"No kidding! If it weren't for the higher-ups forbidding us from using force, this would've been resolved long ago," another voice replied.
"Have you investigated her family or friends? Perhaps we can use them as leverage," the elder suggested.
"We're working on it. Results should co in soon…"
Imprisoned in the underground dungeon of Karea Academy, Nora seed entirely unbothered. Her calm deanor suggested that being held captive here had no effect on her at all.
Once, she had single-handedly slaughtered all the students from an A-level academy, an event so shocking that even the academy's high-ranking officials were alard.
Despite the uproar, they refrained from punishing Nora at the ti, valuing her imnse power.
A person capable of wiping out all the students from an A-level academy was seen as a rare and irreplaceable asset. Her strength could prove invaluable in the right situations.
However, those sa high-ranking officials were now sorely disappointed. Nora refused to participate in any battles or competitions as they had planned.
Frustrated, they locked her in the academy's infamous underground dungeon, a place known as the most inescapable prison in Karea.
There was only one way out for Nora: agreeing to fight on behalf of Karea Academy. Otherwise, she was dood to remain there indefinitely, deprived of the outside world.
Yet, Nora's unchanging calm unsettled her captors. They had hoped that her imprisonnt would serve as a threat, breaking her will.
Instead, she remained as composed as ever, as though the dungeon's isolation was rely a minor inconvenience.
Days turned into weeks, and the academy's leaders grew increasingly anxious.
The decisive battle that would determine territorial dominance in the region was fast approaching, yet they had no worthy candidate to represent them.
Nora, who had wiped out their original team of top talents, remained steadfast in her refusal to fight.
Desperate, the academy leaders began to consider more extre asures.
"My lord, we've investigated Nora's background. She cos from a small place called Riverside City. Interestingly, the city has undergone significant changes in recent years. People have started referring to it as… Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary?" The elder leading the discussion sneered. "What a laughable na. A backwater like that, calling itself a sanctuary? Ridiculous and ignorant."
Another subordinate added, "It gets even more amusing. The students from that little city are also called 'Sanctuary.'"
"Hah! If ti weren't so tight, I'd personally destroy that arrogant little place!" the elder exclaid.
"Indeed, my lord. Shall we bring her family here to make her understand that her only option is to fight for Karea Academy?"
"Do it. Quickly."
"Yes, my lord!"
Unbeknownst to the academy leaders, Nora had overheard the entire conversation.
She sat in her cell, her expression unreadable as their words echoed through the dungeon corridors.
The exchange was deliberate—a ploy to intimidate her into compliance. Yet Nora knew their plan would fail.
It was true she couldn't defeat the powerful elder leading the academy, but she also knew Riverside City wasn't defenseless.
Daniel, the headmaster of Crossbridge Academy, had left safeguards in the city. Nora was confident that if Karea Academy dared to target Riverside City, they would face dire consequences.
Suddenly, Nora's sharp instincts picked up a subtle shift in her surroundings. Sothing was different. Monts later, a figure appeared before her.
"Nina? What are you doing here?" Nora asked, her calm deanor unshaken.
"I ca to find you, of course, Nora. Honestly, I didn't expect you to be in such a miserable situation," Nina replied with a mix of concern and amusent.
Nina had been in the dungeon for so ti, hidden while the two academy mbers discussed their plan.
She hadn't dared move or make a sound during their conversation, as one of them exuded an aura of imnse power.
Even with her ability to teleport, Nina didn't take the risk. Powerful individuals could influence spatial magic, and a failed teleportation attempt could be catastrophic.
Nina was there to deliver a ssage, not to fight. She was well aware of her limits.
Looking at Nora's predicant, Nina couldn't help but compare it to the lives of their other friends.
Green, who had stayed at the academy, had earned Daniel's approval and even found soone who liked him.
Rose and Reed were thriving in their respective endeavors, achieving the goals they had set for themselves before leaving the academy.
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But Nora's situation was vastly different—trapped in a dungeon, her captors threatening to harm her family to force her compliance.
The stark contrast made Nina uneasy. She silently thanked her luck for leaving with Daniel when she did; otherwise, she might have ended up sharing a cell with Nora.
"What happened here, Nora? Why are you locked up?" Nina asked.
"I killed Karea Academy's most promising talents. That ruined their plans, so now they want to force to fight in their place," Nora said matter-of-factly.
Nina was montarily at a loss for words. She hadn't expected such an explosive explanation. "Wait… you killed all their top students? No wonder they're desperate. Honestly, it's surprising they didn't execute you and instead just imprisoned you."
"They need for so battle," Nora replied. "Apparently, it's tied to the control of the Free Federation region. I overheard them say it involves several major powers."
Nina frowned. "The Free Federation's territory? Why would that be decided by these hidden players? With Rose and Reed expanding east and west, Crossbridge Academy should already dominate the region. What does this broken Karea Academy have to do with it?"
Nina's dislike for Karea Academy was palpable, and her indignation only grew. "I'll report this to the headmaster imdiately. He'll deal with these arrogant fools. By the way, Nora, do you want to leave with ? The headmaster sent to bring everyone back."
Nora shook her head. "No, I'm staying here for now. I need you to inform the headmaster about sothing."
"Why not? I can get you out of this dungeon easily!" Nina insisted.
"It's not about that," Nora replied. "I've discovered sothing in this academy."
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