The academy courtyard buzzed with the muted energy of a thousand young aspirants, a deceptive calm over the restless ambitions within. JaiArthur

  The man was an anachronism of sharp, classic style: a perfectly tailored black suitblack hatspectaclemonoclegolden chain

  More unsettling than the attire was the aura. It was a pressure, a subtle, cold thrumming that radiated from the man, a distinctive resonance that sent a cold trickle down Jai’s spine. It was the unmistakable, corrupted energy of the Cornos Cage

  Confusion tightened the muscles around Jai’s jaw. He knew that aura. He had fought against it. The true, confirmed owner of the Cornos Cage, the source of its malevolent power, was Vystannot

  The question hammered against the walls of his professional and personal caution. His mission here, his entire disguise, revolved around tracking down that artifact and its true master. Seeing its power in the hands of a stranger was a dangerous complication.

  He spotted Morisa

  “Morisa,” Jai began, keeping his voice level and his gaze casual, “do you know who that man is?” He nodded subtly toward the figure in the black suit.

  Morisa turned, her expression shifting from lively anecdote to mild interest as she followed his line of sight. A spark of recognition flashed in her eyes. “Yeah!” she replied, leaning in conspiratorially, her friends momentarily forgotten. “He is our new principal

  Jai blinked, momentarily thrown off. The principal? He filed away the information. “The new one?”

  “Yes, the new one,” she affirmed, her voice dropping to a serious, almost righteous tone. “The old principal was expelledtouching the girlsexpelled

  A moment of genuine pride shone in her expression. “My brotherfarming work

  Jai listened, absorbing the brutal efficiency of the Dwarf Kingdom’s justice system, particularly when Morisa’s brother, the powerful minister and the prince of the kingdom, was involved. His curiosity about the new principal momentarily gave way to a tactical question.

  “But… how do youhere.”

  Morisa laughed, a melodic, confident sound. “Brother, you are new to this academy, but everyone here knows me. They know about my status“Okay then,” Jai continued, pushing past the minor distraction. He needed the facts. “So, who is that person? The new principal. Tell me about his details

  Morisa hesitated, her lively eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion. “Brother, first thing, why are you asking so much about ?”

  Jai knew he needed a convincing, professional lie—one that aligned with his ‘Arthur’ persona as the hardworking recruit. He let his expression settle into a look of calm, unwavering dedication.

  “I’m just curiouseveryoneheadeveryone

  It was a perfectly crafted lie—ambitious, selfless, and entirely in character for a promising young recruit.

  After listening to his earnest explanation and seeing his calm, serious expression, Morisa’s suspicion melted away, replaced by the fervor of a staunch ally.

  “Brother,” she declared, placing a hand on his arm with sudden intensity, “I am going to support

  She then readily supplied the requested information. “His name is Abinaygood impression

  Just as she finished, Morisa’s friends called out to her, urging her to join them. She gave Jai a quick, apologetic look. “I have to go, brother! Talk soon!”

  He nodded his acceptance. “Go ahead.”

  As Morisa hurried away, Jai’s mind raced. . The name meant nothing to him. But the Cornos Cage aura meant . Why would Zaynnew rookiehell was happening with that artifact? Was Vystan simply lending it out, or had he somehow given it away?

  He was so deep in thought, reviewing the shifting landscape of his mission, that he didn't notice the familiar approach of his cousin, Jamesindex fingereyebrow

  “Ja…” James began, instinctively using his cousin’s real name before catching himself. He quickly corrected: “Arthur

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  Jai didn’t respond. James called out again, louder this time, but still, no reaction. Frustration mixing with concern, James walked up behind Jai and reached out to tap his shoulder.

  In a terrifying, lightning-quick reaction born of instinct and constant vigilance, Jai immediately took out his divine golden sword

  James immediately got terrified.James

  The sound of his cousin’s voice, the reality of the moment, slammed into Jai. He blinked, the intense focus receding, and he slowly lowered the blade.

  “What do you want?” Jai asked, his voice still ragged from the sudden, near-violent shift in consciousness.

  “I was calling you,” James complained, rubbing the back of his neck, “more than two times, but you didn’t respond! What were you thinking about?”

  Jai immediately recovered, the recent conversation with Morisa and the sight of the Cornos Cage rushing back. He pointed his index finger towards the new principal, Abinay

  James squinted, seeing only a well-dressed man. “What about him?” he asked, genuinely confused.

  “Just feel the pressurewaist

  James concentrated, extending his own senses. The moment the faint, cold thrumming hit him, his eyes widened in shock. The dark, subtle aura of the Cornos Cage artifact

  “Is that… is that the person that I think?” James stammered, his mind instantly leaping to Vystan

  “I am also thinking the same,” Jai said, a dangerous glint entering his eyes, “but we didn't confirm anything just by seeing him. His face is wrong.”

  “Let’s confront him

  Jai shook his head firmly. “I don't like that plan. Not yet.”

  “No, listen,” James countered, speaking quickly and rationally. “This is an academy. The Minister

  Jai paused, considering the logic. James was right. The sheer visibility of the principal’s position offered them a shield.

  “Okay,” Jai conceded with a decisive nod. “Let’s walk toward Abinay. But be ready for anything.”

  The two cousins walked with measured steps, their expressions carefully neutral, projecting the easy confidence of young, high-potential recruits. They stopped a few feet in front of the new principal.

  Abinay

  “Your name is ArthurZayn

  He then glanced at James. “And you must be Clement

  He smiled, a professional, polite curve of the lips that didn’t quite reach his eye. “I feel happy to work alongside such promising young talent. Welcome to my academy.”

  He then focused his attention back on them, raising one eyebrow slightly. “You young men, do you want anything from me? A question about your duties?”

  Jai—Arthur—took the lead, maintaining his polite, ambitious persona. “No, sir. We were just thinking to introduce ourselvesgood environment

  Abinay gave a short, dry chuckle. “Yeah! I know the teachers didn't like me,” he admitted openly. “I got the principal post directly, over a dozen seasoned internal candidates. I didn’t even think I would get it, but I did. It is all the Emperor Dominatrix’s grace

  The final phrase landed like a stone in the quiet air between them.

  Jai and James were dumbfounded.Emperor Dominatrix? They knew that name. It was the tyrannical, universally feared ruler of a distant, powerful kingdom. The idea of this man, this principal, referencing her, even invoking her name, was unthinkable in the Dwarf Kingdom.

  Jai had to know. He kept his expression innocent. “Did you people worship Emperor Dominatrix

  Abinay’s smile vanished. His posture stiffened, and a sharp, cold edge entered his voice. “Yes, we worship herracist

  The accusation of racism, however misplaced, served its purpose: it shut down the line of questioning. Jai immediately recognized the tactical error in his wording.

  “I apologize, sir,” Jai said quickly, offering a genuinely contrite bow of the head. “That was inappropriate of me. We understand.” He then moved to end the confrontation. “Thank you, sir, for giving your time for us. We will work hard.”

  Abinay’s demeanor softened slightly, the professional mask snapping back into place. “You young man, keep doing your hard work and you will see the wondersWith that final, vaguely encouraging dismissal, Abinay took his leave from them. He turned and walked with slow, deliberate steps toward a large, elegant black wooden cart

  As he reached the cart and his driver opened the door, a wave of relief washed over Abinayfilled with sweat

  He threw himself into the cart, his composure shattering. His thoughts were a panicked torrent: He was certain of it. But then, a terrifying secondary thought took hold:

  He frantically looked around his own person, then his attention was drawn to the dull, low thrumming that always accompanied him. He immediately understood. It was because of the Cornos Cage artifact auraIt might reveal my disguise, he thought grimly.

  He settled into the cushioned seat. The driver, a muscular man with a stern face, immediately started the cart. As the wheels began to turn, the driver leaned back slightly and asked in a low voice: “Hey, Vystan

  Vystan, the Principal Abinay, wiped the sweat from his brow. “No,” he replied, his voice a strained whisper.

  “You know, if they uncover your disguise, you are going to die,” the driver stated, his voice devoid of emotion.

  “Yeah! I understood that,” Vystan confirmed, the reality of his precarious situation hitting him anew. He was a long way from his base, surrounded by powerful enemies, operating under an unstable disguise. The Cornos Cage was a necessity, but it was also a liability.

  At the very same time, back in a secluded, secured wing of the academy grounds, Jai and James had also returned to their quarters, their minds reeling from the encounter. They needed to strategize, to discuss the implications of Vystan being Abinay and the danger of the Cornos Cage artifact being exposed in a public setting.

  Before they could even begin, Zayn

  “My father and mother have arrived

  Jai’s analytical mind immediately flagged a discrepancy. He frowned, his concern for Vystan momentarily displaced. “I remember your mother was dead

  Zayn sighed, a hint of impatience in his expression. “It is my sister Morisa’s mother. My step-mother. She is the current Queen of the Dwarf KingdomMorlin Stonehead

  The revelation, delivered so casually, hit Jai and James with the force of a battering ram. Vystan’s presence, the Cornos Cage, the whole Abinay crisis—they immediately pushed those things to one side.

  They instantly got alertedKing and Queenthem. They had been anticipating an eventual meeting, but not this soon, and not with such urgency.

  They looked at each other, their faces a mirror of pure, unadulterated shock and terrified

  Jai closed his eyes for a brief moment, a bitter, self-pitying thought escaping the confines of his professional facade.

  The principal was Vystan, and now he had to face a Queen. He felt the cold iron of fate closing around him again. He was trapped between an assassin and a monarch.