The next morning, the three girls huddled in an empty classroom. The door was locked. The windows were covered with heavy curtains.
Lina drew a rough map on a piece of scrap paper. Her hands were still shaking, but her mind was clear. She was done running. She needed proof.
"We have to test him," Lina whispered. "We need to ask him something only the real Kai would know. Something that is not in any book or record."
Mira hugged her arms tightly. "What if he gets it right?"
"Then we will know the academy is helping him," Lina said. The thought made her stomach twist, but she had to face it.
Seren nodded slowly. "I will stand by the door. If he tries anything, I will scream."
They found him in the courtyard. He was sitting on a stone bench, reading a thick book. His posture was perfect. The sunlight hit his face, but he did not squint. He did not blink.
Lina took a deep breath. She walked over to him, leaving Mira and Seren hidden behind a large stone pillar.
"Hi," Lina said.
The boy looked up. He closed the book gently. He gave her that same empty, perfect smile. "Hello, Lina. It is good to see you."
Lina swallowed hard. She looked into his flat, dark eyes. "I was thinking about our first week here," she said. Her voice was steady, but her heart was pounding. "Do you remember what we buried under the old stone bridge?"
It was a secret. Only the two of them knew about it. They had buried a small metal box with a broken compass, a dried blue flower, and a note that said, We will survive this place.
The boy did not hesitate. He did not look confused.
"We buried a metal box," he said smoothly. "Inside was a broken compass, a dried blue flower, and a note that said, 'We will survive this place.'"
Lina felt the blood drain from her face. He knew. He knew the exact details.
But then, the boy tilted his head. His smile did not change, but his eyes grew even colder.
"The Headmaster gave me a copy of your private journal last night," he said. His voice was polite and helpful. "He said it would help me understand your feelings. He wants me to be the best friend I can be for you."
Lina took a step back. The air in the courtyard suddenly felt freezing.
The academy knew. The teachers knew. The Headmaster knew that the real Kai was gone, and they had given this fake thing the answers to pass her tests. They were not trying to save the students. They were managing the replacements.
"I have to go," Lina whispered.
"Of course," the boy said. He opened his book again. "I will see you at dinner, Lina. I know you like the apple tarts."
Lina turned and walked away. She did not run. She forced herself to walk calmly back to Mira and Seren.
When they were safely inside the dorms, Lina leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. She covered her face with her hands.
"He knew everything," Lina whispered. "The academy gave him my journal."
Mira sat beside her and wrapped her arms around Lina's shoulders. Seren stared at the glowing numbers floating near the ceiling.
The numbers were not just a countdown. They were a schedule. And the academy was in charge of it.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2026
All rights reserved.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, leaving a Power Stone or a review would be a huge help in growing this story. Thank you for your continued support!
Next Chapter Summary for Chapter 103: Desperate for an ally, Lina seeks out Reyon to use his illusions to hide their movements, but his magic has become dangerously unpredictable, trapping them in a hallway of false doors.