The underground chamber trembled—not from collapse, but from fury.

  Stone pillars lined the wide hall, etched with sigils that pulsed faintly red. Torches burned low, casting warped shadows across crates of sealed vials stamped with the same mark: Ashveil.

  At the center of it all stood the boss of the syndicate.

  His name was Varkhan Lucem.

  Tall, broad-shouldered, his presence alone pressed the air thin. Long silver-black hair spilled down his back, and a crimson coat hung loosely over dark armor. His eyes—cold, luminous—swept across the kneeling subordinates before him.

  “…Say it again,” Varkhan said quietly.

  One man swallowed. “The… the secret passageways beneath Fiester Academy have been discovered.”

  Silence.

  Then—

  Varkhan laughed.

  It was short. Sharp. Empty.

  “Discovered,” he repeated. “And you don’t know who found them?”

  The subordinates lowered their heads further. “We… we are still investigating.”

  Varkhan’s hand moved.

  Steel sang.

  From his side, he drew his sword—Demon Circle.

  The blade was curved, forged from darkened steel that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Along its surface ran faint circular etchings, spiraling inward like ritual seals. The guard was minimal, a black ring of metal engraved with sigils, while the pommel bore a hollow circle filled with red crystal.

  According to old lore, Demon Circle was a cursed blade—one that fed on wrath. It was said that when swung with killing intent, the circular seals would resonate, sharpening the blade beyond reason and severing anything caught within its arc as if it were paper.

  Varkhan didn’t hesitate.

  In one smooth motion, he turned and swung.

  The head of the nearest subordinate fell to the floor with a dull thud, eyes still wide with shock.

  Blood splattered across the stone.

  The remaining men froze, breath caught in their throats.

  “Fix this,” Varkhan growled, crimson eyes burning. “Find out who is ruining my plans. Tear them apart if you have to.”

  No one dared speak.

  “Move,” he snapped.

  They scattered instantly, fleeing the chamber like prey.

  Varkhan stood alone, staring at the fallen body.

  “…Annoying,” he muttered.

  High above, the night was calm.

  On the rooftop of the Second Academic Building, near the girls’ dormitories, Itsuki Shiraishi stood with her hands folded behind her back. Wind tugged gently at her robes as she gazed up at the stars.

  “So quiet,” she murmured.

  Her eyes softened.

  “…Akitsu Shouga,” she whispered to the night. “Are you still alive, I wonder?”

  The stars offered no answer.

  Steam curled lazily into the air.

  The newly opened cherry blossom hot spring near Fiester Academy glowed warmly under hanging lanterns. Pale petals drifted across the surface of the water, carried by the night breeze.

  Inside the women’s hot spring, laughter echoed softly.

  Clothes were neatly folded into baskets. Towels wrapped modestly around shoulders as the group stepped inside.

  Kaoru, Miyazuki Ashen, Hana Kurosawa, and the other female student council members entered together.

  They were:

  Airi Tachibana – calm, analytical, glasses fogging instantly

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Noa Fuyuki – energetic, always smiling

  Reina Morobe – quiet, observant

  Suzu Kanzaki – sharp-tongued but loyal

  “Ahhh…” Noa sighed as she sank into the water. “This feels amazing.”

  Suzu followed. “I thought my legs were going to fall off after patrol.”

  Kaoru eased in more slowly. “It really is relaxing.”

  Everyone settled in—except Hana, who sat at the edge, dipping only her feet into the water.

  “…You’re not coming in?” Reina asked gently.

  Hana shook her head. “I’ll join in a bit.”

  Miyazuki leaned back against the stone edge, eyes half-lidded. “Since we’re all here… what are you planning to do during the two-week holiday?”

  Silence.

  “…Holiday?” Noa blinked.

  Suzu frowned. “What holiday?”

  Miyazuki opened one eye. “You didn’t hear?”

  Airi adjusted her glasses. “No. What are you talking about?”

  “The headmaster told me,” Miyazuki said calmly. “There may be a two-week break because of the current situation.”

  Kaoru nodded. “It’s true. I heard it directly from Headmaster Itsuki when I ran into her in the hallway.”

  Suzu splashed the water lightly. “Of course you two knew already.”

  Noa pouted. “Unfair. You get special treatment.”

  Miyazuki sighed. “It’s not special treatment.”

  Suzu raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “I’m the student council president,” Miyazuki said evenly. “I handle half of the headmaster’s paperwork. And the Ashveil situation every single day. Information reaches me faster because it has to.”

  “…When you put it like that,” Reina murmured, “it does make sense.”

  Airi nodded. “Responsibility comes with access.”

  Noa sank deeper into the water. “Still jealous.”

  Kaoru smiled faintly. “If it helps, knowing early just means more stress.”

  Hana finally slid into the spring fully, steam rising around her shoulders. “…Speaking of Ashveil—how did they find the passageways under the academy?”

  Miyazuki’s expression turned serious. “An anonymous letter.”

  Suzu blinked. “Anonymous?”

  “Yes,” Miyazuki said. “No signature. No trace. We tried to track it, but there was nothing.”

  Noa frowned. “That’s creepy.”

  Kaoru leaned forward slightly. “Whoever it was… they helped us a lot, didn’t they?”

  Reina nodded. “Without that, things could’ve been worse.”

  Hana tilted her head. “…What if it was the person Kaoru met during the survival camp?”

  Kaoru looked up. “Rhen Calder?”

  Hana nodded. “He knew when the camp would end. That wasn’t normal.”

  Kaoru shook her head. “I don’t think so. I met him yesterday at a café. He didn’t know anything about the passageways.”

  Miyazuki hummed thoughtfully. “Still… interesting timing.”

  Airi added quietly, “Whoever it was had precise information.”

  Suzu splashed again. “Mystery helper, evil cult, drug syndicate… this academy really attracts trouble.”

  Noa laughed weakly. “At least the hot spring is nice.”

  They all relaxed a little more, sinking into the warmth.

  Steam rose.

  Cherry blossoms drifted.

  For one peaceful moment, there were no cults, no drugs, no shadows under the academy.

  Just quiet water and shared silence.

  And far away, unseen, plans continued to circle—waiting for the next move.