The Academy's Doomed Side Character-Chapter 154: Ambush Failed [ 5]

Next Day...

"So, Professor Jade was the traitor who let Kai Foster slip through the academy’s security during the entrance exam duel, and he was also involved in the ambush with Ethan and Kai Foster, is that correct?"

"Yes, it is."

"And he was killed—not by Cadet Leo Taylor, but by someone else while Leo was trying to apprehend him?"

"Yes, ma’am."

"...Do you know who that person is?"

"No."

That was a lie.

I had a good idea who it was, but now wasn’t the time to tell the Chairman.

I’d handle that person myself—later.

After all, he had something I needed.

"Well, in any case," the Chairman said, setting down her teacup and picking up the morning newspaper, "thanks to your tip, we were able to stop this before it got worse."

She skimmed the front page, then smiled with quiet satisfaction.

[—Reilan Academy, once criticized for a recent security lapse involving an internal breach, has begun to restore its reputation after successfully intercepting a second terrorist attempt thanks to timely intelligence. Though shaken, the academy’s swift response has reassured many of its continued excellence.]

She nodded as she read aloud.

"Hmm. Nicely worded. Gives us breathing room to recover. And it’s all thanks to Cadet Rin Evans."

"Officially, I didn’t do anything."

"Of course."

There was only one condition I had when I gave her the intel on the planned attack:

Let the ambush happen—at least on the surface—so that we could flush out the hidden traitor in the academy.

I’d expected her to refuse. The risk was obvious. But instead, she grinned and said—

"Make a mistake? Who? Me?"

She had her reasons to be confident.

"Well, some people are grumbling that it was too dangerous," she added, folding the newspaper neatly, "and a few are wondering how a cadet managed to uncover a traitor on their own, but those voices are few. As far as the public’s concerned, we’ve regained our footing."

"That’s good to hear."

"By the way..." She leaned forward slightly, eyes studying me with curious intent. "You really don’t want anything? I understand secrecy, but considering what you’ve done, I could offer you something. Not as the Chairman, but personally."

"I don’t need anything," I said simply.

"Just keep this off the record."

She stared at me for a moment longer before smiling.

"...Fine. I’ll respect that. But if you change your mind, my door’s always open."

The Chairman leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other with an air of graceful authority.

"You really are a strange one, Cadet Evans," she said, tapping her fingers against the porcelain cup. "Most cadets would’ve demanded a reward. A position. A fast-track to graduation. Even a magic artifact or two. But you? You just want silence."

"I’m not here for recognition," I replied calmly.

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, sharp and evaluating—like she was trying to peel back layers I wasn’t ready to reveal.

"Then what are you here for?" she asked, more curious than suspicious now.

I offered a faint smile, careful not to give too much away.

"To become stronger."

She didn’t press. Just gave a small nod, as if that answer, however vague, satisfied her for now.

"Well," she said with a sigh, "you’re certainly on the right path. But you’re playing a dangerous game, Rin."

"I know."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"And that masked man... he wasn’t just some rogue, was he?"

I met her eyes for a moment, silent. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Then gave the most diplomatic answer I could.

"I’m still looking into it."

She let out a dry chuckle, rubbing her temples.

"You’re going to give me grey hairs at this rate."

"I’ll take responsibility," I said without blinking.

That made her laugh—genuinely, this time.

"You say that like you mean it."

"I do."

She leaned forward again, voice softer this time.

"Just be careful. I don’t know what you’re chasing or why you’re doing this alone, but whatever it is... don’t let it consume you."

Her words held weight—not just as the Chairman, but as someone who had seen countless cadets rise and fall.

I stood from my seat and gave a small bow.

"I’ll be careful."

"Good," she replied. "Because next time, I might not be able to cover for you."

I stood, nodded once, and turned to leave.

But just before I reached the door, she spoke again.

"Rin."

I glanced back.

"There’s something dangerous about people who act like they want nothing," she said. "Because they’re usually after something no one else sees coming."

I smiled faintly.

"I’ll keep that in mind, ma’am."

And with that, I stepped out of the room—leaving behind the Chairman, the secrets she knew, and the bigger ones she didn’t.

For now.

---

The Chairman let out a long sigh as the door clicked shut behind Rin.

"Why is he like that...?"

She leaned back in her chair, gazing at the ceiling with a faint frown. It wasn’t frustration exactly—more like a curious irritation. She had wanted to reward him. Not just out of obligation, but because she genuinely liked the boy’s quiet, thoughtful nature. Polite, efficient, and intelligent. He’d been the reason they were able to stop a disaster in its tracks.

And yet, when she offered something—anything—he turned it down.

She had been prepared to give him a high-grade elixir to help with his physical shortcomings, or maybe a fitting artifact tailored to his age and potential. Nothing too flashy, just practical tools for a cadet who clearly had a long road ahead.

But no.

Not only had he refused, he’d done so without even the courtesy of hesitation. Not rudely, but firmly—like someone who had made up his mind long before walking into her office.

"Is there a reason he’s being so careful?" she muttered to herself.

Her fingers drummed lightly on the desk.

It wasn’t the first time someone turned down a reward, but there was something about Rin that made it different. Calculated. Purposeful. Almost like he didn’t trust her—not entirely.

"Hmm... this is tricky."

She glanced at a framed photo on the shelf beside her. It was a younger version of herself, arms crossed, standing beside a girl with silver hair and the same quiet determination in her eyes as Rin.

"Lena..."

She had made a promise back then. A difficult, personal promise—to keep her hands off certain students, to let some threads unravel on their own without interference. It was harder than she’d imagined.

She sighed again and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk.

"If I hadn’t promised Lena, I would’ve dug deeper by now," she admitted. "But maybe... maybe he already knows that."

A flicker of unease crossed her face.

She was fully aware of her own flaws—impulsive, indulgent, and prone to acting on instinct. And if Rin had access to information about the future, even a little... perhaps he’d seen something she hadn’t. A future where they stood on opposite sides?

"No... that doesn’t make sense."

She shook her head, brushing the thought away.

Rin didn’t seem like someone who chased danger. If anything, he avoided it when possible. If they were destined to clash in the future, wouldn’t he have stayed far away from her? Wouldn’t he have kept quiet and left the incident alone?

Still, the uneasiness lingered in her chest like an itch she couldn’t reach.

"...What are you playing at, Rin Evans?"

She stared at the door for a long moment, then finally looked away, murmuring softly,

"I hope you know what you’re doing."

----

Kai Foster wasn’t the kind of person who took orders—especially not from someone weaker than him.

And Professor Jade Cole? He was definitely weaker than both Kai and Ethan. The fact that the two of them had chosen to cooperate with someone like Jade only meant one thing:

They were using him.

All three of them had a shared goal: to bring down Velcrest Academy. But their motivations couldn’t have been more different. Kai and Ethan craved chaos. Jade Cole was just following orders. That’s all it ever was—a temporary alliance born from mutual benefit.

But here’s the twist.

Jade Cole wasn’t the mastermind.

He was just a piece on the board. A disposable pawn. And the real traitor—the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes—had already moved to eliminate him..

The moment Leo was about to capture Jade, that man made his move. A clean, precise kill to shut him up. It wasn’t just to protect himself—it was to bury the trail completely.

But it didn’t work.

Because I already know who he is.

He’s the last remaining traitor inside this academy.

...And I’m going to kill him.

Not today. Not yet.

This man isn’t like Kai Foster or Ethan. He’s more dangerous, more cunning, and far stronger. When I fought Kai and Ethan before, I barely made it out alive.

I can’t afford to charge in blindly again.

But there’s a way.

A way to end him—permanently.

That’s why I’ve been preparing. Quietly gathering strength. Searching for something... or rather, someone.

A tool that will let me rewrite that outcome.

And that’s why I’m here—at Leo’s clubroom.