A voice cut through the chaos behind Max.
"OVER HERE!"
He flinched.
He didn't need Scan to recognize that furious tone. Another window flickered into view automatically.
[An angry mob of proffers — led by the man you robbed blind.]
"Well," Max whispered, "that feels… fair."
There was no time to think. He moved silent and invisible between panicked instructors and patrolling faculty. His Shroud spell bent light and attention away from him, letting him walk through the crowd like a phantom.
As he reached the library exit, voices echoed behind him.
"Check the back room make sure that safe is not disturbed!"
"Someone stole the Shroud spell!"
"That spell is forbidden for first-years!"
"No first-year could use it. Impossible. Assume a second-year breach."
"Notify the Headmaster immediately."
Max exhaled slowly.
"So that… didn't take them long."
He slipped out of the library and hurried down the moonlit path toward the dorms. The spell hid him well but his heartbeat felt loud enough to set off alarms.
As he approached the entrance, he silently activated Scan.
[Henry — still asleep]
[Floor: Slippery. Don't be an idiot.]
[Everything else: Unremarkable]
"Thank the gods," Max murmured.
He crept forward—carefully avoiding the polished tile that gleamed with forewarning.
He made it halfway up the stairs when a hand seized the back of his collar and yanked him forward.
Max nearly screamed.
Alex's voice whispered sharply:
"So… mind explaining what kind of suicidal field trip you just took?"
Max turned, heartbeat still rising.
"I was just… evaluating night security.
For, uh—science."
Alex stared.
Max added, "Also curiosity."
Alex sighed and released him.
"I'm starting to regret teaming up with you," he muttered. "Just don't get caught. This place doesn't do soft punishment."
Max rolled his shoulders, trying to shake off the tension.
"I picked up a few tricks tonight. I'll be fine."
"Good," Alex replied. "Because we don't have many allies. Or friends."
With that, he turned and disappeared into his room which come to find out was right next to his. The lock clicked shut.
Max stared after him a second longer, then headed to his own room.
He collapsed onto the stiff mattress, staring at the ceiling.
No one can know I have Shroud. Not yet.
His eyes slowly closed.
Tomorrow he'd act normal. Or as normal as possible for someone who stole ancient magic and assaulted a teacher.
Morning. Birds chirped.
People walked calmly to class.
Max bolted upright.
"—I'M LATE!"
He sprinted out of his room so fast his door barely had time to lock behind him. He nearly trampled through Henry on his way out of the dorms.
Profoundly not ready for consequences, Max activated Shroud and slipped into invisibility as he reached the courtyard.
Sneaking through the hallways, he cracked open Professor Spark's classroom door and slipped inside, seating himself on the highest steps silent and unseen.
Professor Spark stood at the front, humming with electricity.
Her tone was casual, almost cheerful
"For those of you who haven't learned magic, don't worry there are multiple ways to awaken your mana. Your body has energy. The air has energy. Manipulating both is the foundation of spellcasting."
She scanned the room.
Her eyes lingered exactly where Max sat.
His stomach flipped. Was she… smiling?
Her voice continued, softly.
"It seems one of our new students is missing. A shame. They performed well on the entrance exam yet skipped the most important lesson."
Her gaze stayed locked on him.
Max checked his mana and froze.
[Mana: 8/50]
"Ohhhh no."
If it hit zero, the spell would fail.
He remained still as Professor Spark inhaled.
"Next," she said calmly, "I'll demonstrate advanced mana manipulation. Do not attempt this."
She swung her fist at empty air.
BOOM
A shockwave ripped across the room.
Hair lifted.
Wind howled.
A chunk of the wall exploded right beside Max's face.
A single bead of sweat slid down his forehead.
She knew.
She absolutely knew.
"Class dismissed," she said sweetly. "With enough practice, you won't need spells. Your body will become the weapon."
Students hurried out Victoria last. She paused, eyes drifting toward the destroyed section of wall before leaving.
Max wasn't sure if she saw him
but he definitely saw her smirk.
Is this spell defective? Or only able to trick weaker people.
He stood and crept toward the doorway.
A bolt of electricity flickered beside his foot.
Professor Spark's voice was soft—dangerously soft.
"Oh no. You're late to class and now you think you can leave, little ghost?"
Max froze.
Slowly—very slowly—he turned.
She smiled.
"Where," she asked, "are you rushing off to?"