Chapter 7 – Lies and Secrets

The Headmaster's question lingered in the room, pressing against me with far more weight than any magical pressure I had felt since entering Noctis Academy. The barriers surrounding his office shimmered faintly, isolating us from the outside world until not even the slightest sound could escape. Four pairs of eyes settled on me, each carrying a different emotion. Lucian remained expressionless, though his gaze was as sharp as ever, studying every subtle change in my expression. Kael leaned casually against one of the bookshelves with his arms folded, appearing relaxed, yet the slight narrowing of his amber eyes betrayed his curiosity. Azriel stood silently near the window, saying nothing, but I could almost feel his attention dissecting every heartbeat I took. Orion was the only one whose expression carried genuine concern, as if he feared the questioning itself might overwhelm me.

Above all of them floated the crimson warning from the Crown System. [Emergency Mission Updated.] [Do Not Reveal Your True Identity.] [Mission Failure Penalty: Unknown.] Unknown. That single word unsettled me more than "death" ever had. The system had threatened my life before, but never with uncertainty. Whatever consequences awaited me if I exposed the truth were apparently worse than dying. I slowly drew a breath, forcing myself to remain calm. If the system wanted me to hide my identity, then there had to be a reason. I simply didn't know what it was yet.

"I don't understand the question," I replied after a long pause, keeping my voice steady. "I'm Aurelia Ashbourne. I received an invitation to enroll here, just like every other student." The Headmaster watched me in silence, his golden eyes revealing nothing. For several uncomfortable seconds, no one spoke. Finally, he walked toward the enormous window overlooking the academy grounds and clasped his hands behind his back. "Ordinary students do not cause the Crown Marks to resonate," he said quietly. "Nor do they release an unknown energy capable of overwhelming three Crown Kings simultaneously." His words caused Kael to straighten slightly, while Lucian remained as still as a statue.

I lowered my gaze to my hands, remembering the black mist that had escaped my body. "If I knew what happened, I would tell you," I answered honestly. "I'm just as confused as everyone else." That much, at least, wasn't a lie. I truly had no idea what was sleeping inside me. The Headmaster turned back toward me, searching my face for any hint of deception. Before he could continue, Azriel finally spoke. "She's telling the truth." Every head turned toward him. Even I looked up in surprise. Azriel met the Headmaster's gaze without hesitation. "She's hiding something," he admitted calmly, "but whatever she's hiding... she doesn't fully understand it herself." The room fell silent again. His words were strangely accurate, and that frightened me almost as much as the system itself. How could someone who had known me for less than an hour read me so easily?

The Headmaster remained thoughtful before releasing a slow breath. "Very well," he said. "Until we determine the cause of today's incident, Miss Ashbourne will remain under special observation." I blinked. "Special observation?" Kael laughed softly. "Congratulations. You managed to become the academy's biggest problem before attending a single class." I shot him an annoyed look, though his teasing lacked the mockery I had expected. If anything, he sounded impressed. Orion stepped closer with an apologetic smile. "Don't let him bother you. He's trying to lighten the mood." "I don't need my mood lightened," I muttered. Kael grinned. "See? She has spirit." Lucian, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. "Headmaster." His voice instantly drew everyone's attention. "If she is to remain under observation, assign her to the Crown District." My eyes widened. The Crown District? Even I had heard rumors about that place. It was a restricted section of the academy reserved exclusively for the four kings and a handful of elite students. Ordinary first-years were forbidden from entering. The Headmaster studied Lucian carefully. "You're volunteering?" Lucian answered without hesitation. "It is the safest option." Kael smirked. "Or you're just curious." Lucian ignored him completely. Orion nodded in agreement. "If another resonance occurs, we'll be able to contain it immediately." Only Azriel remained silent, though the faintest smile touched the corner of his lips. It disappeared so quickly I wondered if I had imagined it.

Before the Headmaster could make a decision, a deafening alarm echoed throughout the academy. The sound was unlike anything I had ever heard—deep, ancient, and powerful enough to vibrate through the stone walls themselves. Every expression in the room changed instantly. Lucian's calm disappeared. Kael's smile vanished. Orion's warmth hardened into focused determination. Even Azriel's unreadable gaze sharpened. The Headmaster strode toward the window, his face darkening as crimson light illuminated the academy from outside. Students could be heard shouting in the distance, their voices carrying panic rather than confusion.

Then another sound reached us—a monstrous roar so deep it seemed to shake the mountains surrounding Noctis Academy. My heart lurched. The system appeared again. [Emergency Quest Activated.] [Void Spawn Detected Within Academy Grounds.] I stared at the message in disbelief. Void Spawn? Here? The Headmaster turned so abruptly that his robes swirled behind him. "All Crown Kings, report to the eastern barrier immediately!" he ordered. None of them questioned him. Lucian was already moving toward the door. Kael extinguished the flames dancing around his fingertips before rushing after him. Orion followed without another word. Only Azriel paused briefly beside me. He looked at me for a long moment, his violet eyes unusually serious. "Stay inside," he said quietly. "Whatever happens... don't leave this room." Without waiting for my response, he disappeared into the shadows and was gone. I stood frozen in the suddenly silent office, staring at the closed door while the alarm continued echoing through the academy. Then the Crown System delivered one final notification. [Hidden Mission Activated.] [Proceed to the Eastern Barrier.] [Ignore all previous instructions.]