Nightfall Academy was the most prestigious academy in Grandshire, and its campus ground was two tis bigger than Brynhildr Academy.
When Ethan first saw it, he thought that it was an academy ant only for the descendants of noble families.
Well, he wasn't wrong with that assumption.
Since it was situated right in the middle of the Four Shire Territories, students from the North, South, East, and West could access it easily.
Elves, Dwarves, and Beastkins studied alongside the Humans in Nightfall Academy. This was why its prestige was well-known to other academies.
International events on a massive scale were usually held inside the academy grounds, which was more than enough to support the representatives coming from other regions.
It was also backed by the Wisteria Royal Family, allowing it to stand tall among its peers.
This was why its Headmaster, Nero, felt great heartache when Lilian and Cedric decided to transfer to Brynhildr Academy.
Although there were many geniuses studying inside the biggest and grandest academy in Grandshire, the background of the brother and sister pair was sothing that Nero wanted to keep within his academy's prestige.
Sadly, that honor was stripped away by Professor Rinehart and Professor Barret, who used sly thods to poach Lilian just before the Winter Vacation ended.
If given the opportunity, Nero wished he could kick the crap out of the two old foxes, whom he was too afraid to fight in a real duel.
"Headmaster, the representatives of Brynhildr Academy have just passed the border
checkpoint," a Professor reported. "According to the watcher's estimate, they will reach the landing area in an hour."
Nero nodded. "Make sure to send a delegation to et them when they arrive. They should be brought to my office as soon as possible."
"Understood, Headmaster." The Professor gave Nero a brief nod of acknowledgent before leaving the Headmaster's Office.
Nero had specifically asked Professor Rinehart to lend Ethan on this mission. He had heard great things about the young man, and as much as he hated him to a certain extent, Nero also recognized the other party's abilities.
Although he still suspected that Ethan had been the one to capture the Ancient Wendigo in the Domain discovered by their academy, he decided that it was no longer wise to pursue the matter.
He had more pressing issues to deal with, especially since one of the Professors who returned to the academy reported that three more witches had gone missing while doing their mission.
This news made Nero very anxious because, if he didn't manage to solve this problem, the parents of the students would definitely not take this lying down.
***
"We're finally back," Lilian said softly as the familiar scenery appeared in front of her. Her heart was welling up with nostalgia, and a bit of guilt for leaving Nightfall Academy so abruptly without even notifying her Headmaster, Nero.
Perhaps sensing her anxiety, Ethan held her hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"As long as we complete the mission, I'm sure that your friends and the Headmaster will forgive you," Ethan replied.
Lilian often talked about her guilt of leaving the academy when she was alone with Ethan. Without asking, he could guess that seeing her school again must've had an impact on her. "Un." Lilian nodded. "Thank you."
rric then signaled his n to slowly descend the airship.
Just as they were about to enter the academy grounds, several Wizards and Witches riding Flying Brooms escorted them to the landing area that was assigned to them.
The Wizards and Witches who recognized Cedric and Lilian waved at them. Despite the fact that they were no longer part of the academy, they were still well received by the students who knew them.
Of course, they also recognized Ethan.
But since they had been impressed by his performance in his duel against Cedric, they treated him with the respect he deserved.
"Welco to Nightfall Academy," a teenage boy, who seed to be in his late teens, greeted with a smile the mont he landed on the deck of the Flying Ship. "My na is Leander Maxi, and I will be your guide during your stay in the academy."
"Although it will be short, please feel free to ask if you need anything. We will do everything in our ability to accommodate your wishes. But for the ti being, the
Headmaster asked to escort you to his office right away."
Ethan nodded in understanding. "We'll be in your care."
Leander smiled faintly and escorted Ethan, Lilian and Cedric to the Headmaster's Office, where Nero was waiting for them.
When they arrived, the Headmaster greeted them enthusiastically and delved into the heart of the subject imdiately.
"As of now, forty witches have gone missing from our academy," Nero explained. "The other smaller academies in Grandshire have also had their share of disappearances, so we are thinking that this might be the work of an organization.
"Whenever we open the Mission Hall and send students out for missions, it's common for them to encounter bandits and Rogue Wizards. Of course, we have our own Elite Force who are active during this season, preventing these accidents to a large degree.
"But these disappearances happen at random tis of the day. It's as if the Witches simply vanished from where they stood or were spirited away sowhere. Even after an in-depth investigation was done, no one can tell how or why they suddenly vanished out of thin air."
Nero sighed as he unfurled a map on top of his table.
There were several X's markings on the map, which Ethan believed to be the location where the disappearances happened.
"It's a very broad area," Ethan comnted. "It seems that it goes all the way to the borders shared by Grandshire and the other Shire Kingdoms. It's hard to monitor such a vast swath of
land."
"I know," Nero nodded. "This is why we asked the help of all Shire Territories to help patrol the borders belonging to their side.
"Brynhildr Academy will guard the border of Grandshire and Eastshire, while the Beastkins will guard the borders between Southshire and Grandshire.
"The sa goes for the Elves and the Dwarves. This has now beco an international issue,
so every Kingdom is doing their best to solve it. Professor Barret is part of the team who will safeguard the borders of Eastshire, so I feel a lot better knowing that a professional has joined
the investigation.
"As for your team, you will join the others in looking for the cause of these disappearances."
Nero briefed Ethan's team on the locations where each representative of the rescue teams
would patrol.
Since many help ca from other academies, they would all be assigned to different areas. After their eting was concluded, Ethan and the rest were escorted to their temporary residence, where they'd rest before undertaking the mission with the other rescue teams.
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