*Layla's POV

I thought it was normal. Only Weavers can open portals between Solaris and the human world, allowing them to come and go freely. Although the inter-world portal is only open in the Great Kingdom or Republic, Weavers have long been traveling to the human world. They blend into human life, even having mixed-blood children known as Half-breeds Weaver.

It would be normal if some of the humans I met here turned out to be Weavers. But San's words made me anxious. If someone in this facility is a Weaver, or if the entire facility is controlled by Weavers, there is only one power that is strong enough to do that in Solaris.

And if they obtain all the data from this research, I think the aftermath will be bad.

Mala's workspace was slightly larger than my room. The room smelled sweet from the candle burning on the table. On the sides were wooden shelves full of various thick books. The floor was covered with a dark blue carpet with greenish accents. On the other side, there was a large desk with a computer and various papers in red folders. At the edge of the table, a small digital clock showed 11:00 PM.

I had been watching Mala since they brought me here. At nine o'clock at night, after her last schedule, Mala would go somewhere. She did not stay in the private room on the first floor—I had confirmed that. This meant I had plenty of time right now.

Besides, this room was the only place I had not entered. I only knew whose room it was, but previously, I did not feel it was important. The files on the table were just unimportance daily reports. The desk drawers only contained various stationery and a paper cutter—I took the paper cutter, it would certainly be useful. Although I was sure there was something to check on the computer, I did not know how to use it.

I moved to the bookshelf. There were only thick science books and a few novels. Nothing useful. Not in those books, nor anything between the rows of books. If San's suspicion was correct, Mala hid it well.

Footsteps sounded outside the room. Someone seemed to be hastily approaching. Then the door opened hard, and Mala appeared in the doorway. She stared at me with a surprised face.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

What do people usually say when caught red-handed? Should I say I was lost, or maybe I was looking for her out of boredom? Since no reasonable answer came to mind, I just stayed silent.

Mala stepped in. The door behind her closed automatically. "You've been outrageous!" She said seriously and angrily. "I didn't give you freedom for this."

I could see her more clearly when Mala stood in the lit area. Her face was sweaty and panicked. Her breath was heavy, clearly in a rush to get here.

"Aren't your work hours only until nine?" I said as I stepped forward. "That means you don't mind talking with me all night, right?" I climbed onto the table and sat on it, looking at Mala with a slight smile.

"I don't have a time now."

"Really? I just want to share more information about Weavers. No, did you know there is a power in Solaris we believe can change fate? We call it Enigma." I continued watching her, observing every change in her expression. Slowly, my hand moved to open the cover of the paper cutter, pressing my palm against the sharp blade. Blood started to flow out. "Or... do you already know?"

Mala remained silent, her hands clenched into fists. I stayed calm on the table. If she did anything fishy, with just one command, I could destroy her hands.

However, Mala just closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. "I don't know what you're talking about. But I'm not joking, Layla. You will be punished for—"

A knock on the door. It sounded loud and demanding. Mala glared at me after looking at the door. She didn't say anything. But I could almost hear her thinking that I was in big trouble.

Mala turned and pressed her ID card to the door. I immediately activated the magic from the blood in my hand. The same magic as before. Magic that made me invisible. Then I lurked to the other side of the room.

The door flew open suddenly, causing Mala to stumble back a few steps. A man stood there. He wore a white vestment with red stripes. Three gold pins with a sun emblem were attached to his chest. His short black hair was neat. His facial shape was sharp, with an intimidating gaze.

"Elder Marumbi..." Mala mumbled in a trembling voice, her eyes widening in fear.

The man walked in. His eyes narrowed as he looked around. "Why are you surprised? Didn't I send a reply message yesterday?"

His voice was soft but echoed throughout the room. Mala remained rooted in her spot. Marumbi stared sharply at Mala. For a moment, I also felt uncomfortable with the silence. Marumbi emitted an aura that felt suffocating and oppressive, until I was sure, if it were an ordinary person, they would have screamed.

"You read the message," Marumbi said, "but you had other plans."

The man extended his left hand and then made a swift slashing motion. In just a fraction of a second, I could see a blade of air form and then fly towards Mala's face. It created a cut across her nose. Mala was about to scream, but she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Her legs weakened, and she immediately fell to her knees.

"Did living in the human world make you forget manners, Mala?"

Mala's body trembled. She bowed, placing her palms on the carpet. Drops of blood fell to the floor.

"May the gods forgive the Council." Her stuttering voice was a mix of pain and fear.

Elder Marumbi closed his eyes. He opened his right hand, then a small dynamic flame appeared. The man walked over to Mala. Get down on one knee in front of her. He touched the back of Mala's hand with the flame. Mala's body trembled even more violently. She didn't scream. Screaming in front of a Council member was taboo.

"I've always hated the Akashadristhi. Just because they can see the future, they always act arrogantly," said the elder. "But I hate people like you more. Followers who do everything they are told."

Under Marumbi's hand, the back of Mala's hand began to smoke. I could also see blood pooling on the carpet.

"Do you think their position is higher than mine, the Elder in the Republic Council?"

Mala shook her head in jerky movements. "You... are the honorable... Elder... Marumbi."

Marumbi released Mala's hand and stood up. His gaze was still fixed on her. "Thirty minutes. I want you to bring The Level One Subject and all the research data to me." Then he turned and tried to open the door that had closed. Without Mala's ID card, the door had locked automatically. The elder clicked his tongue in annoyance and forcefully opened the door, breaking all its locks. He walked quickly and disappeared.

I stepped slowly, closing the room door again. Then deactivated my magic. With a fingernail, I pressed the cut on my palm, forcing more blood to flow out. I walked to Mala, who was still kneeling and trembling on the carpet. I touched the back of her hand, which was already full of burns. Slowly, my blood turned into particles of light that healed Mala's wound. Her trembling began to subside. Her breathing also started to return to normal.

"I know who that man is," I whispered. "It looks like you're the one in big trouble."

Mala still bowed her head. Her shoulders rose and fell as she tried to hold back tears. "Tell me," she sobbed. "From the moment I first saw you, I always tried to be kind. All because of your white hair and blue eyes. Are you... also a sibyl?"

A Sibyl or Akashadristhi, I knew what it was. A spiritual Ordo that has existed since long ago. They have the power to see the future, and because of that, in every generation, they always work in the shadows. Guiding every Enigma bearer to use their power as efficiently as possible. The ultimate goal is to minimize the destruction from a prophecy.

"No," I replied. "I have never even been to the Republic."

Mala was still trying to catch her breath. She kept muttering that she would die and everything would be ruined.

I lifted her chin, forcing our gazes to meet. I could see her eyes red from crying. "Answer me, what does the Council want from San?"

It took time for Mala to answer. She still grimaced, trying to stabilize her breathing and forget the pain. "This facility was built to find a way to separate Weavers from Atma without killing them. Elder Marumbi wants Weavers to live as ordinary humans."

Now everything made sense. Why they didn't dissect us immediately and instead conducted more observational research. Killing San was clearly too risky. Killing me, not as long as Mala still thought I had a connection with the Akashadristhi.

"But not everyone agrees with the plan," Mala continued.

I thought for a moment. Since long ago, the Republic has always been full of conflict. This problem only proved that the division within the Council had worsened. "Do you believe what they see, Mala?"

Mala took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. She nodded

"Then you will do as I say," I stared at her sharply. "I want you to gather all the Weavers and humans here. Kill them all and erase all the research data you've collected. Then you will go to the Republic. When they are about to punish you, tell them that you will make a confession in front of the Rounders. Mention my name and tell them that I'm the one they've been waiting for hundreds of centuries."

Mala opened her mouth. Tears flowed down her cheeks, mingling with the blood from the cut wound.

I released her hand, which was now better, though the pain and trauma still remained. I stood up and walked towards the door. "One more thing," I said, turning back. "Tell Miss Chiesa. I have seen further."[]