One student muttered, “When that beast attacked me earlier, Professor Pierce was right there. I thought he’d help, but he just teleported fifty met-
ers away to Seraphina and started spinning her around in his arms. If Luna hadn’t shoved me out of the way, I’d be dead.”
Another student with a fractured wrist added, “You think that’s bad? Yesterday, I was standing next to Seraphina when a monster lunged. He didn’t
just grab her and run–he fucking pushed me towards it.” He looked at me. “I’d be dead if you hadn’t blocked that attack for me.”
I just waved it off. “We’re classmates. It’s what we do.”
He glanced over at Julian and Seraphina. “Some people don’t see us as students. They’re too busy with their public displays of affection.”
All eyes turned to where Seraphina was nestled in Julian’s arms, feeding him a piece of fruit at an awkward angle. The students collectively rolled
their eyes and made silent gagging motions.
After a moment, someone else asked, “But… isn’t Luna the Royal Fiancée? Isn’t what the Prince is doing a little…”
She was nudged by a friend and fell silent.
I took the opportunity to explain that my engagement to Julian was purely a political and business arrangement. We had no feelings for each oth-
- er. Who he loved was none of my concern.
When the rest period ended, Julian, as the team leader, went ahead to scout the path. We waited. And then, Seraphina was gone.
Julian returned, his face contorted with rage. He roared, his eyes red–rimmed, “The trial is over! All of you, find Sera now!”
I stepped forward.
“Professor, I understand you’re worried about Seraphina, but this is our graduation trial. How can we stop everything for one person? This area is
dangerous. We should move the students to a safe location and have the royal guard conduct the search, not risk the lives of students.”
A chorus of agreement rose from the group.
“Yeah, isn’t that what the guard is for? Why should we have to look?”
“Is Seraphina’s life the only one that matters? What about ours?”
“Aren’t we your students? Aren’t we the citizens you’re supposed to protect?”
As a prince, Julian had never had his orders questioned. His face turned livid, his gaze murderous. “You had all better pray that Sera is unharmed. Otherwise, I will make every single one of you pay with your lives!”
Then, to the shock of everyone present, he raised his photon pistol and aimed it at me.
Chapter 2
“Luna. Was it you? Did you do something to Sera?”
I met his gaze, my voice calm and steady. “I did not.”
21:16
“Still denying it? Then how do you explain that only Sera is missing? Are you telling me it’s not because you’re jealous that she has my love, so you deliberately harmed her?”
It took every ounce of my self–control not to laugh in his face. “Professor, instead of wasting time throwing baseless accusations at me, perhaps you should go find her?”
He shot me a venomous glare, summoned his mech, and blasted off into the distance.
The moment he was gone, I contacted the royal guard, reported a missing person, and stressed that the missing person was extremely important to the Prince. I wasn’t worried about Seraphina’s safety–she was the heroine, she’d be fine. I called the guard because I knew the Swarm was coming.
Julian wanted to use this to frame me? Fine. Two can play at that game..
