As the shadow entered the room, Ray remained deadly still, hoping he would be able to fool the shadow.

"Did the shadow, come for me?

" Ray thought,

"How did they know I was in the academy, not even the teachers know.

"

But as Ray waited, instead of the figure coming towards him, the figure had gone over to the other side where Van laid. The shadow figure slowly lifted his hand and was about to place it on Van.

However, before the figure could do anything, Ray grabbed the figure's hand and pulled him down to the ground. As he did the figures face could be seen. It was completely covered in shadow as well as his face constantly moving around his body. It was a True infected.

Suddenly the figure Ray was holding started to vanish and before he knew it, the True infected had already escaped. They were truly masters of illusions and without the use of Ray's Dragon eyes, he was unable to track them.

****

The next day Van and Ray were heading off to their morning classes, that's when they spotted a couple of students from the same homeroom class as them.

"Hello.

" The girls waved and smiled nervously.

Although the girls looked a little afraid this was much better compared to before where they had completely started ignoring the two of them. Ray waved back and continued to move forward.

He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened last night. Why had the shadow targeted Van? Did they know he was an important figure in the Alure Kingdom, or did it have something to do with the Divine being's request?

Whatever it was it seemed like Roland wasn't as safe as he thought it was. The shadow had already infiltrated inside which meant a similar situation that happened in Avrion could even happen here.

When Ray entered the classroom, Max immediately greeted him with a big cheer, it seemed like he was happier than ever.

"Goooood morning! You two!

" Max said with a huge grin.

When the two of them had entered the room, the rest of the students had turned their heads and started chattering amongst themselves.

"Hey what's going on?

" Ray asked,

"Is this your doing?

"

"What are you crazy, of course not, this all because of that amazing show you put on yesterday.

"

Although the chatter amongst the students was a lot more positive. Ray still noticed that the students were using the word Freak instead of Van's real name. That's when Van's face suddenly dropped once again.

Ray couldn't take it any more and he had to ask.

"Van, will you tell us now why the other students call you freak? What happened a year ago and why does Blake hate you so much?

"

Van paused for a couple of moments before eventually answering.

"Fine, I will tell you, let's head to the library after morning classes are over.

"

As soon as Del had arrived the morning classes had started. But before even that, Del had an update about what was happening to the middle-class students, after all, it had only involved all the student's in Del's class.

It sounded very political, stating that the academy would do better to make sure another incident like this wouldn't happen again and that the students involved had been punished but wouldn't elaborate on what exactly.

When classes had finished, as Van said the three of them headed to the library. The library contained the beast crystals stationed at the table that only allowed for them to be heard. So it was the perfect spot for Van to tell his story.

The three of them were now seated and for some reason, even Max was feeling Nervous about hearing the full extent of the story.

"You see, me and Blake had arrived at the academy together four years ago and believe it or not but both of us were actually good friends.

"

"What, this is the first time I've heard of such a thing,

" Max said.

"You wouldn't have, you had only arrived here last year of course. However, unlike me Blake was talented and he was able to quickly rise through the ranks but our relationship with each other remained strong. But last year a new student had arrived, someone who without realising it would change our lives.

"

Max then budged Ray on the arm.

"Hey, you know where this going don't you?

" Max whispered,

"If the two of them used to be friends and a new student came in that changed that, it could only mean one thing. Love triangle.

"

Although Max whispered because of the silent orb the table, it was quiet and Van could hear everything.

"You are right,

" Van said smiling.

"Out of the first years, a new student had arrived and it was female. You see the bullying had started even before Blake. I had been at the academy for three years and still wasn't able to rank up to the middle-class. But that brave little student had stuck up for me. She started to regularly hang out with us and the three of us had quickly become friends.

"

"What I didn't realise was that at the same time Blake and Me had both started to have the same feelings for her.

"

"Is that why both of you hate each other's guts now, and what about the girl, where is she?

" Max asked impatiently.

"She's dead.

" Van replied,

"And it's all my fault. You see it all started around the same time last year, at the practical exam….

"

However, before Van could continue, Ray had stopped him mid-sentence. Something had occurred to him while hearing Van's story. The timeline was matching up and the story as well with another incident. Before allowing Van to continue he just had to confirm one thing otherwise his mind wouldn't focus.

"The girl, what was her name?

" Ray asked.

Van could hear a slight angry undertone in Ray's voice and he had no clue why. Regardless Van had already prepared himself to tell Ray his saviour the whole thing.

"Her name was Amy Bluebird.

"

***

Special thanks to IcyShadow2323, Itz_Osas_Billions, Fenrir2040, Didi_Etukudo, Nwabuisi_Ifeoma, Kawi_Polaris, alvaro17 and ancientwatcher for the gifts they really help me continue to work hard on the story.