Chapter 53.1: A Secret Meeting

Chapter 53.1: A Secret Meeting
The night was quiet, almost unnaturally so. The sound of crickets faded as Isolde drew closer to the back garden of the academy where the shadows of the walls grew long under the silver moon. And there, standing tall and calm as if he belonged to the night itself, was Theron. His golden hair shimmered faintly, almost glowing under the pale light, making him look every bit the prince that he was. It was almost the same scenario that Isolde saw when she first got a glimpse of his figure at their household.

Isolde’s steps slowed as she approached. She wasn’t sure what words to start with. The message he sent was too vague, but she knew deep down that this meeting wouldn’t be casual. The reason for this is one, theiir first meeting wasn't reallt a normal meeting, it was way beyond normal given the fact that he thought that she wwas an assassin. Two, the random visit he made when she was stiill recuperating from over fatigue due to the anomaly in the assessment. Isolde was sure that the prince also witnessed what happened and of course, had a few questions on his mind right now. But at the same tim, she hoped that he wouldn't really pry too much on her business especially with the fact that her father strictly mentioned that no one can know about her true abilities.

When she was finally near enough, Theron turned his head. His eyes, sharp and steady, studied her with a look that made it feel like he already knew the answers to the questions he hadn’t asked yet.

“You came,” he said, his tone calm but carrying a weight.

“You asked,” Isolde replied simply. Her voice was steady, though her heart was quickening. She needs to put up a facade that she is not nervvous because she felt that if she will show any weakness now or sign of hesitation, it will surely make him curious about something,

For a moment, silence stretched between them. The wind stirred the leaves, carrying with it a faint scent of damp earth.

Then, Theron spoke. “The forest northwest of the academy.” His words were direct. “Three days ago when we accidentally went there, it was fine. Not a trace of anything unusual. But now…” His expression darkened, his jaw tightening slightly. “It is filled with miasma. Thick. Spreading. The animals that once lived in some places of the forest are gone. Either turned into monsters or dead.”

Isolde’s chest tightened as she remembered as well what the spirits had requested for her to do - it was indeed long overdued. Well, in fact she had already guessed it might be the case because of the explanation given to her by the spirits, but hearing it out loud still made her uneasy.

Theron’s gaze bore into hers. “Is that why you went there? That night when you followed me?”

His words hit like a blade, cutting through her silence. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten everything that she said at that time but hearing him say that made her really nervous because again she doesn't want attention - she already drawn too much from other nobles and it wouldn't be good if a prince were to realize that she is hiding something.

She couldn’t tell him everything—not about the Spirit King, nor the elemental rulers she had met. That was a truth too heavy, and it would raise more questions than she could answer.

Isolde looked away briefly, her hands curling under her cloak.

So she drew a breath and said carefully, “I felt something was wrong. Even before you mentioned it now, I could sense it. And… I am an Ansirad. My family has always been tied to fighting against dark mages. If there’s even a trace of corruption or miasma nearby, it’s something I can’t ignore it. That is also the reason why I really did by best during the assessment to prevent other examinees like me from being injured”

Theron tilted his head slightly, studying her. His eyes narrowed, not in anger, but in deep thought, as if he was weighing her words carefully. She hoped that he will believe what she had explained.

“You speak like someone who knows more than she lets on,” he said slowly.

Isolde’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t. But what matters is that the forest isn’t normal anymore. And I think… whatever is happening there, it won’t stop on its own.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Theron didn’t move, his posture firm and guarded. Then, finally, he exhaled.

“You’re right about that,” he admitted. “The forest has always been monitored. Just like you mentioned last time when you stopped me from using magic, we have patrols, wards, and even detection spells cast by the academy. None of them showed anything unusual until now. Which means… something, or someone, forced the change very suddenly. I heard that your family had revived the purge against that group”

Isolde’s brows furrowed. “You think it’s connected to Lucifer?”

“Who else?” Theron replied, his voice sharper now. “It is only them who can use miasma and dark magic on such a scale. And only they have the arrogance to plant it so close to the academy for whatever reason that they have”

Isolde’s fingers tightened slightly at her side. The name alone was enough to stir a deep unease and anger inside her. They have been doing a lot of terrible things up until now and despite their family's constant efforts to eliminate them, it seems. Like it doesn't affect them at all.

Theron’s gaze lingered on her, more piercing than before. “So tell me, Isolde Ansirad. Do you intend to get involved in this?”

Her breath caught, but she didn’t look away. But despite everything that she is worrying about, she knew exactly what she is going to answer “Do I have a choice?”, an answer that is not too bold nor not too safe - it is just an answer that would make him think that either way she needs to because she is an Ansirad.

Theron’s lips curved faintly—not quite a smile, but something close to one. “No. I don’t suppose you do.”

Isolde silently let out a reassuring sigh "Yes, he didn't ask for anything else."

"However, I wouldn't let you go alone" he suddenly said which made her eyes widen in shock.

Isolde cannot believe what she heard from theron - it was unexpected of him especially knowing the fact that he is a prince and his safety is theh priority above anything else. Not to mention the faat that since he is a prince, the imperial family's blood run through his veins as well and given that, should't he also reject the idea that Lucifer survived and is once again trying to perfect the Chimera?

"Wait.. this is not even your fight. Why do you want to help me in the first place?"

"I suppose that you need someone to support you in your fight especially in not being detected by the administration, no?" He answered and as if on cue, she felt that something has changed from their surroundings, specifically from the place they are standing. And that is the magic restrictions that she always felt around the academy suddenly disappeared.

"What the--

"I told you, I will surely come handy" Theron said with a grin which madde her jaw slightly drop.