Adrian opened the door and looked inside, wincing as the light still burned his eyes. But then his eyes widened.
Someone was standing beside Evelyn, watching her sleep.He wore a high-collar hoodie with a striking red-and-black gradient. On the back, a skull biting down on a chain-cross was printed boldly. The logo's white outlines glowed faintly—the same glow that had blinded Adrian.
He was the same height as Adrian. And even though his face was hidden, the build, the posture—it was eerily identical.The stranger clenched his fist.
Without hesitation, Adrian stepped in."Who the hell are you!?"
Before Evelyn could wake up, the glow intensified—and the stranger vanished.
"Huh? What? Huh?" Evelyn mumbled groggily, a bubble popping at her nose.Adrian stood frozen, stunned by the sudden brightness and disappearance.
"Adrian? What's going on?" she yawned. "What are you doing here?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.But Adrian didn't hear her. He was still in shock.
"Who… was that?" he thought.
Suddenly—THUD THUD THUD echoed from down the hallway.Grandpa John burst in with a baseball bat, his nightcap flopping with each step."Jump left What's going on?! Jump right WHO'S IN HERE!?"
"I… he… someone was just here," Adrian said, trying to explain.
John looked at him for a moment, then sighed."You're probably hallucinating. You saw someone die today. It's no surprise."He walked over and placed a comforting hand on Adrian's shoulder."It's probably temporary. You'll feel better after a good nap."
Adrian nodded slowly, but deep down he knew "I'm not hallucinating… there's no way something that real was just in my head. And… I couldn't see his face, but… it felt like looking at a clone of me."
Meanwhile, in Izuwan…
Leo was called into the Chief Enforcer's office.
He knocked."Enter" a cold voice answered.
Leo stepped inside.
There she was—Chief Enforcer Seraphine. Her elbow rested on the desk, hands folded beneath her chin. A matte black sword-shaped earring swung from her ear. Her blood-red eyes, soft behind round silver-rimmed glasses, met Leo's stare. The rims shimmered with sunlight.
She looked down at his hand—his fist wrapped in blood-soaked bandages."…Did you hurt your hand?" she asked.
Leo remained silent.
"I asked you a question," she said, leaning forward until her face was just inches from his."Did you forget who you're standing in front of, Leo?"
After a tense pause, Leo lowered his head."No, Chief Seraphine."
"I was training to kill Kael. My skin tore in the process," he said, clenching his fist.
Seraphine watched him for a long moment, then leaned back into her chair."Sit, Leo."
He obeyed.
"Kael has been reported dead," she said, removing her glasses and cleaning them with a cloth.
Leo's expression darkened instantly. After a moment of silence, he snapped,"No… you're lying."
He glared at her with sharp, burning eyes.
"There's no way that bastard is dead. I… I refuse to accept that!" he yelled, slamming his bandaged fist onto the desk. Thwack! Blood began to drip from his fist. Veins pulsed at his temple.
Seraphine's eyes turned glacial."What do you think you're doing, Leo?"
The coldness in her voice hit him like a slap. He calmed immediately."I'm… I'm sorry, Chief," he muttered, placing his hands behind his back—still clenching.
She slipped her glasses back on.
"…I'm cancelling the mission."
She crossed her legs, hands folded neatly on her knee. Her stillness radiated icy control.
"You're the leader of Class B. I want you to inform the others."
A long pause.
"…Yes, Chief Seraphine," Leo said, forcing a smile that barely hid his fury.
"Then you may go."
Leo exited the office. The hallway air felt colder than it should've. Blood still dripped from his hand.
"No… he's not dead," Leo thought, his eyes burning with rage. Each of his step gets heavier
"I know that bastard better than anyone. If the academy wants to pretend it's over… fine. Let them."
He stopped near the hallway window, staring at his reflection.
"I'll find him myself… and drive a knife through his throat. Slowly."
He clenched his fist tighter.
"And I'll make sure that pain lasts."
Back in Eldermere…
Laughter echoed through the village streets as the townsfolk hung lanterns and ribbons, preparing for the mayor's daughter Elisa June's birthday. Children ran, cheeks puffed as they blew up colorful balloons—squealing when one popped. The scent of grilled meat and ripe fruit filled the air. A band played cheerful music on a wooden stage.
Inside Adrian house, Adrian stood in front of a mirror, adjusting his shirt collar.
But his mind wasn't in the glass.
"I couldn't see him properly yesterday…" he thought, sitting on the edge of the bed, tugging at his shoes."But it wasn't a hallucination. I know it wasn't."
His eyes stared blankly at the floor. The glowing hoodie. The skull logo. The way the stranger's posture mirrored his own…
It didn't feel like coincidence.
A soft knock pulled him back.
It was Evelyn.
Somehow, Adrian had convinced her to come with him.
She stood by the doorway, her inky-black hair pulled into a loose ponytail, uneven strands falling over her cheekbones like soft threads of night. It looked hastily done—like she never glanced in a mirror.
"You ready?" Adrian asked, rising to his feet.
"There'll be… a lot of people," she said, clenching her dress.
"I'll be right beside you," he promised. "We'll stick to the edges, grab food, maybe swipe a balloon, then vanish before anyone makes us talk to stranger."
A small smile tugged at her lips. "Okay…" she replied softly, still nervous.
She walked out.
Adrian was about to follow—when something caught his eye.
On the wooden surface of his desk, faintly etched, were two words.
Carved in by a blade.
"Save her."
He froze.
Those words hadn't been there yesterday.