What happened after Steven could only describe as pure chaos; hundreds of people started moving slowly at first, but with the rising panic, the escalation was almost immediate.
Deactivating his barrier to not crush anyone who got too close to him, he stood completely still as people pushed against him trying to get to their homes.
His gaze was only fixed towards the announcer; he didn’t recognize him, even though his his magical power was well above average, probably at least Sapphire level. It could’ve just been a classmate from a different year; his age would be matching that, maybe even older.
But he wasn’t wearing any crest or a student uniform. Perhaps it was a facility member, but why would they announce something like that? As another student ran against Steven, he gave him a death stare, scaring him away.
But when he looked back, the announcer had disappeared completely; Steven couldn’t even feel him in the mass anymore.
Shifting his focus back to the situation, he watched a student fall just next to him about to be trampled on. With the move of his hand, a wind strike lifted the person up roughly.
As the people slowly faded away, only a few people remained, as he could spot a familiar face on the other side of the empty street. Lucy was staring at him, her face dark as if she had seen a ghost.
Slowly walking towards her, he could barely feel her mana as if she were trying to hide it with all her might. "You have noticed him too, right?" She asked, as her mana only shrank.
’’Do you think he would announce his own kills?’’ he answered, not sure if that might’ve been just a weird coincidence. "Also, how did our killer kill so many people in one night without being noticed?"
As the question hung in the air, none of them could find an answer until Lucy spoke. ’’We should at least keep an eye on them.’’
"Talking about keeping an eye on somebody, where is your target right now?" Steven countered, but she didn’t answer instantly; instead, she moved closer, pressing herself against him.
"Oh, you’re always talking about other women when you’re with me; you shouldn’t play with a woman’s heart like that." Her voice sounded genuine, but Steven could hear the slight undertone of sarcasm showing her true self.
’’So she’s here right now.’’ He concluded as he pushed her away from him, only then noticing Merency’s red hair in the distance, not having noticed him yet.
"Also, I found out something you might want to know," Lucy spoke up, her voice grumpy. ’’He didn’t only kill one diamond and two sapphire students.’’ as she turned away from him.
"No, he also killed three emerald, four topaz, and five jade-class students," she continued. "Seems like a planned killing to me and not just some slaughter.’’
Steven could only agree to her theory; the numbers were way too specific to be random. Suddenly, he could hear somebody approaching behind him, the mana already giving away who it was.
Watching Merency come closer, her face filled with fake happiness, instantly walking to his side and grabbing his arm, which he only unwillingly gave her.
In the corner of his eye he could see Lucy’s mouth slightly twitch. "Oh, Princess, what brings you here today out of all days?" Her voice filled with sarcasm as she stepped closer to her.
’’I will give you two some time." Steven spoke between them, as he stepped back a bit only getting death stares from both of them, but he didn’t care he had much other things to handle than some childsplay.
As the two girls continued talking, Steven feared that they might start to fight soon. Finally leaving the main street behind, everything else had been just as empty.
Even though his new favorite cafe had closed for the day, he felt like the people were overreacting, not like they could stop it anyway, so why keep hiding somewhere waiting for their demise?
But they wouldn’t have to worry anymore; he was going to find this bastard and show him what the hair of hell does to monsters. Having caught himself already talking like a Bright, he didn’t know how to feel.
Shaking his head in confusion, he returned to his dorms, still having no clue who was going to be attacked next. But this time he was prepared, so whoever it might hit in this house would be safe as long as he’s still breathing.
And he had to find this guy fast, because tomorrow his meeting with the fingers would be his main priority, and the principal didn’t seem to be able to protect everyone at the same time.
Being greeted by Irose at his door, he found another gift lying in the middle of the room, this time wrapped in actual paper and nicely decorated. The old man spoke from behind him. "Miss Frostes seemed really depressed after what happened... But for the short moment of placing it here, she seemed at peace."
Sitting down directly beside the present, he didn’t dare to open it yet, not until he had repaid her with finding this guy and punishing him.
Ordering some food from the maid service, he ate in his room in quietness, listening to every sound and mana of the house.
With the sun slowly setting again, Steven’s anticipation only rose, but even with the sun completely setting, he didn’t notice anything abnormal.
Waiting through the night, the dark moonlight shone through his room, casting eerie shadows. As he could hear, the clocktower’s bells rang, signaling him it was already past midnight.
He could feel the maids all sleeping inside a single room or the guards only patrolling in groups of three, with two others always staying inside the room of each student.
Attacking now would be suicidal, and the assassin probably knew that; that’s why he hadn’t shown himself yet.
Until a sudden surge of mana outside their building caught his attention.
Steven didn’t hesitate.
He jumped from his seat, waking Irose from his deep slumber.
There was no time to explain.
He threw open the window and leaped outside, his body cutting through the cold night air.
His fist tightened.
’’Finally.’’
Someone had made their move.
And this time, Steven was ready.