Two days had passed.
And more students had gone missing.
Noel leaned against the window frame of his room, eyes fixed on the frost-covered courtyard outside, but his mind wasn't really there.
'This is driving me insane… I know it's someone from inside. But who?'
His eyes narrowed.
'Nicolas? No. Impossible. No one could impersonate the Headmaster. Dior? Doubt it—he's already left. Seraphina? Obviously not, she's probably drowning in problems just from this whole mess.'
He tapped his fingers against the glass.
'That leaves… the professors.'
A pause.
'Instructor Dauk? Nah, all he cares about is training. Daemar? No way. He's my favorite teacher—he wouldn't… he couldn't.'
The thought settled like a stone in his gut.
'Lereus…'
He straightened slightly.
'You're the only one who feels off. You weren't in the original novel. And ever since Dior lost, everything's been spiraling. It's too convenient.'
Noel's eyes narrowed further.
