The sky hung heavy with the weight of an impending storm, dark clouds swirling above the academy. The message from The Eclipsed Hand had changed everything. Three days to leave the academy—or be buried beneath it.
Ethan sat in his dorm, staring at the letter as the words replayed in his mind. Fear? No. If anything, he was excited. His body was sore from the battle with Aldric, but that was nothing compared to the burning determination in his chest. If these people wanted him gone, that only meant he was finally becoming a real threat.
A knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. He expected Seraphina or Serene, but when he opened the door, a new face greeted him.
A tall, lean man stood there, his piercing blue eyes sharp as daggers. His silver hair was neatly tied back, and his uniform bore the insignia of the academy's vice principal.
Leonhardt Graves.
Ethan had heard the name before, whispered among students. A strict but fair man, though rumors suggested he had his own ambitions.
"You're Ethan Drake," Leonhardt said, his voice calm but carrying an edge. "The president has taken quite a liking to you."
Ethan met his gaze, unflinching. "And that's a problem?"
Leonhardt smirked. "Let's just say not everyone is happy with that development."
Ethan leaned against the doorframe. "Aldric wasn't enough? Now the vice principal himself wants a shot?"
Leonhardt chuckled. "Oh, I'm not here to fight you. At least, not yet. But I do have a warning." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "The Eclipsed Hand doesn't make empty threats. If they said they'll bury you, they mean it."
"I figured as much," Ethan said. "Let them come."
Leonhardt studied him for a long moment before sighing. "You remind me of someone I once knew. Stubborn and reckless. But fine—if you're that eager to face them, I won't stop you."
He turned to leave but paused. "One more thing… Aldric isn't finished either. He's regrouping. And this time, he won't come alone."
Ethan's smirk widened. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
A Gathering of Allies
As soon as Leonhardt left, Ethan knew he couldn't face what was coming alone. He needed information, and he needed allies.
Seraphina, Serene, and Selene gathered in his dorm an hour later. The room was tense, the weight of the situation settling on them all.
"We have three days," Ethan said, tossing the letter onto the table. "Three days before they make their move."
Serene frowned. "The Eclipsed Hand doesn't bluff. If they've marked you, it means they see you as a serious threat."
Selene crossed her arms. "Then we hit them first."
Seraphina, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "We don't even know where they are."
Ethan smirked. "We will."
Serene raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan?"
Ethan nodded. "We make them come to us. If they want me dead, they won't waste time hiding. And when they show up…" His eyes gleamed with dangerous confidence. "We make sure they regret it."
Selene grinned. "I like this plan."
Seraphina sighed. "You're insane."
Ethan chuckled. "Yeah, but it works."
The First Move
That night, Ethan stood on the academy's training grounds, his fists clenched as he pushed his body beyond its limits.
Iron Stride: 65%
Titan's Ascent: 40%
Unyielding Will: 100% (Fully Mastered)
He had gained something new. A power he didn't fully understand yet. But when the time came, he'd use it.
Because the storm was coming. And Ethan was ready to face it head-on.
To be continued…