The academy courtyard buzzed with the muted energy of a thousand young aspirants, a deceptive calm over the restless ambitions within. Jai, currently operating under the alias Arthur, stood amidst the throng, his gaze fixed on a figure that seemed to draw the light into itself, a silhouette of deliberate shadow.
The man was an anachronism of sharp, classic style: a perfectly tailored black suit, the fabric so fine it barely reflected the sun, and a broad-brimmed black hat that dipped low, obscuring the upper half of his face in perpetual twilight. What arrested Jai's attention, however, was the accessory and the invisible emanation. Adorning the man's left eye was a single, flawless spectacle—a monocle—fastened not by an ear-piece but by a slender, gleaming golden chain that looped gracefully to disappear beneath the lapel of his suit.
More unsettling than the attire was the aura. It was a pressure, a subtle, cold thrumming that radiated from the man, a distinctive resonance that sent a cold trickle down Jai's spine. It was the unmistakable, corrupted energy of the Cornos Cage artifact.
Confusion tightened the muscles around Jai's jaw. He knew that aura. He had fought against it. The true, confirmed owner of the Cornos Cage, the source of its malevolent power, was Vystan. Yet, the man standing before him, though carrying the artifact's signature, was decidedly not Vystan. The face, partially visible beneath the hat, was different—younger, leaner, lacking the weathered cruelty Jai associated with his nemesis.
Who was he? The question hammered against the walls of his professional and personal caution. His mission here, his entire disguise, revolved around tracking down that artifact and its true master. Seeing its power in the hands of a stranger was a dangerous complication.
He spotted Morisa across the way, gesticulating dramatically to a small circle of friends, her familiar energy a welcome anchor in the shifting currents of the academy. He moved towards her, the shuffle of the crowd masking his approach.
"Morisa," Jai began, keeping his voice level and his gaze casual, "do you know who that man is?" He nodded subtly toward the figure in the black suit.
Morisa turned, her expression shifting from lively anecdote to mild interest as she followed his line of sight. A spark of recognition flashed in her eyes. "Yeah!" she replied, leaning in conspiratorially, her friends momentarily forgotten. "He is our new principal for this academy."
Jai blinked, momentarily thrown off. The principal? He filed away the information. "The new one?"
"Yes, the new one," she affirmed, her voice dropping to a serious, almost righteous tone. "The old principal was expelled from the academy. He was doing some truly illegal things. Apparently, he was touching the girls—ugh." She shivered in disgust. "So, the Academy Committee immediately took action. They collected all the evidence, all the information, and expelled him."
A moment of genuine pride shone in her expression. "My brother even took things a step further. He made sure the man didn't just leave, he made him do farming work all by himself. He said the brute had to learn how hard an honest worker has to toil."
Jai listened, absorbing the brutal efficiency of the Dwarf Kingdom's justice system, particularly when Morisa's brother, the powerful minister and the prince of the kingdom, was involved. His curiosity about the new principal momentarily gave way to a tactical question.
"But… how do you know all this?" Jai asked, allowing a hint of genuine confusion and surprise to color his voice. "You've been with us, in the recruitment training, right? You were here."
Morisa laughed, a melodic, confident sound. "Brother, you are new to this academy, but everyone here knows me. They know about my status as the prince's sister, the Queen's daughter. It's impossible to keep secrets from me," she said with a charming arrogance. "That's why, if I miss something, my friends immediately rush to tell me everything that happened in the kingdom—the gossip, the decrees, the whole nine yards. That's how I know what happened."
"Okay then," Jai continued, pushing past the minor distraction. He needed the facts. "So, who is that person? The new principal. Tell me about his details."
Morisa hesitated, her lively eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. "Brother, first thing, why are you asking so much about him?"
Jai knew he needed a convincing, professional lie—one that aligned with his 'Arthur' persona as the hardworking recruit. He let his expression settle into a look of calm, unwavering dedication.
"I'm just curious about him," he replied smoothly, measuring his words. "I need to learn about everyone in the academy, especially the leadership, because I am working right now. I've set a goal for myself, Morisa. I also want to eventually become head of this academy, perhaps even the minister's chief security officer someday. To do that, I have to work hard, yes, but I also have to maintain a good character and understand the character of everyone in authority. It's about networking and reputation."
It was a perfectly crafted lie—ambitious, selfless, and entirely in character for a promising young recruit.
After listening to his earnest explanation and seeing his calm, serious expression, Morisa's suspicion melted away, replaced by the fervor of a staunch ally.
"Brother," she declared, placing a hand on his arm with sudden intensity, "I am going to support you and do everything I can to make you become the head of the academy. You deserve it!"
She then readily supplied the requested information. "His name is Abinay. He previously worked at a different, very prestigious academy. He apparently got a good impression from that academy—excellent evaluations and commendations. He is also considered very good at his studies and at explaining complex topics to the kids. Because of his outstanding reputation and credentials, my brother, the Minister, accepted him as the new principal for this academy."
Just as she finished, Morisa's friends called out to her, urging her to join them. She gave Jai a quick, apologetic look. "I have to go, brother! Talk soon!"
He nodded his acceptance. "Go ahead."
As Morisa hurried away, Jai's mind raced. Abinay. The name meant nothing to him. But the Cornos Cage aura meant everything. Why would Zayn, the Minister, give a relatively new rookie—or at least a recent transfer—such a powerful principal position? And what the hell was happening with that artifact? Was Vystan simply lending it out, or had he somehow given it away?
He was so deep in thought, reviewing the shifting landscape of his mission, that he didn't notice the familiar approach of his cousin, James, who was also in disguise at the academy. James had just finished his assigned task and spotted Jai standing frozen, his mind clearly a million miles away. James immediately recognized the posture: Jai was deep in thought, his index finger pressed against his eyebrow.
"Ja…" James began, instinctively using his cousin's real name before catching himself. He quickly corrected: "Arthur…"
Jai didn't respond. James called out again, louder this time, but still, no reaction. Frustration mixing with concern, James walked up behind Jai and reached out to tap his shoulder.
In a terrifying, lightning-quick reaction born of instinct and constant vigilance, Jai immediately took out his divine golden sword—a blade that appeared to shimmer into existence—and pressed the cold, deadly edge against James's neck.
James immediately got terrified. "Bro! It's me! Your cousin, James!" he hissed, his eyes wide, his hands raised in surrender.
The sound of his cousin's voice, the reality of the moment, slammed into Jai. He blinked, the intense focus receding, and he slowly lowered the blade.
"What do you want?" Jai asked, his voice still ragged from the sudden, near-violent shift in consciousness.
"I was calling you," James complained, rubbing the back of his neck, "more than two times, but you didn't respond! What were you thinking about?"
Jai immediately recovered, the recent conversation with Morisa and the sight of the Cornos Cage rushing back. He pointed his index finger towards the new principal, Abinay, who was still standing a short distance away.
James squinted, seeing only a well-dressed man. "What about him?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Just feel the pressure," Jai instructed, keeping his voice low and intense. "And look around his waist."
James concentrated, extending his own senses. The moment the faint, cold thrumming hit him, his eyes widened in shock. The dark, subtle aura of the Cornos Cage artifact was unmistakable.
"Is that… is that the person that I think?" James stammered, his mind instantly leaping to Vystan.
"I am also thinking the same," Jai said, a dangerous glint entering his eyes, "but we didn't confirm anything just by seeing him. His face is wrong."
"Let's confront him," James urged, his own blood heating up with the prospect of action.
Jai shook his head firmly. "I don't like that plan. Not yet."
"No, listen," James countered, speaking quickly and rationally. "This is an academy. The Minister appointed him. If he does anything—anything at all—everyone in the kingdom will know about him and about the Minister's poor judgment. The pressure on him to behave will be immense. The risk is manageable. Let's confront him now, while he's exposed."
Jai paused, considering the logic. James was right. The sheer visibility of the principal's position offered them a shield.
"Okay," Jai conceded with a decisive nod. "Let's walk toward Abinay. But be ready for anything."
The two cousins walked with measured steps, their expressions carefully neutral, projecting the easy confidence of young, high-potential recruits. They stopped a few feet in front of the new principal.
Abinay had already seen them approaching. Before Jai or James could utter a single, carefully rehearsed greeting, Abinay spoke first, his voice surprisingly smooth and deep.
"Your name is Arthur," he stated, his monocle catching the light. He looked directly at Jai. "You are the new recruiter. Yes, the Minister Zayn told me about you."
He then glanced at James. "And you must be Clement." He used James's academy alias. "The Minister spoke highly of both of you."
He smiled, a professional, polite curve of the lips that didn't quite reach his eye. "I feel happy to work alongside such promising young talent. Welcome to my academy."
He then focused his attention back on them, raising one eyebrow slightly. "You young men, do you want anything from me? A question about your duties?"
Jai—Arthur—took the lead, maintaining his polite, ambitious persona. "No, sir. We were just thinking to introduce ourselves with you. We want to make a good environment around the teachers and the administration. A strong team."
Abinay gave a short, dry chuckle. "Yeah! I know the teachers didn't like me," he admitted openly. "I got the principal post directly, over a dozen seasoned internal candidates. I didn't even think I would get it, but I did. It is all the Emperor Dominatrix's grace."
The final phrase landed like a stone in the quiet air between them.
Jai and James were dumbfounded. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second, communicating their simultaneous shock. Emperor Dominatrix? They knew that name. It was the tyrannical, universally feared ruler of a distant, powerful kingdom. The idea of this man, this principal, referencing her, even invoking her name, was unthinkable in the Dwarf Kingdom.
Jai had to know. He kept his expression innocent. "Did you people worship Emperor Dominatrix?" he asked, the phrase coming out slightly more bluntly than intended. "Just like us?"
Abinay's smile vanished. His posture stiffened, and a sharp, cold edge entered his voice. "Yes, we worship her, just like the faithful citizens in her domain. But the thing is," he said, his voice lowering dangerously, "you are talking like I am a racist because of my background. Please don't talk like that."
The accusation of racism, however misplaced, served its purpose: it shut down the line of questioning. Jai immediately recognized the tactical error in his wording.
"I apologize, sir," Jai said quickly, offering a genuinely contrite bow of the head. "That was inappropriate of me. We understand." He then moved to end the confrontation. "Thank you, sir, for giving your time for us. We will work hard."
Abinay's demeanor softened slightly, the professional mask snapping back into place. "You young man, keep doing your hard work and you will see the wonders one day."
With that final, vaguely encouraging dismissal, Abinay took his leave from them. He turned and walked with slow, deliberate steps toward a large, elegant black wooden cart waiting nearby.
As he reached the cart and his driver opened the door, a wave of relief washed over Abinay, but it was immediately replaced by a fresh surge of panic. His face, hidden by the hat and suit, was suddenly filled with sweat.
He threw himself into the cart, his composure shattering. His thoughts were a panicked torrent: They didn't know that I am the Vystan! He was certain of it. But then, a terrifying secondary thought took hold: But how did they find about me? And also, how did they suspect that I am Vystan, even after I disguised myself so thoroughly?
He frantically looked around his own person, then his attention was drawn to the dull, low thrumming that always accompanied him. He immediately understood. It was because of the Cornos Cage artifact aura. It was too strong, too unique. Even when the artifact itself was concealed beneath his clothing, its dark, powerful energy radiated outward, like a beacon in the night, betraying his disguise. It might reveal my disguise, he thought grimly. I have to get rid of it. I have to find a way to silence its presence.
He settled into the cushioned seat. The driver, a muscular man with a stern face, immediately started the cart. As the wheels began to turn, the driver leaned back slightly and asked in a low voice: "Hey, Vystan, did they find out who you are?"
Vystan, the Principal Abinay, wiped the sweat from his brow. "No," he replied, his voice a strained whisper.
"You know, if they uncover your disguise, you are going to die," the driver stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Yeah! I understood that," Vystan confirmed, the reality of his precarious situation hitting him anew. He was a long way from his base, surrounded by powerful enemies, operating under an unstable disguise. The Cornos Cage was a necessity, but it was also a liability.
At the very same time, back in a secluded, secured wing of the academy grounds, Jai and James had also returned to their quarters, their minds reeling from the encounter. They needed to strategize, to discuss the implications of Vystan being Abinay and the danger of the Cornos Cage artifact being exposed in a public setting.
Before they could even begin, Zayn—the Minister, Morisa's brother, and their current mission contact—confronted them. He looked agitated but excited.
"My father and mother have arrived," Zayn announced without preamble. "They want to meet you. You both have to come now."
Jai's analytical mind immediately flagged a discrepancy. He frowned, his concern for Vystan momentarily displaced. "I remember your mother was dead," he said, his voice filled with sincere apology. "I am sorry for bringing it up, but who is this mother?"
Zayn sighed, a hint of impatience in his expression. "It is my sister Morisa's mother. My step-mother. She is the current Queen of the Dwarf Kingdom, Morlin Stonehead. Morisa's name is actually taken from her own."
The revelation, delivered so casually, hit Jai and James with the force of a battering ram. Vystan's presence, the Cornos Cage, the whole Abinay crisis—they immediately pushed those things to one side.
They instantly got alerted. King and Queen. The highest authority of the entire Dwarf Kingdom, a military power they desperately needed as an ally, wanted to meet them. They had been anticipating an eventual meeting, but not this soon, and not with such urgency.
They looked at each other, their faces a mirror of pure, unadulterated shock and terrified realization. They were supposed to be humble, hardworking, disguised recruits. Now, they were being summoned to the royal chambers.
Jai closed his eyes for a brief moment, a bitter, self-pitying thought escaping the confines of his professional facade.
The destiny always makes me lose my smile and put me in the most dangerous situations. The principal was Vystan, and now he had to face a Queen. He felt the cold iron of fate closing around him again. He was trapped between an assassin and a monarch.