The Villain's explosive return.

One by one, her mercenaries emerged from the rubble, battered but alive. Relief flooded her as she counted their faces. They had survived. All of them.

As the reality of their survival sank in, Chang Li's gaze drifted to the remnants of the vials scattered on the ground. The potency of the final explosion lingered in her mind, its destructive power was far beyond what she had expected.

Her thoughts turned to Vendel—the alchemist who had handed her these potions. A man so promising yet so resigned to ending his life. What drove him to such despair?

"Chang?" Tarek's voice broke through her thoughts. "What now?"

She straightened, brushing the dust from her armor. Her expression hardened, but her voice carried a quiet determination. "We move forward," she said firmly. "We've got caravans to escort.".

***

The sky stretched vast above me as I hurried down the cobblestone streets, bag of herbs thumping against my side. The inn was just ahead, but the grime,the dirt , the smell on my skin felt heavier with every step.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window—hair wild, soot on my face, clothes stiff with filth. I sniffed the air and winced. I need a bath, badly so.

Back in my room, I stared at the mirror. My eyes were blue again, normal—until I willed it. Purple light flared, and the world shifted, mana flows dancing in intricate, chaotic beauty.

My flames had changed too. What was once a basic Grade 2 spell now flickered with an unnatural purple hue, seething as though alive. Even my hair was betraying me, silver roots slowly turning black like ink bleeding through paper.

I yanked my hood low, mask in hand, and grabbed my belongings. I walked out of the inn, the city disappeared behind me as I stepped onto the road.

My first stop , my destination was to search for a pond. My first task , a bath.

'Man I sure as hell smell like fish.'

***

Chang Li strode into the dimly lit inn, her steps purposeful. The keeper barely glanced up from his mug as she ascended the creaking stairs, heading to the room where Vendel—Venzel Kaelith, she corrected herself—had stayed.

Pushing the door open, she was met with an unexpected sight. The room was spotless, everything in its place, as if its occupant had simply vanished. For a moment, she stood still, her gaze scanning every corner.

Just as she was about to leave, something caught her eye—a piece of paper stuck to the back of the door, positioned perfectly to be noticed by anyone departing.

Curious, she plucked it off and unfolded it. The handwriting was sharp and deliberate, and the message made her smirk:

"I hate owing favors, so I'm escaping. Take the explosives as a gift, and next time we meet, you'll repay me as many times as your mercenary team members survived. Trust me, I know my explosions saved your escort team."

Chang Li crumpled the note in her fist, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Venzel Kaelith," she murmured, shaking her head.

Then, as if she couldn't hold it back, she burst into laughter—a deep, full-bodied laugh that echoed through the room. "You're such a fine find."

She tossed the crumpled note onto the table and left, still grinning. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

The Academy of Hearts bustled with its usual rhythm, but Serra's day was anything but ordinary. Ever since Venzel's disgraceful expulsion, her days had been shadowed by persistent approaches from Aron—or one of his many sycophants.

Lina, Thad, and Ryn flanked Serra as they sat under the sprawling Heartwood Tree, its crimson leaves rustling in the breeze.

"Why is he so fixated on you, Serra?" Lina muttered, her brow furrowed. "I mean, I get that you're powerful, but this is ridiculous."

"He's desperate," Ryn interjected, arms crossed. His sharp gaze never wavered from Aron, who loitered nearby. "Is he really dumb or just stupid trying to get you to join him on this quest."

Serra sighed, her frustration evident. "It's not happening. He can pester me all he wants, but I'm not helping the person who ruined Venzel's life."

"Venzel never said it outright," Thad added hesitantly, "but it's obvious Aron played a role. The timing, the accusations—it all lines up too perfectly."

Ryn smirked. "Even the dumbest of us can see through Aron's act. You'd have to be blind not to notice."

As if summoned by their discussion, Aron strode toward them, his determined expression hard to ignore. Serra straightened, her glare sharpening as he stopped a few paces away.

"Serra," Aron began, his tone calm but insistent. "I've told you before, I need your help. This task—this journey—it's bigger than me, bigger than all of us. If you'd just listen—"

"No," Serra cut him off, her voice cold. "For the last time, Aron, I'm not interested. Find someone else to manipulate."

Aron's jaw tightened, but instead of backing down, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You don't understand. There's something you don't know—something Venzel never told you."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she refused to let it show. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

He hesitated, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers. "There's a reason why Venzel was expelled. A reason why the Academy couldn't let him stay. He… he made a deal. A deal with something dark. Something that could endanger everyone."

The group exchanged glances, skepticism etched on their faces.

"Convenient story," Ryn sneered. "And let me guess—you're the shining hero here to protect us from whatever you're claiming he's done?"

Aron's gaze hardened. "You don't have to believe me, but the truth is coming. And when it does, you'll regret not standing with me."

Serra stood, her eyes blazing. "The only regret I have is wasting time listening to you. Whatever your secrets are, keep them to yourself. We don't need your hero act."

Aron opened his mouth to reply, but Serra turned on her heel, the others following suit.