The academy had secrets. Varyan knew most of them.
Behind the tapestry on the second floor, a narrow passage used by servants centuries ago. It ran between the walls, connecting the kitchens to the upper floors. Most students didn't know it existed.
Varyan had found it during his first year, running from Kaelen's cousins.
He slipped behind the tapestry and into the darkness.
The passage was pitch black. He moved by touch, one hand on the cold stone wall, the other gripping his dagger. Dust and old cooking grease in the air.
[Chaos signature: 40 feet. Moving toward your previous location.]
It had gone to his room. Looking for him.
[Chaos signature: 30 feet. Now searching adjacent rooms.]
Good. Let it search. He was already three floors away.
[Chaos signature: 25 feet. Pausing.]
Varyan stopped.
Had it detected him?
[「ECHO」analysis: Chaos hunters track by resonance. Your Order fragnt emits a faint signal. Maintain distance of 50 feet.]
Varyan moved faster. The passage ended at a small grate overlooking the library. He pushed it open—slowly, quietly—and dropped onto a shelf.
The library was empty. Moonlight through high windows.
[Chaos signature: 60 feet. No longer moving toward you.]
He had created distance. But not enough.
He pulled out his mother's journal. *"My dearest Varyan. If you're reading this, I am gone. The Roverc decline was not an accident. It was orchestrated."*
Orchestrated. By whom?
[Chaos signature: 45 feet. Moving.]
Varyan snapped the journal shut. He climbed onto the roof and lay flat against the cold tiles.
The night sky stretched above him. Stars. A sliver of moon.
[Chaos signature: 80 feet. Stationary.]
It had stopped moving. Maybe it had lost him. Maybe it was waiting.
Varyan stayed on the roof until dawn.
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