Chapter 45.3: Solving the Mystery

Chapter 45.3: Solving the Mystery
Just as when Isolde thought that she is able to regain her composure and assemble a barrier that will not be detected by the academy, a sharp wind sliced through the trees as the ground under their feet trembled again. Whatever had attacked them—it wasn’t done.

The golden-haired man stood tall and tense, his blade ready, his eyes locked onto the treeline. But Isolde felt it. A second presence different from the one that released that magic attack. And whoever or whatever it is, Isolde felt that it was stronger and it is headed towards them in an incredible high speed.

"It is coming for us, we need to escape this place."

Without thinking, Isolde turned to him and grabbed his wrist.

“What—what are you doing?!” he barked, surprised.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, eyes already glowing with mana. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

Before he could yank his hand away, a magic circle expanded beneath them. Light bloomed around her boots and surged up her arms, wrapping around them both.

The man barely had time to react. “Wait, don’t—!”

And in the next blink, they were gone.

\-

The moment they arrived back at the academy grounds, a strange tension filled the air. Isolde stumbled slightly, her hand still clinging to the man’s wrist. The world had shifted around them in a blink—what was once the cold, creeping dark of the forest was now the familiar stone path outside the dormitory grounds, quiet and peaceful, save for the distant chirping of crickets.

The man, still disoriented from the sudden escape, pulled his arm away from her grip and stared at her with eyes full of disbelief.

“What was that?” he demanded, his voice sharp. “Why would you—Why did you suddenly used teleportation magic to escape?” Isolde noticed the disbelief in his voice, it is as if he was already ready to eliminate those beings but surprisingly the voice of the man is still moderate, cautious of their surroundings.

Isolde stood firm, though her breathing was uneven. She didn’t regret her decision, and if time will turn back she will make the same decision. “We didn’t have time to fight. If I let you face those things, both of us could have been seriously hurt—or worse.”

The man stepped forward, anger flashing in his eyes and from that moment Isolde noticed that his eyes blue just like the ocean however, she noticed that something is off with those eyes as well she just don't know what it is. “That was dark magic. We had the upper hand—”

“No, we didn’t,” she interrupted, her voice firm this time. “Don’t you understand? The academy is under layered protective enchantments. If someone like you or I were caught engaging in combat, using aura or any trace of fighting without even being officially admitted, the administrators would act immediately. It could get me revoked of my examination results—or worse, arrested. I’m not even a full student yet.”

He clenched his jaw but didn’t argue further. His silence was not out of agreement, but frustration. He turned away slightly, running a hand through his golden hair. Even in the dim moonlight, it shone like fire.

Isolde watched him carefully. He was still tense, like a spring pulled tight. His shoulders hadn’t relaxed, and his eyes kept flicking to the edge of the woods, as if part of him still expected to be ambushed again.

“You’re not really a student huh,” he finally said. “That much is clear.”

“I already explained to you right from the start a candidate for admission into the academy,” she replied plainly. “My name is Isolde Serina Ansirad.” Isolde controlled herself not to roll her eyes because if she remembers correctly she already introduced herself a while back but it is obvious that the man didn't even listened to her.

The moment she said her surname, something shifted in his expression. It was small, subtle—but his guard rose again. “Ansirad,” he repeated slowly, eyes narrowing. “Of the Duchy of Ansirad?”

She nodded. “I’m Duke Marius Ansirad’s daughter.”

There was a long pause. Then the blade that had been hanging loosely by his side slowly rose again, not in threat but in readiness.

"What's wrong with this guy? Does he have an issue with our family which is why he is on guard?" Isolde thought.

“I’m going to ask you again,” he said quietly. “Are you my enemy?”

“No,” she said firmly. “I followed you because I was curious. I saw you heading into the woods. I had no idea who you were or what you were doing—I only knew you looked… familiar, and that something was wrong.”

“And yet you were able to teleport,” he said, his tone flat with suspicion. “Most students don't even know such an advance spell yet and you didn’t just cast a normal teleportation spell—you used it without an incantation .”

Isolde hesitated. “I’ve trained before… and I’m not like most students.”

He raised a brow. “That’s putting it lightly.”

A gust of wind passed between them. The moon was half-veiled by clouds now, and the soft rustling of trees filled the silence.

Then, he sighed.

“I suppose you’re not lying,” he muttered. “If you were sent to kill me, you would have let that thing strike.”

Isolde didn’t respond. She just folded her arms and tilted her head. “And who are you, exactly? I followed you, and now I know nothing about you except that you’re incredibly reckless. Not to mention that you don't even listened to a word that I have said a while back.”

He looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing something in his mind.

Then, finally, he said as he retreated his sword, “My name is Theron. Prince Theron Eiravant. Third prince of the Imperial Family.”

For a few seconds, Isolde just stared at him, blinking.

“Wait,” she said. “You’re… a prince?”

"Oh shit! I just acted so arrogant! I think I am going to die before I could even achieve what I need to do!"

He smirked slightly at her stunned expression. “Surprised?”

"Don't worry. I don't even hold that much of an influence in the family so you won't have your neck cut off." He added and Isolde can't help but to let out a refreshed sigh. She really thought that she is about to die.

"Hey is that really shocking to find out that I am a prince?" He aked

“Well… yes,” she admitted. “You don’t act like one.”

He chuckled—quiet and sharp. “That’s because as someone who is useless I have learned how to defend myselff. And more or less whatever it is out there, it was sent after me again.”

“Then why did you go there alone?” she asked, frustration creeping into her voice. “If you’re being hunted, shouldn’t you be better protected? Why not ask the emperor, your father?”

“Hah as if.” he replied coldly. Isolde didn’t press further. She didn’t need to.

Theron turned his eyes back to her, something unreadable in his expression. “You’re hiding something too. You said you followed me because you were curious, but I don’t believe it’s just that.”

Isolde’s heart beat faster. She kept her face neutral.

“You said you were contacted by the spirits, why?” he asked bluntly.

She froze, she didn't thought that he would bring that up out of all things. She thought that he wasn't even listening to whatever she said but it turns out he did listened.

“I could tell,” he continued. “Your mana… it’s not like others.”

“I’m not here to tell you everything,” Isolde replied, keeping her voice low. “There are things that I can’t explain yet. Not even to my family.”

“Then don’t expect me to trust you easily,” he warned.

“I’m not asking you to,” she said quietly. “But I didn’t hurt you. I saved you.”

That seemed to finally get through to him. His expression eased, just slightly, and he looked away again, his eyes fixed somewhere toward the moon.

There was silence between them for a while.

Eventually, he said, “So what now? We pretend this didn’t happen?” She nod her head

“Yes, I don't want to sabotage my own admission. I still have one last test tomorrow.” she said. “Please just forget about our conversation as well, your highness. I really don't want to be involved with you” she honestly said. At first she was really curious who is the owner of that golden hair that she saw near the fountain of their home but now that she found out who it is, she'd rather just forget that she had an interaction with him.

Theron glanced at her. “You’re an odd one, Lady Isolde.”

“You’re not exactly ordinary either, Your Highness,” she said, finally managing a small smile.

He smirked again. “Fair enough.”

Isolde stepped back, realizing how tired she was. “I should go.”

Theron nodded. “You should.”

As she turned to leave, she spoke again, more softly.

“If you do go to that forest, be careful. Something is waiting there. Something even the spirits fear.”

With that, she walked away—her boots soft against the stone, her mind heavier than ever.

Back in her room, the wind had died down. The curtains hung still, and her candle flickered quietly. She sat on the edge of her bed, replaying the entire encounter.

"Theron Eiravant." She whispered and oddly enough there she felt a tingling sensation on her heart but she cannot pinpoint what it is. For now she only knows one thing, and that is to avoid the third prince at all cost because just like what they always say, nothing good will come out of being involved with an imperial famly member.