Liora didn't say much on the walk back.
She didn't have to.
I'd just barely survived a second ambush in the same week — this time by a group of furious students I'd embarrassed in combat. And just like before, it wasn't me who got me out of it.
It was her.
Cursed magic. Controlled precision. Zero hesitation. She didn't even look tired.
"So," I said after a few minutes of silence, "what happened back there?"
"They attacked you," she said plainly.
"No, I got that part. I meant… what was that spell? That wasn't in the standard fire-lightning-throw-sparks class."
She gave me a side glance. "Family Magic. My mother taught me."
The moonlight caught her face just right — calm, confident, deadly.
My mind flashed back to the glowing status window from days ago. It had already told me the truth.
Liora Godfrey. Bloodline: Drakopoulos.
But I played dumb. Because that was safer.
"Wait," I said, stopping just outside the dorm path. "Your mother…?"
"She's your father's sister," she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Didn't you ever wonder why we both have serpent sigils on our crest?"
"Can't say I did."
"I took my father's name — Godfrey. House of merchants. My magic comes from my mother's side, though.
I scratched my head, acting surprised. "So you're… my cousin?"
"That bothers you?"
"Not as much as the fact that you casually flattened five guys while humming."
She actually laughed. "Try not to get jumped next time."
She turned and crossed the bridge toward the Female Dorm for Nobles — a towering masterpiece of polished white marble, ivy-covered balconies, and gold-rimmed archways. It was guarded like a royal treasury, and the armor those women wore looked like it cost more than my father's last political campaign.
As she passed the gate, the guards eyed me like a suspicious rat sneaking near sacred cheese.
I gave a small wave. "I'm not here to commit boy crimes."
They didn't blink.
My own dorm — Male Dorm One — was still plenty elegant, with its dark stone architecture, glowing lanterns, and red glass windows. Just not castle fancy.
I made it to my room, locked the door, and dropped face-first into my bed.
[Status Window Activated]
✅ Mission Complete: "Survive the Day (Again)"
🎁 Rewards:
– +5 Stamina
– +10 Mana
– Condition: Stable
– New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Snakes
⚠️ New Mission Assigned: "Survive the Month"
⏳ 31 Days Remaining
Objective: Stay Alive
Bonus Objective: Befriend Selene Lykaios
📆 Predicted Death Event:Four Pillars Summit.
I groaned into the pillow.
"Not this again…"
So I hadn't escaped fate. I'd just bought time.
The Next Morning — Cyran Academy
The announcement board was packed. Floating magic glyphs displayed bold glowing words across the stone wall.
📣 "ATTENTION, STUDENTS!"
Due to the upcoming Four Pillars Summit, final exams have been moved up to next week.
Start Date: March 1st.
All years. All divisions. Full performance evaluations apply.
[Status Ping]
🔻 Death Timer: March 1st.
Predicted Death Event: First Day Of Four Pillars Summit.
"Perfect," I muttered, staring at the board.
"Talking to walls again?" Liora asked, showing up with breakfast bread.
"It's either that or scream into my boots."
"Try the boots. Less obvious."
Meanwhile – Far North, House Argento
Snow drifted like silk across the mountains of Northern Virelia. Atop the peak stood the cold, formidable stronghold of House Argento.
Inside, heat crackled from rune-lit braziers. The long hall echoed as a tall man stepped beside a waiting carriage.
His name was Kazuki Argento, Duke of the Northern Reaches. He bore no royal blood — his title had nothing to do with the Empire and everything to do with sheer force and reputation. The wolf sigil on his cloak marked him as a protector of the borderlands.
Beside him stood his daughter, Elizabeth.
Her hair was a wild mixture of deep black and silvery white — thick, soft waves tucked under a traveling hood. Her cloak was lined with wolf fur, and her pale skin glowed faintly under the torchlight.
"Are you ready for Cyran Academy?" Kazuki asked.
Elizabeth adjusted her gloves. "Yes. I'm not going to spy or scheme. I'm just going to study, like everyone else."
"I know." His eyes softened. "Just be careful. You've been raised in snow and silence. The capital's louder."
"I'm not afraid of loud people."
"I'm not worried about fear," he said. "I'm worried about knives that smile."
Behind them, her mother — Liz — stepped into the hall. Same eyes. Same stubborn set to her jaw. She didn't speak, but gave a nod of approval.
Elizabeth stepped into the carriage without another word.
The wheels rolled forward, carrying her toward the capital.