Night covered the academy.
The halls that had once echoed with battle were finally peaceful.
Most students had fallen asleep after days of rebuilding.
But Daniel couldn't.
He stood alone on the balcony outside his room, staring at the stars.
His thoughts refused to rest.
Mr. Stone.
Ava.
The Forgotten Kingdom.
The Vessel.
Every answer seemed to lead to even more questions.
A cold breeze swept across the academy.
Then...
Daniel heard footsteps behind him.
"You've been coming here every night."
Daniel turned.
Bill stood in the doorway, holding two cups of hot tea.
He handed one to Daniel.
"For once, don't train."
"Just sit."
Daniel accepted the cup.
The two stood in silence.
Finally, Daniel spoke.
"Why did you never tell me about Ava?"
Bill stared into the night.
"Because Stone and I made a promise."
"A promise?"
Bill nodded.
"The day Ava disappeared, we swore that if either of us survived... we would protect you until you were strong enough to carry the truth."
Daniel looked down.
"So Master knew everything..."
"He knew enough."
Bill sighed.
"But even he never learned where Ava was truly taken."
Suddenly...
A loud bell rang through the academy.
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
An emergency bell.
Bill's expression changed immediately.
"Stay here."
But before he could move—
A Ghost Killer burst onto the balcony.
"Headmaster!"
"What happened?"
"The western gate..."
"...Someone has entered the academy."
Bill frowned.
"An enemy?"
"We don't know."
"They walked through the barrier without breaking it."
Daniel's heart skipped a beat.
"That's impossible."
"No one should be able to do that."
Within minutes...
Teachers and Ghost Killers surrounded the academy's entrance.
The moonlight revealed a single figure standing outside the broken gate.
A long black cloak fluttered in the wind.
His face was hidden beneath a hood.
He carried no weapon.
He made no attempt to attack.
Bill stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The stranger slowly removed his hood.
An older man with silver hair and calm blue eyes looked back at them.
Several veteran Ghost Killers gasped.
One whispered,
"...It can't be."
Bill's eyes widened.
"You..."
The man smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time, Bill."
Daniel looked between them.
"You know him?"
Bill answered without taking his eyes off the stranger.
"I thought he died fifteen years ago."
The man chuckled.
"So did everyone else."
He slowly looked at Daniel.
"So..."
"You're Daniel."
Daniel instinctively reached for his sword.
"Who are you?"
The stranger bowed politely.
"My name..."
"...is Arthur Graves."
"I was William's partner."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Daniel froze.
William.
His father.
"You knew my father?"
Arthur nodded.
"I fought beside him."
"I made him a promise."
"And I've come to keep it."
Bill stepped in front of Daniel.
"Prove it."
Arthur reached into his cloak.
Several Ghost Killers immediately drew their weapons.
But instead of a weapon...
He pulled out a worn leather pouch.
He tossed it gently toward Daniel.
Daniel caught it.
Inside was a small silver compass.
On its back were two engraved initials.
W.D.
Daniel's breathing stopped.
He recognized the handwriting.
His father had carved those initials himself.
Arthur smiled sadly.
"He gave that to me before his final mission."
"He told me..."
"If anything happens to me..."
"...give this to my son when he's ready."
Daniel closed his hand around the compass.
For the first time...
He held something that had truly belonged to his father.
Arthur's expression became serious.
"I didn't come only to return that."
Bill frowned.
"Then why are you here?"
Arthur looked at everyone gathered in the courtyard.
His voice became heavy.
"The people who attacked the academy..."
"...were only the first wave."
A chill spread through the crowd.
"There are four more commanders."
"And above them..."
Arthur paused.
"...is the one who imprisoned Ava."
Daniel's eyes widened.
Arthur took one step forward.
"If you want to save her..."
"You have less than six months."
The courtyard fell into complete silence.
The war had ended.
But everyone now realized...
The real battle had only just begun.
To Be Continued...