Alex’s smile lingered as he turned to Theron, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. “Let’s prepare the team. We’re moving to the Fourth Peak immediately.”

Theron gave a short nod. “Hm,” he hummed, acknowledging it to be the best decision before he turned on his heel, issuing orders to the surrounding student council members and supporters.

The tension in the room shifted. The teachers, who moments ago were bickering and turning on one another, now looked pale. The mention of the Fourth Peak had struck a nerve.

They knew what was going to happen, and although they were assured of their safety by the student council, they couldn’t help but shiver as they recalled a pair of scarlet eyes that could pierce the darkness itself.

Kaelyn, with her composure cracked, stepped forward. “You can’t just march in there! Do you even know what you’re dealing with?”

She didn’t want the student council to go there just yet. If they did, then their leader wouldn’t even have time to prepare. Kaelyn didn’t desire that.

Alex turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “I don’t need advice from someone who just lost everything.”

Kaelyn’s fists clenched at his words, but before she could retort, Alex continued. “And don’t bother with theatrics. Your leader isn’t untouchable.” Alex scoffed, turning around. “If anything, your desperation to defend him only proves how close we are to unraveling the truth.”

Kaelyn’s mouth opened, but no words came out. The fight in her eyes was dimming, replaced by the weight of defeat. ‘What can I do?’

She just hoped that their leader had come up with something like always.

Theron approached Alex, his voice low. “The forces are ready. What’s the plan for the Fourth Peak?”

Alex crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in thought. “We’ll approach cautiously. We already know who their leader is. He wouldn’t go down without a fight. We need to be prepared for traps and resistance.”

Theron nodded seriously, questioning. “Do we call for more people?”

Alex replied with an equally solemn expression. “The more, the better. We don’t know what might be waiting for us after all.”

The Fourth Peak loomed in the distance, shrouded in mist and an eerie stillness. This isolated part of the academy had always carried an air of mystery, but few dared to speak of the man who resided there—Lucian Veyrannis, prince of the Vampire Empire.

Just like fourth-year students, teachers also lived on the fourth peak if they wished. And Lucian was one of those teachers.

His name was spoken with a mix of reverence and fear across realms.

He was the youngest of the Veyrannis bloodline, but he was far more talented than any other vampire. He was said to achieve things greater than anyone from the moment he was born. His piercing crimson eyes, framed by raven-black hair, were said to see through the soul itself.

Lucian’s bloodline purity grade was higher than any vampire in the history of the vampire realm, and his intellect had earned him the role of treasurer of the teacher’s council, despite his youth.

Unlike many of his kind who basked in arrogance and decadence, Lucian was disciplined, enigmatic, and dangerously ambitious. He was the youngest vampire to have ever reached the star connection realm.

Many spoke of his potential to surpass his father, Valen Veyrannis, the reigning Emperor of the Vampire Empire. Valen was a figure of unparalleled power, rumored to rival even the Demon Lord in might. Yet whispers among the elder vampires spoke of Lucian’s capacity to eclipse even this titanic figure.

But that was what people knew; there were things about Lucian that very few were privy to. One of them being his obsession for his fiancé, Lilia Morningstar.

Lucian had requested his father make their marriage possible, and Valen, without much hesitation, proposed the same to the demon lord. Both the rulers agreed to the marriage as both stood profiting from this deal.

Both of them were the top-ranking realms; if they joined hands and became in-laws, they could be said to be the strongest.

Lucian is someone who hates his things being touched by anyone, and Lilia, whom he had fallen for, was one of his possessions, so he had been very possessive of her. In the academy, however, he had seen Lilia being close to others, especially Alex Drakathor, which he didn’t like in the least.

At first, he had thought of letting Lilia fall for himself before revealing their engagement, but as Lucian saw the things that were happening and how close Lilia and Alex were, he decided to go for the forceful approach.

That was the reason he targeted the student council. Lucian wanted to show Lilia that he could destroy everything she and the student council had built on his own.

This was something very few knew of. Kaelyn and Alex were among them.

Right now, Alex was leading the student council to the fourth peak, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. Behind him, Theron, Fenna, Zahara, Gurrak, and the other council members moved cautiously, their weapons and spells at the ready.

All of them were moving together, as leaving anyone out would be more dangerous. They don’t know who the enemy might go for.

Lucian’s mansion slowly came into view—an imposing structure of dark stone and intricate Gothic design. Its tall spires seemed to pierce the low-hanging clouds, and the faint glow of crimson light flickered from within.

Alex held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. “Stay sharp. He wouldn’t leave his fortress unguarded.”

Theron nodded, motioning to a pair of scouts to circle the perimeter. Fenna’s gaze darted toward the mansion; her instincts made her feel uneasy. “It’s too quiet,” she murmured.

Alex stepped forward, his voice steady. “Let’s move in. Stick to the plan.”

Soon, after making sure that there were no traps, the student council members closed into the mansion; their auras flared as if making their presence known.

They waited for some reaction from the residents of the mansion, but none came.

“Let’s move in,” Theron spoke, his gaze fixed on the doors of the mansion, which were soon pushed open by the student council members by his order.

The heavy double doors of the mansion creaked open, revealing an eerily silent interior. The grand foyer was adorned with opulent chandeliers and crimson velvet drapes, but the air carried a chill that made even the bravest hesitate.

“Spread out,” Alex commanded, his voice low. “Look for anything unusual.”

The council members fanned out, their footsteps echoing in the vast hall. Theron inspected a series of intricate runes etched into the walls, his brow furrowed. “These wards… they’re powerful, but they seem dormant.”

Zahara, observing everything, ran her fingers along a row of ancient tomes lining the shelves. “I feel like this place has been abandoned.”

Alex could tell that as well, but he couldn’t understand why.

In the original plot, Lucian was supposed to fight and die right here, so why would he not be here?

Waving away the thought about the plot, he started moving as well, his instincts on high alert. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword as he scanned the shadows.

Minutes turned into tense silence as the group searched the mansion. Room after room revealed no sign of Lucian or his followers.

It was not long before a yell was heard.

“Sir!” A council member rushed into the foyer, clutching a piece of parchment. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled as she handed the letter to Theron.

She was one of the students who had entered the main office in the mansion.

Theron’s expression darkened as he unfolded the letter. He read its contents, his jaw tightening with every word. Without a word, he handed it to Alex.

Alex’s eyes scanned the letter, his face remaining stoic even as the weight of the message sank in.

“To the esteemed Student Council,

You’ve done an admirable job testing my patience and pushing me to the edge. Consider this my declaration of intent.

The nights ahead will not be kind to you. You have chosen to anger the wrong person. Prepare yourselves, for I am coming.

Good luck surviving the storm you’ve summoned.

Sincerely,

Lucian Veyrannis”

Alex folded the letter and slipped it into his coat pocket. “It’s a clear threat,” he said calmly, though his tone carried a weight that silenced the room.

Theron crossed his arms, his expression grim. “We shouldn’t stay here for long. Let’s go back and discuss our future actions.”

Aelora, who was always silent, spoke, her voice unsteady, “Lilia is still missing…”

Those words brought silence to the group before Alex spoke. “Gather everyone. Issue orders for the portals to be closed down until we are sure that both Lilia and Lucian aren’t in the city anymore.”

Theron nodded. “We must increase the security as well. He can’t afford to be caught off guard even after knowing that someone is after our lives.”

As the group prepared to leave the mansion, Alex paused at the entrance, his gaze lingering on the darkened hall behind him as if he could see someone there.

“You made a nice plan diverting attention with a fake threat,” he muttered under his breath. “I will take care of your master soon enough.”

The shadow trembled as those words fell, but no other changes were seen.

Soon, Alex left as well. He didn’t want to waste much time and go for Lilia as soon as possible.

He didn’t want to stall things any longer.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep