The Spring Festival transformed the academy grounds into something from a fairy tale.
Colorful banners streamed between buildings. Flower garlands draped every archway and lamppost. Food stalls lined the main plaza, selling everything from candied fruits to roasted meats. Students and faculty mingled in their finest clothes, the normal hierarchy relaxing for one day of celebration, at least on the surface.
Music drifted from multiple stages, from traditional folk songs, contemporary pieces, even some experimental magic-infused compositions that made the air itself shimmer.
I circulated through the crowds, playing my part. Nodding to acquaintances. Making small talk. Projecting calm confidence while my mind tracked every moving piece.
Lucille blended with a group of students near the fountain. Our eyes met briefly. She gave the slightest nod. '...In position...'
Marcus sat at an outdoor café, apparently reading but actually monitoring his detection wards. The invisible network of enchantments covered the entire festival ground, ready to alert him to any poison within fifty meters. And it hadn't been easy to set up.
Damian stayed three steps behind me, the perfect attendant. The fake poison vial hidden in his jacket pocket. His face showed nothing but professional calm, but I caught the tension in his shoulders.
"Young Master," a familiar voice called.
Isabella Frostvale approached, elegant in a blue dress that matched her ice-magic affinity. She carried a glass of wine, clearly already celebrating.
"Isabella." I inclined my head. "You look well."
"You look tense." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "I heard about Adrian's meeting this morning. Want to tell me what that was about?"
"He offered a truce."
Her eyes narrowed. "And you believe him?"
"I believe he wants me to believe him." I glanced around, making sure no one was close enough to overhear. "Which means something's about to happen. Something he wants witnesses for."
"The banquet tonight?"
"Most likely."
Isabella took a sip of wine, thinking. "If you need backup....."
"I need you to stay visible. Make sure people see you enjoying the festival." I met her eyes. "If things go wrong tonight, I need someone above suspicion who can tell the truth about what really happened."
She studied my face for a long moment. Then nodded. "Be careful, Hadeon. Whatever you're planning... come back alive."
"That's the goal."
As she walked away, I felt the weight of responsibility settle heavier on my shoulders.
I frowned because in the books the villain doesn't have to carry this much responsibilities. At least those villain that are stepping stone, but then again I am more than that am I not?
No pressure.
Evening arrived with the soft glow of magical lanterns illuminating the Grand Hall.
The banquet was the festival's centerpiece as a formal dinner where faculty and students gathered to celebrate spring's arrival with speeches, toasts, and entirely too much wine and some out if the eyes activities.
Long tables stretched the length of the massive hall, laden with enough food to feed a small army. The head table held the academy's leadership and distinguished guests. Uncle Victor also sat there, his figure imposing and watchful.
Our eyes met briefly. He gave the smallest nod.
'...Ready and don't dare to die..' Something like that.
Students filled the other tables according to class rank. S-Class at the front in positions of honor near the faculty.
A-Class thst is my current ranking in respectable middle positions. The lower classes toward the back.
Adrian sat at the S-Class table's center, golden and glorious in the magical lighting. The book's hero that the world was made for. Already surrounded by admirers and well-wishers. The perfect hero holding court.
I took my seat at the A-Class table, Damian standing at attention behind my chair. Around me, noble students made small talk and pretended not to stare.
The servers began circulating with the first course. Wine flowed freely in ruby red in crystal glasses.
My hand moved to the amulet beneath my collar. Marcus's wards hummed at the edge of perception, a subtle vibration only I that could feel.
Everything was in place.
Now we waited for someone to make their move.
The Headmaster stood as dessert was being cleared, raising his glass for the traditional toast.
"To spring!" His voice carried through the hall, magically amplified. "To growth, to renewal, to the bright futures ahead of all our students! To vanishing demons! And to our growth in the pursuit of magic!"
"To spring!" The hall echoed back, hundreds of voices in unison.
Glasses rose. Crystal caught the light like a thousand stars.
I lifted my glass that Damian had filled personally, just as planned. The fake poison inside looked identical to the wine everyone else was drinking. In a few seconds, I would drink it, pretend to choke, collapse dramatically, and trigger the death-faking spell.
Simple and straightforward.
I smiled and said in my mind. '...time to die, Hadeon Ravana...'
Except Marcus's wards suddenly screamed.
The amulet against my chest flared hot. Not warm. Not pleasant. Burning. My blood ran cold in an instant because I knew what that meant...but, surely not!!
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[EMERGENCY ALERT]
[POISON DETECTED: IMMEDIATE VICINITY]
[SHADOWBANE TOXIN CONFIRMED]
[LOCATION: ...]
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