Chapter 17: Traitor in the Academy

The afternoon sun poured through the tall windows of the Sensory Synesthesia lecture hall, turning the air golden and warm. Most of the students had already accepted the daily routine by now. The class was always the same. Professor Tom would stand at the front, silver hair perfectly combed, posture straight, and begin the same explanation he had given for three weeks straight.

"Spatial magic is invisible to the naked eye," he would say, voice calm and measured. "You cannot rely on sight alone. You must learn to read the currents of ambient mana that surround every living thing. A hidden blade, an illusionary trap, even the faint ripple of a mana-infused arrow—all of it leaves a signature. Sensory Synesthesia is not about guessing. It is about seeing what the world actually is."

The students took notes in neat rows. Arthur sat in the second row, Milo beside him, Iris a little behind them. The princess still kept her noble mask on, but her pencil moved with a slight looseness when no one was looking. Julian sat in the back row, jaw tight, eyes never leaving the back of Arthur’s head. The hatred in his gaze had grown heavier with every passing day, but Arthur had stopped caring. The large mana pool inside him made him feel untouchable. He was bored, yes, but boredom was better than the alternative.

Professor Tom continued at his usual pace, gesturing with his hands as if conducting an invisible orchestra. The bell rang sharply.

"Class dismissed."

A collective sigh of relief rolled through the room. Chairs scraped. Students stretched, stood, and began filing out with the usual chatter about evening drills and dinner. Arthur stood, grabbed his notebook, and turned toward the door.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.

"Vance."

Julian’s voice was low, almost gentle. The students around them slowed their steps out of habit. Julian leaned in close, breath hot against Arthur’s ear.

"Stay away from the princess. I’ve told you once. The next time I see you near her, I will make sure the academy knows exactly what you are."

Arthur didn’t turn. He simply answered without raising his voice. "Why do you keep pestering me? We are friends, she don’t even know you."

Julian’s fingers tightened on his shoulder. The murderous aura in his eyes flared brighter. Arthur felt the heat of it, but it was nothing compared to the quiet power simmering under his own skin.

He shrugged Julian’s hand off and walked out without another word.

In the corridor outside, Iris Blackthorn waited for him. Milo was already a few steps ahead, chatting with a group of third-years. Iris fell into step beside Arthur, her steps light and unhurried.

"You didn’t have to do that," she said quietly, though her eyes were warm.

"I know."

She glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You’re the only person here who doesn’t treat me like a princess. That’s... refreshing."

Arthur allowed himself a small smirk. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

She rolled her eyes, but the smile stayed. For a moment she let the mask drop completely. The noble posture softened, and she bumped his shoulder lightly with hers. "Don’t get cocky."

Milo glanced back and grinned. "She’s right. You’re dangerous when you’re not pretending to be useless."

The three of them walked toward the academy gates together, the three of them. Iris’s guard was down around them. She even let Arthur carry her notebook when the strap slipped, just to see her laugh at the small gesture. Julian’s stare burned into their backs the entire way, but no one paid it any attention.

---

That evening, Professor Tom stepped into his private office and closed the door. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He locked the inner door, then cast a complex magic formation over the outer one, sealing it completely. The air hummed with suppressed energy. Only the headmaster’s own power could break it from the outside.

He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, unremarkable sending stone. The moment it touched his palm, the connection formed.

The voice on the other side was calm, clinical, and far too familiar.

"Have you completed it?"

"Yes, Master."

"Good. The Headmistress will leave the academy on the fifteenth. Make sure to break the formation from inside the moment I give the word."

"Understood."

The connection snapped shut. Professor Tom exhaled once, then returned the stone to his robe and stood still for a moment, letting the weight of the plan settle over him. The academy was about to become very dangerous.

Far away, in a hidden chamber beneath the imperial capital, fifteen to twenty figures sat around a long obsidian table. All wore full black robes with golden lining. At the head of the table sat a man whose black robe had violet linings instead. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.

"Lily Nightshade will leave the academy on the fifteenth," he said quietly. "We won’t have much time. No matter how much we try, she will somehow get this information and rush back. Before then, we have to take the item."

One of the robed figures leaned forward. "Can we really trust that Professor Tom?"

The man at the head of the table gave a small, cold smile.

"He has no choice. He doesn’t have another option."

"We’ve been hiding in the dark for too long. This is the moment we’ve waited centuries for. The Equinox Protocol begins Phase One."

The violet-lined man leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled.

"Make the arrangements. The item must be in our hands by the fifteenth. After that... the real game begins."