Arthur’s cold voice rang out.

"He has less than an hour before he croaks," Arthur said.

Athena’s fingers were still wrapped around his throat, but his tone was flat, almost bored, as if he were delivering a simple report instead of a death sentence.

"Make your choice carefully."

It was a bluff.

Damian could survive far longer than that if left alone.

But Athena had no way of knowing.

For a heartbeat, the crimson warning lights flashed across her face, highlighting the tension around her eyes. Then her grip loosened ever so slightly as she calculated, her mind racing.

’Damian is far too important right now to lose over one Imperius girl,’ Athena thought. ’If his System breaks completely...’

Behind her, Damian’s screams grew hoarser.

"AAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO—AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"MAKE IT STOP! PLEASE, MAKE IT STOOOOPPPP!!!"

Arthur’s crimson gaze slid past Athena toward Arina, who knelt beside Damian, desperately trying to restrain him as his body thrashed violently.

"Arina Evan Imperius," Arthur called out, his voice carrying clearly through the hall. "If you come with me peacefully... I’ll let him live."

Arina, who had been frozen among the crowd, jerked as though she’d been struck.

Her eyes widened.

"So you’re doing all of this because of me?" she shouted. "You bastard! What do you want? Just tell me, and I’ll give it to you. Leave Damian out of this. I’ll come with you."

Arthur turned his head slightly and looked back at Athena.

"It’s strange, isn’t it?" he said, his voice quiet but edged with something darker. "How someone can become your weakness... even when you see yourself as invincible."

Athena’s jaw tightened.

"The same thing that’s happening to you," Arthur continued, "is happening to me."

He was talking about Yuna.

She knew it.

He knew she knew.

The hall held its breath.

"Fine," Athena said at last, her eyes narrowing. "I’ll let you take her."

Gasps and shocked whispers exploded throughout the hall.

"In return," Athena continued, her voice like ice, "keep your promise and bring her back alive."

"I will," Arthur replied without hesitation.

Athena turned away from him and faced Arina.

"Arina," she said, her tone gentler but leaving no room for argument, "you will cooperate. Damian needs your help right now."

Arina bit her lip hard enough to taste blood before nodding.

"I will," she said, forcing strength into her voice.

Athena looked toward Damian.

Her eyes locked onto the boy’s contorted face, her knuckles turning white.

All around them, students stared with wide eyes.

They had just watched the Headmistress of Celestias Academy—an existence they believed stood above all compromise—yield to the threat of a first-year.

Even several instructors couldn’t fully hide their shock.

Arthur spoke again.

"The moment I leave the academy grounds," he said, "Damian will be fine."

Athena gave him a look sharp enough to cut steel.

"He’d better be," she said. "Or there will be hell to pay."

Arthur didn’t bother responding.

Instead, he turned toward Arina.

"Follow me."

Arina drew in a shaky breath. She glanced once at Damian, who was still writhing on the floor, then at Athena.

Finally, she turned and followed Arthur.

Aiden, Isabella, and Elizabeth fell in behind them.

They moved quickly, leaving behind the roar of voices and Damian’s distant screams as they made their way deeper into a quieter section of the academy—the outer training grounds, where few first-years were ever permitted to go.

Eventually, they emerged into a wide, walled arena.

The place was deserted.

The sky stretched overhead, untouched by the panic consuming the main building.

The only thing that stood out was a massive blue portal spinning in the center of the field.

It churned like a vertical whirlpool, its edges rippling with layer upon layer of mana.

The ground around it was etched with intricate runes drawn in glowing chalk, stabilizing the portal.

Arthur took in the scene with a single sharp glance.

"I take it everything’s ready?" he asked.

Julia, standing closest to the portal, brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and nodded.

"We got help from someone... unexpected," she said.

"I only helped him reach the exact coordinates you provided."

A calm voice echoed across the arena.

Everyone turned.

A green-haired elf stepped away from one of the arena’s stone pillars.

Her hair flowed in smooth waves down to her waist, the color of spring leaves. Her eyes matched it—deep emeralds that seemed capable of seeing through any lie.

She wore a fitted battle robe of dark green and silver that emphasized the lithe strength of her figure rather than concealing it.

Sophia Evergreen.

Isabella’s master.

"Master?" Isabella blurted out in surprise.

Sophia gave her a brief nod before turning her attention to Arthur.

"I’ll join the fight," Sophia said. "Yuna is a dear friend of mine. I won’t let anything happen to her."

Arthur met her gaze.

For several moments, neither looked away.

"I appreciate the gesture, Miss Sophia," Arthur said. "But this happened because of me. I’ll clean up my own mess. By helping us, you’ve already put your position as an instructor at this academy at risk. I can’t ask anything more of you."

Sophia smiled faintly.

Arthur shook his head.

"There’s no need for anyone else to get involved."

Sophia studied him carefully, seeing the iron resolve beneath the exhaustion he refused to show.

After a moment, she let out a slow breath.

"Fine," she said. "But if you fail... I’ll finish what you started."

"Fair enough," Arthur replied.

Behind them, Arina finally snapped.

"Just what the hell is going on here?!" she shouted. "Can someone please tell me?! You drag me out of the hall, threaten Damian, open some giant portal, and nobody explains anything?!"

Instead of answering, Arthur walked straight toward her.

Before she could step back, he grabbed her by the collar.

"Wha—?!"

With one smooth motion, he shoved her forward.

Her body stumbled into the swirling blue surface of the portal.

The light swallowed her whole.

"ARTHUR, YOU BASTA—!"

Her protest was cut off as she vanished.

Arthur turned back toward the others.

"Alright, guys," he said. "Let’s go."

The air around them seemed to tighten, as if even the academy itself were listening.

"It’s either we win," Arthur said quietly, "or I lose everything."

One by one, they nodded.

Aaron, his face pale but determined.

Aiden, his eyes burning with excitement for the battle ahead.

Isabella, her jaw set, hiding her worry behind a brave smile.

Elizabeth, her lips curled into a faint, eager smirk.

Julia, flexing her fingers as she prepared to guide them once they crossed to the other side.

Together, they stepped into the portal.

Their bodies dissolved into blue light.

Sophia remained where she was, her arms folded across her chest, emerald eyes fixed on the swirling vortex.

A small smile touched her lips.

"Yuna really hit the jackpot," she murmured.

Arthur paused.

For a brief moment, he looked back at the academy—the walls he had fought so hard to enter.

The place where everything had begun.

Then he stepped forward.

The blue light closed over him.

A moment later, the portal folded shut with a soft crackle, leaving behind only faintly glowing runes etched into the ground and a silent, empty arena.

Far beyond those walls, back in the Grand Hall, Damian’s screams were already beginning to fade.

The real storm had just departed from Celestias Academy.

And it was heading straight for the Imperius family’s home.

----------

A/N: Sorry, guys, for being absent for the last two days. I got really sick, and I hope you all understand. 🙏