Veyrath sat in his chair, leaning back with casual ease, eyes closed, perfectly composed.
He waited patiently as everyone arrived — one by one, they entered, greeted him, and took their seats.
Once all seven were present, Veyrath straightened his posture and began the meeting.
They discussed the Academy's geography, key locations, newly discovered areas, and possible sites that could serve as hidden bases.
Luneth requested everyone's latest reports. Each presented theirs, both verbally and in writing.
After reviewing all the data, they began assembling a full operational plan — mapping everything they'd gathered.
They assigned code names to locations to simplify communication and navigation during emergency actions.
The meeting flowed smoothly, more relaxed than the first.
Everyone was getting used to each other.
Silentia occasionally sneaked glances at Veyrath, who watched Luneth drawing on the large map, listening as she read out each report.
He tried his best to stay focused, but it was hard.
His mind still replayed what had happened a week earlier.
– Haaaar... – He rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
– I need to forget that and focus. I'll deal with it later.
He forced himself upright again, fixing his gaze on Luneth.
But then... something twisted inside him.
A heavy dread flooded his chest — cold, suffocating, terrifying.
It was like the world itself whispered a warning that something was about to go horribly wrong.
Sweat ran down his face.
His vision blurred.
His hands gripped the arms of the chair, trying not to collapse forward.
– What... the hell... is this...? – he muttered, dizzy and disoriented.
His heart pounded violently.
He clutched his chest, gasping for air.
The room spun — and before anyone noticed, his consciousness slipped away.
He went completely still, his body unmoving, while the others remained focused on Luneth's voice below.
A dimly lit room.
Curtains drawn shut, save for a sliver of light cutting through.
On the bed lay someone, unmoving.
The faint, warm scent of coffee filled the air.
It stirred something deep inside — until a pair of golden eyes fluttered open, hazy and disoriented.
Evo blinked a few times, the aroma grounding him.
He stretched lazily, as though waking from a deep, pleasant sleep.
The room around him felt oddly familiar... yet unfamiliar.
He didn't know this place — but somehow, it felt comfortable.
He stood, stretched again, and went into the small adjoining bathroom.
Washed his face, freshened up, fixed his clothes, and straightened his hair in front of the mirror.
Then he followed the smell of coffee into another room.
It didn't take long — the kitchen was right next to the bedroom, small but cozy.
The sound of clinking cups and light chatter filled the space.
His heart gave a quick, nervous beat as two familiar voices reached him.
Then it steadied again.
– "Oh, look who finally woke up — our sleeping beauty! I thought you'd stay in bed all day."
The woman with violet hair smiled playfully, wearing a black apron as she washed cups by the sink.
– "I've told him a thousand times to wake up earlier, or he'll be tired all day. But this troublemaker never listens."
The blonde beside her dried the dishes with a soft, loving smile.
Evo's lips curved gently.
He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, savoring the smell.
– "Morning, girls. Sleep well?" he asked, taking a sip.
– "Hmmm, could've used a few more hours, but yeah, not bad," the violet-haired woman said, stretching.
– "I passed out the second I hit the bed. I was exhausted. What about you?" the blonde asked.
– "I slept pret—"
He froze mid-sentence.
A strange feeling crawled up his spine — faint, but suffocating.
– "Evo? Are you alright? You're pale…" the purple-haired one asked, her tone laced with concern.
Evo forced a shaky smile.
– "Yeah, I'm fine, Freya. Just still a little sleepy. I'll wash my face."
He hurried to the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Cold water splashed across his skin as he gripped the sink, panting.
His reflection stared back, wide-eyed, terrified.
Sweat dripped down his temples. His shirt clung to his back.
– Har... har... har... – His breathing was ragged.
He ran a trembling hand through his hair, water and sweat dripping from his fingers.
– "What's happening to me...? Something's wrong. So wrong."
He pressed a hand to his chest. "It feels like... I'm forgetting something. Something important... but what?"
He stood there, fighting the panic.
The world around him felt... too calm.
Too ordinary.
Was it really ordinary?
"Wait... is everything actually okay?"
He kept asking himself that, over and over — until a soft knock interrupted his spiral.
Knock, knock.
– "Evo? Are you okay in there? You don't look well," came a gentle voice.
The door opened slightly.
The blonde stepped in, worry in her eyes, with the violet-haired woman right behind her.
– "Ah, sorry, girls. I'm just a little tired, that's all," he said, forcing a small laugh. "Didn't mean to scare you."
He approached Ravina and held her face gently, caressing her cheek.
She melted at his touch, and he slowly stepped back.
– "Evo, make sure to rest, alright?" Freya said, folding her arms.
– "The Academy's Spring Ball is tonight. Ravina and I have to go early to set things up, but you — as a student — are required to attend. Don't even think about skipping."
– "And I mean it!" she added, narrowing her eyes. "If you try to sneak out, I'll drag you there myself."
"Spring Ball?" he thought, his head spinning.
"There's a Spring Ball? Why don't I remember that...?"
Still dazed, he nodded.
– "Alright. I'll be there, I promise."
He reached out, ruffling Freya's hair softly.
She smiled — warm, radiant.
– "Good. Then rest up! And don't be late!" she called as the two women left, heading out to their preparations.
Evo remained standing there for a long moment, staring into nothing.
He felt... hollow.
Like a piece of himself was missing.
His instincts screamed for him to run, to get out — but he ignored them.
Instead, he lay back down, closing his eyes again.
When he awoke, the sun was already setting.
There was a faint memory of a dream — but it slipped away the moment he tried to grasp it.
He reached for his pocket watch.
– "What is this feeling...?" he whispered.
The metal felt warm against his palm.
– "It's like someone's trying to tell me something... but I can't hear it."
He sighed, brushed his hair back, and stood.
– "Better get ready before those two drag me out by force," he muttered, heading for the bathroom.
The Academy's grand hall was breathtaking.
Round tables surrounded a long buffet stretching along the wall near the stage.
Soft classical music filled the air as students danced gracefully with their partners.
Laughter and chatter blended with the sound of clinking glasses.
Even some instructors had joined in the dancing.
Freya and Ravina stood near the stage, helping the band set up.
Both looked absolutely stunning.
Freya wore a sleek black dress with subtle designs that matched her hair, elegance and allure in every movement.
Ravina wore a white dress with gold and red details, giving her a noble, serene presence.
Her glasses and tidy bun — with a few loose strands framing her face — made her look effortlessly refined.
And then... he arrived.
A young man, poised and composed.
His attire was simple yet regal — a dark tailored suit with engraved borders, a gray shirt beneath, and a sleek blazer that fit him perfectly.
A jewel clasp held his tie in place.
His straight brown hair framed his face, falling slightly to the sides.
And those cursed, impossibly beautiful golden eyes scanned the hall with quiet interest.
– "Fiuuuu... damn, they really went all out, huh?" He murmured, examining the place.