The news of Nero''s disappearance wasn''t revealed to the public and only a selected few were able to know this piece of information.

    A Sudden Disappearance

    The news came swiftly for those who needed to be mobilized.

    Nero had vanished from his cell.

    To any ordinary person, this would have been alarming—a high-profile prisoner, missing under the empire''s watch? The mere thought could send the entire nation into chaos. That is why it was kept under the control of the empire

    But Apollo? He wasn''t surprised.

    He just kept his eyes on the screen while his classmates began to discuss the possible place Nero may enter to hide.

    The emperor had already warned them that something like this might happen.

    So, instead of panicking, Apollo and his classmates gathered in a secluded part of their dormitory, forming a tight circle as they analyzed and speculated about the situation.

    "Wait I heard the Mage association and the Mage tower are on the move to find Nero"

    "The imperial knights are also on the move. We should ask the emperor about some details." They continue to talk, but amongst their active discussion, the entire continent is flipped upside down by Nero''s disappearance.

    Apollo leaned forward, his expression remaining vacant while the flames from the fireplace created the right amount of heat for warmth. Then, he finally broke his silence; he presented a question that he thought he needed them to answer.

    "If you were one of Nero''s people, where would you hide him?"

    His question hung in the air for a moment before his classmates began voicing their thoughts.

    "Somewhere the imperial forces have the least control."

    "A place that isn''t easily accessible—maybe a dangerous forest."

    "It should be well protected, but danger alone isn''t enough. If I were them, I''d pick a place the emperor wouldn''t expect."

    "A location far from imperial influence, isolated, and well-guarded."

    As they continued brainstorming, a realization began to take shape.

    A single place formed in their minds.

    A place so unlikely, so absurd... yet perfect.

    "...Wait. Don''t tell me—"

    "...It''s not what I think it is, right?"

    A heavy silence filled the room, and only the crackling sound from the fireplace could be heard.

    The deafening silence lasted for a few seconds

    Apollo didn''t respond immediately.

    His gaze slowly drifted across the room, locking onto a specific group of seniors, showed inside the monitor.

    They were subtle—too subtle. Their expressions remained neutral, but their body language betrayed them. There is this underlying panic in them. A flicker of tension in their fingers. A sharp inhale as if being inpatient, but quickly suppressed the moment it leaked. A momentary glance exchanged between strangers yet too meaningful to be nothing.

    In a few brief moments, the cracks in their disguise were starting to show.

    A smirk played on Apollo''s lips.

    "Now... I wonder how the student president will handle this."

    His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table as he observed the senior students moving towards the academy''s shadowed corners.

    Something was shifting.

    Something big.

    Although everything was going as they were informed, it was still interesting how things were heading.

    Apollo''s screen flickered, casting a dim glow across his face.

    His mind raced through possibilities and analyzed the scenario that would surely benefit them.

    "Should I interfere now? Or should I report this first?"

    If he acted too soon, he might interfere with what the emperor wants; his wishes are the priority, and Apollo needs to comply.

    If he waited too long, Nero''s people could gain a foothold.

    A delicate balance.

    Then, after a moment...

    Nero chuckled.

    "Interesting."

    He turned to his people.

    "Prepare yourselves. We''re going to the academy."

    Nero is playing a very dangerous game with all his possible moves narrowed to a few places. Even so, he still has a hidden card that even his closest confidant doesn''t know about.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    December arrived in the blink of an eye, and the news about Nero''s escape never crossed the eyes and ears of the public. But even when a month went by not even the shadow of the former king was seen.

    "So now news again?"

    Mckenzie asked feeling bored.

    "Not yet the emperor told us to remain on standby"

    As Apollo answered that way, a continued groan of dissatisfaction came to his ears.

    "For how long do we need to wait? If we don''t move soon, won''t Nero escape again?"

    Matilda asked while fiddling with the pen in her hand.

    "You know instead of thinking of that you should probably do something about your homework"

    "Ugh...wait, hold up. You know I can''t keep up with magical equations," she retorted while trying to do another magic circle.

    Apollo just laughs, but even he wonders why the emperor is trying to hold off on capturing Nero again. When he reported that Nero had arrived, he had thought he would immediately order to capture the target, but instead, the emperor just ordered him to remain on standby and observe the situation.

    "Your majesty, just what are you waiting for," he thought deeply, not understanding the will of his ruler.

    .

    .

    .

    A few days went by, and December already arrived.

    In the days of peace, something was changing.

    It was subtle. So subtle that no student or teacher had noticed it yet.

    But Apollo did.

    The air felt different.

    Even when there wasn''t any kind of tension, Apollo could tell something was happening.

    The patterns of movement around the academy shifted.

    Some hallways seemed... emptier than usual, but somehow, the students didn''t find it weird.

    Something was coming.

    And then—

    A thunderous explosion rocked the academy, shaking the very foundations of the building.

    A giant cloud of smoke rises to the sky while screams and shouts are heard.

    The impact sent students into a panic, professors rushing out of their offices, and alarms blaring through the halls.

    But amidst the chaos, Apollo simply smiled.

    "It''s time, fellas." He stood up, his golden eyes glowing with excitement.

    His classmates turned to him, anticipation filling up their faces.

    "We are ordered to attack."

    With that, Apollo cracked his knuckles, his mischievous grin widening.