Later that evening, as the excitement from the duel and subsequent celebration began to wind down, Lifu found himself alone in the common room, his thoughts drifting back to the strange box they had discovered in the Vale. The memory of the ruin, with its shifting symbols and eerie atmosphere, lingered in his mind like an unsolved puzzle.
He had just started to lose himself in thought when a soft knock at the door drew his attention. Lifu looked up to see Corin standing in the doorway, his expression serious.
“Lifu, we need to talk,” Corin said, his voice low and urgent.
Lifu immediately straightened up, sensing the gravity of the situation. “What’s going on?”
Corin stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “It’s about the box we found in the ruin. Professor Marlow and the other scholars have been studying it ever since we brought it back. They’ve made some progress, but... there’s something they discovered that we weren’t expecting.”
Lifu’s curiosity was piqued, but there was a hint of unease in Corin’s tone that made him wary. “What did they find?”
Corin hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “The box... it’s a key. Or at least, it’s part of a key. They think it’s one of several pieces needed to unlock something—something ancient and powerful. But the problem is, they don’t know what it’s meant to unlock, or where the other pieces are.”
Lifu frowned, the implications of Corin’s words sinking in. “So, it’s not just a relic. It’s part of a larger mystery.”
“Exactly,” Corin said, his expression growing more serious. “And whatever it unlocks, it’s something important. Professor Marlow is concerned that if the wrong people get their hands on the other pieces, it could be dangerous.”
Lifu’s mind raced with possibilities. The expedition had seemed like a straightforward mission, but now it was clear that they had stumbled upon something much bigger. The thought of what the box could unlock—and who might be after it—sent a chill down his spine.
“What are we going to do?” Lifu asked, his voice steady despite the growing tension.
Corin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “For now, the box is being kept under tight security. The professors are working on tracing its origins and finding out where the other pieces might be. But we’re going to need to be careful. If word gets out about what we’ve found, it could attract a lot of unwanted attention.”
Lifu nodded, his resolve hardening. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help. We need to make sure that whatever this is, it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
Corin gave him a grateful nod. “I knew I could count on you, Lifu. Keep this between us for now, and stay on alert. We might need your skills again sooner than we think.”
With that, Corin left, leaving Lifu alone with his thoughts once more. The mystery of the box had deepened, and the stakes were higher than ever.
As he prepared for bed that night, Lifu couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for what was to come. Whatever secrets the box held, Lifu was determined to uncover them—and to protect the academy from whatever dangers might arise.
***
The following days at Rising Star Academy were a mix of routine and tension. While Lifu, Tia, Tumo, and Leila continued to focus on their respective clubs and various Chart challenges, the mystery of the ancient box lingered in the back of their minds. Lifu, in particular, found himself replaying the conversation with Corin over and over, trying to make sense of what they had uncovered.
The box was more than just a relic; it was a piece of a puzzle that could unlock something of immense power. The thought of it falling into the wrong hands filled Lifu with a sense of dread, but he knew that until the professors learned more, all they could do was stay vigilant.
One evening, after a long day of training and studying, Lifu found himself wandering the academy grounds, seeking some quiet time to think. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths, and the academy had taken on a serene, almost mystical quality in the fading light.
As he walked, Lifu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The air was too still, the silence too complete. His instincts, honed through his recent experiences, told him to be on guard.
He stopped near one of the large statues that dotted the academy grounds, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. He listened intently, straining to catch any sound that might indicate he wasn’t alone.
Then he heard it—a soft rustle, like the whisper of fabric against stone. Lifu’s eyes narrowed as he turned slowly, his senses on high alert. The shadows around him seemed to shift, and for a moment, he thought he saw movement in the corner of his eye.
“Who’s there?” Lifu called out, his voice steady but laced with warning.
There was a long pause, followed by the sound of footsteps—quiet and deliberate, but not trying to hide. From the shadows stepped a figure dressed in dark, flowing robes, their face obscured by a hood. The figure moved with a calm, almost unsettling grace, as if they were completely at ease in the growing darkness.
“Lifu Stormborne,” the figure said, their voice low and smooth, with an edge that made Lifu’s skin prickle. “The boy with the dual affinities.”
Lifu’s grip tightened on his sword, but he didn’t draw it—yet. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”
The figure chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in the sound. “You’re cautious. That’s good. You should be, considering the secrets you’ve stumbled upon.”
Lifu’s eyes narrowed further, his mind racing. Whoever this was, they knew about the box—and probably much more. “Well, what do you want?”
The figure took a step closer, their presence somehow both menacing and unthreatening at the same time. “What I want, Lifu, is to offer you a choice. You’ve found yourself in the middle of something much larger than you realise. There are forces at play here that you cannot hope to understand—forces that will be watching your every move.”
Lifu tensed, his heart pounding. “Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all,” the figure replied smoothly. “I’m offering you a warning. You’ve held the box and even the artefact; you’ve felt its power. But that’s just the beginning. What it protects… it’s a place of secrets. Dark secrets that many would kill to protect—or to uncover.”
Lifu’s mind flashed back to the ancient ruin, the strange symbols, and the protective spell around the box. The power of the artefact, and how it amplified his magic. The realisation that this was just the tip of the iceberg sent a chill down his spine.
“Why are you telling me this?” Lifu asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. “What’s your angle?”
The figure tilted their head slightly, as if considering how much to reveal. “Because you’re not like the others, Lifu. You have potential—potential that could be guided in many different directions. I’m simply here to ensure that you don’t choose the wrong path.”
Before Lifu could respond, the figure took another step back, their form beginning to meld with the shadows once more. “Remember this, Lifu: not everything at the academy is as it seems. There are those who will try to use you, and those who will try to destroy you. Be careful who you trust.”
And with that, the figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving Lifu standing alone, the weight of their words hanging heavily in the air.
For a long moment, Lifu remained rooted to the spot, his mind reeling. Whoever that was, they knew far too much about him and the box. And their cryptic warnings suggested that the danger was far greater than he had imagined.
Lifu wanted to tell Corin and the others about this encounter, but he also needed to be cautious. The figure’s warning echoed in his mind: “Be careful who you trust.”
***
The next day, Lifu was still on edge from the encounter in the courtyard. He had decided to keep the details to himself for the moment, unsure of who to trust with the information. But as the day progressed, his focus shifted back to the more immediate concerns—like training, club activities, and his friends.
That afternoon, Lifu met up with Leila in the library. They had planned to study together, but Lifu also wanted to thank her properly for the healing spell she had given him. It had already proven useful during his training sessions, and he was eager to learn more about it.
When Lifu arrived, Leila was already seated at a table in a quiet corner, her nose buried in a thick tome. The library was one of the few places at the academy that remained peaceful no matter what was happening outside, and Lifu was grateful for the calm atmosphere as he joined her.
“Hey, Leila,” Lifu said, taking a seat across from her. “Thanks again for that spell. It’s been a real lifesaver in training.”
Leila looked up from her book, a small smile on her lips. “I’m glad it’s been helpful. Healing magic is tricky, especially when it’s tied to a specific element, but I thought it would suit you.”
Lifu nodded. “How did you find it? I mean, healing spells aren’t exactly common, especially not ones designed for specific affinities.”
Leila closed her book and leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. “It wasn’t easy. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the Sorcery Club’s archives, studying old texts and forgotten spells. Healing magic, particularly elemental healing magic, is considered a rare art—almost lost, actually. But I found references to it in some ancient tomes, spells that date back centuries. Most of them were incomplete or damaged, but I managed to piece together something functional.”
Lifu listened intently, impressed by her dedication. “That must have taken a lot of work. I’m really grateful you thought of me when you found it.”
Leila shrugged modestly, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes. “It’s what friends do, right? Besides, I know you’re taking on a lot—exploring dangerous places, climbing the Battle Chart... I figured you could use a little extra help.”
Lifu smiled, genuinely touched. “It means a lot, Leila. I’ll make sure to master the spell. You never know when it might come in handy, especially with the kinds of challenges we’re facing.”
Leila’s expression grew more serious. “Speaking of challenges, how are you feeling about everything? I know there’s a lot going on—between the Battle Chart, the mystery of the box, and... other things.” Her voice lowered, as if she sensed there was more on Lifu’s mind.
Lifu hesitated, the memory of his encounter with the shadowy figure the night before resurfacing. He wasn’t sure how much to share, but he trusted Leila. She had proven herself time and again as someone he could rely on.
“Something strange happened last night,” Lifu said quietly, leaning closer so only Leila could hear. “I was out for a walk when I was approached by someone—a person I didn’t recognise. They knew about the box we found in the Vale. They warned me that there are powerful forces at play, that I should be careful who I trust.”
Leila’s eyes widened slightly, her brow furrowing in concern. “That’s... unsettling. Did they say who they were?”
Lifu shook his head. “No, they were deliberately vague. But they made it clear that the box is part of something bigger, something dangerous. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with that information, but I don’t know who to talk to. Corin is the obvious choice, but after what that person said...”
Leila placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “It’s understandable to be cautious. This is bigger than anything you’ve dealt with before. You can’t handle this alone, you also need to rely on your friends.”
Lifu nodded slowly, taking comfort in her words. “You’re right. I’ll talk to Corin soon. In the meantime, we need to keep our eyes and ears open. If there’s more going on at the academy than we realise, we can’t afford to be caught off guard.”
Leila agreed, and they returned to their studies, though the atmosphere had shifted slightly. The weight of the mystery surrounding the box and the unknown forces at work had cast a shadow over their thoughts, but it had also steeled their resolve. Whatever was coming, they would face it together.
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