When the first light of morning came through the window, Sera was still sitting on her bed.
She had dark circles under her eyes.
She had not slept for a single second all night.
The black envelope was still on her desk, sitting in the exact same spot.
It felt like a living thing, quietly watching her from the dark.
She reached out her hand, but stopped right before touching the paper.
She pulled her hand back.
A soft voice came from the hallway outside.
”Sera?” Kairos called quietly.
“Are you awake?” Sera took a deep breath and opened the door.
Kairos, Lucien, and Caelum were all standing in the hallway.
Kairos looked very worried and tired.
Caelum’s face was cold and calm as usual.
And Lucien was completely quiet—which was never a good sign.
”What happened?” Sera asked.
Her voice felt heavy.
Lucien gave a small smile, but his eyes stayed serious.
”Good news and bad news.
Which one do you want first?” ”The bad news.” ”They are both here,” Lucien said directly.
“High Priest Varis…
and Duke Malric.
They are standing at the main gate right now.” Sera’s heart stopped for a second.
She held onto the wall to keep her balance.
Kairos stepped closer.
”The Headmaster wants to see you in his office.
Right now.” Sera just nodded.
She could not find any words to say.
The three boys walked around her like guards as they headed down the corridor.
As soon as Sera reached the Headmaster’s office, she felt a strange pressure in the air.
Two powerful people were inside.
One was Varis—cold and terrifying.
The second one felt completely new.
Heavy and dark.
Like a wild animal waiting quietly before an attack.
Lucien leaned down and whispered in her ear.
”Don’t be scared.
We are right here with you.” Caelum looked at her and said calmly, ”Go inside.
But do not sign anything.
Do not touch any papers.” Kairos looked directly into her eyes.
”We won’t go far.
If anything goes wrong, we will come straight inside.” Sera took two deep breaths, turned the door handle, and walked in.
Two men were sitting inside the office.
High Priest Varis sat straight in his white clothes with an icy expression.
But the man sitting next to him looked completely different.
Duke Malric.
He looked around 38 to 40 years old.
He had dark hair falling slightly over his eyes, a sharp face, and a soft smile.
But his eyes were cold.
He looked at people like he was calculating their price.
”Seraphina Voss,” Duke Malric said softly.
His voice sounded nice, which made him feel even more dangerous.
”I finally get to see you.” Varis interrupted immediately, annoyed that the Duke spoke first.
”We are here for an official check.
The power inside her is dangerous.
The Temple cannot ignore it.” Duke Malric looked at Varis briefly, then looked back at Sera.
”Dangerous?
Or precious?” Sera stayed quiet.
Her hands were shaking slightly, so she hid them behind her skirt.
The Duke smiled softly.
”I will not force you, Seraphina.
I just have an offer.
Come to my territory.
I will keep you safe there.
You are not safe in this academy.” ”Why?” Sera asked.
Her voice was surprisingly steady.
The Duke looked straight into her eyes.
”Because many people want the power sleeping inside you.
I am one of those people.
But unlike others, I am not in a hurry.
I know how to wait.” He slowly raised three fingers.
”Three days.
Think about it.
After three days, I will come back for you.” Varis got angry.
”This is a Temple matter, Duke!
You cannot—” ”It is a Temple matter only if I let it be,” the Duke said in a very quiet, powerful voice.
Varis stopped talking immediately.
Deep under Sera’s skin, that cold power moved again.
This time it was stronger.
It felt like something inside her was opening its eyes to look at the world.
But she still had no control over it.
The cold feeling appeared for a second and then disappeared into the dark.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.
”Is the meeting finished yet?” It was Lucien’s playful voice, but it sounded like a warning.
Then Kairos spoke sharply.
”Headmaster, this is not an official meeting.
You cannot keep Sera inside like this.” Duke Malric looked at Sera and chuckled softly.
”Your guards are very active.
That is good…
for now.” He stood up smoothly.
”Three days, Dragon’s Vessel.
Think carefully.” He walked out of the room.
Varis followed him, his face red with anger.
Sera walked out into the corridor and let out a long breath.
Kairos immediately took her hand to check on her.
His touch was warm.
”Are you okay?” ”Yes…” Sera whispered, feeling very tired.
Lucien smiled at her gently.
”See?
I told you not to worry.
We are here.” Caelum said in a flat voice, ”He will come back in three days.” Sera looked at the three of them.
They were all so different—one protective, one cheerful, and one cold.
But right now, all three were standing like a wall to protect her.
She felt a gentle warmth in her heart alongside the fear.
Then, slow footsteps sounded from the end of the hallway.
Sera turned around.
Riven Ashford was standing there.
He was dressed in black clothes with his dark hair falling over his face.
He was staring directly at Sera, as if he had been watching her the whole time.
Kairos and Lucien immediately became tense.
Caelum looked at Riven silently.
Riven took a step forward.
His voice was low, but every word echoed in the quiet hallway: ”You felt me again…
Now I will not let you go either.” Sera stopped breathing for a second.
Her hands started shaking again.
A heavy silence filled the corridor.
Four men.
One girl.
And outside the academy, Duke Malric’s three-day timer had already started.