The campus buzzed with a tense energy as students shuffled around, murmuring about the destructive chaos that took place.
My steps were careful and deliberate as I slipped out of the wasbroom and joined everyone else, keeping my head low. The aftermath of the epic fight between me and Nebula was visible; scorch marks adorned the ground, banners hung in tatters, and debris littered the festival grounds. The air was thick with unease, and I could feel eyes on me from all directions.
"Just act normal," I muttered to myself.
Before I could blend into the crowd completely, a sleek black car pulled up at the gates. The students hushed collectively as the door opened, revealing the Queen. She stepped out gracefully, planting her boots firmly on the ground. Her imposing figure was draped in a flowing black coat, and a glimmering sword rested on her back. Her presence was magnetic, exuding authority and danger in equal measure.
"Report," she commanded, her voice cold and sharp like a blade slicing through the air.
A group of knights approached her, bowing deeply before one of them stepped forward. "Your Majesty, there was an... incident. Zero and a woman with blue hair, who called herself the Goddess of Witch, Nebula, were fighting."
The other knight tagged along to answer.
"Apparently the oak tree was the witch's grave. She was burried here decades ago by someone unknown."
The Queen's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Go on," she said.
The knight hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "During their confrontation, a light flashed in the sky, and they were... sucked into it. We couldn't trace their exact location after that."
The Queen clicked her tongue in irritation, her jaw tightening. "I was late again," she muttered under her breath, her gaze hardening as she scanned the area.
Another knight chimed in hesitantly, "Your Majesty, it appears the artifact was used by students in festival event and the energy contained in it might have been triggered unintentionally and... reactivated the witch's power, allowing her a temporary reincarnation."
The Queen's hand curled into a fist. "And how....did Zero get to this before us?" she asked, her tone icy and laced with venom.
The knights exchanged nervous glances, but none dared to speak. Their silence only fueled her anger.
"You're telling me a vigilante who hides himself like a coward all the time has better intelligence than this knigdom's entire network of knights?" Her voice rose slightly, sending a shiver through the air.
The knights bowed their heads, their silence an answer in itself.
She turned sharply. "Where are they now? What happened after the light?"
"We… don't know, Your Majesty," one knight admitted reluctantly.
The Queen's lips curled into a snarl. "Incompetent fools," she spat. She looked ready to strike someone but restrained herself, turning her attention back to the scorched earth. Her mind seemed to race, and the frustration in her body language was clear.
As the Queen dealt with the knights, I managed to slip away and spot my friends: Maya, Natasha, Claire, and Zayn. Relief washed over me as I approached them.
"Hey, where have you been?" Maya asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
I scratched the back of my head, letting out a nervous laugh. "Uh... I ran and hid in the washroom," I said with a sheepish smile.
Claire raised an eyebrow. "The washroom? Really?"
"Yeah," I replied, shrugging. "I mean, did you see what was going on? I wasn't about to stick around for that chaos."
Natasha sighed, folding her arms. "I don't know, Austin. You just vanished out of nowhere. It's not like you to run off like that."
"Well, I'm here now," I said quickly, trying to change the subject. "And I'm glad you guys are okay. That's what matters, right?"
Maya eyed me suspiciously. "You're sweating. And why do you look so tense?"
I waved her off with a forced chuckle. "Tense? Me? Nah, I'm just... exhausted from all the running and hiding. You know how it is."
Their questions were starting to get uncomfortable, but I couldn't let them know the truth. I couldn't tell them that I was Zero, the very person they were just talking about.
As I tried to maintain my facade, my eyes caught the Queen's gaze. She was staring directly at me, her expression unreadable. My stomach churned.
She kept her gaze fixed on me, her eyes unwavering, as if searching for something I couldn't grasp. I met her stare with an innocent curiosity, utterly confused by her sudden intensity. What is she thinking? Why is she looking at me like that?
Maya nudged me. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine," I lied, my voice a little too high-pitched. "Just... tired, like I said."
Before they could press me further, a knight approached the Queen, and she turned her attention back to her subordinates. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Why was she staring at me like that?" I thought, my mind racing. Did she suspect something?
The tension was broken when the principal's voice echoed across the campus.
"Attention, students," he announced, his tone grave. "Due to today's unforeseen events, all festival activities are hereby concluded. There will be no further events tomorrow, and we ask that everyone vacate the premises immediately."
"Ohh come on...It's a once in a year thing for us.."
"Nothing can be done.."
A collective groan rose from the crowd, but no one argued. The principal's stern expression made it clear that this decision was final.
"To make up for this disruption," he added, "we will host a small celebration tomorrow evening to officially conclude this year's festival. But for now, please go home. The knights need to continue their investigation, and your safety is our priority."
The students began dispersing, some muttering complaints while others accepted the situation with resigned shrugs.
As my friends and I walked toward the exit, Natasha broke the silence. "This was supposed to be a fun day. Instead, we almost got killed."
"Yeah," Maya added, her voice heavy with frustration. "If it weren't for Zero showing up, who knows what could've happened?" The most update n0vels are published on NoveIＦire.net
I winced at her words, unsure how to respond. "Well, at least everyone's okay now," I said, trying to sound casual.
Claire nodded. "That's true. But still... it's scary to think about how close we were to—"
"Let's not dwell on it," Zayn interrupted, his tone lighter. "We're all here, safe and sound. That's what matters."
As we continued walking, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Out of curiosity, I glanced back at the Queen. She was deep in conversation with the knights, her expression serious. But then, as if sensing my gaze, she lifted her eyes and locked them with mine.
A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly turned away, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.
"Nothing," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Let's just get out of here."
As we left the campus, I couldn't help but feel that this was far from over. The Queen's piercing gaze lingered in my mind, and I knew that whatever came next, it wouldn't be simple.