Seeing Evo's condition, Freya immediately grabbed his shirt and pulled him out of his daze.
– Wake up, Ev! What happened to you? You look awful! Look at yourself, are you sick or something?
Still stunned by the shock of his situation, Evo was dragged out of his thoughts by the sudden tug on his clothes.
– Freya? – He looked at her, disoriented.
– You've been acting strange ever since Ravina mentioned the ball tonight. I hope you're not pretending to be sick just to skip it. Because that won't work, you rascal! – She growled playfully, though Evo's expression remained distant.
He suddenly gripped Freya's shoulders tightly, staring down.
– F-Freya... could we... skip the event tonight? – he murmured, voice trembling with pleading.
She refused immediately.
– You know that's impossible! Especially for me and Ravina, the highest-ranking people here. Our absence is out of the question!
Gikkkk! Evo groaned, his body still trembling. Freya, realizing his condition might not be an act, asked cautiously:
– Ev, why are you acting like this? Did something happen?
Evo shook his head, knowing they wouldn't back down even if he insisted.
– N-no, it's fine. I just... have a bad feeling, that's all. – He spoke with his head lowered, voice faltering.
He didn't know if he should tell them the truth. They'd probably think he was losing his mind... or call him crazy. Evo was completely lost, and could only accept that skipping the event was out of the question.
Hearing his words, Freya and Ravina tried to comfort him.
– Don't worry, Eylam. Freya and I will be there. Nothing will happen, everything will be fine.
– That's right! – Freya hugged him tightly, her embrace radiating confidence.
– But that's exactly the problem... you two being there! – he thought to himself, biting his lips as he felt Freya's warmth against his chest.
Then Evo made his decision.
– Fine, I'll be there a bit before it starts. Do you need help with anything?
– Hun-hun. – She shook her head. – We just need to set up a few things and help the orchestra with the instruments. And you, you scoundrel! – She held his face between her hands, looking directly into his eyes. – You're going to rest and get ready, understood?
Evo stared into her beautiful, inviting violet eyes and nodded reluctantly.
– All right.
– Good. Now take a bath to cool off and rest.
Evo bid them farewell and returned to his room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he ran a hand through his hair.
– Harrrr... – he sighed, exhausted. – What should I do? If everything happens as before, I need to prevent it. I refuse! – he growled, his voice dripping with rage and bitterness.
– I refuse to see that again... and be powerless to stop it! – His eyes burned with determination.
Thinking through his next steps, he began to plan.
– The main problem that triggered the massacre was that damned barrier catching us off guard... and the fact we forgot about the infiltrators among the students. Then came those two bastards... – Evo clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
– Umbra, you bastard! – he hissed, his words like venom spat from a viper.
– I'll kill you in the most painful way possible... I'll tear you apart piece by piece!
A dense murderous intent oozed from Evo's body like molten lead, his eyes shining with a fierce golden glow. But he quickly forced himself to calm down.
– Harrrr... I need to calm down, or I won't be able to think straight. Now... what's my first step?
He pondered over and over, until his plan finally took shape.
– First: this morning, I need to contact the Five of the Order — without Umbra... or rather, without Talier. I'll ask them to search for the magical runes around the ballroom and destroy as many as possible, even if they can't find them all.
– I can't ask everyone to do it. I'll need a few of them inside the hall as guards, waiting for the invasion to begin. Then, a few minutes before it starts, I'll get Freya and Ravina out of there and intercept those two before they reach the rooftop. That way, they'll be far from Instructor Kalistro and Talier.
Evo sank back into the bed, staring at the ceiling as his eyes slowly closed, still narrating the plan in his mind.
– What paralyzed the two of them last time was that we let our guard down when the negative effects of my ability hit. But this time, I don't need to ask them anything. Only one question remains unanswered... but I can deal with that later. I must ensure every infiltrator is dead or incapacitated — preferably dead. I'm done with surprises.
– As for Kalistro and Talier... those two are the real problem. If they notice the battle happening outside their line of sight, they'll probably go after the girls. I need to remove them from the scene — take them as far away as possible.
– Perfect. – He nodded. – Not flawless, but I can adapt as things unfold. First, let's contact those five and put them to work.
Evo brought his prismatic ring close to his lips.
– Luneth, could you gather Kaelith, Velra, Silentia, and Sevran for me?
A voice replied through the transmission:
– Hm? Veyrath? Sure! Did something urgent happen?
– In a way, yes. Meet me with them at the location I'll send you.
– All right, but... why not meet at the Order's hall?
– No. Right now, that could be risky — especially with the problem that's arisen.
– Then I'll see you there in an hour!
– No problem. And Umbra? Are you not calling him?
A brief silence filled the link.
– Veyrath? You there?
– Yeah, yeah, I'm here! And no... under no circumstances should you call Umbra. He must not know about this meeting, understood?
Luneth hesitated for a moment, as if trying to grasp his reasons, but soon gave up.
– All right. We'll be there. See you soon.
– See you.
Evo got up and went to take a bath. Today would be a long and exhausting day.
After a while, he headed toward the designated meeting point.
Upon arriving, he saw the five already waiting. They were surprised to see him without the Order's attire — it was the first time most had seen his face. Well, except for Silentia, who had seen it once before.
Everyone was taken aback by his appearance. Evo radiated an aura of nobility, though not in an overbearing way — refined, serious, and mature. Even though he was among the youngest of them, no one dared bring it up. They knew that, to Evo, age meant nothing.
– Damn! – Kaelith exclaimed in surprise. – Didn't expect our leader to be that handsome... damn it, I'm jealous.
– Hahaha, I get you, Kaelith. – Sevran chuckled, patting his shoulder. – The leader must be breaking hearts left and right with that devilishly handsome face.
The rest didn't need to say a word — the three women were already blushing like fire as Evo looked their way. Those golden eyes were pure allure and charm — irresistible and mesmerizing.
But Evo ignored the chatter, walking past them toward a clearer area in the forest.
– Let's move before someone sees us.
They all adjusted themselves and followed him to the designated spot. Halfway there, Velra broke the silence.
– Veyrath? Why aren't you wearing your cloak and mask?
Evo turned back, meeting Velra's red eyes with a faint smile.
– It's a busy hour, and every route here was crowded. Walking around dressed like that would've drawn too much attention. I was going to put it on once I got here, but you were already waiting — so it became pointless.
He slid his hands into his pockets and turned forward again.
– Honestly, I don't even mind that you see who I really am. So whatever. At least when it's just us, I won't hide behind a mask.
They all listened quietly, exchanging glances and nodding in agreement.
– Well, if the leader himself showed his face, who am I to hide? – Luneth declared, removing her mask, though she kept the black cloak.
– Indeed. We should follow the leader's example and show our trust as well. – Velra was next to do the same.
– Well, Veyrath already knows what I look like, so there's no point in keeping this disguise around him. – Silentia followed right after.
The two men, seeing how fearlessly the women revealed themselves, also removed their masks together.
Evo looked back at them and spoke softly:
– You didn't have to do that just because I did.
The mature beauty with wine-colored hair stepped beside him, smiling warmly as she met his eyes.
– Not at all. We trust you and stand with you. It's the least we can do to show our respect and gratitude for your trust in us. – Luneth's voice carried deep conviction.
– That's right, Veyrath. We're in this together, and we'll follow you through whatever comes. – Sevran said calmly, and the others nodded in agreement.
Seeing the resolve in their eyes, Evo had nothing more to say.
– Well... do as you wish.
They all smiled at his words. Evo himself now wore a faint, relieved smile.
Truth be told, he had been wary of everyone after Umbra's betrayal, but that small gesture erased the thought that they might be traitors too.
A sense of relief and warmth filled his chest — the comfort of knowing not everyone would stab him in the back. It lifted a great weight off his shoulders and gave him even more strength to move forward with them by his side.
After a while, deeper into the forest, they reached an open area where a tall waterfall cascaded down smooth stones that served as natural seats. It was as if nature itself had gifted them that place.
Everyone stared in awe at the glittering droplets reflecting the sunlight. The tall, majestic waterfall filled the air with calm serenity, the sound of rushing water weaving a soothing melody for its guests.
– Well, we're here. – Evo announced, turning to face them.
Now, with a sharper, more resolute voice, his golden eyes gleamed with deep determination as he declared firmly:
– Gentlemen, let us begin our meeting. Sit wherever you like.