By the time the group finally returned to the academy, the infirmary was already prepared.
A team of healers in white robes stood waiting near the gates. Their robes shimmered with glowing sigils, pulsing softly with mana.
Several magical scrolls floated in the air beside them—already activated, ready to be used at any moment.
As soon as the stretcher carrying Kael appeared, one of the senior healers stepped forward with urgency.
"Bring him in—quickly! There’s no time to waste!" she commanded.
The stretcher wasn’t ordinary—it was crafted with mana-infused wood, gliding smoothly across the ground on invisible rails powered by magic.
It floated just above the floor, moving swiftly through the academy’s stone halls as students and staff watched in silence.
A full medical team was waiting.
They immediately surrounded Kael, working in perfect coordination.
Some began placing mana stabilizers around the bed—crystal pillars that glowed softly and helped control Kael’s vital energy.
Others cast diagnostic spells, their hands weaving through the air as glowing symbols formed and disappeared.
A gentle hum of magic filled the room as they pressed their hands over Kael’s body, sending soothing waves of healing energy into his most injured areas.
One of the head healers, a middle-aged man with silver-streaked hair and calm eyes, placed a mana seal over Kael’s chest—a glowing circle that pulsed with Kael’s weak heartbeat.
He let out a slow breath, then spoke.
"He’s badly injured... internal bleeding, mana exhaustion, fractured ribs... but..."
He looked up at the others firmly.
"He’s still breathing. He’s alive—just barely. We don’t know if he’ll wake up soon... but we’ll do everything we can."
Everyone nodded and got to work—because every second mattered.
More spells lit up around him. A glowing crystal orb hovered above his head, glowing brighter with each pulse of his heartbeat.
Outside the room, some of the students who weren’t allowed in stood in small groups, still whispering.
"Why would someone try to kill us?"
"Is it because we are students?
Even some of the professors had started gathering—talking quietly among themselves, trying to make sense of what had happened.
And through all the noise, one thought echoed in the minds of nearly every student:
Kael wasn’t just another quiet first-year.
Something had changed.
And whatever secrets he carried—whatever powers he was hiding—this was only the beginning.
As soon as Kael was placed in the infirmary and the healers began treating him, the principal called for an emergency staff meeting.
A messenger quickly ran through the academy halls, notifying all professors, security, and important staff members. Within minutes, they gathered inside the main conference chamber—a large, rows of seats arranged in a circle.
The principal stood at the center, his face serious and voice calm, but heavy with urgency.
"One of our student has been badly injured," he began.
"And this is not an isolated case. We must act."
Meanwhile, the three captured assassins—the ones who had attacked during the dungeon operation—were being held under tight security.
Although Arcadia Academy didn’t have a prison, they had prepared a secure chamber deep beneath the academy, originally meant for dangerous magical artifacts and runaway beasts.
Now, that chamber had been converted into a temporary holding cell.
The assassins were locked inside, their hands bound with enchanted chains and mouths sealed with magic runes to prevent them from speaking or casting any spells.
Guards stood watch outside the door in shifts, fully armed and alert.
The situation was tense.
Everyone in the academy—from students to professors—could feel it.
Something was wrong. Something dangerous was brewing.
What had started as a simple dungeon test... had just turned into a story that would shake the entire academy.
They stood in silence!
Some of the second year students murmured among themselves.
Even the arrogant students who had mocked moments ago suddenly stood quiet.
"...Still. Why did it happen to him?" one muttered under his breath. "Why not me? I wish I had the chance. I would’ve killed all of them myself."
But even he didn’t sound so confident now—not after seeing Kael’s burned, bloody state... and knowing he was still alive after such an explosion.
One second-year girl murmured, "Maybe it didn’t happen to you... because you wouldn’t have survived."
More students joined in, watching the group enter the academy building.
Word spread like wildfire across the State of Elaris.
There were twelve major academies in the state, and within hours, every single one had heard the shocking news about Arcadia Academy. The incident—whatever truly happened—had become the hottest topic across students, teachers, and guilds.
Outside the gates of Arcadia, reporters began to gather. The reporters crowded the entrance, throwing questions at the security.
One reporter said demanded:
"This is already the second incident. What exactly is going on inside? Is the academy hiding something?"
They referred to the recent chaos, a dungeon attack, assassins infiltrating and injuring students.
No one had all the details, but everyone had their own version of the story.
Soon, rumors filled the streets of Elaris:
"Two major incidents in just a few months? That’s not normal."
"If this continues... something might be brewing inside Arcadia."
"This can’t be just bad luck. Someone’s behind it."
Inside the academy walls, the mood had changed completely.
A heavy tension hung in the air.
While first-year students walked around, the second- and third-year students watched them with narrowed eyes and clenched jaws.
Their feelings were clear: jealousy, resentment, and frustration.
"Why are the first-years getting all the spotlight?"
"Back when we were first-years, we never had the media swarming our gates or professors praising us like that."
They couldn’t stand the fact that the youngest students were now being recognized by guild scouts too, respected by upperclassmen, and whispered about by the world.
Some felt challenged. Others felt forgotten.
The Staff Meeting Room
The staff meeting room was filled with tension. A long oval table sat at the center, surrounded by professors, department heads, and academy officials.
He glanced at the reports spread before him, then looked up at the gathered staff.
"This is the second serious incident involving assassins," he said slowly.
"If this goes on and on... we’ll be forced to take drastic action. Something must be done."
A heavy silence followed.
His eyes then turned sharply toward one person in the room.