The room they dragged Lina into didn't look like a place where students belonged.Too quiet.Too cold.Too official.
A circular table dominated the center, surrounded by high-ranking instructors whose expressions ranged from stern to suspicious. Above them, floating lanterns cast a pale glow—gentle, but accusing.
Kai entered right behind her, ignoring the protests of an instructor who tried to block his path.
"She's not being questioned alone," he said, tone flat but dangerous.
The instructor scowled. "This is not your decision."
Kai stepped closer, eyes unblinking. "Then make it yours. Allow me in."
Something in his voice—soft but sharp enough to cut—made the instructor back off.
Lina exhaled shakily. For the first time since the explosion, she felt a flicker of safety.
But the feeling didn't last long.
"Lina Veris," Councilor Harven began from the head of the table, "you were recorded passing the west wing corridor at 6:02 AM. That corridor leads directly to the power core chamber."
Lina frowned. "I wasn't anywhere near the core."
"Magic sensors don't lie," Harven said.
"But they malfunction all the time during overloads," Kai interjected.
Several instructors turned toward him, irritated.
"This overload occurred after the recording," Harven snapped.
Lina felt heat rising in her chest. Frustration, fear, anger—all swirling together.
"Why would I sabotage the core?" Lina asked. "I just got here. I don't even know half the academy layout."
"She has a point," Kai said calmly, leaning back in his chair as if he owned the room.
A few murmurs spread around the council table.
Councilor Harven exhaled. "Then explain this."
He flicked his fingers, and a crystal screen materialized in the air. A glowing silhouette—someone of Lina's exact height and build—approached the core corridor, paused, and then entered.
Lina's stomach dropped.
"That's not me," she said immediately.
The silhouette was vague, blurred—no face, no details, only shape.
But it looked like her.
Or someone who wanted it to.
Kai leaned forward, scrutinizing the projection with narrowed eyes.
"This could be anyone," he said. "The distortion level is high. Time-stamps can be altered."
Harven slammed a hand on the table. "Enough. The academy is under attack. Someone must answer."
"So your plan is to blame the first convenient student?" Kai replied, voice low.
Several instructors stiffened.
"Kai," Lina whispered, tugging his sleeve. "Stop. You'll get in trouble."
"Let me," he murmured back without looking away from the council. "Trouble and I are old friends."
His calm defiance made her chest tighten in a way she didn't expect.
Harven continued, "Miss Veris, you will remain under academy supervision until further notice."
Lina's breath caught. "In other words… I'm being detained?"
"In a supervised dormitory," Harven clarified, though his tone held no warmth. "For your own safety."
"For our convenience," Kai said dryly.
The room grew tense.
Before Harven could respond, the door eased open with a soft creak.
Someone entered.
A familiar someone.
Reyon Vale.
Charming smile. Lazy confidence. The kind of person who looked like trouble disguised as a compliment.
"Apologies," Reyon said smoothly. "I was asked to report anything unusual I saw around the core earlier."
Harven gestured him forward. "Speak."
Reyon glanced at Lina—too long, too curious—before shifting his gaze to the council.
"I didn't see Lina," he said. "But I did see someone leaving the area."
"Who?" Harven demanded.
Reyon paused.
Then smiled.
"That," he said, "I'd prefer to discuss… privately."
The council members exchanged glances.
Kai's jaw tightened.
Lina's pulse quickened.
The room seemed to shrink as Reyon stepped further inside, eyes flickering between her and Kai with interest, amusement, and something else.
Something dangerous.
The council prepared to dismiss Lina.
Kai leaned close to her, voice barely above a whisper.
"Do not trust him."
She swallowed. "Who? Harven?"
"No," Kai said, eyes on Reyon.
"Him."
To be Continued© Kishtika., 2025All rights reserved.