Chapter 11: Shadows Behind the Academy Gate

The evening sky hung gray and heavy as Angeline gazed at the towering spires of Aerthalia Arcane Academy from a distance.

> Towering walls. Magical sentry patrols. Dimensional scanners.

Normally, she could slip in unnoticed. But this time… she carried Voidstep, and the scars of battle.

Her eyes were swollen. Her legs trembled.

Yet one thing hadn’t changed.

> “This is my home. I won’t hide. I’ll just… sneak back in.”

🐾 Silent Return

With Tabaxi precision and instinct, Angeline scaled the outer wall of the dormitory, evaded magical sensors, and slipped through a second-floor bathroom window.

Her cloak was soaked. Her body covered in cuts.

She returned to her room — silent. Dark.

But before she could collapse onto the bed…

Click.

The lights turned on.

> “Angeline.”A familiar voice. Flat. Firm.

👧 Myra Waiting

Myra — her roommate, a noble-born mage with crystal-based magic.

She sat at the desk, eyes sharp. In her hands: healing salve and a bowl of warm soup.

> “You think I didn’t notice where you went?

Your magical presence vanished for three days. And now… your aura…

Angeline, you’re different.”

Angeline exhaled and slumped against the wall.

> “I went to Eldrave. I know it was reckless.

But I found something. And now… they’re hunting me.”

Myra placed the soup on the table. Slowly, she sat beside Angeline.

> “What did you find?”

> “Voidstep.“What?”

“Spatial-warping. A legacy of the Tabaxi. Forgotten. Forbidden. But real.”

Myra’s eyes widened.

> “...You’re insane.”

💬 A Secret Conversation

After a long silence...

> “I finally understand what my people have endured.

Labeled inferior. Denied proper magic education.

But now... I can fight back.”

Myra looked at her friend closely.

> “If they find out… they’ll erase you, Line.”

> “They already tried. But I’m not backing down.”

> “You need allies. And… you have me.”

Angeline turned, surprised. Myra’s eyes glimmered with crystal flecks at the corners.

> “You think only your race is trapped by this system?

My family's strangled by politics. We’re all puppets, Line.

But if you’re rising against them… I’m in.”

🔒 One More Secret

Myra opened her drawer and pulled out something that made Angeline’s eyes narrow:

> A crystal emblem shaped like an inverted eye — the same symbol of the secret organization Angeline had long suspected.

> “I’ve been infiltrating them. For months.I know they’ll come for you.But I can help you survive a bit longer… before the storm hits.”

🌘 End of Chapter

That night, two girls sat together — one with forbidden power, the other with inner access.

> The world would hunt them.

But tonight, they were not alone.And deep beneath the academy...

agents of the Order activated a magical surveillance array.

> “Subject: Angeline Ceu has returned.Initiate Shadow Protocol.Observe. Test. And if necessary… erase.”