"Time's almost up," he said, checking their timer. "Let's go."They exited as carefully as they'd entered, timing their departure to avoid the security cameras. The journey back through the east wing was tense but uneventful—most faculty were still responding to Vale's distraction, a convenient "equipment malfunction" in the main training arena.They'd almost reached the service elevator when disaster struck. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Hayes himself, accompanied by Professor Meyers—another suspected possession case.For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then Hayes's expression shifted from surprise to cold calculation."Maintenance personnel in a restricted area," he observed, his voice perfectly pleasant despite the hardness in his eyes. "Responding to what issue, exactly?""Environmental control malfunction, sir," Miko replied promptly, falling back on their cover story. "Reports of unusual odors from the research labo

"We can't fight them directly," Vale insisted, sketching a rough map of the Academy on the bunker's planning table. "Not yet."The team had regrouped in Vale's underground laboratory—a reinforced bunker beneath the science building that had, so far, remained untouched by the chaos above. The crystal device from Hayes's locker sat in a containment field nearby, various instruments monitoring its energy patterns."The Awakened Wraith is still stabilizing," Vale continued. "That gives us a narrow window before it reaches full manifestation.""How narrow?" Liam asked, nursing a gash on his arm from his narrow escape from the possessed students."Hours at most," Vale replied grimly. "Once fully anchored to our reality, its power increases exponentially."Miko studied the Academy map. "What about the other faculty and students? We know Hayes is organizing the non-combat students somewhere.""Underground shelters, most likely," Anna said. "The possession seems to require proximity to a porta

Suddenly.Miko's eyes snapped open.White ceiling. Sterile smell. The soft beeping of medical equipment.He was in the Academy infirmary."What the hell?" he muttered and tried to sit up.His head felt like someone had filled it with cotton. His mouth was dry and tasted like metal. And his body ached like he'd been hit by a truck."You're awake," a voice said to his left.Miko turned his head. Anna was in the bed next to him, looking just as confused as he felt. Her hair was a mess and there were dark circles under her eyes."Anna? What are we doing here?""I don't know," she said. "I was hoping you could tell me."More voices from around the room. Miko looked around and saw that all of them were there. Akiya was sitting up in her bed, holding her head like it hurt. Liam was already on his feet, pacing by the window. Ni was still lying down but his eyes were open."Does anyone remember how we got here?" Akiya asked."No," Liam said. "Last thing I remember was..." He stopped and his fa

Miko stared at the imperial notice in his hands, reading it for the third time as if the words might change."This has to be a mistake," he said.Hayes shook his head, arms crossed over his chest. "No mistake. The empire doesn't make those."The notice was printed on the kind of paper that cost more than a week's meals—thick, cream-colored with gold leaf around the edges. The imperial seal at the bottom was pressed into red wax, official and impossible to fake.By decree of His Imperial Majesty, the Annual Champion Mage Tournament will commence in two weeks' time. All nominated mages are required to attend. Failure to participate will be considered an act of disrespect toward the empire.Below that, Miko's name was written in flowing calligraphy."But the tournament isn't supposed to happen for another three months," Miko said, looking up from the paper. "And why me? I've never even competed in regional tournaments."Hayes's expression remained unchanged. "Orders are orders, Asterion.

The tournament director's office was a study in controlled chaos. Maps and brackets covered one wall, while another displayed profiles of every competitor. Miko spotted his own, noticeably thinner than the others."Asterion," the director greeted without looking up from his desk. "Sit."Miko sat in the chair across from him, waiting as the director finished writing something in a leather-bound journal."Do you know why you're here?" the director finally asked, setting his pen aside."At the tournament? Or in your office specifically?"The director's eyes narrowed slightly. "Both, I suppose.""I received an imperial summons to compete," Miko answered carefully. "As for being in your office, I was hoping you'd tell me."The director studied him, fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Tell me about your tournament experience.""I don't have any.""None whatsoever? Not even academy competitions?""No,