– These will be our steps. Kaelith, together with Luneth and Silentia, will search for the magic runes around the hall and destroy them.
Evo pulled from his spatial ring what looked like a hastily crafted rune.
– On my way to meet you, I stopped by Ravisto's shop and asked him what a rune with these properties should look like. He said the shape is very relative, depending on many factors. So I explained the scenario, and together we came up with a possible model.
He handed it to Luneth, who examined it carefully. Soon, Kaelith and Silentia leaned in to observe as well. Evo waited while all three of them studied and memorized the pattern.
During that time, his gaze drifted to the vast blue sky above. A few birds flew in flocks, their wings gliding with grace. Sometimes, he wished he could simply rest in a place like that.
He was exhausted — mentally and physically — though his mind was far more worn out. The short months since he entered the academy had been brutally taxing. Far beyond what he had ever wanted.
– Arrrr… why do I feel like I've lived these past months much more intensely than I should have? So strange…
He murmured to himself as he stared at that blue "ceiling" that resembled an ocean above his head. And then, something felt wrong. That strange sensation… he had felt it before, but every time he tried to think about it, some invisible force pushed him to forget.
Far away, beyond that world of lies and illusions, the one responsible for the entire theater watched his malicious show unfold. His emerald-green eyes gleamed with amusement and satisfaction as he observed Evo's misery.
– Hahaha! Just wait until he realizes that nothing he does will matter!
– I'll give him hope… only to rip it away in the end, and watch him writhe in despair.
– Hahahahahahahaa! – he laughed uncontrollably.
– He will learn that before the power of a God… nothing he does matters. His actions are futile, pathetic, meaningless.
– Ahhhh, I can't stand it! I want to see his expression of pain already.
The white-haired man leaned back on his throne, finishing with venomous delight:
– And after that… I will bring her into my arms. She'll be mine alone.
– Hahahaha!
A short distance behind him, his servant watched with deep concern. He knew his master had gone too far — and soon, the consequences would reveal themselves. In the end, all he could do was regret his own foolishness.
– Arrrr… at least I'll finally be free of this troublesome, idiotic master. – he muttered, his eyes faintly glowing.
– He placed that human inside several repeating cycles that will go on for a long time. Now all we can do is pray he doesn't break… because if he does… – The servant leaned against a pillar, imagining the terrible outcomes.
– If anything happens to him… that woman… honestly, I'm afraid of what she might do. We can't afford more chaos in the Divine Realm. Not another war like the one in Caelith.
– Because this time… it would be far worse. Human Evo Eylam… the chosen one of the woman who must never be provoked. I hope you can calm her fury… for everyone's sake.
His final plea echoed faintly before he vanished.
Back at the meeting
– Brrrr!
Evo shuddered.
– Someone is talking about me… – He hugged himself instinctively, even though it was warm.
Velra approached, full of curiosity.
– Veyrath, and what about us?
Evo looked at her, then at Sevran beside her.
– The three of us will stay inside the hall until the infiltrated students begin their attack, and Umbra will stay with us. I need to keep my eyes on him at all times, so be careful.
Both nodded.
Luneth stepped closer, saying she had already memorized the rune. Evo reminded her not to rely one hundred percent on the model he gave them and to destroy anything that resembled a rune.
Luneth reassured him, and Evo decided to wrap up the meeting.
– Alright, everyone! – He clapped, drawing their attention. – Our operation starts at six in the evening. The rune group: arrive half an hour early, stay hidden, and observe any movement around the hall. If you're lucky, you might even find exactly where they hid the runes. Stay sharp.
– As for the two who will accompany me with the traitor: arrive at six sharp and call Umbra to join you. Sevran, that's on you. If he asks why… I'm sure you'll think of a convincing excuse.
– Understood. – Sevran replied firmly.
– Good. That's all. You're dismissed.
Preparations complete, Evo returned to his room to get ready.
Hours passed. Near sunset, many students and staff walked across the academy in formal clothes. Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone headed to the same destination: the Golden Pact Event Hall.
On a distant rooftop, Evo watched everything carefully. He had spent the entire day reviewing his plan repeatedly to avoid mistakes.
– Arrrr… – He ran his hand through his hair. – I need to remember to adapt to anything. Nothing will go exactly as planned. Unexpected things will happen… let's go.
He jumped toward Velra and Sevran, who were disguised as students. Landing silently next to them, he whispered:
– Where's Umbra?
– He's on his way. He was with Instructor Kalistro.
– I see. Then stay alert. I'll head in first. I'll be near Ravina and Freya. If you need me, find them. They'll probably be at the back of the hall near the stage.
They nodded and left.
A moment later, Evo followed, searching for his two troublesome witches. It didn't take long to find them — wearing the same outfits he remembered — helping the band arrange instruments.
– Freya, take that instrument and place it further to the side, please! – Ravina asked.
– Alright!
Freya grumbled under her breath about the weight.
– Stupid heavy thing…
A voice beside her commented:
– Why don't you use magic to carry it?
She turned — Evo was there, smiling at her complaints. Freya lit up instantly. She had been skeptical he would actually come; she thought he might try to run away from the event. Seeing she was wrong made her genuinely happy.
– Ev! You really came! I'm so glad!
– Obviously. Did you think I'd run away? – He tilted his head.
– Yes! I thought you'd do exactly that! – She puffed her cheeks adorably.
Evo found it so cute that he laughed, imagining Freya chasing him across the world.
– Hahaha! If I did that, you'd hunt me like a wolf after a rabbit. I'd rather avoid that. – he said, resigned.
– Well, I definitely would! – She said proudly, posing.
– Yes, yes, you would. Now… why aren't you using magic to carry these?
– Hm? Oh… it's to show effort! To prove I'm hardworking! – she declared confidently… only for Evo to tear her façade apart.
He narrowed his eyes, imagining her nose growing with the lie.
– Ravina made you carry them as punishment, didn't she? Were you drinking again?
Freya turned bright red and stared at the ground.
– You're annoying…
– What was that? – He teased even more.
– Nothing! You two hate me! You're both mean! – She squeaked like an angry squirrel.
Evo almost grabbed her puffed cheeks, but held back and helped instead.
– Come on, let me help. – He lifted the heavy instruments and placed them all where they belonged.
Ravina guided them, and the trio finished much faster than expected. Ravina and Freya were satisfied. Evo, standing behind them, watched the two with a tight, anxious, terrified heart.
His deepest wish was simple: to live those peaceful moments with them forever.
He didn't ask for much.
But he was terrified.
What if nothing he planned worked?
What if he had to witness that nightmare again?
Yes — his wishes were selfish. Evo wasn't a saint.
He cared above all about those two witches.
The students' deaths disgusted him… but the real despair came from seeing them die.
He loved them. Deeply.
So he would do anything to save them — and, if possible, save some students too.
But his highest priority… was the two of them.
What Evo didn't know… was that the entire script of that nightmare was already carved in stone.
Nothing would change.
No matter what he did.
As long as a God above him controlled that entire theater of illusions…
there was nothing that could be done.
And soon… he would learn that in the worst possible way.