Hitake had barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the Hive Queen staring at him.
Not with hunger.
Not with rage.
Recognition.
That was what bothered him.
He sat alone in the academy infirmary, one hand resting against the bandages covering his ribs. Morning sunlight slipped through the window, painting pale lines across the floor.
“You're thinking too loudly.”
Hitake glanced toward the doorway.
Zena stood there with her arms folded.
“That's impossible.”
“You make the same face whenever something is bothering you.”
“What face?”
“The one you're making now.”
Hitake touched his cheek.
“I don't feel any different.”
“You are.”
She walked over and sat beside him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Hitake's eyes moved toward the window.
“Someone was outside yesterday.”
Zena's expression changed.
“I know.”
Hitake turned.
“You knew?”
“My shadow noticed them.”
He stared at her.
“Your shadow is becoming increasingly useful.”
“I know.”
There was no hesitation in her answer.
Hitake laughed quietly.
Before he could say anything else, the infirmary doors opened.
Mirai stepped inside.
Two students followed her, but she stopped them with a gesture.
“Wait outside.”
The doors closed behind them.
Mirai looked at Hitake.
Then at Zena.
Then back at Hitake.
“I heard you were awake.”
“I am.”
“You recovered quickly.”
“Apparently.”
The conversation stalled.
Mirai seemed to be searching for the person Hitake used to be.
The boy who had once followed her around the academy.
The boy who would have smiled just because she entered a room.
That boy was gone.
“You've changed,” she said quietly.
Hitake shrugged.
“People change.”
“Not this much.”
Zena glanced at Mirai.
Hitake noticed the movement.
“So,” he said, changing the subject, “why are you here?”
Mirai hesitated.
“Sector 7 hasn't been completely cleared.”
Hitake's expression immediately sharpened.
“I know.”
“There are still abnormal energy readings beneath the hive.”
He looked toward the window.
The strange energy around the Queen's core flashed through his mind.
“What's the academy planning?”
“A second expedition.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Hitake frowned.
“That's quick.”
“We don't have a choice. If something is growing down there, we need to know what it is.”
Mirai paused.
“I'm going.”
Hitake looked at her.
“Why?”
She seemed surprised by the question.
“I'm Level Ten.”
“That wasn't what I asked.”
Mirai's eyes flickered.
For several seconds she said nothing.
Finally, she looked away.
“Because someone has to make sure you don't get yourself killed.”
Hitake sighed.
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Again, silence.
Zena watched her carefully.
Mirai finally turned toward the door.
“I'll see you tomorrow.”
She left.
The moment the doors closed, Zena spoke.
“She likes you.”
Hitake nearly choked.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You definitely said something.”
“I said nothing.”
“Zena.”
Her lips curved into the smallest smile.
“You'll figure it out.”
Hitake rubbed his forehead.
“I already have enough problems.”
A familiar voice whispered inside his mind.
[I agree.]
Hitake froze.
“Nefertiti?”
[Yes, darling.]
He looked around.
Zena noticed.
“Something wrong?”
“No.”
[Your problems are multiplying.]
Hitake sighed.
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
[You're welcome.]
Then the lights went out.
Every lamp in the infirmary died simultaneously.
The room became completely dark.
A low vibration passed through the floor.
Hitake's smile vanished.
His Eyes of Truth activated.
Reality sharpened.
Mana flowed through the walls.
Electrical currents flickered.
And beneath the academy—
something moved.
Hitake slowly stood.
“What is that?”
Zena looked around.
“What?”
Another pulse traveled through the building.
This time, everyone felt it.
The floor trembled.
Nefertiti's voice became serious.
[Warning.]
Hitake's eyes narrowed.
[The foreign energy signature detected in Sector 7 has appeared again.]
His heart tightened.
“How?”
[I don't know.]
Hitake stared at the floor.
“Where?”
[Approximately 4.7 kilometers from your current position.]
His expression hardened.
“That makes no sense.”
[I agree.]
A third pulse struck.
Somewhere beneath the academy, something had awakened.
And whatever it was...
it had noticed him.