The stench of blood and ash thickened in the air as I finally crossed the shattered gates of the academy. My heart thundered against my ribs, yet my steps never faltered. Flames licked the walls, shadows danced like twisted creatures, and the cries of students echoed in the distance.
But amid the chaos—
"Scarlett!" I shouted.
A flash of crimson hair. She turned, her expression blooming with both shock and relief.
"Noah!" Scarlett's voice cracked with emotion as she rushed into my arms. The scent of her, the warmth—it grounded me for a moment.
Behind her, Layla stepped out from the ruins of the training ground, smirking, blade stained with ichor. "Took your sweet time, didn't you, darling?" Her amber eyes twinkled, but I saw the fatigue behind them.
Lyra, clutching a freezing spear of ice, limped slightly but nodded at me. "Good to see you're alive."
I scanned the room. Something was off.
"…Where's Charlotte?" I asked.
Layla's smirk vanished instantly, annoyance creasing her brows. "I haven't seen that princess since yesterday. Probably hiding in a tower polishing her pride."
Lyra added, "Strange… even that golden boy Arthur is nowhere to be seen."
A strange chill danced down my spine.
I rushed to other students and professors, asking, searching—but each reply was the same: No one had seen Charlotte since the night before.
And then—
[Ding!]
The familiar cold flash of the system's interface unfolded before my eyes.
System Alert: Emergency Quest Issued :
[Protect Charlotte and Find the Culprit ]
[ Reward: Enhanced Sword Aura]
[ Penalty: Charlotte's death ]
[ Time Limit: 5 minutes ]
My heart dropped.
Charlotte… in danger?
I stood frozen.
I remembered the pain she'd caused me, the way she distanced herself when I was at my weakest. I didn't owe her anything. Not anymore.
But that was the old Noah.
"So what if she wasn't there when I needed her the most?"
"So what if I don't love her anymore?"
My hand clenched around my blade.
"I'm not the same helpless boy I used to be. I'll protect anyone I can."
"Wait for me, Charlotte."
In one fluid motion, I activated Mana Domain—a pulse of translucent light radiated from my core, sweeping through the entire academy like a sonar.
Mind Acceleration kicked in next. Time stretched. Everything slowed. I analyzed every signal, every mana fluctuation, every wounded aura and distant heartbeat.
Then—
There.
A flicker of life, faint and fading, buried beneath layers of stone and suppression runes.
My eyes widened.
Without hesitation, I launched forward.
"Flash Step!"
"Shadow Step!"
"Warp Step!"
Each movement tore me closer, the mana in my veins burning with urgency. My legs screamed, my lungs heaved—but I didn't stop.
There was no time to be human.
Within another minute, I reached the place—a hidden, old basement deep under the eastern tower. A place long forgotten.
I didn't wait for the door.
BOOM!
I coated my blade with Sword Aura and tore through the wall.
Dust and rubble exploded outwards, revealing a dimly lit chamber. And there—
Charlotte.
Bound by glowing chains of corrupted mana. Blood stained her once-pristine dress. Her golden hair hung messily over her bruised face. The proud girl who once stood above everyone… was now trembling.
My heart sank.
"Charlotte!"
I rushed to her, but as I reached out, she shook her head weakly and raised a hand.
"D-Don't… the chains… mana bombs…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
It was only then that I noticed them—etched into the walls, floor, even on the cuffs binding her limbs. Dozens of mana bombs, each tuned to her heartbeat. A twisted, intricate trap.
I clenched my jaw.
"Who did this?" I growled.
My instincts roared with a single answer.
Arthur.
He was there. And he left her like this.
To be continued…