The Spring Festival transford the academy grounds into sothing from a fairy tale.
Colorful banners stread between buildings. Flower garlands draped every archway and lamppost. Food stalls lined the main plaza, selling everything from candied fruits to roasted ats. Students and faculty mingled in their finest clothes, the normal hierarchy relaxing for one day of celebration, at least on the surface.
Music drifted from multiple stages, from traditional folk songs, contemporary pieces, even so experintal magic-infused compositions that made the air itself shimr.
I circulated through the crowds, playing my part. Nodding to acquaintances. Making small talk. Projecting calm confidence while my mind tracked every moving piece.
Lucille blended with a group of students near the fountain. Our eyes t briefly. She gave the slightest nod. ’...In position...’
Marcus sat at an outdoor café, apparently reading but actually monitoring his detection wards. The invisible network of enchantnts covered the entire festival ground, ready to alert him to any poison within fifty ters. And it hadn’t been easy to set up.
Damian stayed three steps behind , the perfect attendant. The fake poison vial hidden in his jacket pocket. His face showed nothing but professional calm, but I caught the tension in his shoulders.
"Young Master," a familiar voice called.
Isabella Frostvale approached, elegant in a blue dress that matched her ice-magic affinity. She carried a glass of wine, clearly already celebrating.
"Isabella." I inclined my head. "You look well."
"You look tense." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "I heard about Adrian’s eting this morning. Want to tell what that was about?"
"He offered a truce."
Her eyes narrowed. "And you believe him?"
"I believe he wants to believe him." I glanced around, making sure no one was close enough to overhear. "Which ans sothing’s about to happen. Sothing he wants witnesses for."
"The banquet tonight?"
"Most likely."
Isabella took a sip of wine, thinking. "If you need backup....."
"I need you to stay visible. Make sure people see you enjoying the festival." I t her eyes. "If things go wrong tonight, I need soone above suspicion who can tell the truth about what really happened."
She studied my face for a long mont. Then nodded. "Be careful, Hadeon. Whatever you’re planning... co back alive."
"That’s the goal."
As she walked away, I felt the weight of responsibility settle heavier on my shoulders.
I frowned because in the books the villain doesn’t have to carry this much responsibilities. At least those villain that are stepping stone, but then again I am more than that am I not?
No pressure.
Evening arrived with the soft glow of magical lanterns illuminating the Grand Hall.
The banquet was the festival’s centerpiece as a formal dinner where faculty and students gathered to celebrate spring’s arrival with speeches, toasts, and entirely too much wine and so out if the eyes activities.
Long tables stretched the length of the massive hall, laden with enough food to feed a small army. The head table held the academy’s leadership and distinguished guests. Uncle Victor also sat there, his figure imposing and watchful.
Our eyes t briefly. He gave the smallest nod.
’...Ready and don’t dare to die..’ Sothing like that.
Students filled the other tables according to class rank. S-Class at the front in positions of honor near the faculty.
A-Class thst is my current ranking in respectable middle positions. The lower classes toward the back.
Adrian sat at the S-Class table’s center, golden and glorious in the magical lighting. The book’s hero that the world was made for. Already surrounded by admirers and well-wishers. The perfect hero holding court.
I took my seat at the A-Class table, Damian standing at attention behind my chair. Around , noble students made small talk and pretended not to stare.
The servers began circulating with the first course. Wine flowed freely in ruby red in crystal glasses.
My hand moved to the amulet beneath my collar. Marcus’s wards humd at the edge of perception, a subtle vibration only I that could feel.
Everything was in place.
Now we waited for soone to make their move.
The Headmaster stood as dessert was being cleared, raising his glass for the traditional toast.
"To spring!" His voice carried through the hall, magically amplified. "To growth, to renewal, to the bright futures ahead of all our students! To vanishing demons! And to our growth in the pursuit of magic!"
"To spring!" The hall echoed back, hundreds of voices in unison.
Glasses rose. Crystal caught the light like a thousand stars.
I lifted my glass that Damian had filled personally, just as planned. The fake poison inside looked identical to the wine everyone else was drinking. In a few seconds, I would drink it, pretend to choke, collapse dramatically, and trigger the death-faking spell.
Simple and straightforward.
I smiled and said in my mind. ’...ti to die, Hadeon Ravana...’
Except Marcus’s wards suddenly scread.
The amulet against my chest flared hot. Not warm. Not pleasant. Burning. My blood ran cold in an instant because I knew what that ant...but, surely not!!
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[ERGENCY ALERT]
[POISON DETECTED: IMDIATE VICINITY]
[SHADOWBANE TOXIN CONFIRD]
[LOCATION: ...]
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