Chapter 3: The Invisible Trap

For a week after her duel with Erian, Angeline Ceu became the hottest topic in Academia Arcana Prime.
“She’s insanely fast.”“They say she can channel magic into her sword. But isn’t her mana supposed to be zero?”“Maybe it’s just a trick. There’s no way a lowborn race could match us.”
Comments like these echoed through the school halls daily. But Angeline was used to whispers.
What she wasn't used to was...
> The fear behind their eyes.


And behind that fear... a new hatred began to bloom.

---
💼 The Elites’ Secret Room: Arcanum Crown Society
In a hidden chamber on the top floor—accessible only to highborn students—five elites gathered.
At the center stood Celia von Elarien, heiress of an ancient elven noble line. Her long golden hair draped like a royal cloak, and her wind magic was infamous for slicing stone without lengthy incantations.
“She humiliated Erian. And made our system look... weak,” Celia said with a poisonous smile.
“We can't let a creature like that stain our name. Especially not in front of the professors.”
A dragonkin student muttered, “But if we attack her directly, we’ll get sanctioned.”
Celia turned to him, her eyes gleaming green.
> “Who said we’ll touch her? We’ll make her break the rules. And let the academy do the rest.”



---
🏫 The Next Day: Tactical Magic Class
Angeline sat in her usual seat—slightly apart from the others. A few students had begun warming up to her, but most still kept their distance.
While the professor explained advanced dueling systems, a small note landed on her desk.
It read simply:
> “Special physical magic training, East Field, tonight. Confidential.”“Chance to raise your rank.”Sealed with the academy’s emblem.


Angeline frowned.
> “Midnight training? Weird... but if it helps improve my swordmagic, why not?”



---
🌒 That Night: East Field
Under the dark sky, Angeline arrived at the empty training grounds. But standing at the center was someone unexpected.
Erian.
“You?” Angeline asked, confused.“I got a letter. From the professor.”“So did I.”
They stared at each other. Both felt uneasy. But before either could speak—
SIIIIAAAARRRR!
> A blinding light shone down from above.


Several professors—including Professor Vendal—emerged from the shadows at the field’s edge, their expressions grim.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION?” one of them barked.“Midnight training is strictly prohibited. This violates academy conduct!”

---
💥 Accusations and Traps
Angeline’s eyes widened. “Wait! I have the letter!”
But when she held it up, the seal had vanished. The ink smeared. It looked like nothing more than a blank sheet of paper.
Erian also searched for his. But it was gone. Whether lost... or never real.
“We’ve been set up,” he muttered, his eyes narrowing.
The professors looked furious.
“You’ll both be taken to the discipline hall. This is a serious offense.”

---
🧊 End of Chapter
As they were escorted to the punishment wing, Angeline kept her head down. Her tail twitched anxiously.
In her mind, the old voices resurfaced.
> “Lowborn creature.”“You don’t belong here.”“Your place is in a cage, not in a magic hall.”


But just before those voices swallowed her again, another one spoke.
Erian.“I know this was a trap. And I will find out who’s behind it.”He looked at her, his tone steady.
> “I’m not done with you. You’re not leaving this academy until I get my rematch.