Just after King Valemir agreed to the alliance, Queen Lucy informed him of a summit to be held in the Tempest Kingdom in two days. It would be the first official gathering of the three kingdoms, a meeting to strategize their response to the looming continental threat and finalize the terms of their union.
Without delay, Queen Lucy, Mystica, and the accompanying knights stepped into the glowing magical portal, vanishing just as they had arrived in the Crescent Kingdom.
The moment they returned to Tempest soil, Lucy and Mystica parted from the others and made their way to the private chamber deep within the castle. The doors shut behind them with a quiet echo as they settled into velvet chairs, facing each other.
"So," Lucy began, her tone low and curious. "You said you found a dark magic user."
"I did," Mystica replied smoothly. "And it wasn't recent either. We've been watching him since the day he enrolled in the academy."
Lucy arched a brow. "Enrolled? What year is he in?"
"He's a first year," Mystica answered, catching the flicker of annoyance in Lucy's expression. "Galen made the call to keep his identity hidden until we learned more."
"Learned what, exactly?"
"Information," Mystica said. "You remember when the Dark Forest in Zone 14 vanished overnight?"
Lucy's expression shifted, realization dawning. "He did that?"
Mystica nodded. "He did. I tried questioning him, but he admitted he doesn't fully understand what happened himself. Asked for time to figure it out."
Lucy leaned back, a small smile tugging her lips. "Interesting… I'd love to know more about this boy. His name?"
"That's why I'm here," Mystica said, smirking. "Liam Hunter. Fifteen years old. First year at the Dark Knight Academy. He conceals his dark magic, relying on fire magic to avoid raising suspicion—or causing disaster."
"Hunter?" Lucy repeated, frowning slightly as if the name tickled a memory.
"Sound familiar?" Mystica asked.
"Not exactly… but I have books in my personal library that might help me trace the name."
"Let me know what you find," Mystica said.
Lucy gave a light nod. "Has he caused any trouble?"
"None," Mystica replied. "In fact, he's the opposite of most teens around here. Reserved. Focused. He's already saved lives, Lucy. I believe he could be the key to locating the hybrids, confronting Sylvathar, and ending this war before it begins."
Lucy smiled again. "Saved lives, huh? How?"
"You remember the blood demon incident in Grandeur's Eastern district?" Mystica asked, her smile edged with amusement.
"You mean the one you supposedly handled?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, that one," Mystica said. "But truth is, Liam held them off until I arrived. Two blood demons, held at bay by a first year."
Lucy's eyes narrowed, a slow grin spreading across her face. "I knew something was off when I read that report. Blood demons are the strongest Sync-class demons we've faced, and as good as you are, there's no way fighting just two would've left that much wreckage."
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"This Liam Hunter… I have to meet him."
Two days had passed since Liam had overheard the conversation between Ember and Gordon, and the weight of that intel still pressed heavily on his shoulders. He'd made several attempts to talk with Mystica, Galen, or even Magnus—anyone with enough authority or power to act on what he'd discovered—but every effort hit a wall.
Ariana hadn't seen Mystica in three days either, and the magical portal door Mystica had left her—the one meant for direct contact—wasn't working at all. That alone was worrying.
Left with no guidance, Liam made a risky decision—one that could cost him dearly if things went sideways.
He decided to watch over Sheila himself.
Every lunch break, every moment after classes, he stayed close to her—but not too close. He couldn't afford to draw attention or make her suspicious. If Ember or Gordon caught wind that someone had overheard them, his fate would be sealed.
Still, he couldn't be around Sheila 24/7. So, he turned to the only people he trusted enough to help—Ariana, Dylan, and Max. He didn't tell them the full truth. No mention of hybrids. No warning about the danger. Just a vague request: "Keep an eye on Sheila for me." For Dylan, he added a specific task—come up with a reason to pull Sheila away from the hallways immediately after class ended, just in case Ember tried to make a move.
Of course, this came with its own problems—Dylan being the biggest one.
The moment Liam asked, Dylan started grinning like an idiot and accused him of having a crush on Sheila. That alone made Liam second-guess the entire operation. He didn't care for Sheila—not as a friend, not as a love interest. His concern was calculated. If Ember and Gordon were after her, then Sheila had something they needed—something vital to Sylvathar's plan. Keeping her safe wasn't sentiment; it was strategy.
And while the daytime surveillance was mostly handled, nighttime was a different story.
For two nights straight, Liam had slipped into Sheila's room after she fell asleep, watching over her in silence like a ghost in the shadows. The whole thing irritated him more than anything else. He was risking his life for someone he had no intention of dying for—but the lack of choice left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Now, on the third day, exhaustion had finally started catching up to him. He hadn't truly slept in over 48 hours. Normally, he would've collapsed in class by now, or at the very least felt lightheaded. But Crimson Breathing kept him going—constantly recharging his body and replenishing his Myst reserves.
Still… today felt heavier than usual. Even with all his techniques, even with all his resolve—he was starting to crack.
Liam was in the thick of Knight Combat Training, clad in the same weighted gear as the rest of the class, battling waves of holographic demons.
He had just finished off another demon when his steps faltered for a split second. That moment of weakness was all it took—a Demon Bear lunged at him from the side, claws bared and ready to maul. But before it could make contact, Asher burst in, driving his sword clean through the demon's skull. The beast collapsed in a heap.
"What the hell is wrong with you today?" Asher asked, his face twisted in disgust. "You look more drained than a rotting rat, and that's after just five kills."
"Kindly shut it, buzz cut," Liam replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "Just a little worn out from some late-night training. That's all." It was a lie, but he kept his tone even.
Asher narrowed his eyes, watching Liam return to the fray. 'Yeah, sure. Like I'm supposed to believe that,' he thought. 'Then again, what else would he even be doing aside training? Tch. What a pain.'
With a sigh, Asher turned back to his own fight.
Minutes dragged by until the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the session and the start of lunch break. Garrick dismissed the class, telling them to change and head out.
Liam and Asher exited together, walking side by side toward the cafeteria. Within seconds, they reached. Liam sighed internally as he entered before muttering under his breath.