The last twenty-four hours had been the strangest time Eray had experienced since arriving at the Academy.
By Aeliana's order, his room had become unrecognizable.The damp, moldy cell was gone.In its place was a "noble's room" with thick wool carpets, a wide bed covered in silk sheets, and crystal lamps glowing with magic.
This luxury did not feel like a reward.It felt like a polished cage.
Junia stayed with him all day.She checked his wounds, but after Aeliana's "magical" treatment, there was little left to do. That alone surprised her.
They whispered about escape plans.
"The guards on the northern wall change at midnight," Junia had said."But the forest… we don't know what's in that forest. And without a gate, where would we even go?"
They had no answers.Only the instinct to survive.
When dawn broke the next morning, Eray was ready.
The pain in his back had faded into a dull ache thanks to Aeliana's ointment.His face was fully healed.
He put on the gray Academy tunic and opened the door, ready for Aeliana's next torture session.
But Aeliana was not there.
Instead, a Royal Guard stood outside.His armor shone, and he held his helmet under his arm.
When the guard saw Eray, he did not shove him or glare at him.He bowed slightly.
"Good morning, Lord Eray."
Eray paused.
Lord?
Was this respect because he had put Kaelen in the infirmary?Or because he was now "the Princess's favorite toy"?
He couldn't tell.
"Where is the Princess?" Eray asked carefully."I need to go to the training field."
"Princess Aeliana will not attend training today," the guard replied formally."She was summoned to the capital before dawn for an emergency council meeting."
Eray released a quiet breath inside.
One more day.One more day without being beaten.
"Why?" he asked, unable to stop his curiosity.
The guard hesitated, then looked directly at Eray, as if he had the right to know.
"The news arrived this morning… The capital of the Human Empire has fallen.Chaos armies from the north broke through the defense line.The city… was completely destroyed."
Eray stared blankly for a moment.
Which Empire?Then he remembered.
Right.The place they were supposed to be from.
He remembered the role Aeliana had given them:fallen nobles, refugees from conquered lands.
If he didn't play his part, the lie could unravel.
Eray staggered slightly and leaned against the doorframe.He placed a look of false horror on his face.
"The capital…" he whispered, his voice trembling."My family… my friends…"
He lowered his gaze.
In truth, he didn't care.He had never seen that empire.He had never known those people.
He was a Raider, a soldier from another world.
But now, he had to be a grieving noble mourning a lost homeland.
The guard's expression softened.
"I'm sorry," the guard said sincerely."The Princess is discussing the refugee situation and border security with the Royal Council. There will be no training today. If you wish… you may rest in your room."
Eray shook his head, staying true to his role.
"I must remain strong," he said, straightening."No. Rest won't ease my pain. I'll attend class. I need to keep my mind busy."
The corridors leading to the classroom felt longer than usual.
When Eray entered Master Vrass's amphitheater, the usual noise was gone.
The moment the door opened, the murmurs inside were cut off like a blade.
Everyone turned to him.High Elves, Beastkin, Golems, Dwarves…
But this time, their eyes did not hold contempt.
There was fear.There was curiosity.And pure shock.
The one who had shattered Kaelen's face.The one who had gained the Princess's special attention.And now, the tragic hero whose "kingdom had fallen."
Eray walked through the silence toward his seat in the back.
The Elf girl beside him did not pull her chair away this time.Instead, she held her breath and turned forward, trembling.
Eray sat down.
Master Vrass had not arrived yet.
The tension in the room was thick enough to touch.No one dared to meet his eyes.
No one—except one.
From the darkest corner of the room, movement stirred.
Unlike the others, someone stood up and glided toward Eray.She did not walk.She seemed to slide without touching the ground.
She was a pale-skinned woman.Her jet-black hair, like raven wings, fell to her waist.Her eyes were the brightest red Eray had ever seen, shining like rubies.
Her Academy uniform fit her body like a second skin.
A Vampire.
One of the most dangerous, noble, and deadly predators of this world.
Eray felt the entire class hold its breath.Even the Elves feared her.
She stopped in front of his desk.
Eray looked up and met her gaze.He did not flinch.
A Raider never showed fear.
She smiled.
It was not like Aeliana's sadistic smile.It was more inviting. More refined. And far more dangerous.
Her sharp fangs glinted slightly between her lips.
"So the rumors are true," she said.Her voice was smooth, like wine poured over velvet."A Human… who drowned a High Elf in his own blood."
"I only defended myself," Eray replied calmly.
She leaned closer, placing a hand on the desk, very near him.Her nails, painted black, were sharp as razors.
"Modesty doesn't suit you, Refugee," she said.Her eyes drifted to his neck, to his pulse, then back to his eyes.
"Everyone here despised you.But I… I can smell potential.
"And you smell very different from these useless nobles."
She extended her hand.
"My name is Seraphina.And I believe you are the only person worth talking to in this boring class—aside from my own kind."
Eray looked at her hand.
Was this a new alliance?Or a new trap?
With Aeliana gone, a new player had entered the wolves' table.And this one did not seem eager to devour him.
She seemed to want to play with him.
Staying loyal to his role and his strategy, Eray took her cold hand.
"Eray," he said.
Seraphina's smile widened.
"A pleasure, Eray. I heard your kingdom has fallen. Don't be sad…"
She leaned close to his ear and whispered so only he could hear.
"…Sometimes destruction is the birth of new power.Perhaps tonight, instead of the library, you'd like to spend some time with me?The Princess isn't the only one who understands the language of shadows."
Eray swallowed, unable to answer.
At that moment, the classroom door opened and Master Vrass hissed as he entered.
But Eray's mind was no longer on the lesson.
Aeliana was gone.
And Eray felt as if he had stepped out of one fire—only to find himself standing in the center of another.