whispers ran through the crowd: the monster had been real, terrifying, and defeated—but no one knew how it had arrived.
The Student Council gathered above in the Council Chamber. Aeron and Eryx paced, lances gleaming even in the dim light. Lyra leaned against the railing, arms crossed, while Mira hovered near the center, staff glowing softly. Selene sat in her usual place, calm as ever, golden eyes calculating.
"Not a trace of summoning circles," Aeron said, voice tight. "No residual wards. Nothing. It's as if it appeared out of thin air."
Eryx scowled. "Impossible. Even low-level demons need preparation. Some ritual. Some mark. And yet…" His gaze flicked toward the balcony window, thoughtful.
Lyra's sharp tone broke the silence. "You mean to tell me that a monster capable of threatening the academy could be summoned by… nothing? That doesn't make sense."
"It makes sense if someone lower in the hierarchy is covering their tracks," Selene said, voice low. "A subordinate. A minor demon general operating on orders—or perhaps independently testing the waters."
Mira's soft voice added, "But the wards should have detected it. Something—someone—suppressed them."
Selene's gaze drifted past the room's edge, settling somewhere distant, beyond the floating towers. "We may never know the full extent until they strike again. And when they do… the question is whether we will be prepared."
Aeron's eyes narrowed. "And the grey-eyed transfer? Haru. He was there, and… he contributed. Small, but precise. He has control beyond what a first-year should manage."
Selene leaned forward slightly, threads of golden light weaving faintly around her fingers. "I've considered it. If he continues to demonstrate restraint, judgment, and potential…" Her eyes met the twins'. "I recommend we invite him to the Council. Not fully, not yet—but as an observer. He is… unusual. Necessary."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Invite a first-year to the Council? That's unprecedented."
"Exactly," Selene said. "And precisely why it may be required. The boy's nature is… exceptional."
Mira's soft eyes glanced toward the empty courtyard below. "Exceptional, yes. But we must ensure he doesn't become a target. The last thing we need is to draw attention to him prematurely."
Eryx's smirk was faint, calculating. "Council observer, then. Interesting. He's grey-eyed, half-angel, half… demon, right? Could be a tool—or a threat."
Selene's golden eyes did not waver. "I will decide when the time comes. For now, keep him under quiet watch. And find what you can about the summoning. Even a lower demon general leaves traces."
Aeron and Eryx exchanged a glance, understanding the unspoken: this would not be easy.
The Council sat in silence a moment longer, threads of magic faintly shimmering around Selene, marking the weight of decisions and the unseen dangers lingering over the academy.
Below, the students continued clearing rubble, unaware that the threads of fate were already beginning to weave around one grey-eyed transfer—one whose place among the Chosen Five might soon be considered.