"What are you suggesting, Sakura?" Maya asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "Please elaborate."
Sakura met her gaze, "I mean — what if the assassin isn't an outsider at all? What if she's someone from within the academy itself? She could be anyone — a teacher, a staff member, a guard… or even a disciple."
The air thickened instantly. Edward's eyes widened. "If that's true, then every soul within these walls could be in danger. Lady Maya, we can't risk that. You must take immediate action."
Maya took a slow breath, folding her hands together on the desk.
"Yes. I agree," she said at last. "And I intend to. As the core members of this academy, I want each of you to quietly observe those around you — teachers, disciples, guards, even staff. If the enemy hides among us, we must draw her out before she strikes again."
She waved her hand, and a faintly glowing crystal orb appeared on the table, swirling with runes.
"I've already contacted our Artifact Crafter to deliver a batch of Sentinel Orbs — enchanted crystals that can subtly track mana fluctuations and detect cloaked presences across the campus. With them, we'll establish a full-circle surveillance net."
Everyone leaned forward, intrigued by the device glowing on Maya's palm.
"The assassin is a Snow Magus, which narrows our search. There are currently twenty-seven female disciples, one teacher, and seven guards in the academy who wield snow or frost-based mana. All of them fall under our watch."
She hesitated for a moment — the faintest trace of regret in her tone.
"That includes Instructor Lily Frostvale."
A silence fell across the chamber. Maya's gaze lowered slightly, her voice softer.
"I dislike suspecting her after all her years of loyalty… but sentiment must never blind judgment. The safety of this academy outweighs any personal bonds."
The others exchanged solemn glances — a quiet understanding shared among those who bore the burden of leadership.
Master Kunochi, who had been silent until now, sat deep in thought, his fingers resting on his chin. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"It is true," he began slowly, his calm voice carrying quiet authority, "that the safety of our disciples must remain our highest priority. Therefore, your decision, Lady Maya, is absolutely correct. However—"
He looked up, his eyes wise yet burdened. "—with your permission, as the senior instructor of this academy, I would like to share my opinion."
Lady Maya smiled faintly, her expression softening with respect.
"Don't embarrass me by asking for permission, Master Kunochi. You are the most experienced teacher among us — once even our teacher. Your words have always guided us. Please, speak freely."
A gentle laugh escaped Kunochi's lips. "You've grown humble as well as strong, Lady Maya. I'm proud to see how far you've come."
Then his expression turned serious once more, "In this matter, I would advise caution. Do not limit your watch to those who wield Snow Magic alone. Expand your suspicion to every element — Fire, Wind, Water, even Lightning."
He clasped his hands together, "Imagine this: what if there is not one assassin, but many — hidden among us? What if the woman who attacked Princess Nina was merely a decoy, a spark to divert our attention while the real threat prepares something far worse?"
A hush fell across the chamber. Edward frowned deeply. Sakura and Saraswati exchanged uneasy glances, and even Lady Maya's confident composure wavered slightly as she absorbed his words. After a long silence, Maya exhaled slowly.
"There's truth in what you say, Master Kunochi. I nearly overlooked that possibility. Perhaps I've been too focused on the evidence we already have. You remind me that wisdom lies not only in knowledge — but in foresight."
Her tone softened, almost admiring, "Experience truly is our greatest shield. We're fortunate to have your guidance, old master."
Kunochi gave a humble smile, shaking his head, "Please, no praise. I only speak as one who has seen too many tragedies repeat themselves. It is a teacher's duty to protect not just his disciples, but the academy itself. If my words can prevent another loss, that is enough for me."
Moved by his words, Lady Maya straightened in her chair and looked at everyone present.
"Then it's settled. From this moment, all instructors will quietly observe both disciples and fellow teachers. Report anything — even the slightest anomaly — directly to me. The safety of this academy depends on our vigilance."
The teachers all exchanged firm nods, "Understood, Lady Grandmaster," they said in unison.
A soft wind brushed through the open window, flickering the candles in the chamber — as if echoing the silent resolve of those gathered there.
Lady Maya turned her gaze toward Edward, her tone calm but deliberate.
"Instructor Edward, there's a small favour I'd like to ask of you. I want you to make certain training arrangements for a particular disciple — Shaun Thunderhawk."
Edward blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Shaun Thunderhawk?" he repeated, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Forgive me, Lady Maya, but may I ask why? From what I've seen, he's… an ordinary boy. His talent is below average, and he doesn't possess the same brilliance as Aiden Flamesaber or President Akshay. What makes him so special in your eyes? Is this about the wager you made with Katherine earlier?"
Maya smiled faintly, her expression unreadable.
"Partially, yes," she admitted. "But it's more than that. I can't explain it clearly — just a feeling, perhaps. Though his talent seems limited, I sense something hidden within him. A quiet potential… one even he doesn't realize yet."
She turned slightly, her crimson-lined cloak rustling softly.
"Call it intuition if you wish, but my heart refuses to believe he is ordinary."
Her words hung in the air, echoing with quiet conviction. Sakura exchanged a glance with Edward — both clearly intrigued by what their Grandmaster saw in the boy. After a thoughtful pause, Edward gave a respectful bow.
"Understood, Lady Maya. I'll oversee his training personally and make the necessary arrangements."
"Thank you, Edward," Maya said softly. "That will be all for now."
With that, the teachers bowed and began to leave one by one — their footsteps fading into the long corridors of the Silver Heaven Academy.
When the last door closed, silence reclaimed the chamber. Maya rose from her chair and walked toward the window.
The sky beyond the tall glass panes was painted in twilight hues — gold bleeding into violet. She stood there for a long moment, her eyes distant.
Then, below in the courtyard, she noticed a lone figure standing beside the academy gate. Shaun Thunderhawk — gazing at the horizon, unaware of the eyes watching him from above. A faint smile curved Maya's lips.
"There's no way you could be an ordinary disciple," she murmured. "Not after defeating twelve noble disciples and almost standing toe-to-toe with a royalty like Vince Dragonblade."
Her expression softened, voice fading to a whisper, "The world may not see it yet," she whispered to herself, "but I will make sure your light doesn't go unnoticed, Shaun Thunderhawk… even if it burns against fate itself."
The evening breeze stirred her crimson hair as the scene faded — carrying with it the quiet promise of a storm yet to come.
**********
Within the dimly lit chamber of Lady Katherine Dragonblade, the air was thick with perfume and plotting. Velvet curtains muffled the outside world, and the flicker of crystal lamps painted long shadows across the walls.
Seated at the round obsidian table before her were her most loyal allies — teachers who shared her ideals and her disdain for the Grandmaster's vision.
Lord Garrick Veynor, the proud instructor of Heraldry and Lineage, held his vine glass with a sneer. Beside him sat Lady Karlen Draidgon, the sharp-tongued mistress of Curse Magic and Traps Arts; Lady Selene Duskveil, teacher of Diplomacy and Statecraft; and Lord Orion Blackthorn, an old but cold and calculating scholar of Imperial Law and Authority.
The conversation had long turned to whispers of ambition — and vengeance.
"So," Garrick began, resting his chin on his gloved hand, "the mighty Grandmaster dares to gamble her title on a commoner boy. Truly, the Silver Heaven Academy has fallen to charity."
Laughter rippled through the room — sharp, mocking, poisonous. At a flick of Katherine's finger, The Visura Orb floated above the table, projecting a glowing hologram of Shaun Thunderhawk's record — his family history, background, and test results.
"Born in the outskirts of some... Nuzzle Village… father: a farmer, mother: a housewife," Karlen read aloud with a smirk. "A peasant child raised on mud and dirt. How poetic."
"His entrance score was exactly four hundred," Selene added, pretending to feign pity. "The lowest possible mark for admission. Barely made it past the gate."
Their laughter grew louder, echoing off the chamber's walls. Katherine watched them — silent, composed — until the mirth faded into anticipation.
"Pathetic, isn't it?" she said at last, her tone a silken venom. "Lady Maya Flamefox, the so-called Grandmaster of Silver Heaven, betting her throne on a boy who can barely cast a stable mana bolt. It's not courage — it's desperation."
More laughter followed, but one voice did not join them. Lord Orion Blackthorn leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on the floating projection.
"Mock him all you like, but never underestimate Lady Maya," he warned. "She doesn't act without reason. If she's chosen this boy, she must have seen something in him — something she intends to nurture. And if that happens, this little bet could turn against you, Katherine."
Katherine's crimson eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh, Lord Orion," she purred, rising gracefully from her seat, "you always see storms in every ripple."
She stepped closer to the orb, her hand slicing through Shaun's projected image. The light shimmered around her fingers like shattered glass.
"That boy's fate is already sealed," she said coldly. "No matter how much Maya tries to polish her stone, it will never become a gem. I'll make sure of it."
Her smile deepened — elegant and cruel. "Let her hope. It will make her defeat all the more exquisite."
The chamber filled with low chuckles as the crystal dimmed, leaving only Katherine's voice echoing through the dark:
"Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Maya… because when the curtain falls, the throne of Silver Heaven will be mine."
**********