Chapter 38 – A Kingdom in Ruins, A Vacation Interrupted
Scene One: The Calm That Never Was
The tournament's first phase had ended in cheers and stormlight.
Evan should have been resting. The students were finally granted a break—a week-long "vacation" sponsored by the Imperial Court as a reward for their performance. Beast-taming islands, floating hot spring resorts, elemental sanctuaries—it was supposed to be peace.
Instead, Evan was on edge.
Lilith noticed it first. "You haven't smiled since the fight."
He didn't respond.
Because in the sky that day, through the rift, he had seen something no one else dared speak of: black feathers drifting where clouds should be. The sign of The Black Nest—not acting, but observing.
And observing meant planning.
Still, orders came from the Academy Headmaster and the Emperor himself: "Take the students to rest. Keep up appearances."
So Evan boarded the enchanted sky cruiser, alongside Lilith, Tessa, Kei, and the others.
Destination: The Spirit Islands of Halcarya.
Scene Two: Trouble in Paradise
The Spirit Islands were stunning—tropical magic woven with natural beauty, beasts roaming freely, and waterfalls that shimmered with mana.
At the resort, students relaxed.
Kei competed in beast-riding games. Tessa swam with her water wyrm. Lilith spent time sketching beasts near the cliffs. Even Evan let himself breathe, training quietly with Nex beneath the moonlight.
But peace never lasts.
On the third night, an urgent spirit hawk arrived—bloodied and nearly dead—bearing a sealed scroll.
Evan opened it.
The message was from Cassius, his father.
"Veylra has fallen. The capital of the Eastern Barrier Kingdom was destroyed. Entire cities turned to ash. Survivors speak of a beast cloaked in voidlight… and a boy with silver eyes."
Lilith read it next. Her hands trembled.
"Veylra was one of the outer kingdoms—protected by a Divine Beast pact…"
Evan's jaw clenched.
"Not anymore."
Scene Three: The Spy Among Them
That night, Evan didn't sleep. Neither did Nex.
Someone had gotten through the island's wards. Tracks near the cliffs. A faint scent of illusion magic. A beast spirit signature that didn't belong to any student.
Worse—
The barrier stone protecting the island's teleportation hub had been partially cracked from within.
Evan gathered his core group: Lilith, Tessa, Kei, and Varion.
"There's a spy," Evan said. "And they were about to signal someone."
Varion's eyes narrowed. "Then we'll find them."
But before they could act, a new signal came.
A magical beacon—a cry for help.
Not from Veylra.
From Aflety.
The Academy was under attack.
Scene Four: Goodbye to Peace
The sky turned red over the island.
The students, once laughing, were now scrambling to prepare.
The Academy was burning.
Evan stood on the deck of the sky cruiser, wind tearing at his coat.
"They waited for us to leave," he muttered. "To make their move."
Nex coiled around him, fury in his emerald gaze.
Tessa grabbed her staff, eyes cold. "Then let's remind them who they just provoked."
Kei cracked his knuckles. "You've got my claws."
Lilith stood beside Evan. "We're not students anymore. Not after this."
Evan nodded.
"We go back to war."
[End of Chapter 38]