That morning, Zephyrus Academy felt different. The academy's main street was lined with rows of Zephyrus royal knights. They stood at attention, their shining armor and dark green robes fluttering in the breeze. Students gathered on the side of the road, whispering as they watched the procession.
In the middle of the procession, a large chest was being carried carefully. Magic chains and locking crystals wrapped tightly around it. Everyone knew what was inside: an ancient painting that had been kept in the academy's basement.
Damian stood among the crowd, his gaze never leaving the chest. His breathing was heavy. "So the painting really was moved…" he muttered.
Liam stood beside Damian, his expression stern, as if he were guarding it. "They're not messing around. This is clearly a serious matter," he said quietly.
Rin wrung her hands, her face tense. "If the painting falls into someone else's hands…"
Tessa quickly retorted, resentful. "That's why it was moved to the palace. It's safer there than below the academy."
Even so, Damian caught a glimpse of anxiety behind his sharp words.
Elric, as usual, spoke the loudest from behind. "If I were the one guarding it, there wouldn't be a need to bring so many troops!"
Lucien immediately slapped the back of his head. "Shut up. This isn't the time for jokes."
Elric grimaced, rubbing his head. "Oww, how rude." But his face remained cheerful.
The group of palace guards paused for a moment. A royal mage stepped forward and chanted a magic spell. Blue light appeared, forming chains that enveloped the chest. His mana aura was so strong that many of the students swallowed hard.
Damian stared at it for a long moment, his thoughts in disarray. He recalled the painting that had once reacted to him. Now, seeing the artifact under such tight guard, he became even more certain that the secret within would drag them all down.
The academy corridors were filled with the sound of footsteps and small talk. After the procession of moving the ancient painting to the palace was complete, the students were finally dismissed. The hallways, which had been quiet for the past few weeks, were now alive again. Small laughter and voices mingled from every direction, bringing a long-lost sense of normalcy.
Rin glanced around with a faint smile. Her eyes lit up at the returning crowd. "Finally…it's starting to feel like school again," she said quietly.
Tessa, walking beside him, simply shrugged. "It's understandable. With the painting moved to the palace, parents are more at ease leaving their children here."
Liam nodded slightly. His face remained serious, as if he couldn't truly relax. "At least for now, it feels safe."
Damian walked among them, watching the crowd of other students return to their usual laughter and jokes. At first glance, it seemed as if everything was back to normal. But deep down, he knew the truth was different. His gaze sharpened, piercing the seemingly oblivious crowd.
"Strange," Damian thought to himself. "A few days ago, this place felt empty; now it's full again. But I know... the real threat isn't over yet."
The mid-afternoon lawn was filled with the soft glow of lights strung around the garden. The atmosphere was lively again; students gathered in small groups, some chatting, others practicing light magic in corners. After weeks of tense silence, Zephyrus was slowly returning to its usual school routine.
Under one of the large trees, Damian sat with Rin, Tessa, Liam, Kaien, and Elric. They formed a small circle, enjoying the calmer afternoon.
Elric, of course, was the center of attention, at least for his own group. He stood on a wooden bench with an exaggerated pose, one hand raised high. "Attention, everyone!" he exclaimed loudly. "I hereby declare that Zephyrus is once again lively thanks to my presence!"
A few students passing by merely glanced at him, then continued on their way without a care. Rin immediately tugged at the hem of Elric's robe with an annoyed expression. "Get down. You're embarrassing."
"What? I was just promoting the spirit of togetherness!" Elric replied confidently, as if he were the hero of the afternoon's event.
Tessa crossed her arms, her voice flat. "What kind of togetherness is there if you're the only one screaming?"
Kaien sat back, stroking his little magic wolf's head. He sighed, his voice low but clear. "If he keeps that up, the teacher will be here soon."
Liam just shook his head slowly, used to Elric's antics, while Rin covered her face with her hands, holding back embarrassment.
Damian, on the other hand, didn't join in the reprimand. He simply chuckled, letting the light argument play out. His eyes stared up at the evening sky, listening to the laughter and noise of the other students around him. For a moment, things truly felt like they had returned to normal.
But deep down, Damian still harbored anxiety. Although Zephyrus seemed to be alive again, he knew the shadow of the threat they once faced hadn't completely disappeared.
That night, Professor Limbert's study was illuminated softly by a crystal in the corner. Tall shelves filled with books towered above, while a large wooden table in the center was piled high with scrolls of maps and stacks of reports that had just arrived from the kingdom.
Professor Limbert stood upright in front of the desk, his hands resting on the wooden surface. His eyes scanned the vast map of Altareon, covered in small marks and scribbles from his months of observation. Beside him, neatly stacked files of reports on the movements of the dark forces, some still open.
With a solemn expression, he lifted a glowing pen and tapped lightly on the northern edge of the map. "If the threat is real…" he murmured, his voice low, almost as if talking to himself, "we must send them out."
The room fell silent again after those words. Only the sound of the pen being placed back on the table could be heard.
The crystal in the corner suddenly vibrated gently, its light glinting briefly before dimming again. Limbert didn't turn around, but his expression was firm. He knew the decision had been made. The students are ready for this kind of mission.
The next mission awaited.