Snow quietly processed everything that had happened as he followed the academy map toward his dormitory.
"If it weren't for Angelina…"
He glanced down at his palms.
"I would've caused trouble for myself already."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"I need to think more carefully."
With that, he opened the door to his room.
Meanwhile, in another dormitory—
A boy stepped into his room completely unaware that a shadow slipped inside moments after him.
Michael dropped onto his bed restlessly, his leg shaking nonstop.
"What am I supposed to do…?"
He ran a hand through his hair anxiously.
"I promised them important information before midnight…"
His breathing became uneven.
"Is what I found enough…?"
He clenched his fists.
"I hope it is."
After a long moment, he finally leaned back against the bed.
"…Guess I'll just wait."
And slowly closed his eyes.
MIDNIGHT
The dormitory door creaked open silently.
Michael stepped outside carefully before shutting it behind him.
Then
His body shimmered strangely.
Like fractured glass.
His figure distorted into a barely visible mirror like silhouette.
"Target is on the move."
Angelina's voice echoed mentally.
"Follow him."
Snow's calm response came instantly.
Michael moved swiftly through the academy grounds.
Under the moonlight, his body blended almost perfectly into the light .
If not for the movement of his shadow across the ground.
Even Angelina might have lost sight of him.
He slipped past the academy guards carefully.
Once far enough away, his camouflage flickered away completely.
Sweat covered his forehead.
Breathing heavily, Michael paused briefly before his body shifted once more.
Bones cracked softly.
Muscles twisted.
And within seconds
He had taken the exact appearance of the academy guard near the dorm entrance.
Angelina's eyes widened slightly.
Two abilities…
And both were dangerous.
One concealed presence.
The other allowed perfect mimicry.
Neither could be underestimated.
Michael continued moving through the academy, taking several unnecessary turns along the way.
He was clearly making sure he wasn't being followed.
Eventually
He arrived at a silent corner hidden deep within the academy grounds.
Shifting back into his form.
He waited.
Was a man cloaked entirely in shadow.
"You're late, boy."
Michael lowered his head respectfully.
"Sorry, sir. Enrollment day means there are more guards than usual."
Angelina silently observed from nearby darkness.
Her eyes narrowed.
Twin daggers were embroidered along the man's cloak.
Red serpents curled around the fabric like living creatures.
Recognition flashed in her eyes instantly.
The Assassin Guild.
And worse
The man wasn't alone.
"How?"
Snow's voice echoed through her mind.
At that exact moment
Far across the academy rooftops
Snow moved.
Fast.
Silent.
Like a phantom.
"So," the assassin muttered coldly, "what information do you have for me?"
Two more assassins stepped from the darkness behind him, daggers gleaming beneath the moonlight.
"We enrolled a poor little boy like you into this academy for a reason," the assassin continued.
"You were supposed to gather useful information."
His voice lowered dangerously.
"You understand what happens if you disappoint us… don't you?"
Michael visibly trembled.
"S-Sir… this is already my third year doing this."
"The agreement was only for two years…"
His voice shook slightly.
"Those two years are already over."
The assassin smiled.
Cold and cruel.
"Oh?"
"You want freedom?"
He slowly approached Michael.
"Fine."
"Tell you what give us valuable information one last time…"
"And I'll personally make sure tonight is your final job."
Hope instantly appeared in Michael's eyes.
Desperate hope.
He quickly began sharing information about various students and academy activities.
The assassins listened carefully.
Until
Michael mentioned Snow.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
A dagger appeared at Michael's throat.
"Where did you hear about this boy?"
Michael swallowed nervously.
"I-I overheard the dean discussing him."
"I used mimicry to disguise myself as a janitor and entered the meeting hall."
The assassin's eyes sharpened.
"So Snow is here…"
Interest flickered across his face.
"That's valuable information."
He slowly turned away.
"You've done well tonight."
Michael's expression brightened slightly.
"So… this is over now?"
"I'm free?"
The assassin chuckled darkly.
"Yes."
"It's over."
He glanced toward the other assassins.
"You know what to do with the boy."
"No loose ends."
Michael's face turned pale instantly.
"Master."
Angelina's voice became cold.
"They know you're here."
"And the boy is about to be killed."
Snow's response came without hesitation.
"Kill them as quietly as possible ."
"And protect Michael."
A faint pause.
"He'll be useful."
"Yes, Master."
The shadows beneath the assassins suddenly twisted violently.
Angelina emerged soundlessly.
Her hands transformed into deadly black claws.
The leading assassin reacted instantly
But too late.
A claw pierced directly through his chest.
His eyes widened.
Then dimmed.
His body collapsed lifelessly.
The second assassin immediately took a fighting stance.
But the Angelina standing before him now
Was no longer the same person from before.
This was Angelina reborn.
The true Shadow.
A terror in the making.
She moved.
And vanished.
The assassin's eyes widened desperately.
Too fast
The next thing he saw
Was his own headless body collapsing before him.
"Please don't make this difficult."
Angelina flicked blood from her claws casually.
"Master asked me to make it quick."
Silence returned once more.
Only one assassin remained.
Angelina slowly lifted her gaze toward him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
This one…
He was different .