"It’s time for me to leave as well."

Cael muttered as his silver hair started to change into blonde. His violet eyes turned blue. His facial structure shifted slightly, the angles softening, the lines changing.

His reflection in the window confirmed the change. A stranger stared back at him. Cael smiled softly at his reflection.

He walked down the hotel’s main hall and handed the room keys back to the receptionist.

Leaving the city was not the problem. Junior himself was the problem.

Not individually, but circumstantially. Junior was under surveillance by the Golden Scale Academy due to suspicion.

If he were to disappear for a month or two, the suspicion would only grow worse. Likewise, he could not simply leave the academy.

Running away would mean admitting guilt. Reason was useless against the Council.

And the reason for Junior’s mess was naturally Cael himself.

But Cael did not dwell on it for long. Junior had already prepared for the consequences. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Still, Cael had to get Junior out of the Golden Scale Academy to reach the Mermaid’s Flower Garden.

So, Cael had to make it look like a... kidnapping.

"This is seriously annoying. Why am I playing the bad guy?"

...

Inside the Golden Scale Academy.

Having just completed the selections, the academy had given its students a three-day break before classes resumed.

Junior walked silently toward the cafeteria.

The building was filled with numerous students, their voices blending into a constant hum of chatter and laughter.

Although Junior looked calm and neutral, his mind was racing with questions and thoughts.

The realm. The artifact. The journey ahead. The consequences of what he was about to do.

But as soon as he sensed a familiar presence, those questions vanished.

It was Cael’s mana signature. Junior knew Cael was deliberately letting him know of his arrival.

After all, if Cael willed it, Junior could not perceive his mana signature at all.

A thin smile formed on Junior’s lips as he reached the cafeteria.

Cael and Junior’s plan was simple. Since Junior was going to get "kidnapped," they had to make at least a small mess.

And of course, they had to make it believable.

Junior entered the cafeteria and searched for one person. Elara Grace.

Junior walked toward her.

’Sorry, Elara. We have to drag you into this.’

He sat down before her. Elara raised her head and asked,

"So why did you call me?"

Junior acted as if he were hesitating. His shoulders tensed slightly. His voice dropped.

"I... I think someone was watching me. I felt it until I entered the cafe."

Elara raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Junior softly nodded.

"Yes."

Elara thought for a moment.

"Do you have someone in mind?"

Junior shook his head.

"Why would anyone even try to make things hard for me?"

Elara nodded and said,

"That’s true. But don’t worry. As long as you are in the academy, no one is going to hurt you."

Junior sighed in relief.

"I see. Thank you."

Junior’s acting was so convincing that unless someone used a lie detection skill, no one would doubt his words.

His performance was that impressive.

After all, his soul was three hundred years old. He had experienced all sorts of situations. His acting was completely natural.

After speaking with Elara, Junior walked out of the cafeteria and began strolling toward the training grounds.

His steps were slow, deliberate, as if he had nowhere in particular to be.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the stone pathways, and the distant sounds of students training echoed through the academy.

Elara had agreed to help.

She said she would secretly watch Junior from behind and look for the culprit.

From a distance, her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for anyone who seemed out of place.

Soon enough, under Elara’s watchful gaze, a white haired boy with blue eyes started walking toward Junior.

His movements were smooth, unhurried. A mask covered his nose and lips. A cap sat low on his forehead.

Elara’s eyes widened.

’Isn’t that the Frostflame user?’

The same boy who had sparred with her. The same boy who had vanished without a trace. The same boy the academy had been searching for.

She did not hesitate. She launched herself toward the Frostflame clone.

But before she could reach him, the Frostflame clone put his hand around Junior’s neck. His grip was firm but not tight.

Elara’s steps paused immediately.

Fortunately, she didn’t use her mana just now and alerted the Frostflame user.

’Damn it. I can’t act rashly.’

If she attacked, Junior could be hurt. If she moved too quickly, the boy might kill him. She needed backup.

She immediately sent a message to the professors. Her fingers moved swiftly across her device, typing out an emergency call for backup.

Just then, Elara saw a black haired boy wearing a cap and mask just like the Frostflame clone. He approached them quickly, his movements sharp and urgent.

It was the Black Lightning clone.

Seeing him, Elara had a bad feeling. Two of them. Both masked. Both dangerous.

Then the black haired boy shouted,

"They are onto us! We need to leave quickly!"

The white haired boy did not hesitate. He pulled Junior close, grabbed the black-haired boy’s arm, and in an instant, they vanished.

The space where they had stood was empty. The air swirled where their bodies had been.

Elara’s eyes widened.

’Shadow step?’

Elara sent a distress call, alerting the entire academy. Alarms blared. Students shouted. Professors rushed toward the training grounds.

But it was too late. Junior was gone. Kidnapped by two suspicious individuals.

...

Meanwhile, once the Black Lightning clone, Frostflame clone, and Junior arrived in a shadow, they immediately used the Teleportation skill to leave the academy.

They did not pause until they reached the edge of Arhal City. The buildings thinned, the streets grew quiet.

Junior let out a breath and sighed. The tension in his shoulders released.

"What are you sighing for?"

Junior lifted his head and saw a blonde-haired boy sitting on a bench nearby, eating an apple. His blue eyes were calm, almost amused. It was Cael.

Junior walked toward him.

"Now, we need to get some new identities."

Then Junior continued saying,

"I already have a contact, but we need a large amount of money for fake identities."

Cael smiled as he said,

"Money was never my problem."

Junior then asked,

"And about the clones, do they need identities as well?"

Cael glanced at the Frostflame and Black Lightning clones standing behind Junior.

"They will need identities too. It will be convenient in the long run."

He finished his apple and tossed the core into a nearby bin.

"Let’s get to work."

...

On the other side.

The Karyal City. Everbright Academy.

When Team Gray and the rest of the groups arrived back at Everbright with Seraphina, the atmosphere was familiar and welcoming.

The tall spires of the academy rose against the night sky.

Due to the difference in time, it was still night in Karyal City. There are 2 more hours left before sunrise.

Everyone left for their dorms. Team Gray also divided to get some rest.

Edwin, Aria, and Brania headed to their rooms, exhausted from the journey.

Time passed, and it was already morning.

Then Seraphina called Cael to the vice principal’s office.

’Why is she calling me all of a sudden?’

Cael, or rather the Wind Clone, acted naturally as he walked through the familiar hallways.

He reached the office, knocked, and entered.

Before he could ask anything, Seraphina tossed him a book. It spun through the air, and he caught it with both hands.

He checked the cover.

Mana Strengthening Body Technique, Part 2.

Cael’s eyes widened.

"There is a part two?"

Seraphina nodded. Her amber eyes were calm,

"Yes. Now go back and get some rest."

Cael didn’t say anything more; he just nodded and left the building.

He walked back toward his dorm.

And the book, Mana Strengthening Body Technique Part 2, was safely stored in the space pouch.

The morning air was cool against his face. Wind clone felt refreshed, but his refreshment did not last long, for he soon encountered Elowyn.

She was standing beneath a tree, her black hair falling across her shoulders. Her blue eyes were fixed on something in the distance.

Wind clone wondered for a moment,

’Should I go and greet her?’

Elowyn looked serene, peaceful.

When Elowyn turned her head and saw him, she smiled warmly.

But her expression shifted after looking at Cael for a few seconds, and her smile did not last long as it faded into nothingness.

Her blue eyes turned cold.

Then she ignored him and left.

She walked past him without a word, without a glance.

A cold breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of morning dew. He did not call after her.

Elowyn’s footsteps faded into the silence.

The Wind Clone stood there, frozen in place.

He muttered under his breath,

"Did I... get exposed?"