The moment of silence stretched unnaturally as Ethan, Seraphina, and Serene stood before the assassin. The dungeon's eerie glow flickered, casting shifting shadows that made the chamber feel alive, whispering in the unseen corners of their vision.
Ethan's fists tightened as he took a step forward, his body tensed like a coiled spring. His lack of mana made him an anomaly, a target for mockery and underestimation, but he had survived this far by sheer force of will and unwavering determination. He wasn't about to let some assassin change that.
Seraphina's crimson eyes glowed under the dim light, her grip on her sword steady and unwavering. "You still haven't answered my question. Who sent you?"
The assassin tilted his head, amusement playing across his lips beneath the dark hood. "Does it matter? You'll be dead soon."
Serene let out a low chuckle, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "You seem confident, assassin. Do you know who you're dealing with?"
Ethan took another step forward, his muscles burning from the previous battles but his mind sharper than ever. "We don't have time for your games. Either you tell us, or I'll make you tell us."
The assassin's smirk widened, and in a flash, he disappeared into the shadows.
A Dance of Death
Ethan barely had time to react before he felt the wind shift behind him. He turned just in time to see a dagger aimed at his neck. His body moved instinctively, ducking low and pivoting on his heel. The blade missed by a hair's breadth, slicing through the air where his throat had been moments ago.
Seraphina lunged forward, her sword cutting a deadly arc through the darkness. The assassin twisted impossibly fast, dodging her strike as if he were merely dancing. Serene, taking advantage of the distraction, sent a flurry of wind-infused daggers in his direction.
The assassin moved like a phantom, each attack narrowly missing him by inches. "Fast, but not fast enough," he mocked, his voice a whisper in the darkness.
Ethan gritted his teeth. He knew he lacked the precision and speed that mana-users had. But he had something else.
Iron Stride → Titan's Ascent (Progress: 10%)
Power surged through his legs, and in the blink of an eye, he closed the gap between him and the assassin. The assassin's smug expression faltered for a fraction of a second before Ethan drove his fist into his stomach. The impact sent the assassin flying backward, slamming against the dungeon wall with a sickening crack.
Seraphina and Serene exchanged brief glances before pressing forward, their movements synchronized. The assassin struggled to rise, but Ethan was already on him, delivering a bone-crushing knee to his ribs.
"You talk too much," Ethan muttered, gripping the assassin by the collar and hoisting him up. "Who sent you?"
The assassin coughed up blood, but he chuckled. "You think you've won?"
Ethan's grip tightened. "Who. Sent. You."
The assassin's smile widened into something manic. "It doesn't matter. You're already dead."
Before Ethan could react, the assassin's body convulsed, and his skin blackened. A sizzling sound filled the air, and in the next moment, his body crumbled into ash, leaving nothing but a faint, lingering whisper in the wind.
Serene cursed. "A self-destruct spell. We should've seen that coming."
Seraphina sheathed her sword, her expression dark. "Someone doesn't want us finding out the truth."
Ethan exhaled sharply, frustration boiling beneath his skin. "Then we'll just have to make them show themselves."
The Academy's Hidden Agenda
After leaving the dungeon, the three of them returned to the academy under the cover of night. The once-familiar campus now felt like hostile territory. Ethan had spent enough time being ignored and ridiculed here, but now, he was beginning to realize something more sinister was at play.
As they walked through the academy corridors, whispers followed them like specters. The news of their return had already spread. Students cast wary glances, and even the professors seemed to look at them with suspicion.
Ethan stopped in his tracks. "Something's wrong."
Seraphina nodded. "The attack in the dungeon wasn't random. Someone wants you dead. And they have the academy under their thumb."
Serene sighed. "That assassin knew something. The way he spoke—it was like he knew what was coming."
A cold voice interrupted them. "Perhaps because he did."
The trio turned sharply. Standing before them was none other than Aldric, the vice president of the academy. His piercing gaze was fixed solely on Ethan, a thin smirk playing on his lips.
Ethan clenched his fists. "You again."
Aldric stepped forward, his voice filled with condescension. "I warned you, didn't I? You don't belong here, Ethan. You're a mistake."
Seraphina stepped in front of Ethan, her sword partially unsheathed. "Stay out of our way, Aldric. You have no authority over us."
Aldric chuckled. "Oh, but I do. You see, the academy has certain… rules. Rules that must be followed. And an F-rank who refuses to acknowledge his place? That's a problem."
Ethan met Aldric's gaze, unwavering. "And I assume you're here to fix that problem?"
Aldric smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. "Let's just say… your days here are numbered."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his presence lingering like a dark omen.
Serene exhaled sharply. "That bastard's up to something."
Seraphina nodded. "He won't stop until he gets what he wants."
Ethan looked at his hands, his resolve hardening. "Then we make sure he never gets the chance."
To be continued…