> Chapter 12: Shadows Behind the Gate
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Outside the Academy
I carried Lila through the forest in silence. Neither of us spoke until we reached the academy gate.
"Hey, Lila," I finally said.
"…Yeah?"
"So, are you going to start using the sword now?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"I saw it today. You've awakened a new talent—swordsmanship."
Lila's eyes narrowed. "Don't act like you know everything."
"I don't. But you've got a long road ahead."
We reached the front gate, and I gently set her down.
"What? Take me inside," she said.
"Huh? You want rumors flying around about me carrying you?"
Lila looked away. "No…"
"Then bye." I turned and waved.
"You cold-blooded bastard!" she yelled.
I kept walking.
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The Hallway
"Did you hear the news?"
"Yeah, a Phantom showed up in class! It attacked Lila Dawn!"
"I heard it was Robert… But how did a Phantom even get into the academy?"
I passed the gossiping cadets and spotted Instructor Park Leon.
"Cadet Paul," he called. "You didn't tell anyone about the incident, did you?"
"No," I said flatly. "It's not my business."
"Good."
My phone buzzed.
> Saul: Paul, come to Room 404. 5:30 PM.
I nodded and left the hallway.
There's no way the academy didn't know about the Phantom.
They're hiding something.
I felt a presence behind me. Turned around. Nothing.
Kept walking.
Then—Rachel. Peeking at me from a corner.
I pretended not to notice.
"Hey, Paul—" she called.
"I've got no time," I said and ran.
She chased me all the way to my room before finally giving up.
"What the hell was that…?" I muttered.
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Room 404
I took a quick shower and arrived right at 5:30 PM. The room was already crowded.
Saul, Louis Hall, Mira Roodes, and several other cadets were there.
"Nice of you to make it," Saul said.
Louis scowled. "Why is he here?"
"I haven't explained yet," Saul said.
"Well, get to it."
"You've heard about the missing cadets?" Saul asked.
"Yeah. You think it's a Phantom?"
"You're sharp," Saul said. "Exactly. That's what we're here to investigate."
"So why me?"
"Lila recommended you. Said you had good instincts."
I sat down. "Fine, I'll help. But don't expect miracles."
"Thanks. That means a lot."
It was time.
"I have someone in mind," I said.
"Who?" Saul asked.
"Drake Bowman. President of the Research Club."
The room fell silent.
Then Louis burst out laughing. "You serious?"
Mira frowned. "That's absurd."
"Saul told us to name anyone we suspect," I shot back.
Mira suddenly pointed at me. "Then I suspect Paul Wayne!"
"What the hell?!"
"You barely talk to us. Why are you the only one throwing accusations?"
"Let's test him," June Garry said. "Break a limb or two—if he heals fast, he's a Phantom."
I clenched my fists. I expected this. Still...
Louis added, "Didn't even attend a military school."
Harry sneered, "Maybe his guardians were too poor to send him."
That crossed the line.
I stood. "Say what you want about me—but insult my family again, and I'll drag you to hell myself."
A wave of magic burst from me. The pressure filled the room.
"Such presence…" Saul whispered.
Louis backed off. Garry faltered.
Harry lunged at me—and for a split second, I wanted to shoot him.
But Louis jumped between us. "Enough!"
I snapped out of it. My MP was dropping fast.
I grabbed the necklace around my neck. I couldn't lose control here. Couldn't expose myself.
"I'm done," I muttered.
Mira spoke up. "Let's call Lila."
"What for?" I snapped. "She's in the hospital!"
I stormed out.
Behind me, Garry hurled a chair.
I dodged it effortlessly.
Louis smirked. "He dodged that like it was nothing."
Saul shouted, "This isn't why we're here!"
---
Aftermath
Mira still called Lila.
"Remember what you told us about Paul Wayne?" she asked.
"…That was a misunderstanding," Lila replied. "I already told you."
The meeting ended.
Saul tried to catch up with me, but I waved him off.
Louis walked away without a word.
Mira turned to him. "Aren't I pretty enough for you?"
He ignored her.
Her phone buzzed.
> Drake: Hope you're coming to the meetup.
> Mira: Sure. I'll be there.
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Paul – 8:00 PM
I sat alone on a bench, staring at the night sky.
"Hey, moon. You lonely up there too?"
I sighed. "What am I doing… Losing my temper like that…"
I thought of her—my leader. My big sister.
If not for her, I'd be long gone.
I miss you, Sis… Hope you're doing well. Hope you're still out there.
She has always been doing well. She's the strongest person I know.
It was 8:59 PM when I stood and wiped my face.
Time to head back.
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Monday – Exam Week
Written exams? No problem.
The real issue? Combat.
1v1 battles. Monster fight against monster summon by magicians.
As I reviewed my notes, someone breathed over my shoulder.
Rachel.
Again.
I closed my notebook and laughed. "Why is a princess checking my notes?"
She turned away.
Then I heard loud chatter.
Lila had returned—fresh out of the hospital, with Saul and Louis glued to her like bodyguards.
"I'm fine. Stop following me," she said.
"I'm not," Louis grumbled.
"It's Saul," Saul protested.
Mira walked up. "You okay, girl?"
"I'm fine."
I slipped out the back—but spotted Mira walking toward an unusual area.
Not her dorm.
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Later – Research Club
"Hey, Mira," Drake greeted her. "I've been waiting."
"Sorry. Had something to do. Where are the others?"
"They'll be here soon," he said, lighting something.
Smoke filled the room.
Mira inhaled. "Smells nice…"
"I'll be back in a minute," Drake said, stepping out.
As she stood, her leg bumped a desk.
A box fell—cracked open.
Dark energy seeped into the air.
Mira's eyes widened. "What the hell…?"
Drake walked back in.
Saw the box.
Laughed. Low and wicked.
"Oh my… it wasn't your turn yet."
His voice was twisted. Vicious.
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End of Chapter 12
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A/N: Who do you think Drake really is? And what's with that twisted energy in the box? Is Paul hiding even more than we know? Drop a comment if you felt the tension in Room 404! 💥🔥