Chapter 14: A Hidden Threat

  As the morning sun rose higher, casting golden light over the academy, the recruits continued their training under Captain Rainhardt’s watchful eye. Every movement was disciplined, every order followed without hesitation. Yet, amidst the sweat and exhaustion, Arkin’s mind remained unsettled.

  The image of the masked figure haunted him. The way they had disappeared so easily, the precision of their attack—it wasn’t just some random trespasser. That person had come with intent.

  "Arkin, focus!" Rainhardt’s stern voice cut through his thoughts.

  "Yes, sir!" Arkin quickly corrected his stance, gripping his training sword more tightly. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. Not here.

  After hours of relentless drills, Rainhardt finally dismissed them for the afternoon.

  "Rest while you can," he said. "Tomorrow will be even harder."

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  The recruits groaned but obeyed, dragging their exhausted bodies toward the mess hall.

  A Silent Warning

  As Arkin sat with Kwinn, picking at his meal, his instincts prickled. Someone was watching him.

  Subtly, he lifted his gaze, scanning the room. At first, everything seemed normal—recruits chatting, eating, some even dozing off at their tables. But then, he saw it.

  A figure, seated in the farthest corner, partially hidden by shadows. Their eyes—cold and calculating—were locked onto him. The moment Arkin met their gaze, they stood and silently exited the hall.

  Arkin’s grip tightened around his fork.

  "Kwinn," he whispered.

  "Hmm?" Kwinn mumbled through a mouthful of bread.

  "Someone’s been watching me. Since last night."

  Kwinn raised a brow, swallowing quickly. "Are you sure? Maybe you're just—"

  "I'm sure," Arkin interrupted, his voice firm.

  Kwinn frowned. "Then we should tell Rainhardt."

  Arkin hesitated. He didn’t have proof—just a gut feeling. But he also knew ignoring it could be a mistake.

  "Not yet," he finally said. "I need to find out who they are first."

  Kwinn sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to get us into trouble, aren’t you?"

  Arkin smirked slightly. "Probably."

  Shadows in the City

  Meanwhile, outside the Academy, the two masked figures from the previous night moved through the bustling streets of the Kingdom of Rose. Beneath their cloaks, they blended in effortlessly.

  "Do you think he suspects anything?" one of them asked.

  "He will, soon enough," the other replied. "But it doesn't matter. The time is coming."

  They turned a corner, disappearing into an alleyway where the hooded man from before awaited them.

  "The preparations are complete," he said in a low voice. "When night falls, we begin."

  A Storm Approaches

  Back in the Academy, Arkin lay awake once again, staring at the ceiling. His instincts scream

  ed that something was coming.

  He only wished he knew what.