[Library Archives – Deep Night]
Winter had snuck in.
The ancient section of the academy's library was sealed to most, but she had her ways—and questions.
She needed answers about Justine… and Lohan.
The deeper she went, the thicker the silence became. Dust coated every tome, but a few glowed faintly with divine symbols. She stopped before a book wrapped in chains, its title half-burnt:
> The Disciple of the Phoenix.
She opened it.
Inside was a name: Justine Vellhart.
A human once. Tower climber. Chosen disciple of Hajun Ardyn.
Then—
"Declared traitor. Deified by the Gods."
Winter's breath caught.
> "She… betrayed him?"
---
[Meanwhile – Dorm Room, Midnight]
Lohan lay on his bed, the System interface hovering above him.
> [System Warning: Divine Assassin Detected – Code Name: Whisper Fang]
[Target: Kael Dern – Classmate Level: F]
[Objective: Eliminate weakest bond to test host's reaction.]
Lohan's eyes narrowed.
Kael? The shy, quiet kid who never spoke unless spoken to?
He bolted up.
"They're testing me through him…"
> [System: Would you like to intercept?]
"Absolutely."
---
[Courtyard – 2:43 A.M.]
Kael walked alone, clutching a book, unaware of the shadow above.
A figure cloaked in silver landed without sound—Whisper Fang. A divine killer bred for silence and death. Twin blades drawn. No aura. No mercy.
"Kael Dern," the assassin whispered, "die for your hero."
A blur flashed between them.
Steel clashed.
Kael stumbled backward, eyes wide.
"Lohan?!"
Lohan didn't look at him.
"You picked the wrong weakling."
---
[Fight – Lohan vs. Whisper Fang]
Blades rained down in flashes of silver.
Lohan parried with nothing but bare hands and a broken broom handle—until he grabbed one blade mid-swing.
> [Divine Bane Activated]
[Enemy Resistance Reduced]
He crushed the blade with a twist.
Whisper Fang hissed, "How... are you mortal?!"
Lohan grinned. "I'm worse. I'm pissed off."
With one final move, Lohan used War God's Instinct to predict the assassin's teleport and countered with a raw mana strike—right into the heart.
Whisper Fang exploded into ash and divine symbols.
> [System Message: Enemy Eliminated. Divine Eyes now watching.]
---
[Aftermath – Kael Trembling]
Kael stared at him, speechless.
"Why... why did you save me?"
Lohan looked down at the boy, then glanced toward the stars.
"Because I once had no one."
He helped him up.
"Not anymore."
---
[Back in Justine's Room]
Justine sat in her chair, humming.
She smiled faintly, feeling the tremor in the divine network.
"They're testing him already?"
She stood.
"They'll regret it."
---