The day of return to Dark Knight Academy had flown by in a blur, vanishing faster than anyone expected. Before they knew it, the next morning had arrived, bringing with it the lazy hum of a second day of rest. Much to the students' delight, there were still no classes—though they were all instructed to gather at Beacon Hall for an important announcement.
By two hours past noon, the first-years were packed into the massive hall, buzzing like bees. Conversations filled the space as students slid into their seats, laughing, joking, and catching up like they hadn't seen each other in ages. At the front of the hall, professors and instructors sat lined up on the elevated platform. Nearly all were present—including Galen and Magnus.
Then, Headmaster Thion stood.
He rose with quiet authority, stepping to the center pulpit. His golden eyes swept across the crowd, instantly quieting the hall.
"Welcome back to Dark Knight Academy," he began, voice calm but sharp. "I trust your break was restful… but I hope it wasn't wasteful."
He let that hang for a moment, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"Regardless of whether you trained or spent your days dozing off, know this—starting tomorrow, your lessons resume. And this semester," he said, his tone dipping lower, "will be nothing like your first."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"There will be no breaks. No midterms. No standard tests or evaluations—except those your instructors choose to give. No safety nets."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"But... six months from now, there will be one final general exam. One that will determine not only your progress—but your future place within this Academy."
A silence washed over the students.
"This semester will break you," Thion continued. "And then, it will remake you. For some, it will pass in a flash. For others… these next six months will stretch on like a cursed eternity."
"As you can see behind me, your professors and instructors are present—well, most of them," Thion said. "Their presence is a reminder: they're here to help you achieve greatness. But make no mistake—they'll just as happily watch you crash and burn if you lack the discipline and consistency to meet this academy's demands."
His golden eyes swept over the crowd once again, weighing them, like he could already tell who would rise… and who would rot.
"So I suggest you brace yourselves. There's no more pampering. That part of your lives ends now."
He straightened his back.
"Once again, welcome back to Dark Knight Academy."
With that, Thion turned and took his seat.
Then, Mystica rose from her seat, gliding toward the pulpit with a playful grin curling her lips.
"Well, you heard your Headmaster, little darlings," she purred. "Do your best and stay strong—because what he conveniently failed to emphasize on is this: there'll be no breaks, no relaxation, and definitely no lazy days. Weekends only—unless, of course, some kind of chaotic, crazy incident happens. Which, let's be honest… probably will."
She gave a wink, her voice teasing.
"Anyway, that wraps up our little announcement. Now scoot. Shoo. Get going. I, and my esteemed colleagues, officially welcome you back." She blew a kiss into the crowd. "Mwah."
With that, the students rose from their seats, voices rising again as they made their way toward the exit.
Among them was Liam and his usual crew.
"Wow. No breaks?" Dylan groaned, slinging his arms behind his head. "I mean, I'm down for no tests and all, but no breaks? That's a deal breaker, folks."
"I wanna agree with you," Max said, hands in his pockets, "but honestly, no breaks doesn't sound that bad. If you keep yourself busy, time'll fly."
"Yeah, same here," Sheila added, brushing her white hair over her shoulder.
"Ugh. I'm with Dylan," Charlotte chimed in, adjusting her curls. "No breaks sounds like a straight-up death sentence. What about you, bae?" She turned to Liam with a teasing grin.
"Hm?" Liam muttered, barely registering the conversation.
Charlotte tilted her head. "Yep. Still the same. Mister Zoning-Out at your service."
"Some things never change," Asher said casually, walking beside them with hands tucked in his pockets. "Still wandering around inside your own head, huh?"
"Leave him alone, buzzcut," Dylan said with a dramatic eye-roll. "Our broody king gets to zone out whenever he wants. That's a Liam privilege. You? Not so much."
He clapped his hands together. "Now if you don't mind, I'm heading to the cafeteria. I've missed those dishes. Like, deeply."
"I am too," Ariana chimed in softly.
"You guys go ahead," Liam said, his voice low. "I've got something I need to do. I'll catch up later."
He turned and walked back down the corridor toward the hall.
"Wait—hey! I said you had a pass, but don't go abusing it!" Dylan called out after him.
"Let him go, Dylan," Max said with a shrug. "Whatever it is… it's probably not even that serious."
Dylan frowned. "No, idiot. It's Liam. That means it is serious."
With that, the group kept walking.
Liam made his way calmly back to Beacon Hall, his steps steady but his thoughts anything but.
'I need to speak with Mystica—now. This isn't just paranoia or someone's funky cologne. Something's off about Assistant Headmaster Gordon... and I've got a feeling it's more than unpleasant.'
As he stepped into the hall, it was mostly empty—except for Mystica, Galen, and Magnus. The only ones he could actually trust. For now, at least.
"Why are we still here? The announcement's over. I hate pointless waiting," Galen groaned, hands placed in his pockets.
"Same. This is wasting my lunch time," Magnus chimed in.
"Oh, hush, you two crybabies," Mystica said, stretching. "I'm done with what I came for, so we can head ou—"
"Hey, Mystica," Liam called out, cutting through her words as he stepped up onto the platform. "I need to ask you something."
Mystica arched an eyebrow.
"Well, look who's still breathing," Galen said, turning to him. "Didn't even recognize you for a second."
"Yeah…" Liam hesitated, then gave a slight nod. "Good afternoon."
Both Galen and Magnus visibly cringed.
"Ugh. That was disgusting," Magnus gagged dramatically, and Galen mirrored the look.
"Who the hell are you? 'Cause that polite crap doesn't sound like the bastard I taught months ago," Galen said.
Liam didn't flinch. Just gave them a blank stare.
'Yeah... not everyone's gonna take a simple greeting as normal around here.'
"Don't mind these two blockheads," Mystica said with a smirk. "Now, go on. Ask your question quick—I've got things to do."
Liam nodded. "Do humans have distinct scents… mystically, I mean?"
That made both Galen and Magnus freeze for a beat.
"Hah. The bastard's already begun to tap into the senses stuff," Galen muttered.
"Ignore him," Mystica cut in smoothly. "As for your question, this isn't really the place to talk about that."
She turned, extending a hand as a swirling portal bloomed in front of them like a ripple in reality.
"Come on, my darlings. Let's take this somewhere... more private." She stepped through, her dark silhouette swallowed by the glow—leaving the others to follow without a word.
They stepped out of the portal and into Mystica's chamber.
But the atmosphere shifted the moment Liam spotted a familiar figure draped across the couch near the bed. A woman he'd only met once… and hoped he wouldn't see again.
She lounged like a queen of chaos, cigar between her fingers, lips curling as she exhaled a slow stream of smoke into the air.
"Oh, my Empress returns," she purred when Mystica entered. "And look—you brought the two sack-huggers."
Magnus leaned toward Galen and whispered, "Man, I love her."
"You love anything with boobs, dumbass," Galen muttered, dropping into a chair. Magnus flopped in beside him, grinning.
As they settled, Liam stepped forward—and that's when Dove really noticed him. Her eyes sharpened with mischief as she rose from the couch, slinking toward him like a predator spotting a new toy.
"Well, well, well…" she drawled. "If it isn't the guy that sweet little auburn girl's always watching." Her voice dripped with smoke and sarcasm. "You ruined my chances with her, y'know. She only had eyes for you."
She blew a puff of smoke right into his face.
"I'd love to chat, Ms. Dove," Liam replied, steady as ever, "but I came to speak with Mystica."
Dove tilted her head, faux offended. "Oh? You walk into my room, to talk to my Empress, and you don't even ask me first?" She smirked. "Such a bold little thing."
She circled him slowly, like a lazy vulture with all the time in the world.
"You've grown colder since last time," she whispered behind him. "I like that."
Mystica cleared her throat with a playful hum, stepping between them. "Alright, Dove, enough slithering. He's here on business."
Dove raised her hands in mock surrender and sauntered back to her couch, sinking into it like royalty returning to her throne. "Fine, fine. But I am listening. Always am."
Mystica turned to Liam. "Now then, darling, what was that question you had?"
Liam took a breath. "Mystical scents. Do humans give them off?"