"Young Master Eric!"
Hearing Eric name being called, both Eric and Yvonne snapped out of their trance and looked around, only to realize that everyone's eyes were on them.
What just happened? Yvonne questioned herself, feeling utterly confused. And, why was her cheek suddenly hot?
This had never happened to her before. Yvonne has always been someone who never felt hot, thanks to her ice manipulation power. So… what is happening to her? Is this what "feeling warm" is supposed to feel like?
Holding her hot cheek, Yvonne gently massaged it, trying to calm the sudden heat spreading across her face.
On the other side, her action went unnoticed by Cassandra, who looked infuriated. And yet, the person causing her anger wasn't even thinking about her at that moment.
Alessandra, you bitch! Just wait and see! Cassandra's thoughts seared through the air with pure hatred brewing in her eyes.
"Young Master Eric," the dean's voice cut through the awkward tension, breaking the silence. "As the top students in the test, please step forward and address the assembly."
The hall erupted in applause as Eric walked toward the podium, his posture calm and commanding. Kael and Lucen, who had been sitting at the second row, exchanged a glance.
Lucen leaned closer to Kael, murmuring under his breath, "Was it just me, or was he staring a little too long?"
Kael snorted quietly. "If Cassandra didn't notice, it's a miracle."
Eric began his speech, but Yvonne found herself unable to focus on his words. Her mind was still wrapped around the warmth on her cheek and the frustration bubbling inside her.
Walking out of the hall after the speech, Yvonne couldn't shake off the lingering sensation. Her cheek still burned slightly, and every step she took seemed heavier than the last.
"Miss!" Naomi squealed, tugging at Yvonne arm. "Congratulations! You're officially an Order Of The White Flame student. Another wish of yours fulfilled!"
Another wish? Yvonne blinked in disbelief.
What wish?
From potential death to guaranteed danger — truly, a dream come true.
This feels less like a wish and more like a curse! Yvonne cursed. She had no intention of staying here any longer than she had to. The longer she lingered, the higher the chance someone would discovered her.
"Miss," Naomi said again, noticing Yvonne blank stare, "come on! Let's go see your new class!" She grabbed her arm, practically dragging Yvonne along. Her excitement was contagious, and for a moment, Yvonne couldn't help but wonder if she'd been admitted as an Order Of The White Flame student herself.
They stopped in front of a massive, ornate gate. The building behind it was enormous, far grander than any other structure I'd seen on campus. Its architecture intimidating, almost fortress-like.
Eric arrived moments later, flanked by Kael and Lucen.
Lucen whistled low. "Well. This looks cheerful."
"Like a haunted mansion," Kael added. "Are we sure this isn't where failed students disappear?"
And the others soon joined us, and the gate opened automatically. The moment we stepped inside, a silence fell over the place—heavier than anything Yvonne had expected.
There were no students wandering the hallways, no teachers giving lectures, nothing but the sound of wind blowing through fallen leaves scattered across the courtyard.
The building felt abandoned, the walls lined with cobwebs and dust. It looked more like a haunted mansion than a school. When the gate slammed shut behind them with a loud thud, Yvonne nearly jumped out of her skin.
Naomi swallowed. "Why is it so quiet…?"
"Quiet?" Bianca muttered. "This place feels dead."
Lilith clutched her sleeves. "Maybe we should leave."
"Yes," someone else agreed quickly. "Immediately."
Cassandra straightened, lifting her chin. "If you flee because of fear, how will you survive as The Order Of The White Flame members?" she snapped. "This is nothing compared to real missions."
Eric's expression hardened.
"Then leave," he said coolly. "I'll take that as your resignation."
Silence slammed down.
Lucen blinked. "Wow. No warm-up speech. Just straight to existential threats."
Kael muttered, "Classic Eric."
Yvonne clenched her fists, her teeth grinding. She wasn't scared. Not really. She just… hated being powerless, hated that she had no idea what she was getting into. And yet, Yvonne couldn't just walk away.
"Let's go," Cassandra said, forcing herself forward to lead the way. But barely two steps in, a click sounded under her foot. One of the tiles she had stepped on triggered a series of arrows that shot out from five or six statues positioned around the compound.
Chaos erupted. Eric moved first, his reflexes sharp, dodging the deadly missiles with practiced precision. The others followed, leaping, ducking, and rolling to avoid the sudden onslaught.
Yvonne had barely managed to get her footing and sprang aside, but then froze. Naomi was rooted to the ground, paralyzed with fear. Her eyes were wide, staring at the arrows as if they were snakes ready to strike.
Yvonne lunged forward and grabbed her, pulling her out of the line of fire. The moment was chaotic, and in doing so, one of the arrows grazed her arm, piercing through flesh.
Naomi gasped, her face pale as she realized how close she had come to being struck.
But, her expression soon turned to relief when she saw Yvonne standing in front of her, though the pain shooting through Yvonne arm made it hard to smile.
Eric immediately rushed toward Yvonne, gripping her injured arm. Gabriella tore part of her clothing and handed it to him. Without hesitation, he bandaged the wound expertly, his hands gently and steady despite the blood seeping through.
"Are you okay?" Amanda asked, her voice filled with concern, eyes wide.
"How can she be okay? She just got injured!" Gabriella snapped, clearly annoyed at Amanda's naïve question.
Amanda frowned, defending herself. "I was just concerned, okay?"
Naomi, meanwhile, was trembling, guilt all over her face. "Miss, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault. I froze, and if you hadn't—" She stopped, tears threatening to fall. "I'm really sorry, Miss. I shouldn't have—"
Yvonne shook her head, gripping Naomi shoulder gently. "No. It's not your fault. Blame the damn idiot who created this trap, not the people trying to survive it."
Even with the pain shooting through Yvonne's arm, she managed to straighten her back, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
Yvonne wasn't about to let anyone, even a little maid like Naomi, feel worse than she already did.