Dominic, Sevran, and Gaudia exchanged questioning, curious looks.None of them spoke at first.
Their gazes flicked instinctively around the corridor. Students were still passing by in small groups, some laughing, complaining about drills, or lost in their own conversations. No one seemed to be paying attention to them.
Felix didn't wait. He had already turned and started walking, his coat swaying as he moved deeper down the corridor.
Only after confirming that no one was watching did Dominic step forward. Sevran and Gaudia followed, their pace quickening until they caught up to Felix.
"I've been thinking," Sevran said quietly as they walked. "Why did he want us to help? He's a head researcher in this academy. He could ask for assistants with years of experience like the upperclassmen or graduates."
Dominic nodded slowly. He had been thinking the same thing.
"At first," Dominic said, "when he offered me a job, I thought it wouldn't be anything serious. Just helping with notes or organizing samples." He paused. "That was before I realized it meant accompanying you into the Labyrinth. A real Labyrinth."
"And now we're dealing with an Archetype." Gaudia added softly, her voice low enough that only the three of them could hear.
The word alone made the corridor feel colder.
Sevran sighed through his nose and said. "We should ask the headmaster about this."
"I agree," Dominic said without hesitation.
Gaudia nodded. "Yes. No matter how good the plus score is, if it puts us in a situation that could kill us, we can't accept it blindly."
Felix slowed slightly, then turned his head just enough to look at them. He lifted one hand and motioned forward.
"Walk faster," he said lightly.
They obeyed.
The corridors grew quieter the deeper they went. This was the same way as before. Stone replaced polished floors. The light of etherlamps became fewer, their glow dimmer. The air felt colder.
After several turns and a long descent down winding passages beneath the academy, they arrived at the entrance to the Labyrinth, the obsidian door.
The entrance to the Labyrinth stood there, just as before.
But this time, they weren't alone.
A tall man with a shimmering silver beard stood near the sealed gateway, hands clasped behind his back. His presence alone seemed to steady the air around him.
Headmaster August Valerion.
When he noticed them approaching, his sharp eyes softened slightly. A calm smile spread across his face.
"So, you're here already," he said, his voice warm and composed.
The three students slowed to a stop.
Felix finally turned fully toward them, his grin widening just a bit.
"I already told the Headmaster about this," he said.
"H–Headmaster?" Dominic said, unable to hide his surprise. "Why are you here?"
August Valerion's smile deepened, calm and reassuring. "Because I already know what you've been doing and wanted to… ease your worry."
The three students stiffened slightly.
"Don't worry," the headmaster continued. "Felix is working under my direct supervision. I approved this research." His gaze moved from Dominic to Sevran, then to Gaudia. "I understand why the nature of this work might make you uneasy. This research that he did was indeed dangerous, and perhaps even… feels illegal, in your eyes."
He chuckled softly.
"But rest assured. It is not. Everyone in this academy knows who Felix is and what kind of work he does. As long as you work under him, your actions are sanctioned. Your contributions will be recorded and acknowledged properly."
Some of the tension drained from Dominic's shoulders. Sevran let out a breath. Gaudia nodded to herself.
Still, Gaudia didn't look fully satisfied.
"But why us, sir?" she asked, her tone even and cold as ever. "We're only first-year students."
August looked at her with interest, then smiled again. "Because you're the ones Felix believes fit the job."
He gestured lightly toward Felix. "His previous assistants have already graduated. They were experienced, yes, but unavailable right now. What he needs now isn't seniority alone. It's compatibility."
Felix shrugged beside him. "You make it sound fancy, headmaster."
Knowing that the headmaster was not only aware of the situation but had personally approved it made the anxiety and worry loosen in all three of them. What had felt like a dangerous gray area moments ago now had solid ground beneath it.
"Think of this as an extracurricular activity," August continued. "One that will be added to your academic records when you graduate. It will also contribute positively to your evaluation scores."
That caught Sevran's attention.
"And don't worry too much," the headmaster added casually. "Felix here isn't someone who would throw students into danger without preparation."
Dominic glanced at Felix again.
"After all," August said, "he's a Glyphmaster. A third-rank power user."
The words landed heavily.
"What?" Sevran blurted out before he could stop himself.
Gaudia's eyes widened slightly.
Dominic froze. He already knew that Felix was strong. But he didn't know the extent of his power before.
They all knew what that meant now.
From the books and lectures, power users were divided into four ranks.
The first rank was Tethered, the foundational stage where one's Bloodmark and ether was barely stabilized and control was limited.
The second rank was Scripted, where users could weave multiple Signatures and Bloodmark together into new composite skills.
The third was Glyphsmater. And the fourth was called Binder Sovereign.
"Glyphmaster…" Dominic muttered.
A rank where ether was no longer just controlled inside one's body. The user would be able to etch their power into the surrounding area in glyph-like formations. Just like Veyran, the Arcanist of the Scarlet Council that Dominic had met during his journey.
Power users at that level were rare. They were dangerous and respected.
Felix waved a hand dismissively. "You're making it awkward, headmaster."
"Look how modest he is. His strength is more than enough to protect you during research operations," August said and laughed softly.
The three students exchanged stunned looks. But their postures were visibly relaxed.
"Felix already told me what he found," August said. His eyes sharpened with quiet seriousness. "This is an important matter."
He turned slightly toward the obsidian gate. "This Labyrinth has existed here for at least a hundred years. In all that time, no signs of Archetype have ever surfaced within it."
His gaze darkened, just a little.
"The lead that you have found changes that. If an Archetype truly exists inside now, then something is happening within the Labyrinth as we speak." He paused. "And we need to understand what it is before something truly bad occurs."
Felix straightened. "We'll take care of it, Headmaster."
August nodded firmly. "Good. You may proceed."
Then, as if the weight of the conversation had never existed, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small cloth-wrapped bundle.
"Oh, and take this."
He unfolded the cloth slightly, revealing neatly stacked cookies.
"I made them myself," August said with a gentle smile. "You can eat them while exploring."
Felix smiled, then accepted the bundle. "Ah… thank you, sir."
With that, the headmaster turned and walked back toward the corridor, his footsteps unhurried as he disappeared into the shadows of the passage.
Dominic, Sevran, and Gaudia stared at his retreating back, their mouths slightly open.
"…Did the headmaster," Sevran said slowly, "just give us cookies?"
"He made it himself," Dominic added.
Gaudia said nothing, but her expression was just as stunned.
"Let's go." Felix opened the obsidian door.
—